Miami Dolphins & Fansided Mock Draft: Round 1
By Nate Wardle
Dec 28, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Taylor Lewan (77) during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Let me guess, you saw the title and thought “hold the phone, what is a Miami Dolphins post doing on The BALTIMORE Wire?” Well, just call me Matt Stairs, the king of pinch-hitting.
As a Fansided site, here at The Baltimore Wire we are participating in an ongoing 2014 NFL Mock Draft with some of the Local and NFL sites of Fansided. However, because my football allegiance is aqua and orange, I’m pinch hitting by drafting for the Miami Dolphins. Our site already picked for the Ravens on Wednesday, and you can see that HERE. You can follow the ongoing draft HERE to see all of the picks leading to my selection below. Follow along as we complete all 32 teams First Round Picks. The 19th pick, a very easy one for the Miami Dolphins, goes to…
Taylor Lewan, Michigan, OT – The Miami Dolphins select Taylor Lewan with the 19th pick. Lewan fills a huge need for the Dolphins on their depleted offensive line. Let’s face it, everyone knows how thin the Dolphins are on the offensive line, and the only two tackles on the roster at the end of the Dolphins’ disappointing season, Tyson Clabo and Bryant McKinnie, could both be replaced. The Dolphins are looking for a cornerstone offensive lineman to help anchor a line that already includes one Pro Bowler in Mike Pouncey at center. In drafting another tackle from the University of Michigan, Dolphins fans hope Lewan can be as good as Jake Long was before him.
Other options for this pick include Jake Matthews from Texas A&M, who went to the Atlanta Falcons at number 6. Also, Greg Robinson, OT from Auburn who declared early is a candidate, but he was drafted number 12 by the New York Giants. Consensus is that Matthews will be the top tackle taken. At this point, Robinson or Lewan could both go well before 19, because it is so important to have top offensive lineman. But Dolphin fans have to be hoping that one of the three makes their way down to the Dolphins.
Another OT would by Cyrus Kouandjio from Alabama, but I believe he may be a reach here. Cyril Richardson, Guard from Baylor could also be an option if the Dolphins don’t want to go with a tackle.
If for some reason the Dolphins would not go with an OL, which would be a big mistake, their next biggest need is in the secondary, and Jason Verrett from TCU or Justin Gilbert from Oklahoma State (already drafted 13 by the St. Louis Rams) are both corners that could fill a void.
Here are the 18 picks before the Dolphins’ turn…
#1. Houston Texans select Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, Quarterback
#2. St. Louis Rams select Sammy Watkins, Clemson, Wide Receiver
#3 Jacksonville Jaguars select Blake Bortles, Central Florida, Quarterback
#4 Cleveland Browns select Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, Quarterback
#5 Oakland Raiders Select Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina, Defensive End
#6 Atlanta Falcons Select Jake Matthews, Texas A&M, Offensive Tackle
#7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Anthony Barr, UCLA, Linebacker
#8 Minnesota Vikings Select Derek Carr, Fresno State, Quarterback
#9 Buffalo Bills Select Mike Evans, Texas A&M, Wide Receiver
#10 Detroit Lions Select Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State, Cornerback
#11 Tennessee Titans Select Khalil Mack, Buffalo, Linebacker
#12 New York Giants Select Greg Robinson, Auburn, Offensive Tackle
#13 St. Louis Rams Select Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State, Cornerback
#14 Chicago Bears Select Louis Nix, Notre Dame, Defensive Tackle
#15 Pittsburgh Steelers Select Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama, Safety
#16 Baltimore Ravens Select Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State, Wide Receiver
#17 Dallas Cowboys Select Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota, Defensive tackle
#18 New York Jets Select Eric Ebron, UNC, Tight End