With April 1 only a few days away, attention is turning to the NFL draft. Given their cap amount, the Miami Dolphins may have already completed their final deal prior to the 2024 rookie selection, and huge splashes around the league are few and far between from March 29 to May 1.
This year’s draft season raises one critical concern for the Dolphins. How will Miami use their first-round pick, No. 21 overall?
Some believe the Dolphins will strengthen their offensive line in the first round, while others believe they will add a defensive replacement for Christian Wilkins. You can never count on head coach Mike McDaniel to add another offensive playmaker, and there should be a few intriguing wide receivers available when Miami goes on the clock.
There is another option for Dolphins general manager Chris Grier at No. 21, which Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine described as a “logical” decision on March 28.
“[The] Miami Dolphins will trade back from No. 21,” Ballentine predicted confidently ahead of the draft.
Later, he stated, “One scenario could see [21] become an important spot for cornerbacks.” Noting: “The [Philadelphia] Eagles and [Minnesota] Vikings pick 22nd and 23rd, respectively, and both need cornerbacks. Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry may still be sold at that location.”
Whether it’s a club trading up for a cornerback or another position, Ballentine is confident that the Dolphins will trade out of No. 21. The writer’s rationale arose from Miami’s cash-strapped March.
“For anyone who says the salary cap isn’t real, the Miami Dolphins’ offseason is a great counterpoint,” Ballentine said in his opening statement. “They have been forced to make some really difficult decisions based on how they’ve managed the cap.”
He then used the management of Wilkins, Robert Hunt, Xavien Howard, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Jerome Baker as examples. Grier also stated that he has “mostly had to shop the bargain aisle in free agency” to address such gaps.
“Draft picks are a precious commodity for teams against the cap because it allows them to restock their talent base with cheap rookie contracts,” Ballentine went on to say. “The Dolphins’ dilemma is that they do not have a large number of draft picks. Various transactions have left them with only six picks, two of which are among the top 150. According to Tankathon’s metrics, they rank 31st in draft capital.
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