Miami Dolphins: Don’t Expect a “Best Player Available” Approach

The Miami Dolphins have enough ammo to make the biggest splash in this year’s NFL Draft. They have the 14 picks, they have players who exceeded expectations and could be potential trade bait, and they have a young head coach ready to take the team in the right direction.

This year might not be the make or break season that dooms the second-year head coach, but this draft will pave the way for that season. With 14 picks, the Dolphins will have plenty of time on the clock to refresh talent but don’t look for the typical draft day “best pick available” to come in to play too often. Unless its a position of a target, Miami shouldn’t go after whatever flashy pick is out there just because he’s the best left on the board.

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Too many years have been spent on trying to fill every position of need. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, almost every position has been a position of need. While they’ve had star players throughout the past 20 seasons, what they’ve lacked in-depth past those star players. Simply going out and trying to draft the best player to rebuild their starting unit would be foolish. Players get hurt, guys play situational downs, and guys need rest. Without filling out the back half of their roster with key players, Miami will always be in that same position.

Fast-forward to this year’s draft and next year’s and the Dolphins strategy might look a little different. Using 14 picks this year and a handful of picks next year, expect them to go hard at key positions to build units of strength. They won’t scatter all picks to 14 different positions, instead look for Miami to focus on 3 or 4 positions of need with the occasional big splash.

Yes fans, the Miami Dolphins will probably address their quarterback in this year’s draft. They might even take a wide receiver. However, expect Miami to draft OL three or four times, DL three or four as well, RB two or three times, and secondary who can play either CB or Safety.

While they won’t pass up the chance to upgrade a unit with the once-in-a-lifetime style player if they can, don’t expect it to be with every pick they make. After making 10 free agent signings pre-draft, this front office understands that depth and consistency are what will turn this team around. Splashy moves and big-name free agents will come along the way, but until they shore up the rest of the team they’re just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.