MIAMI — While most NFL teams will spend Thursday night figuring out which elite prospect they want to take a chance on in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft in Las Vegas (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN app), the Miami Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier will probably be watching highlights of receiver Tyreek Hill somewhere inside the Baptist Health Traning Complex.
At least, that’s what Grier laughingly said he’d be doing after trading Miami’s picks in the first round, second round, and fourth round for Hill back in March. The Dolphins now have the least draft capital in the league with just four picks: No. 102 (third round), No. 125 (fourth), No. 224 (seventh) and No. 247 (seventh).
Despite owning so few selections, Grier said he and his staff haven’t altered anything about their preparation.
“You never know when opportunities arise to do something,” he said. “If you haven’t done your work just because you don’t pick until 102, it could end up hurting you when you don’t have all the information if those opportunities arise. So for us, we had guys who were out at all pro days. Coaches were out. Coaches were doing private workouts.
“So for us, it’s been full steam ahead. The personnel staff has done a tremendous job and the coaching staff — Mike (McDaniel) and the coaching staff — these guys enjoyed getting out and getting to meet players, bringing them in, so the private workout stuff has been exciting.”
Miami has completely revamped its offense this offseason, adding Hill and tackle Terron Armstead to address its two biggest holes. The Dolphins also added receiver Cedrick Wilson, offensive lineman Connor Williams, and running backs Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds to further supplement the system McDaniel wants to run in his first year.
After strengthening their roster with some big additions this offseason, they are in the enviable position of being able to take the best player available this weekend. Still, the Dolphins have areas in which they can improve — namely inside linebacker and interior offensive line.
ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid said the decision to trade their first two picks for Hill was a no-brainer — especially since there should be opportunities to address those remaining needs on Day 3 of the draft (Rounds 4-7).
“I [would] look to target a center [at No. 102],” Reid said. “I think just getting some competition [for] Michael Deiter … would be really, really wise for them. Because I’m not sure if Deiter is going to be the athlete that they need at that center spot.”
Reid specifically listed Dylan Parham from Memphis and Cole Strange from Chattanooga as potential options for the Dolphins at No. 102.
Parham is a converted tight end who started all four years for Memphis at tackle and guard and fits McDaniel’s zone-blocking scheme.
“He’s one that fits really, really well as far as what they want to do from a zone scheme or wide-zone scheme perspective,” Reid said. “He’s a really athletic type … also very powerful, too.”
Strange is projected as more of a fourth-round pick, although he wouldn’t be a stretch at No. 102, Reid said. He’s a guard who is a projected center in the NFL and caught Reid’s attention at the Senior Bowl this year.
Regardless, it’s likely Miami goes offensive line with at least one of its four picks considering how Grier feels about this year’s class.
“I think there’s some talent all the way through from the tackles, the guards, centers, all the way in through the [middle] rounds,” he said. “I think you can find some good, quality players. Everyone is always looking for the pass-rushers. I think there are some high-level rushers in this draft, and then at the end of the day, then it’ll be some projection. Guys that have some upside to work with.
“So I would say … offensive line to me, I think is the one really strong position in this draft.”
0:29
Check out the best highlights from Brandon Smith’s college career at Penn State.
Reid mentioned linebackers Brandon Smith (Penn State) and Brian Asamoah (Oklahoma) as potential options in the fourth round.
Smith has great size (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) and ability but needs to improve his processing skills. It’s what Reid said is keeping him from being picked in the first or second round.
Asamoah is a strong tackler and athlete who Reid called a “wrecking ball” but is somewhat undersized (6-0, 226 pounds) for the position.
Beyond those positions of need, Reid said he would not be surprised if the Dolphins add a physical running back to complement their group of speedsters, such as Georgia’s Zamir White or Alabama’s Brian Robinson Jr.