2016 NFL Draft prospects for Miami Dolphins in New Years Six bowl games

The major college football bowl games take over the sports world today and tomorrow. We will see the Peach Bowl, the Orange Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, Outback Bowl, Citrus Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl over the next 36 hours or so, games that will feature major NFL draft prospects on teams like Houston, Florida State, Oklahoma, Clemson, Michigan State, Alabama, Northwestern, Tennessee, Michigan, Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, Iowa, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss. This could be a key couple of days to get a first look at some of the top talent in this year's draft, and players that could hear their names called in April.

Do any of these teams provide players the Miami Dolphins could be interested in drafting? We will break down each game with some of the potential draft prospects you should watch for the Dolphins. Before we get there though, we need to settle on the draft needs for the Dolphins. Without knowing how many players could be turned over with a new coaching staff brought into Miami this offseason, as well as any potential additions in free agency, we will assume the needs based on what we have seen through the first 16 weeks of the 2015 season.

Miami Dolphins draft needs

The Dolphins have multiple holes on their roster, but actually have some good talent in some of the major areas. The team could be looking to add depth wide receivers or running backs, but probably are not adding to those positions early in the Draft. The team does need to add depth to multiple positions, but it is starters, or at least major contributors, that we are most concerned. The Dolphins have to address the weaknesses that are the offensive line, the linebackers, and the cornerbacks. The line has to see the guard play improve, likely through drafting at least one guard early, while the linebackers need an upgrade, specifically at the middle linebacker position, adding that true field general. Cornerback has seen Brent Grimes lose a step this year for some reason, while none of the other cornerbacks really stepped up and claimed their spot as a starter opposite Grimes. The team also needs to find a free safety to compliment Reshad Jones, allowing Miami's star safety the freedom to play up in run support and to blitz the quarterback.

Draft needs: Guard, Linebacker, Cornerback, Safety

Note: Some of these players are underclassmen who may not declare for the draft, but could be worth watching if they do decide to jump to the NFL this year.

Peach Bowl
12pm ET, December 31

Houston Prospects

William Jackson, CB (6-foot-2, 195 lbs.)
Elandon Roberts, LB (6-foot-0, 235 lbs.)
Adrian McDonald, S (5-foot-11, 205 lbs.)

Florida State Prospects

Jalen Ramsey, CB (6-foot-1, 202 lbs.)
Reggie Northrup, LB (6-foot-1, 231 lbs.)
Lamarcus Brutus, S (6-foot-0, 207 lbs.)

Orange Bowl (Semifinal #1)
4pm ET, December 31

Oklahoma Prospects

Zack Sanchez, CB (5-foot-11, 179 lbs.)
Nila Kasitati, G (6-foot-3, 319 lbs.)

Clemson Prospects

Shaq Lawson, DE (6-foot-3, 276 lbs.)
Mackensie Alexander, CB (5-foot-11, 195 lbs.)
Jayron Kearse, S (6-foot-5, 220 lbs.)
Cordrea Tankersley, CB (6-foot-1, 195 lbs.)
Ryan Norton, C (6-foot-3, 286 lbs.)
Eric Mac Lain, G (6-foot-5, 315 lbs.)
I know Lawson does not fit in with the needs for the Dolphins, but if they were looking for the player to replace Olivier Vernon if he leaves in free agency, or the player who eventually fills in for Cameron Wake whenever Wake retires, Lawson might be the right guy to consider.

Cotton Bowl (Semifinal #2)
8pm ET, December 31

Michigan State Prospects

Jack Conklin, OT (6-foot-6, 325 lbs.)
Jack Allen, C (6-foot-2, 296 lbs.)
Donavon Clark, G (6-foot-4, 325 lbs.)
RJ Williamson, S (6-foot-0, 215 lbs.)

Alabama Prospects

Reggie Ragland, LB (6-foot-2, 252 lbs.)
Cyrus Jones, CB (5-foot-10, 196 lbs.)
Eddie Jackson, S (6-foot-0, 194 lbs.)
Dominick Jackson, OT (6-foot-6, 315 lbs.)
Ryan Kelly, C (6-foot-5, 297 lbs.)

Outback Bowl
12pm ET, January 1

Northwestern Prospects

Nick VanHoose, CB (5-foot-11, 190 lbs.)

Tennessee Prospects

Cameron Sutton, CB (6-foot-0, 189 lbs.)
LaDarrell McNeil, S (6-foot-1, 206 lbs.)
Brian Randolph, S (6-foot-0, 208 lbs.)

Citrus Bowl
1pm ET, January 1

Michigan Prospects

Kyle Kalis, G (6-foot-4, 305 lbs.)
Graham Glasgow, C (6-foot-5, 303 lbs.)
Joe Bolden, LB (6-foot-3, 232 lbs.)

Florida Prospects

Vernon Hargreaves III, CB (5-foot-11, 199 lbs.)
Antonio Morrison, LB (6-foot-1, 229 lbs.)
Brian Poole, CB (5-foot-10, 211 lbs.)

Fiesta Bowl
1pm ET, January 1

Notre Dame Prospects

Jaylon Smith, LB (6-foot-2, 240 lbs.)
Ronnie Stanley, OT (6-foot-5, 315 lbs.)
Nick Martin, C (6-foot-4, 301 lbs.)
Elijah Shumate, S (6-foot-0, 224 lbs.)

Ohio State Prospects

Taylor Decker, OT (6-foot-8, 315 lbs.)
Pat Elflein, G (6-foot-3, 300 lbs.)
Vonn Bell, S (5-foot-11, 205 lbs.)
Eli Apple, CB (6-foot-1, 200 lbs.)
Darron Lee, LB (6-foot-1, 235 lbs.)
Joshua Perry, LB (6-foot-4, 254 lbs.)
Jacoby Boren, C (6-foot-1, 285 lbs.)

Rose Bowl
4:30pm ET, January 1

Stanford Prospects

Josh Garnett, G (6-foot-5, 231 lbs.)
Kyle Murphy, OT (6-foot-7, 301 lbs.)
Blake Martinez, LB (6-foot-2, 245 lbs.)
Kodi Whitfield, S (6-foot-2, 202 lbs.)

Iowa Prospects

Desmond King, CB (5-foot-11, 200 lbs.)
Jordan Lomax, S (5-foot-10, 205 lbs.)
Jordan Walsh, G (6-foot-3, 290 lbs.)
Austin Blythe, C (6-foot-3, 290 lbs.)

Sugar Bowl
8:30pm ET, January 1

Oklahoma State Prospects

Kevin Peterson, CB (5-foot-11, 190 lbs.)

Iowa Prospects

Laremy Tunsil, OT (6-foot-5, 305 lbs.)
Trae Elston, S (5-foot-11, 195 lbs.)
Mike Hilton, S/CB (5-foot-9, 184 lbs.)
Tony Conner, S (6-foot-0, 215 lbs.)
Aaron Morris, G (6-foot-5, 315 lbs.)
Fahn Cooper, OT (6-foot-5, 306 lbs.)
CJ Johnson, LB (6-foot-2, 225 lbs.)