Perfect Picks 2023: Miami Dolphins
By Thomas Clapham
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 2 - O'Cyrus Torrence (Offensive Guard, Florida)
The Dolphins need to protect their franchise guy, we saw that last season. When Tua was sidelined, even with the elite weapons on both sides of the ball, Miami was significantly worse. Torrence is huge and plays with every inch of his height, and every pound of his weight. He has elite power and knows exactly where his body is when he moves. He is nasty at the point of attack and he is not afraid to mix it up.
This isn’t a splash pick, but it is a necessary one. You will not see many Torrence jersey’s flying off the shelves, but he can help bring stability to a porous Offensive Line. He is a day one starter in the league with his strong frame and ridiculous power. His ability to absorb power is underrated and expect him to immediately improve Tua’s protection.
Round 3 - Warren McClendon (Offensive Tackle, Georgia)
The Dolphins ability to draft Offensive Linemen has been questionable at best. Especially in the later rounds though, a team can take a chance as there is less risk for them to miss. No one expects a starter to come from these rounds, they expect rotation. As the player becomes acclimated to the league they then can claim their place. Warren McClendon from the National Champions Georgia is someone who can thrive while refining their craft.
A big man up front who is smooth in his movement. He has power, but more importantly for an Offensive Tackle he has fluidity in his movement. Easily moving to the second level to pick up downfield blocks, McClendon has the power to knock Linebackers out of the way like bowling pins. His initial punch is deadly when he hits it, and can blast back even the strongest of Defensive Linemen.
Mid Round Gem - Viliami Fehoko (Defensive End, San Jose State)
If you gave me only one word to describe the Spartans product it would be ‘disruptive’. The man is a walking disruption on the football field. He loves the backfield with 66 pressures last year alone. For a player who could end up undrafted that is crazy and his value as an NFL ready player should not be overlooked here. He fits as a key rotational piece, with eventual starter and potential star written all over his resumé.
He has all the moves you could possibly imagine. He can comfortably bull rush smaller opponents, whilst displaying short area quickness which makes him a nightmare for bigger linemen with his crisp swim move and his flawless spin move. He can play the pass just as well as he plays the run, and he is a steal in the 6th.
Late Round Sleeper - Bryce Baringer (Punter, Michigan State)
Baringer has an absolutely HUGE leg. He led all college football in punting and despite this, he rarely gave up a fair catch. Forcing returners to have to attempt to run it out makes life difficult, especially when 22 of these opportunities begin from inside your own 20 yard line. He averages 49 yards per punt which is ridiculous.
There is a distinct lack of respect for specialists, especially in the NFL draft. Just as quarterbacks are routinely overdrafted with teams looking for their next star,kickers and punters are left on the board. A great punter can win you points with elite ball placement, pinning the opposing offense within their own 20 yard line and allowing their defense to feast upon them. The Dolphins are currently in a position of changing their punter every year, locking down Baringer would be smart business.
Draft In Full:
Round 2 – O’Cyrus Torrence (Offensive Guard, Florida)
Round 3 – Warren McClendon (Offensive Tackle, Georgia)
Round 6 – Viliami Fehoko (Defensve End, San Jose State)
Round 7 – Bryce Baringer (Punter, Michigan State)