Dolphins 2023 NFL mock draft: Addressing a position of need with the No. 51 overall pick

For the second consecutive season, the Dolphins will enter the NFL Draft with a league-low four picks. And the 2022 Draft was a reminder that predictions and projections on what a team may do over the three-day event are anyone’s best guess.

Last year’s Miami Herald mock draft predicted the Dolphins taking an offensive lineman with its first pick and then a running back late, both positions of need. Instead, Miami took neither and surprised many by taking a wide receiver and quarterback in the fourth and seventh rounds, respectively.

Using the default settings on Pro Football Focus’ Mock Draft Simulator, the Miami Herald once again looks to predict what the Dolphins will do. The four-player haul includes taking care of a top need, making a trade and grabbing an interesting developmental project.

Second Round (No. 51): Iowa TE Sam LaPorta

▪ Just missed: TCU OL Steve Avila, Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron, Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs

▪ Also considered: Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave, UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet, Northwestern DL Adetomiwa Adebawore

There was consideration to move down a few spots and recoup an early Day 3 pick. But the opportunity to take a tight end who could make an impact on Day 1 was too tempting. At last week’s predraft news conference, assistant general manager Marvin Allen praised the tight end class and said he thought multiple players could be selected early.

To this point, four are already off the board, including Georgia’s Darnell Washington. LaPorta acknowledged that he’s still developing as a blocker and there are fair questions about his ceiling in that department. But draft experts say he has the desire and capability to do so. In the passing game, LaPorta has the lateral quickness and wiggle to be a legitimate option for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and an already potent offense.

There have been rumblings about Miami’s interest in Gibbs but general manager Chris Grier’s history suggests he wouldn’t grab one this early — or trade up, especially when Miami doesn’t have many players under contract for 2024 and may need an influx of cheap talent.

Trade with Eagles

In this trade, the Dolphins send the No. 84 overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 94 overall pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick. Miami has five picks next year and none in the third our fourth round. Maryland offensive tackle Jaleyn Duncan and Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika both would have been prime options but were taken in the previous 10 to 15 picks. Illinois safety Sydney Brown and North Carolina State offensive line Chander Zavala are both still on the board, but both positions have been addressed in free agency and there’s value later in the third round.

Third round (No. 94): Bowling Green DL Karl Brooks

▪ Just missed: North Carolina State OL Chander Zavala, Texas RB Roschon Johnson, Auburn RB Tank Bigsby

▪ Also considered: Wake Forest DL Kobie Turner, Texas DL Moro Ojomo

This might be a little early for Brooks but he’s a player that has caught the attention of scouts through the draft process, and the Dolphins brought him to their facility for a “30” visit. Brooks was a productive edge rusher in college but projects as more of an interior defender in the NFL. He’s more refined as a pass rusher at this point, so he could be used as a situational player on third downs while he develops as a rookie. Brooks would be depth and insurance for a position room that doesn’t have many players under contract after the 2023 season.

Sixth round (No. 197): East Carolina RB Keaton Mitchell

▪ Just missed: N/A

▪ Also considered: N/A

The Dolphins could target a late-round running back such as Mitchell, one of the most dynamic players in this class. Mitchell ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash and has game-breaking speed. He’s a bit undersized at 5-7 and 179 pounds and needs to be more patient at times, but he could compete for one of the final running back spots.

Seventh round (No. 238): Northern Michigan OT Jake Witt

▪ Just missed: N/A

▪ Also considered: N/A

Witt is the prototypical player that teams take a chance on toward the end of the draft. He didn’t play organized football until his junior year of high school and played two seasons at Division II Northern Michigan, with his first nine games coming at tight end. But Witt caught people’s attention after a standout Pro Day workout in which he flashed his athleticism at 6-7 and 302 pounds.

Witt would not be expected to compete for a starting role in 2023, but the offensive coaching staff could take its time developing a player who is still very new to the game.