DAVIE, Fla. _ The Miami Dolphins set the tone for their extensive rebuild Thursday night by selecting defensive tackle Christian Wilkins with the No. 13 pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.
The Dolphins, under general manager Chris Grier and new coach Brian Flores, have a considerable amount of roster needs they hope to fill as their time together in Miami gets underway.
A successful Dolphins draft in 2019 would see Miami address its dire needs for an elite pass rusher, a run-stopping defensive tackle, a new starting right tackle, another interior offensive lineman, and a new franchise quarterback.
The Dolphins also hope to address other areas of significant concern like finding a potential starting cornerback, a receiver who can develop into a No. 1 option, a punishing, downhill running back, and another defensive back to square away the secondary.
But first, the Dolphins picked Wilkins, whose legacy in Miami will be remembered for how he helped the franchise improve under its rebuild.
Wilkins joins the recent list of defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (11th), defensive end Charles Harris (22nd) and left tackle Laremy Tunsil (13th) as Dolphins' first-round picks during the past three years _ all made with Grier at the helm of the draft.
The Dolphins began the 2019 draft with seven picks: one in each of the first five rounds, including the No. 13 overall pick, and two seventh round picks.
The NFL draft will continue with the second and third rounds on Friday, where the Dolphins own the No. 48 pick (16th in the second round) and No. 78 (14th in the round).
The draft will be completed with the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds on Saturday.
