With the 21st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select…
Fans of the Dolphins, it’s draft day! The team will select a player in the first round for the first time since Mike McDaniel took over! Everyone is now wondering who McDaniel, general manager Chris Grier, and his excellent scouting staff will choose when Miami is due to report at 21.
If McDaniel gets his wish, he may decide to add a quick, flashy new weapon to his potent offensive arsenal. I am referring to Xavier Worthy, a wide receiver from Texas who has been connected to the Dolphins on multiple occasions in recent weeks. However, with the predicted glut of offensive linemen, it’s possible that a skilled defensive lineman will become available to the Dolphins. Which is ironically what McDaniel originally claimed to be his favourite scouting position.
Here is what Miami’s head coach had to say about the value of the defensive line following the team’s September 1, 2022, signing of Trey Flowers.
this quote has been burned in my brain this draft season pic.twitter.com/bslpoU9jO4
— josh houtz (@houtz) April 23, 2024
Do you now believe that a defensive lineman will be selected by the Dolphins?
It’s difficult to predict which players will be available when Miami has the clock running since you never know how the board will fall. Still, given the demands of the club, we might speculate as to who might be available. I’ve developed a list of six guys I would like to see called up when the Miami Dolphins are on the clock with the 21st overall pick in the first round of tonight’s NFL Draft. This list is based solely on Miami’s need and the players I’ve followed closely this draft season.
The Miami Dolphins should pick one of these six players in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Like Jaelan Phillips from a few seasons ago, I was immediately drawn to Laiatu Latu. He can win in a number of ways and is lightning fast off the edge. His use of his hands and his ability to bend around the outside also astonished me. He has a never-ending, limitless motor, much like Phillips. These are all qualities I think Miami’s coaches will adore. Paradoxically, though, Latu’s health raises more concerns than anything else, much like Phillips’ coming out. Latu had to leave Washington in 2021 due to medical reasons, but unlike his twin, he never gave up. He will definitely hear his name called on the first night. And if my wishes come true, the Miami Dolphins will be selected with the 21st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft…
* EDGE, UCLA, Laiatu Latu *
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 259 lbs.
2023 College Stats: 49 total tackles, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, two pass breakups.
Much like Jaelan Phillips a few seasons ago, Laiatu Latu caught my eye instantly. He’s fast AF off the EDGE and can win in various ways. Additionally, I was impressed with his hand usage and ability to bend around the outside. Like Phillips, he also has an endless motor that never quits. All of these are traits I believe Miami’s coaches will love. Ironically enough, however, the most significant question mark surrounding Latu — like Phillips coming out — is his health. In 2021, Latu was forced to medically retire from Washington, but like his doppelganger, he never gave up. Now, he’s sure to hear his name called on night one. And if I have things my way, it will be to the Miami Dolphins with the 21st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft…
EDGE, Jared Verse, Florida State
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 254 lbs.
2023 College Stats: 41 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, two pass breakups.
One of the names the Dolphins have been linked to most over the last few weeks has been Florida State pass-rusher Jared Verse. The former Albany Great Dane can win several ways, but his Scott Steiner-like power and ability to contain the EDGE stood out most when watching the film. At times, Verse would make an opposing lineman look like a blocking sled or a small child, moving him with relative ease into the quarterback’s lap. Despite that power, he also showed an explosive first step, and his 4.58 speed makes him a literal nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. I like Latu more, but with medical concerns and Verse being more of a well-rounded prospect, I could see Verse being the Dolphins’ pick at 21.
Defensive Tackle, Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 304 lbs.
2023 College Stats: 52 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one recovery, two pass breakups.
With Christian Wilkins making bank in Las Vegas, the Dolphins have a rather large hole to fill on the defensive line alongside the world’s most underrated player, Zach Sieler. Miami has decided to go with a stable of veterans eager to prove they belong. But what if they wanted to draft Wilkins’ replacement? If that’s what Miami hopes to come away with in round one, the name I’d look at is Illinois defensive tackle. Sure, Texas’ Byron Murphy II seems to be the higher-ranked defensive tackle among the draft pundits, but based on games I’ve watched, something about Newton made me feel a type of way. He’s a game-wrecker who can disrupt things in the backfield at a second’s notice—the perfect mix of power and speed. There will never be another salt and pepper, but Johnny Newton and Zach Sieler wouldn’t be too far off. Like Wilkins, it wouldn’t be the sexiest pick, but I think fans would come to love the type of player Newton quickly is.
Defensive Back, Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Hometown: Odebolt, Iowa
Height: 6’ 0 1/2”
Weight: 203 lbs.
2023 College Stats: 41 total tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups.
When Anthony Weaver signed on as the Dolphins’ new defensive coordinator, we first heard from all the ‘eXpERts’ on social media that it was necessary to have three safeties in this defense. If that’s true and my numbers are correct, Miami’s current safeties are Jevon Holland and 32-year-old Jordan Poyer. This leads me to my next player, Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean. DeJean is a versatile player who would allow the Dolphins to get creative in the secondary. He’s shown he can play at a high level on the outside, inside, and at safety, making him the perfect pick if Miami plans to move around cornerback Jalen Ramsey more this season. Oh, and he also has some return abilities. I’m not sure where he’d play to start, but long-term having a combination of Holland and DeJean in the secondary feels like an excellent problem with how explosive offenses are quickly becoming.
Offensive Lineman, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Hometown: Draper, Utah
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 328 lbs
2023 College Stats: N/A
Yes, I know this is now Graham Barton’s spot in the pecking order, but it feels like just yesterday that many Dolphins fans were banging the table for Oregon Ducks’ center Jackson Powers-Johnson. As I usually do, I try to stick to my guns for better or worse. Thus, making my JPJ my choice for Miami’s starting center/guard of the future. The athletic, violent interior offensive lineman could fill a need on Miami’s line immediately at guard, with the potential to eventually be the team’s starting center. Or, if you’ve been listening to Another Dolphins Podcast, you would know how Brian Baldinger feels about Aaron Brewer playing center… which could open the door for Powers-Johnson to start at center sooner rather than later. He might have fallen down the pecking order, but in my heart, JPJ is still one of one if Chris Grier and Co. plan to draft an offensive lineman.
Wide Receiver, Xavier Worthy, Texas
Hometown: Fresno, California
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 lbs.
2023 College Stats: 75 receptions, 1,014 yards, five touchdowns.
Maybe it’s the never-ending Worthy highlights I’ve seen on #DolphinsTwitter the last several days, but I have to be honest: I’ve really warmed up to the idea of the Dolphins drafting the king of speed, Xavier Worthy. Yes, he’s only 175 pounds, and some might view him (ignorantly) as only a deep threat. But when you turn on the film, you see that not only is he the fastest human ever timed at the combine, but the tape says he’s a more refined receiver than many give him credit for. Couple that with Miami’s need for a third receiving target, the rumors we continue to hear about their interest in Worthy, and the (potential) uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of Hill & Waddle, and I don’t know that I’d be as surprised as I once was if Worthy is Miami’s pick. However, it would definitely be more palatable via trade-down or early in the second round.