NFL Draft live updates Day 2: The Dolphins keep drafting linemen and defensive backs

The opening round of the 2020 NFL Draft was a success for the Miami Dolphins. They landed Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 pick, landed a tackle with the No. 18 pick, then bolstered their defense with a third pick while also nabbing up another Draft pick through a trade with the Green Bay Packers.

Still, the Dolphins only won five games last year for a reason. Miami has plenty of holes to fill and three more picks on the second day of the NFL Draft to try to fill them.

Running back, tackle, and safety are three of the biggest priorities left for the Dolphins in the second and third rounds of the Draft on Friday. The Miami Herald will be providing live draft updates throughout the day here. Follow along as the developments come in below:

Live updates, analysis

12:01 a.m.: The second day of the NFL Draft is in the books. The Dolphins full haul: offensive lineman Robert Hunt, defensive tackle Raekwon Davis and safety Brandon Jones. Miami didn’t make a single trade, so it has nine picks in the final four rounds of the Draft on Sunday.

So far, the Dolphins have committed to the trenches and the secondary, which means they could try to fill some new spots on the last day of the Draft. Running back remains a major position of need and Miami could still use some more edge rushers, and possibly a tight end.

11:50 p.m.: As the second day of the Draft nears its end, let’s take a look at some of the top prospects remaining at positions of need for the Dolphins.

At running back, Florida Gators tailback La’Mical Perine is the top prospect available, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Miami could also keep it in state if they want to go for a tight end -- FAU Owls receiver Harrison Bryant is the top player available there.

If the Dolphins want to keep focusing on the offensive line, Washington Huskies tackle Trey Adams and Wisconsin Badgers center Tyler Biadasz are both still available, as is LSU Tigers tackle Saahdiq Charles.

10:52 p.m.: Another top running back prospect is off the board as the Buffalo Bills take Utah Utes tailback Zack Moss, who is originally from Hallandale High School in Hallandale Beach.

Florida Gators halfback La’Mical Perine is now the top running back available, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

9:58 p.m.: Outside of Tagovailoa, the Dolphins have spent all their picks on linemen and defensive backs.

With the No. 70 overall pick in the third round, Miami snagged Texas Longhorns safety Brandon Jones, a versatile defensive back who could fill many different roles for the Dolphins. Safety was one of the biggest holes MIami needed to fill and the Dolphins found their man in the third round.

As of now, Miami is finished with the second day of the Draft. The Dolphins have nine picks Sunday, so some of those obvious gaps — running back, perhaps — still have time to get filled.

9:38 p.m.: The second round of the NFL Draft is in the books and the Dolphins still have one more pick Friday. Miami will pick sixth in the third round — No. 70 overall — after grabbing a pair of linemen with its two second-round picks.

Running back was widely viewed as the Dolphins’ top priority on Day 2 of the Draft, but nearly every top target is gone now after the Packers took AJ Dillon with the No. 62 pick. Utah Utes running back Zack Moss, originally from Hallandale High School in Hallandale Beach, is the top available running back, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

Miami could also continue its focus in the trenches as it tries to totally rebuild the offensive line. Houston Cougars tackle Josh Jones, thought to potentially be a first-round pick, is still available, as are a number of top interior offensive linemen, including LSU Tigers guard Damien Lewis.

Dolphins go linemen in Round 2

8:57 p.m.: The Dolphins are focusing on the trenches on the second day of the NFL Draft. This time, they turn to the defense, drafting Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Raekwon Davis.

The defensive lineman is bursting with potential at 6-foot-7, although his Alabama career was somewhat underwhelming. Either way, Davis now joins linebacker Raekwon McMillan to give Miami the only two Raekwons in NFL history.

8:47 p.m.: J.K. Dobbins goes to the Baltimore Ravens one spot before the Dolphins. If Miami is committed to getting a running back here, Zack Moss, La’Mical Perine and AJ Dillon are the best available.

8:32 p.m.: The Los Angeles Rams are going to take Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers with the No. 52 pick, so another halfback option is off the board for the Dolphins as the No. 56 pick nears.

Ohio State Buckeyes star J.K. Dobbins is the top available running back, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., followed by Zack Moss, La’Mical Perine and AJ Dillon.

7:55 p.m.: The Dolphins’ running back options are starting to dwindle. Already, D’Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor are off the board in the second round.

