The Miami Dolphins are in the first year of a complete rebuilding project and will search for long-term building blocks in the 2019 NFL draft.
The Miami Dolphins are going to be one of the more interesting teams to watch in the 2019 NFL draft. They’re entering Year 1 of a rebuilding project, led by first-year head coach Brian Flores, and can go in just about any direction in the first round with the 13th overall pick.
The obvious position fans will point to as the most glaring need for Miami is at quarterback, where veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick was signed to be the bridge between rebuild and contention. It doesn’t mean the Dolphins won’t select a quarterback in the first round, but the right guy has to fall to them in order to pull the trigger. They won’t force it, especially with next year’s crop of passers — on paper — potentially having more upside than whoever will be available at No. 13.
Miami could choose to strengthen the pass rush, too. A player like Florida State’s Brian Burns could slide to the Dolphins in the first round and would offer the kind of pass-rushing upside that’s hard to pass up.
The offensive line is in play, too. The Dolphins lost tackle Ja’Wuan James to the Broncos in free agency and need to find a replacement. Only Laremy Tunsil looks like a long-term fixture to build around up front, and with this year’s class of linemen lacking an elite top-10 prospect, it’s possible (although unlikely) Miami could have their pick of the litter.
The Dolphins are one of several teams in the top 15 who can really disrupt the rest of the first round. They’re a true wildcard.
Here’s a look at what Miami’s draft haul might be through the first three rounds.