The Miami Dolphins added a rangy inside linebacker to last year's most troublesome unit, selecting Ohio State's Raekwon McMillan with the No. 54 pick in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday.
McMillan, who is 6-2, 240 pounds, contributed 275 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles in his three years at Ohio State.
He's viewed as an intelligent linebacker who has heavy hands and excels at shedding tackles. He's got enough range to become a three-down linebacker, which means Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons might have competition for playing time.
All three linebackers can play on the inside, and have experience doing so. The Dolphins' third linebacker spot is open, with McMillian, Koa Misi and Neville Hewitt likely competing in camp for that role.
The Dolphins came into the 2017 draft with four glaring needs, and seven selections to address them.
Miami needed a defensive end to complete their four-man rotation, and selected Missouri pass rusher Charles Harris with its first-round pick on Thursday. Harris is expected to share the snaps with right defensive end Andre Branch.
Even though general manager Chris Grier said he believes Cameron Wake, who turned 35 in January, can play at a high level for another five years, the Dolphins have to be prepared for his inevitable decline.
"I'm going to cause pressure, without a doubt. I'm going to get to the quarterback. That's the thing about it," said Harris, who contributed 136 tackles, 18 sacks and five forced fumbles in his three seasons with the Tigers. "Pass rushing isn't like other positions like (defensive backs), receivers and quarterbacks where you have to learn shifts and other stuff. At the end of the day, it's about what you've got in your heart. That's what I've got. I've got heart. I've got a drive that's nasty."
The biggest concern is whether Harris can help Miami's defense, which finished 29th overall and 30th against the run after allowing 140 rushing yards per game, right away. And if Miami can find more defensive help in the draft.
The Dolphins also need to add a free safety with enough range to complement strong safety Reshad Jones, someone who could challenge Nate Allen and Michael Thomas for the starting spot.
Miami's looking for a defensive tackle who can take a few snaps off Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips' plate, and an offensive lineman who can challenge Ted Larsen or Jermon Bushrod for one of the starting guard spots.
The Dolphins don't have a fourth-round pick in this draft because of last year's trade with Minnesota, which allowed Miami to select receiver Leonte Carroo in the third round.
The Dolphins do have three fifth-round picks, selection No. 166, 178 and No. 184, which is the final pick in the round. Miami doesn't have a sixth-round pick because of this offseason's trade to acquire defensive end William Hayes from the Los Angeles Rams. But Miami owns pick No. 223, the fifth pick of the seventh round.
Miami's goal on Day 3 of the draft, which starts at noon on Saturday, is to select the best available player rather than address team needs. That's how the Dolphins ended up with six of eight members of the 2016 draft being offensive players, even though the roster had glaring needs on defense.
