The 2023 NFL draft is just around the corner, and the Miami Dolphins have just four selections to use, at this point.
While there’s always a chance that general manager Chris Grier decides to trade more away or acquire others, we’re going to take a look at what Miami may do with their four selections using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator.
We’ll take over Grier’s job and try to make some picks that make sense. Before the Dolphins get on the board, here’s who went in the first 50 selections:
| 1. CAR | QB Bryce Young, Alabama |
| 2. HOU | QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio Stroud |
| 3. ARI | EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama |
| 4. IND | QB Anthony Richardson, Florida |
| 5. SEA | EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech |
| 6. DET | DL Jalen Carter, Georgia |
| 7. LVR | QB Will Levis, Kentucky |
| 8. ATL | CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon |
| 9. CHI | OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern |
| 10. PHI | CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois |
| 11. TEN | OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State |
| 12. HOU | EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa |
| 13. NYJ | WR Quentin Johnston, TCU |
| 14. NE | OT Broderick Jones, Georgia |
| 15. GB | EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia |
| 16. WAS | CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State |
| 17. PIT | CB Deonte Banks, Maryland |
| 18. DET | WR Jordan Addison, USC |
| 19. TB | WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State |
| 20. SEA | DL Bryan Bresee |
| MIA – Forfeited | – |
| 21. LAC | TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah |
| 22. BAL | EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson |
| 23. MIN | RB Bijan Robinson, Texas |
| 24. JAX | OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee |
| 25. NYG | DL Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh |
| 26. DAL | S Brian Branch, Alabama |
| 27. BUF | G O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida |
| 28. CIN | WR Zay Flowers, Boston College |
| 29. NO | TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame |
| 30. PHI | EDGE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State |
| 31. KC | CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State |
| 32. PIT | CB Cam Smith, South Carolina |
| 33. HOU | OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma |
| 34. ARI | EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern |
| 35. IND | TE Darnell Washington, Georgia |
| 36. LAR | RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama |
| 37. SEA | LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas |
| 38. LVR | DL Mazi Smith, Michigan |
| 39. CAR | OT Cody Mauch, North Dakota State |
| 40. NO | EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State |
| 41. TEN | LB Jack Campbell, Iowa |
| 42. NYJ | CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia |
| 43. NYJ | WR Josh Downs, North Carolina |
| 44. ATL | QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee |
| 45. GB | EDGE BJ Ojulari, LSU |
| 46. NE | WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee |
| 47. WAS | C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota |
| 48. DET | OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State |
| 49. PIT | EDGE Keion White, Georgia Tech |
| 50. TB | G Steve Avila, TCU |
No. 51 - OT Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
With Iowa’s Sam LaPorta still on the board, it’s tough to pass up a potential difference-maker at tight end, but grabbing Bergeron should solidify the right tackle spot.
Protecting Tua Tagovailoa should be one of Miami’s top priorities heading into 2023, and Austin Jackson hasn’t been healthy enough or good enough to guarantee he can hold that job.
“A college tackle who could be best playing inside at guard, Bergeron is evenly proportioned and wears his weight well on a compact frame. He’s a dynamic run blocker, able to excel in all three phases (positioning, sustain and finish). He’s just as capable of climbing and tagging second-level linebackers as he is at opening run lanes at the point of attack with leg drive. He’s athletic enough to play tackle, but inconsistent anchor and hand placement could cause concern for evaluators. While his protection issues are potentially correctable, Bergeron’s scheme-versatile, Pro Bowl-caliber run-blocking potential might hasten a team’s decision to move him inside.” – NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
No. 84 - TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
There are plenty of talented players still on the board here, including Houston wideout Nathaniel Dell, Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams and Wisconsin edge rusher Nick Herbig. However, Miami should be looking to attack one of their needs for the present and the future.
Here, we take Schoonmaker to add to a tight end room that feels light with only Durham Smythe, Eric Saubert and Tanner Conner filling the seats. He can come in and make an impact right away, even if he’s not a dominant tight end.
There’s an argument for a running back here, as Tyjae Spears, Tanks Bigsby, DeWayme McBridge, Kendre Miller and others are still available, but tight end is the more pressing need at the moment.
“Versatile combination tight end capable of performing a variety of tasks in one-, two- or three-tight end sets. Schoonmaker steps foot on the field ready for action as a run blocker and does a nice job of competing in the entry and sustain phases of the block. He will need to add more muscle and play strength but already has a feel for creating run-lane angles with his footwork. He has the athletic talent to run a slightly expanded route tree, but he needs to do a better job of competing aggressively for catch space and meeting throws with extended hands. He could see action early but might need a year or so before he works himself into a full-time TE2 role.” – Zierlein
No. 197 - EDGE Yasir Abdullah, Louisville
Miami doesn’t necessarily need an edge rusher this year, but there could be a need for one in the near future. Both Andrew Van Ginkel and Malik Reed are on one-year deals for 2023, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see either move on after the season.
Abdullah looks like the best player available on our board, as he’s mainly getting projected earlier on Day 3.
He could come in and get some experience around some of the best in the league before taking on a larger role in the future.
“Teams will need to decide whether to play him as a 3-4 rusher or try him as an off-ball linebacker in a 4-3 defense. One look at the size and length will turn most 3-4 teams off, but the tape tells a different story. His leverage, power and agility mitigate size issues, while his nose for the football has created production as a run defender, pass rusher and special teams tackler. He’s not a fluid mover, but he’s hardly stiff and is always near the play. The rush production might not be translatable on the next level, but Abdullah has the talent and tenacity to become a solid pro who can play immediately on special teams.” – Zierlein
No. 238 - S Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
In the seventh round, it’s tough to find real contributors, as many end up getting cut or kept on the practice squad. The selection Mapu at No. 238 continues the trend of adding the most-talented player available.
Safety isn’t exactly a position of need at the moment, with Jevon Holland, Brandon Jones, DeShon Elliott, Elijah Campbell and Verone McKinley III on the roster, but Jones is set to be a free agent in 2024, and Campbell will be a restricted free agent.
Mapu could take his time making the jump to the NFL in 2023 and focus on improving and honing his craft.
“Mapu has been praised for his versatility, but he might need to prove he can excel in at least one department — whether in run support or in coverage — at the next level. He lacks short-area athleticism and long speed, so his man coverage might be limited to tight ends. He is highly instinctive from short zone and is a very willing hitter when playing near the box. It won’t be a surprise if Mapu adds weight and locks in as a backup weakside linebacker in a 4-3 defense as a pro.” – Zierlein
PFF Grade: A