Still, Miami is particularly high on Boston College Eagles running back A.J. Dillon and Ohio State Buckeyes star J.K. Dobbins is still available, too. This is a position to monitor as the No. 56 pick approaches.

7:44 p.m.: The Dolphins have doubled up on tackles in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.

Miami used one of two second-round picks to grab Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns offensive lineman Robert Hunt at No. 39 overall. Hunt is capable of playing both tackle and guard, but he started seven games at right tackle as a senior before getting injured. It might be his spot in the NFL, too.

7:23 p.m.: Most mock drafts projected the Dolphins to take D’Andre Swift with their third pick. Instead, the Georgia Bulldogs running back is headed to the Detroit Lions with the No. 35 pick.

There are still plenty of running backs available, though, including Jonathan Taylor, J.K. Dobbins and A.J. Dillon. Miami is particularly high on Dillon.

7:09 p.m.: The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock and Day 2 of the NFL Draft is officially underway.

The Dolphins pick seventh in the second round. They should make their selection within the hour, unless they trade the pick, which is a real possibility.

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Georgia running back D’Andre Swift runs as Missouri defensive back Khalil Oliver (20) defends during an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga. Swift is one of the top running backs in the upcoming NFL draft. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Georgia running back D’Andre Swift runs as Missouri defensive back Khalil Oliver (20) defends during an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga. Swift is one of the top running backs in the upcoming NFL draft. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

Who will Dolphins pick Friday?

6:33 p.m.: The Dolphins have proven their priority, above all else, is to stockpile picks, so it’s no surprise they’re already wheeling and dealing again Friday.

Miami is attempting to trade down from the No. 39 pick, NFL Network reported. The Dolphins currently have three picks Friday and 12 total across the six remaining rounds.

6:30 p.m.: The mock drafts almost uniformly have one common consensus for the Dolphins in the second round of the NFL Draft: They’re going to take a running back and most people think it will be Georgia Bulldogs tailback D’Andre Swift.

Take a look at who analysts have the Dolphins taking with the Nos. 39 and 56 picks Friday:

ESPN.com: RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia; DT Jordan Elliott, Missouri

Profootballtalk.com: RB D’Andre Swift; WR Michael Pittman Jr., Southern California

CBSSports.com: DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State; RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

NFL Network: RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia; DT Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma

USA Today: DE Yetur Gross-Matos; T Josh Jones, Houston

Sports Illustrated: RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia; S Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota

Sporting News: RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia, OLB Terrell Lewis, Alabama

The Athletic: RB J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State; S Kyle Dugger, D-II Lenoir-Rhyne University (Hickory, N.C.)

5:55 p.m.: Day 2 of the draft starts in a little over an hour. So who will the Dolphins select with their three picks?

Here are three names we hear the Dolphins have interest in as the second round begins:

Boston College running back A.J. Dillon.

Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa (who is the fourth-best available player on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board).

LSU safety Grant Delpit, right, breaks up a pass intended for Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU safety Grant Delpit, right, breaks up a pass intended for Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The Dolphins could use help at all three positions after going quarterback-offensive tackle-cornerback with their three first-rounders.

Here is NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s take on all three players:

Dillon: “Built like a minibus but possessing enough vision and finesse to avoid being pigeon-holed as just a pure power back. Dillon is capable of handling heavy workloads and wearing down defenses, but there is a concern from evaluators that it’s taken a physical toll on him. He’s a disciplined runner who trusts his blocking scheme and follows his rush track. He’s a good one-cut runner with below-average wiggle but natural power to create yards after contact. Dillon will find more space as he faces fewer loaded boxes as a pro, but dropping weight and adding quickness could be the difference between a future as a committee back or starter.”

Epenesa: “The size and production should force all evaluators to dial their focus in on what he’s best at rather than any perceived areas of concern. He has average instincts against the run and is a step slow to shed, but he’s strong at the point and he does his job. Epenesa won’t just out-run tackles to the edge, but he’s a skilled rusher whose diversity of attack, skilled hands and unique bull-rushing instincts could help him deliver his college sack production in the pros. He can play end in a 4-3 or 3-4 and could leap from good to great with additional work on technique and explosiveness.”

