Mel Kiper, Jr. has updated his 2014 NFL Mock Draft, attempting to project where the decision makers for each NFL franchise will be looking when the actual NFL Draft kicks off on May 8. For this projection, Kiper breaks out two rounds worth of picks, meaning that, for the Miami Dolphins, we can take a look at both the 19th and 50th overall selections.
Most mock drafts have Miami picking an offensive lineman, usually Notre Dame's Zack Martin, with the 19th selection. As we discussed earlier today, however, Martin may not be on the board when the clock gets to Miami's pick. In Kiper's mock, that's exactly the scenario that unfolds, with the Dallas Cowboys selecting Martin with the 16th pick.
That opens up the board for the Dolphins to pick linebacker C.J. Mosley, a pick that is starting to become more popular on mock drafts as of late. If Miami does not select an offensive lineman, a positiion of need for the team this year, in the first round, adding either Mosley or safety Calvin Pryor could be the club's move. In Kiper's scenario, Pryor was picked at 17 by the Baltimore Ravens.
Of the pick, Kiper writes:
I don't consider this Miami's No. 1 need, but this is when "best player on the board" really comes into play. Mosley could be passed up until this range due to some injury concerns and positional value, but this is a big-time playmaker who can lead your defense and is worthy of going higher. The thing people need to remember about Mosley is he doesn't need to come off the field. The guy is a gifted player in coverage from his position.
Kiper then comes back in the second round, where the Dolphins pick 17th, or 50th overall, to grab the offensive lineman th franchise needs. Nevada's Joel Bitonio joins Miami for 2014, another pick that seems to be gaining steam as of late for the Dolphins among mock drafts, and fans.
Kiper explains:
Bitonio can play either guard or tackle, and could end up at right tackle or be moved inside, where the Dolphins could really use the help. He'll play right away.
Bitonio is a good pick for the Dolphins, and, as Kiper says, should be playing from day one, likely at guard. An offensive lineman I would really like to see Miami target in the second round, ahead of Bitonio, unfortunately, was selected at the end of the first round, when the Carolina Panthers added tackle Morgan Moses from Virginia with the 28th pick. Other potential targets, like Xavier Su'a-Filo and Gabe Jackson come off the board early in the second round. One interesting part of Kiper's mock is the fall of Alabama tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, who remains on the board until the Cincinnati Bengals add him with the 55th pick; injury concerns clearly lead to a fall of a player once considered a mid-first round prospect.
What do you think of Kiper's mock? Would you be happy with a Mosley-Bitonio combination for Miami in the first two rounds?