PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins second round of the NFL Draft is ongoing Friday night.
On Thursday, the team selected Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 pick, used No. 18 on offensive tackle Austin Jackson and No. 30 on cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (after trading back from No. 26).
Were these the right moves? Local 10 News’ sports team Will Manso and Clay Ferraro break down the Dolphins’ second-round picks.
Leave your opinions in the comments section below their analysis.
Robert Hunt
MANSO: The Dolphins decided to double up on the offensive line by taking versatile Louisiana-Lafayette lineman Robert Hunt.
I read a lot about Hunt being a very good prospect who could be a steal in round three. Miami clearly felt they couldn’t wait that long.
Hunt is a mauler and can play tackle and guard. He gives the Dolphins another big player to eventually protect Tua Tagovailoa.
Was it a reach? Maybe. But this could pay off in the future in helping Tua develop. It’s hard to knock Miami’s plan to build a strong o-line to protect their franchise QB.
They passed on quality safeties and running backs available to do so, but this I understand the logic.
FERRARO: The Dolphins make another smart, solid pick with offensive lineman Hunt.
While Hunt could play some tackle, he is arguably the best pure guard in this class (with Wirfs projecting as a tackle).
The Fins drafted their franchise QB with their first pick, got him some outside protection with their second pick in the first round (Austin Jackson) and now they’ve added a great interior lineman in Hunt.
Again, this may not be the “sexy” pick that some fans may have hoped for. But there’s still plenty of time to find a running back or other playmakers. Games are won in the trenches. And the Dolphins are building well.
Raekwon Davis
MANSO: The Dolphins continued the trend of drafting big guys on the line, but this time turning to defense in getting Alabama defensive tackle Davis.
It’s hard to be disappointed about this pick, although I know some Miami fans were hoping the Phins would get a running back here.
Miami will address that later in the draft. The reality is you can find productive running backs in the middle rounds. You won’t find physical specimens like Davis who have produced at the highest level of college football in later rounds.
He was a force inside at Bama and projects to be impactful if he can use his incredible size to his advantage at the pro level. At 6’6” and over 300 pounds, you can see why the Dolphins brass was so impressed with his potential.
This is a perfect Brian Flores pick.
FERRARO: Say it with me: games are won in the trenches. And the Dolphins are beefing up both lines in a big way in this draft.
Davis has great physical gifts and dominated in the Alabama weight room.
Davis’ production on the field didn’t quite match what he did in the weight room, however, so that’s why he was still available in the second round.
Davis reportedly has a good work ethic, so if the Dolphins’ coaches can help him find a way to make those physical gifts translate to elite football skills, they may have a steal.
Brandon Jones
MANSO: The Dolphins finally addressed the need at safety be selecting Jones out of Texas with the 70th overall pick. Jones is coming off a torn labrum in his right shoulder, so it’s likely he slid because of the injury. All scouting reports indicate that he’s an extremely smart player who uses his intelligence to match his talent.
Jones comes from a big program and was a team leader for the Longhorns, so it’s not surprising that he’s the kind of player Brian Flores would want on his defense.
FERRARO: It’s a passing league and the Dolphins have bolstered their pass defense in a big way this offseason.
After signing elite cornerback Byron Jones in free agency and drafting another corner, Noah Igbinoghene in round one, they added safety Brandon Jones in Round 3.
The former Texas standout is known for his toughness and intelligence, qualities which are highly valued by Brian Flores and Chris Grier.