Miami Dolphins 2022 NFL Draft Projections, Positions Needed & Mock Draft

· Mar 15 - 5 minutes read

Miami Dolphins 2022 Draft

Mike McDaniel is set to take over a bizarre situation with the Miami Dolphins. There’s an ongoing lawsuit regarding the team’s hiring practices following the termination of coach Brian Flores last season. In Flores’ last two seasons in Miami, the Dolphins finished with winning records, but missed the postseason.

How the 2021 season went could only add to frustration for Dolphins’ fans. After a first-game win, Miami then proceeded to lose its next seven. While the Dolphins rallied to finish at 9-8, it didn’t save Flores’ job.

Miami Dolphins 2022 NFL Draft Projections, Positions Needed & Mock Draft — miami-dolphins-2022-nfl-draft-projections-positions-needed-mock-draft

There were important questions lingering from last season. Tua Tagovailoa showed some promise at quarterback, but still only threw 16 touchdowns (with 10 interceptions). Tagovailoa was 7-5 as the starter and missed four games due to injury. He passed for 2,653 yards and Miami needs to determine if he’s the quarterback of the future.

The Dolphins’ offense as a whole could use a fresh set of eyes, which is where McDaniel could be of help. He was San Francisco’s offensive coordinator last season. Miami has around $26 million in cap space available, so the Dolphins can be creative in looking to fill the gaps they have.

Players Leaving the Miami Dolphins

Defensive back Jason McCourty is 34 and struggled with injuries last season. McCourty only appeared in seven games and played more as a reserve last season. Miami’s unlikely to bring back McCourty, who defended two passes made 21 tackles and will probably be in need of another suitor.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett may seek a chance elsewhere with to a lively quarterback carousel. Having an above-average understudy would help any team, especially with the regular season now 17 games. Brissett was serviceable in five starts with Miami last season. He passed for 1,283 yards (five touchdowns, four interceptions).

Running back Malcolm Brown didn’t find much of a niche in Miami’s offense last season, appearing in seven games and starting three. Brown averaged 3.8 yards per carry (33 rushes, 125 yards, one touchdown). Brown’s longest run was a 24-yard score against Las Vegas in Week 3.

Will Fuller, who was a productive receiver in Houston, did nothing in first season with the Dolphins. Fuller struggled with injury issues, appearing in just two games, (four receptions, 26 yards). With Fuller at age 28, Miami may opt to find another target.

Positions Needed by the Miami Dolphins

Tagovailoa’s sophomore season left a lot of Fish fans wanting more from their former first-round selection. These days, NFL teams seem to lust over veteran quarterbacks, so it’s possible Miami pursues another option. The Dolphins have already made overtures with Houston for Deshaun Watson.

The issue with Watson, of course, is his looming legal issues. How long can Miami wait that out before deciding if it’s going to give Tagovailoa another season? The quarterback’s life would be easier if the Dolphins could develop a running game.

Running back Myles Gaskin played in all 17 games last season, leading the team with 612 rushing yards, but only 3½ yards carry. Miami had brought in Duke Johnson. Johnson, injured through a good part of last season, played in only five games.

Helping to get the running game going, Miami will look to add tackles on both sides of the line. Depth on the line will help the offense adjust to a new coach’s philosophy.

Miami Dolphins Mock Draft

Miami has eight picks in the 2022 draft, including three in the top 100. With the No. 29 pick in the first round, the Dolphins can look to add Central Michigan left tackle Bernhard Raimann. Raimann, who is 6-foot-7 and 305 pounds, converted from tight end during his junior season.

In his first season on the line, Raimann garnered All-MAC honors. His final two seasons saw Raimann help guide the Chippewas to bowl games. Miami could possibly take a look at an accomplished running back out of Michigan State in the second round, Kenneth Walker III. Walker, who transferred from Wake Forest to the Spartans, carved up the Big Ten last season (1,636 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns).

Walker is an explosive rusher, with runs of 96 and 94 yards during his career. He also capable of catching passes as well. In the third round, Miami could take a look at another tackle, Thayer Munford out of Ohio State. Munford was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes.

In the fourth round, Miami could grab edge rusher In Western Kentucky’s DeAngelo Malone As a senior, Malone recorded 17½ tackles for loss and nine sacks for the Hilltoppers. He had 94 overall tackles, 44 of which were solos. Check Dolphins’ NFL Draft odds and NFL Odds.

2022 NFL Draft Event Information

Date: Thursday, Apr. 28th (Round 1) | Friday, Apr. 29th (Rounds 2-3) | Saturday, Apr. 30th (Rounds 4-7)
Time: 8 p.m. ET (Thursday) | 7 p.m. ET (Friday) | Noon ET (Saturday)
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, NV
TV Channel: ABC | ESPN | NFL Network
NFL Draft Live Streaming: NFL Game Pass