The Miami Dolphins went 11-6 to finish second in the AFC East in 2023, falling to the Bills in the final game of the regular season to lose out on the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC. They promptly lost to the Chiefs in the Wild Card round in a historically cold game, ending their playoff run as soon as it started. The Dolphins are currently attempting to negotiate a contract with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and reportedly do not plan on using an early draft pick to select a rookie QB.
2024 Mock Draft: Dolphins
Key Offseason Additions
The Dolphins came to a one-year deal with safety Jordan Poyer, who was most recently in Buffalo and added LB Shaquil Barrett and TE Jonnu Smith to the roster this offseason, as well. Cornerback Kendall Fuller joins Miami from Washington, and center Andrew Brewer signed a three-year deal with the Dolphins. They grabbed LB Jordyn Brooks in free agency, and signed several defensive tackles to address a lack of depth at the position.
Key Offseason Losses
Miami lost DT Christian Wilkins in free agency along with LB Andrew Van Ginkel and G Robert Hunt. Safeties Brandon Jones and DeShon Elliott departed during this offseason, as did DT Raekown Davis.
Dolphins’ First Three Picks
The Dolphins’ biggest needs come on defense, although they will need an interior defensive lineman to replace Robert Hunt. Expect plenty of defensive linemen to come through Miami in this draft as the Dolphins look to keep up their solid run defense from 2023 and improve their pass rush.
Round 1, Pick #21 — Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
The Dolphins lost several talented defensive tackles in the offseason and will be looking to add depth to the line. Newton was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and had 8.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Newton is somewhat undersized for his position but is one of the best and most complete defensive line prospects in this draft class. The Dolphins will be looking to improve their backfield penetration with this selection.
They may also go for an edge rusher like Florida State’s Jared Verse or UCLA’s Laiatu Latu with this pick.
Round 2, Pick #55 — Christian Haynes, G, UConn
After losing Robert Hunt in the offseason, the Dolphins will be looking to add some pass protection for Tagovailoa. This pick may feel a bit early for Haynes, but the Dolphins will be looking for one of the top interior offensive linemen left on the board at this point in the draft. Haynes has a good build for the position and was a four-year starter at UConn.
Round 5, Pick #158 — Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson
The Dolphins signed a large bunch of DTs to one-year contracts this offseason in an attempt to offset the losses of Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis and will add one more late in the draft. They are filled out at skill positions and fairly comfortable on the offensive side as a whole, so Miami will be looking to add depth to their defense with another tackle.