NFL Mock Draft 2024: Joe Schad of Palm Beach Post, Mock 1.0
The Dolphins will enter the first round of the NFL draft on April 25 without a desperate need at any one position.
Yes, of course, they could really use an offensive lineman, edge rusher, defensive tackle or receiver.
But general manager Chris Grier can hope that at least one of a cluster of about eight targeted players falls to Miami at No. 21.
In our first mock draft of the 2024 NFL draft season, a handful of players Miami would surely consider are snapped up just before they're up.
Unfortunately, there are seven or eight teams drafting right in front of Miami that have many similar needs.
Could the Dolphins jump up in the first round?
Well, we suppose.
But Miami doesn't even have picks in Rounds 3 or 4 this year so if anything, it might make more sense for them to slide back a bit if the board isn't falling in their favor.
7-round Dolphins mock draft: Who will the Dolphins take in the 2024 NFL Draft? Our latest projections
In the mock draft below, you'll see some players the Dolphins would surely be interested in — offensive linemen Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Troy Fautanu and Taliese Fuaga, receiver Brian Thomas, Jr., edge Laiatu Latu and defensive tackle Byron Murphy — are all gone.
We're choosing Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton, who could start at guard for the Dolphins in 2024, while also being able to play center or tackle in a pinch.
Washington G/T Troy Fautanu: The perfect Miami Dolphins' draft target
NFL Combine 2024: Duke C/G/T Graham Barton is versatile, athletic, powerful
The Dolphins would likely also consider Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson for a guard/center role or Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson or Jared Verse as an edge rusher in this spot.
NFL Mock Draft 2024, Joe Schad 1.0
Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, USC
Washington Commanders: QB Drake Maye, UNC
New England Patriots: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
LA Chargers: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
NY Giants: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Atlanta Falcons: Edge Dallas Turner, Alabama
Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
NY Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Minnesota Vikings: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Denver Broncos: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Las Vegas Raiders: OT J.C. Latham, Alabama
New Orleans Saints: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Indianapolis Colts: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Seattle Seahawks: G/T Troy Fautanu, Washington
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Cincinnati Bengals: DT Byron Murphy, Texas
LA Rams: Edge Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Pittsburgh Steelers: G/T Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Miami Dolphins: G/C/T Graham Barton, Duke
Philadelphia Eagles: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Minnesota Vikings: Edge Chop Robinson, Penn State
Dallas Cowboys: C/G Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Green Bay Packers: Edge Darius Robinson, Missouri
Tampa Bay Bucs: Edge Jared Verse, Florida State
Arizona Cardinals: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Detroit Lions: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Baltimore Ravens: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
San Francisco 49ers: CB/S Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Kansas City Chiefs: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
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, April 25, 8 p.m.
Rounds 2-3, Friday, April 26, 7 p.m.
Rounds 4-7, Saturday, April 27, 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: Mock Draft 1.0 for Miami Dolphins in NFL Draft 2024 from Joe Schad