2023 NFL Draft guide: How to watch, potential Dolphins targets and more
The 2023 NFL Draft begins Thursday night in Kansas City, Missouri, with Round 1 of the three-day event. For the second consecutive season, the Dolphins will sit out the first night as they don’t have a first-round pick.
It’s a new space for a franchise that stripped down the roster several years ago and accumulated significant draft capital. In 2020, Miami selected 11 players and made three picks in the first round, including taking quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5 overall. In 2021, the Dolphins made seven picks and five within the first 100 selections.
But after trading a package of picks for wide receiver Tyreek Hill last year, Miami had just four picks in the 2022 Draft and none until the third round. The team will finish the weekend with the same number of picks barring a trade, which Chris Grier has shown no hesitation do during his tenure as general manager.
The Dolphins would have picked No. 21 overall Thursday night but forfeited the pick last July as punishment for tampering with quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton. The team then sent its second first-rounder — which was obtained as part of a 2021 trade with the San Francisco 49ers — to the Denver Broncos last November as part of a trade package for outside linebacker Bradley Chubb.
The Dolphins also sent the third-round pick they obtained from the New England Patriots as part of the DeVante Parker trade last year to the Los Angeles Rams in the deal for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The team’s fourth-round pick is in the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs as part of the deal for Hill and a fifth-round pick was given to the 49ers last November for running back Jeff Wilson Jr.
Here is everything you need to know about the draft, including which players the Dolphins could target.
WHEN IS THE DRAFT?
The NFL Draft is being held in Kansas City. Round 1 of the Draft is scheduled for 8 p.m Thursday. Day 2 of the draft, which includes Round 2 and Round 3, begins 7 p.m. Friday. Day 3, which includes Rounds 4 to 7, begins noon Saturday.
HOW CAN I WATCH?
ESPN, ABC, NFL Network and ESPN Deportes will all provide coverage of the NFL Draft. Viewers can also stream the draft on the ESPN app.
WHO IS PICKING FIRST?
The Chicago Bears were slotted into the No. 1 overall pick by virtue of finishing with the league’s worst record. But in March, Chicago traded the pick to the Carolina Panthers for the No. 9 pick and a package that also includes wide receiver D.J. Moore.
The Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks, who received their pick from the Broncos as part of the Russell Wilson trade last year, round out the top five.
Five teams, including the Dolphins, don’t have a first-round pick: the Broncos, Rams, 49ers and Cleveland Browns.
WHO ARE THE TOP PROSPECTS?
The intrigue surrounding this year’s class is where the top quarterbacks will land. Alabama’s Bryce Young has emerged as the likely No. 1 pick. In recent days, reports have said Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud could experience a bit of a draft-night fall. Florida’s Anthony Richardson is arguably the draft’s most polarizing player, a physical marvel who started just 13 games in college. Kentucky’s Will Levis and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker are also likely first-round picks but come with various questions.
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. and Texas running back Bijan Robinson are also among the consensus top prospects, but there is speculation regarding when Robinson will be picked given the value of running backs in the modern NFL.
WHEN DO THE DOLPHINS PICK?
▪ Round 2, No. 51 overall
▪ Round 3, No. 84 overall
▪ Round 6, No. 197 overall
▪ Round 7, No. 238 overall
WHO MIGHT THE DOLPHINS PICK?
The Dolphins are expected to abide by their best-player-available approach, picking the best prospect on their board at the time of the selection. But Miami could use an additional tight end, as well as depth along the offensive line and defensive line, among other positions. The following players could be targets at No. 51 and No. 84:
▪ Texas A&M running back Devon Achane
▪ TCU offensive lineman Steve Avila
▪ Wisconsin defensive lineman Keeanu Benton
▪ Syracuse offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron
▪ South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft
▪ Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta
▪ North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch
▪ Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz
▪ Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave
▪ Michigan defensive lineman Mazi Smith
DOLPHINS DRAFT PREVIEWS
OL: Which prospects can round out Miami’s offensive line?
RB: Could Miami finally take a running back with a high pick?
TE: In a lauded tight end class, who is the best fit for Miami?
DL: Depth needed with top defensive linemen set to become free agents