Delpit: “Aggressive, urgent striker with good upside who posted a disappointing follow-up to an exciting 2018 campaign. His evaluation requires a full load of 2018 tape, where his coverage potential was better illustrated. He transitions with instinctive eyes and plays physically against tight ends. Willingness to rush in and hit has never been a problem in the alley or in his fits, but tackle inconsistencies have plagued him throughout his career due to angles and technique that could be challenging to fix. LSU sources say NFL teams won’t be getting the alpha leadership Jamal Adams provided for the Tigers, but Delpit should find a starting role early in his career as a versatile safety with big nickel potential.”

A look at the Miami Dolphins’ second-day draft options and who they’ve contacted

5:40 p.m.: The Dolphins begin Day 2 of the draft with three picks. But don’t be surprised if they end with more.

As it stands, they have two seconds (39 and 56) and a third (70) to use Friday and then a staggering nine picks Saturday: two in the fourth (136 and 141), three in the fifth (153, 154 and 173), one in the sixth (185) and three in the seventh (227, 246 and 251).

That’s probably more than the Dolphins can really use in one year, particularly since they already have the youngest roster in the league (25.31, per Spotrac).

So don’t be surprised if they package a couple of third-day picks to get into the bottom of the third round.

Another way the Dolphins could maximize their assets is to use 2020 picks on 2021 players. The premium for trading a pick this year for a pick next year is usually one round, so perhaps they find a team willing to give up a third in 2021 for a fourth in 2020. Or maybe they give up a third-rounder for a second next year.

That’s the way teams turn a one-year haul into sustained dominance in the draft.

5:17 p.m.: The Dolphins’ first major return piece of the Laremy Tunsil trade came to fruition Thursday when they drafted Noah Igbinoghene with the No. 30 pick in the first round. Miami got the Houston Texans’ first-round pick as one of the centerpieces of the trade last year. The pick wound up at No. 26, but the Dolphins traded down with the Green Bay Packers to take the Auburn Tigers cornerback at No. 30. Miami also has the Texans’ first- and second-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft coming.

On Friday, Tunsil signed an extension with Houston for three years worth $22 million per year, the Houston Chronicle reported. Part of the reason the Dolphins dealt the offensive linemen was so they wouldn’t have to sign him to a significant extension when he hit the free-agent market after the 2020 season. Now Tunsil is the highest-paid tackle in the NFL.

5 p.m.: We’re two hours out from the start of the second day of the NFL Draft. The Dolphins are slated to pick seventh in the second round — No. 39 overall — then once more in the second and once in the third round. Miami surprisingly took Auburn Tigers cornerback Noah Igbinoghene with 30th pick Thursday, rather than trying to fill their more obvious needs at running back, tackle and safety. D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins and Jonathan Taylor are some of top running backs available, Xavier McKinney and Antoine Winfield Jr. are some of the top safeties, and Ezra Cleveland is the top-ranked tackle left, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

The Dolphins will pick again with the 24th pick in the second round — No. 56 overall — then they’ll pick sixth in the third round with the No. 70 overall pick. Miami’s extra second round pick comes via the New Orleans Saints after the Dolphins traded down in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Before we dive into Day 2, refresh yourself on what went down in the first round Thursday and what it means for Miami going forward this weekend and into the future.

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plays in an NCAA football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tagovailoa is a likely first round pick in the NFL Draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plays in an NCAA football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tagovailoa is a likely first round pick in the NFL Draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

What we’ve written

They really did it: The Dolphins tanked for Tua. Adam Beasley, the Herald’s beat writer, has the story.

General manager Chris Grier explains why Miami went with the Alabama Crimson Tide star over Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert.

Herald columnist Greg Cote loves the pick, which gives the Dolphins their first franchise quarterback since Dan Marino.

Fellow Herald writer Armando Salguero feels similarly.

National analysts are high on the pick, too, and say “the Dolphins hit a home run.”

The next priority was getting Tagovailoa some protection, which Miami achieved by drafting Austin Jackson with the No. 18 pick.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. feels the Southern California Trojans tackle has All-Pro potential.

The Dolpins wrapped up the first round by trading down the Packers and taking Igbinoghene with the 30th pick.

National analysts really like the defensive back’s upside.

All in all, the first round was more about “careful development than instant bounce,” Salguero writes.

To get you ready for tonight, Herald columnist Barry Jackson has a long list of potential second-day targets and a rundown of whom the Dolphins have met with.