Miami Dolphins facing potential dilemma with pick late in first round. Here’s why

We examined Dolphins draft prospects at positions of need in this piece on Tuesday.

But what happens if the best players on the board when the Dolphins pick late in the first round (between 29 and 32) do not play positions of need?

That’s certainly a possibility; many of the prospects considered late first- or early-second rounders play positions where the Dolphins are seemingly set or could be set if they re-sign defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah or tight end Mike Gesicki.

A look at prospects in the Dolphins’ draft area at those positions:

Edge players and defensive linemen

The Dolphins were fifth in the league in sacks with 48, with linebacker Jaelan Phillips producing 8.5 as a rookie. And this won’t be a need if the Dolphins re-sign Ogbah.

Nevertheless, six defensive ends could warrant consideration in Miami’s spot, even more so if the Dolphins can’t agree to terms with Ogbah on a new deal: FSU’s Jermaine Johnson, Purdue’s George Karlaftis, Georgia’s Travon Walker, San Diego State’s Cameron Thomas, Houston’s Logan Hall and Texas A&M’s DeMarvin Leal.

At least two of those six could be gone by Miami’s pick. Most of the six have the ability to play tackle in certain schemes.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has Miami taking Johnson as a potential replacement for Ogbah, who the Dolphins would ideally like to keep.

“Johnson has the length, agility and violent hands to be disruptive as both a pass rusher and run defender,” Brugler said.

Johnson had 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss at FSU last season after transferring from Georgia, where he had 6.5 sacks in 16 career games.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said the 275-pound Karlaftis - whom he slots 23rd in the first round - “might be better in a 3-4 defense. He had only 4.5 sacks in 2021, but his pressure numbers were elite, even if he didn’t always get home to the quarterback. He’s really good against the run, too.”

Karlaftis had 9.5 sacks in his first 14 college games at Purdue, and then the 4.5 in 12 games last season. He has 29 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in 26 college games.

Kiper has Georgia’s Walker going 24th in his first mock draft and said he “stands out every time I watch the loaded Georgia defense. He can blow up tackles at the point of attack, and he has the physical traits to chase down ball carriers in the run game. At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, he has some scheme versatility at the next level.”

McShay said Walker - who had 33 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 6 sacks last season - “is one of the most underrated prospects in the class, overlooked on a Georgia defense that features nine other draftable prospects. I’ve had Walker in the first-round range since November, and he keeps rising up my board (No. 14). I think he will be an even better pro than college player. The thing that really jumps out on tape is his explosiveness.”

Kiper has San Diego State’s Thomas slotted at 28 and said “I like Thomas a lot because of his versatility -- he lined up at both tackle and end for the Aztecs and created havoc at both spots. He had 11.5 sacks and a whopping 27 total tackles for loss in 2021.” He’s also good against the run.

Kiper has Texas A&M’s Leal going 30th, noting the 290-pounder “could play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme or 3-technique tackle in a 4-3.” He had 8.5 sacks in 2021.

Michigan’s David Ojabe likely will be gone by Miami’s pick but isn’t out of the question. NFL Net’s Daniel Jeremiah has him 24th, noting “Ojabo is a polarizing player in league circles. I love his get-off quickness, but he’s going to need some time and reps to improve against the run.”

Brugler slots Houston’s Hall 30th and said he’s “one of the more underrated prospects in this draft class, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is long gone by this pick.”

CORNERBACK

This becomes a consideration only if the Dolphins decide to move on from Xavien Howard (unlikely) or Byron Jones, who’s coming off a solid season and would have a big cap hit if he’s cut or traded. Nik Needham is a restricted free agent and expected to return.

Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. and Washington teammates Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon project in this range; Kiper has Booth 22nd and McDuffie 27th; Jeremiah has Gordon 27th.

Booth had only three interceptions in 25 college games but allowed just one completion of more than 20 yards last season and “was extremely consistent over the past two seasons, locking down receivers,” Kiper said.

Kiper said McDuffie - who had two interceptions in 27 games - “can cover wideouts outside or from in the slot, so the versatility is a plus. He was very good in man coverage for the Huskies.”

And his Washington teammate Gordon - who had two interceptions last season - “has some scheme versatility and the ability to play in the slot as well as outside,” Kiper said.

TIGHT END

If the Dolphins move on from Gesicki, this becomes a possibility, even though Miami drafted Hunter Long in the third round last season.

Kiper has one tight end in the first round: Colorado’s State Trey McBride, whom he slots 32nd. He’s a complete tight end; he caught 90 passes for 1,121 yards last season and Kiper notes “he’s also a good blocker.”

GUARD

This would be difficult to justify, after Miami moved its two recent high-round tackle selections (Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt) to guard. Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green is considered a mid-to-late first-rounder.

OTHER SPOTS THAT AREN’T HIGH PRIORITIES

That would include defensive tackle and quarterback and safety. It would be a shock if the Dolphins use their first-rounder on any of these spots.

The Dolphins have told people that they would like to invest at least another season in Tua Tagovailoa, and the Dolphins hope they’re set at nose tackle with Raekwon Davis, an ascending young player who must continue to improve.

They seem set at safety with Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones, though Jones’ coverage skills must improve. Eric Rowe remains under contract for 2022.

So it would be surprising if the Dolphins select players at those positions who are projected for late in the first round, a group including Georgia defensive tackles Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis, Michigan safety/slot corner Daxton Hill, UF cornerback Kaiir Elam, Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary, Liberty quarterback Malik Willis and Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder.