With The First Pick
Fansided

2017 Miami Dolphins Mock Draft

By Blake Yagman

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) runs onto the field for player intoriductions prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) runs onto the field for player intoriductions prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tight End

Tight End is arguably the weakest spot on Miami’s roster.

The Dolphins addition of former Cleveland Brown Jordan Cameron has not worked out. Cameron could be forced into an early retirement due to concussions. Deon Sims and Marqueis Gray add depth at the position, but they are not good enough to start. Adam Gase wants a a Tight End in the same mold of what he had in Denver (Julius Thomas) and Chicago (Martellus Bennett). Both Thomas and Bennett had career seasons under Gases’ tutelage.

Further, Dolphins czar Mike Tannenbaum has pulled the trigger on Tight Ends in the first round before: in the 2008 draft, he selected Dustin Keller out of Purdue while with the Jets.

In contrast to last year, there are a lot of good Tight Ends in the upcoming draft.

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) celebrates a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) celebrates a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama’s O.J. Howard looks to have all of the tools necessary to become a Pro Bowl Tight End. According to NFL scouting reports, Howard is a “phenomenal athlete” with a dangerous blend of size (6’6″ 242), speed (4.65, 40) and competitiveness.

The critique on Howard is that he has not yet mastered route running; this is a similar criticism Rob Gronkowski faced upon his departure from University of Arizona.

Although O.J. Howard will probably be the first Tight End taken, there is still a ton of value in later selections. Michigan’s Jake Butt and Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges are destined to succeed at the next level. Both players are pretty big — 6’6″ and 6’7″, respectively– and are integral pieces of their team’s offenses. Hodges probably has more upside, he draws comparisons to Jimmy Graham.

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