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The first week of the NFL free agency period is in the books, and things seem to be slowing a little. The rash of trades, released, signings, and re-signings of the past week has obviously adjusted the landscape around the NFL, especially when it comes to presdicting the 2015 NFL Draft.
Before free agency, the Miami Dolphins were often templated to look at a defensive tackle, one who could shore up the middle of the Miami line and able to get after the quarterback as well as command double-teams and stop the run. That no longer seems to be an issue after the team picked up Ndamukong Suh in free agency. Adding a All Pro defensive tackle into the middle of your defensive line does seem to make adding a defensive tackle in the first round of the Draft seem a little redundant.
SB Natin's Dan Kadar has taken all of the activity of the first week of free agency and updated his 2015 NFL Mock Draft. Some thins have not changed, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selecting Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick. After that, a lot of the picks seem to turn to the defensive line, with six of the 12 picks between the Buccaneers and the Dolphins being used on defensive tackle, defensive end, or a rush linebacker who will likely play defensive end. We also still see Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota hang on the board until the sixth pick, landing with the New York Jets.
Where does Kadar have the Dolphins looking? Louisville. Specifically, with the 14th overall pick, Kadar projects the Dolphins to select:
DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Kadar explains:
The trade for Kenny Stills was a decent one, but he doesn't project out to be a top-line No. 1 wide receiver like Parker does. Parker is the type of wide receiver you just try to get the ball and let him get yards after the catch. He has solid speed and breaks tackles better than just about any wideout in this year’s draft. Add in a good pair of hands and size and it’s easy to see why Parker should be a top-15 pick.
Adding Parker makes a lot of sense for the Dolphins at this point. The team would likely use a lineup of Kenny Stills, Jarvis Landry, and Parker as the top three, with Rishard Matthews and Matt Hazel backing them up. It would be an incredibly young wide receiver corps, and it would not be a surprise if the Dolphins were to add a veteran receiver at some point in free agency, but Parker may be too good of a talent to pass up at the 14th position.