NEWSLETTER
Miami’s war room buzzed with quiet confidence during the 2024 NFL Draft. Eschewing the typical high-risk, high-reward approach, the Dolphins opted for a strategic, methodical strategy. Their focus? Building a well-rounded team with a blend of instant contributors and long-term projects. Did this calculated approach yield the talent needed to propel the Dolphins into the AFC playoffs? Let’s dissect the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 draft class, grade it, and see how these rookies could reshape the aqua and orange’s future.
Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Grade: B
The Miami Dolphins prioritized building a sustainable foundation in the 2024 NFL Draft. They used their first-round pick on edge rusher Chop Robinson from Penn State, aiming to bolster their pass rush and alleviate pressure on their secondary. The focus continued on defense with the fourth and sixth-round picks of fellow edge rusher Mohamed Kamara from Colorado State and safety Patrick McMorris out of Cal, solidifying depth for the long term at those spots.
Offensively, they used their second-round pick on tackle Patrick Paul which provides needed depth behind oft-injured Terron Armstead. While they didn’t go for a game-changing playmaker, Miami added complementary pieces throughout the draft, like running back Jaylen Wright, and wide receivers Malik Washington and Tahj Washington.
On paper, the Miami Dolphins NFL Draft class is really good and has one of the highest upsides of anyone’s. That said, they didn’t address one of their top NFL Draft priorities of the interior offensive line, and most of the skill players taken will likely play sparingly early. The players’ overall strength and their potential outweigh Miami’s lack of guard or center. We give them a B.
| Draft Pick | Selection |
|---|---|
| Rd 1 – pick 21 | Chop Robinson, Edge – Penn State |
| Rd 2 – pick 55 | Patrick Paul, T – Houston |
| Rd 4 – Pick 120 | Jaylen Wright, RB – Tennessee |
| Rd 5 – pick 158 | Mohamed Kamara, Edge – Colorado State |
| Rd 6 – pick 184 | Malik Washington, WR – Virginia |
| Rd 6 – pick 198 | Patrick McMorris, S – California |
| Rd 7 – pick 241 | Tahj Washington, WR – USC |
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Addressing Defensive Needs
The Dolphins used their first-round pick (21st overall) to bolster their pass rush by selecting edge rusher Chop Robinson from Penn State. Robinson is a relentless force with a proven track record of getting to the quarterback. He should provide a much-needed boost to a Dolphins pass rush that sustained injuries to its top two edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips last season. In the later rounds, Miami added more depth to the defense with edge rusher Mohamed Kamara (round 5) and safety Patrick McMorris (round 6). These picks provide competition and potential future starters, solidifying the Dolphins’ defensive unit for the long haul.
Shoring Up the Offensive Line
The offensive line received some attention as well. In the second round, the Dolphins grabbed offensive tackle Patrick Paul from Houston. Paul is a developmental prospect with a strong pass-blocking skillset, who made 44 starts at left tackle in college. This move protects the Dolphins from any more missed games by Terron Armstead and gives them a young talent that could anchor the o-line for years to come.
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Adding Offensive Weapons
While the focus was primarily on the lines, the Dolphins didn’t neglect adding offensive weapons. In the fourth round (acquired from Philadelphia), they selected running back Jaylen Wright from Tennessee. Wright is a shifty back with good receiving ability, offering another burner out of the backfield. Later in the draft, they added wide receivers Malik Washington (round 6) and Tahj Washington (round 7). These young receivers provide depth and potential future options, giving the Dolphins more weapons to utilize in their offensive scheme.
Building a Sustainable Foundation
The Miami Dolphins’ 2024 draft class may not have the immediate star power of some other teams, but it demonstrates a commitment to building a sustainable foundation. By addressing key needs on both sides of the ball with a mix of experienced rookies and developmental prospects, the Dolphins have positioned themselves for long-term success.
