Walker's Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0
January, 8, 2015
Jan 8
11:00
AM ET
By
James Walker | ESPN.com
The
Miami Dolphins own the No. 14 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.
It’s a solid draft slot. Miami (8-8) also finished .500 last season and had the No. 18 pick.
Who should Miami select in the first round to fill its needs? ESPN.com’s Dolphins page provides its first mock draft that will be updated throughout the offseason.
2015 NFL DRAFT
Round 1: April 30, time TBA
Rds. 2-3: May 1, TBA
Rds. 4-7: May 2, TBA
Where: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, Chicago
MORE KEY DATES
Declaration deadline: Jan. 15
2015 Senior Bowl: Jan. 24
2015 Scouting Combine: Feb. 17-23
NFL draft home page
•
2015 NFL draft order
•
Todd McShay: Mock 1.0
•
McShay's Top 32
•
Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board
•
NFL draft player rankings
No. 1: LB
Shaq Thompson
School: Washington
Stats: 78 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions
Analysis: The Dolphins will have a major makeover at linebacker next season, and the draft could be a big part of the equation. Veteran linebackers such as
Dannell Ellerbe,
Philip Wheeler and
Koa Misi may all be on thin ice as the team looks to bring in fresh talent. Thompson is one of the top linebackers in college football and is good against both the run and pass. Thompson also has strong character and worth ethic, which are important traits for Miami’s regime led by general manager Dennis Hickey and head coach Joe Philbin. It’s hard to find reasons why the Dolphins wouldn’t be interested in Thompson.
No. 2: DT
Danny Shelton
School: Washington
Stats: 88 tackles, 9.0 sacks
Analysis: If you watched Miami’s run defense crumble in the final six games last season, it should be clear why the Dolphins would have interest in Shelton. At 332 pounds, he’s a natural run stuffer in the middle who could help improve Miami’s 24th-ranked run defense. Miami also could lose starting defensive tackle
Jared Odrick to free agency and may release
Randy Starks. That would leave
Earl Mitchell as the only experienced defensive tackle from last season.
No. 3: RB
Melvin Gordon
School: Wisconsin
Stats: 206 carries, 1,609 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns
Analysis: Is running back a big need for Miami? Not necessarily. But if Gordon, the best tailback in the draft, is on the board at No. 14, the Dolphins have an interesting decision to make. Gordon is dynamic and has nearly all the skills that translates to an every-down tailback in the NFL. He could join with
Lamar Miller to make one of the most dangerous backfield duos in the AFC. A quality and consistent running game would help everyone, including quarterback
Ryan Tannehill.
No. 4: WR
Kevin White
School: West Virginia
Stats: 109 receptions, 1,447 yards, 10 touchdowns
Analysis: Wide receiver is another position of change for Miami. The team has decisions to make with the contracts of veterans
Brandon Gibson and
Brian Hartline. There also are questions as to whether No. 1 receiver
Mike Wallace will return, although I expect Wallace to stay. White is the big-bodied receiver Miami’s offense could use on the perimeter. He's also very good after the catch, which is valued in Bill Lazor's offense. The physical talent is there. With Wallace’s speed,
Jarvis Landry’s hands and toughness in the slot, White could fit in well.