With The First Pick
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2019 NFL Draft: 5 free-agent moves that could impact 1st round

By Bryan Perez

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Wide Receiver John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Wide Receiver John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Broncos sign Ja’Wuan James to four-year, $51 million deal

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 24: Ja’Wuan James #70 of the Miami Dolphins in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 24: Ja’Wuan James #70 of the Miami Dolphins in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

No one saw this coming. Sure, James was one of the better right tackles available in free agency, but Denver wasn’t messing around. And now Miami is left to pick up the pieces in the NFL Draft.

The Dolphins currently hold the 13th overall pick and there’s a very strong chance a talented, starting-caliber offensive tackle will be on the board when they select. Whether that’s Kansas State’s Dalton Risner — who’s tailormade for right tackle — or Washington State’s Andre Dillard, Miami will have a few options to pick from.

This is an example of how free agency can create holes that need to be filled in the draft instead of the other way around. Had the Dolphins re-signed James? There wouldn’t be a desperate need to go with a tackle in the first round. They have almost no choice at this point, assuming, of course, they don’t add someone to the roster they feel comfortable fielding as a starter.

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