Who should Dolphins take on Day 1 of NFL Draft 2024? Here are players to watch
It's finally here.
And the Dolphins finally have a first-round pick.
They did not have an NFL draft first-round pick in 2022 or 2023 (unless you count Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb).
And they do not have a third-round pick (tampering) or fourth-round pick (Hill) in this draft.
So general manager Chris Grier had had better hit in Round 1, with Pick 21 overall.
He needs a player who can contribute this season.
There are very, very obvious positions of need: guard, tackle, edge rusher and maybe receiver or defensive tackle.
If Miami goes outside the box of those five positions, Grier will be subject to criticism.
He must believe one or two of the following players will slide to the Fins.
If Grier moves back a bit in the first round — and don't be surprised if he does for a needed third- and/or fourth-round pick — there's a decent chance at least one of these players would also be available three to seven spots later.
Let's hope he's right.
NFL draft best available players Round 1
Many of these players will not be available when Miami is on the clock.
They're just hoping to avoid a worst-case scenario and perhaps luck into a best-case scenario.
Gosh, Miami would love a player who can play guard in 2024 and tackle in 2025.
If not, an edge rusher to take some pressure off Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.
And if neither of those spots, a receiver to eventually take the place of Hill or a defensive tackle to ease the pain of losing Christian Wilkins.
Anything outside of those positions would be a stunner.
Troy Fautanu, T/G, Washington
Fautanu is the perfect fit. He can play guard in 2024 and tackle in 2025.
Graham Barton, G/T/C, Duke
Barton is an excellent fit. He can play guard in 2024 and perhaps another position later.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, T, Penn State
We don't think Fashanu will be there. But he sure would be an ideal Terron Armstead successor.
JC Latham, T, Alabama
Latham has played right tackle but should be able to play guard before moving to left tackle.
Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma
Guyton has played right tackle but should be able to play guard before moving to left tackle.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C/G, Oregon
This is the perfect zone offense center who can also play guard and gives Miami options.
Jared Verse, Edge, FSU
Verse is versatile and powerful and an ideal stopgap until Chubb is ready to roll.
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Latu is quick, delivers relentless effort and reminds us of former UCLA star Jaelan Phillips.
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Murphy is versatile, productive and explosive, and, yes, capable of replacing Christian Wilkins.
Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Newton, also known as Jer'Zhan, is an impact interior pass rusher to replace Wilkins.
Brian Thomas, Jr., WR, LSU
Thomas is very fast and would add more size to Miami's receiving room.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Worthy is very, very, very fast and would create a frightening receiving trio.
Dolphins NFL draft picks: List of selections in 2024
Round 1, Pick 21
Round 2, Pick 55
Round 5, Pick 158
Round 6, Pick 184 (from Chicago)
Round 6, Pick 198
Round 7, Pick 241
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
89th NFL DRAFT
Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, Detroit
Round 1, Thursday, 8 p.m.
Rounds 2-3, Friday, 7 p.m.
Rounds 4-7, Saturday, noon
To follow along: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
First pick: Chicago Bears
Dolphins' picks: Round 1/21; Round 2/55; Round 5/158; Round 6/Pick 184 (from CHI); Round 6/198; Round 7/241
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins Day 1 targets: Best available for NFL draft Round 1