NFL Mock Draft 2016: Houtz’s 7-Round Mock Draft

Today is the day ladies and gentleman, the 2016 NFL Draft is finally upon us.  After months of speculating what the Miami Dolphins will and won’t do in the draft, now we get a glimpse at the future of the franchise.  After trading out of the number eight overall pick, the Dolphins are rumored to be looking to move up.  There will be no trades in this mock draft, but if Miami does trade up I would have to suspect it would be for Myles Jack or Ezekiel Elliott.  Nevertheless, here is my first and last Miami Dolphins mock draft.

Houtz's Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 13---- William Jackson III, CB, Houston

The Dolphins desperately need a cornerback to play opposite of Byron Maxwell in Vance Joseph’s defense.  At 6’0, 189-pounds, William Jackson checks all the boxes necessary to succeed in the NFL.  He is physical at the line and a menace in pass coverage.  Did I mention he ran a 4.37 forty?  Throughout his college career, WJ3 broke up 15 passes including three interception.  Jackson has the ability to be a shutdown corner in the NFL.

Alternate pick---- Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

Round 2, Pick 42---- Derrick Henry, HB, Alabama

Miami may have missed out on Ezekiel Elliott, but they got a former Heisman Trophy winner as the runner up.  Henry is a different kind of beast than Elliott.  He’s a big, physical running back who can inflict ill will on defenders.  Henry has a lot of wear but he’s the second best back in the draft.  Don’t underestimate Henry, he’s sneaky in the pass game and able to break a big run at any time.  Derrick Henry and Jay Ajayi would be the perfect two-headed monster for Adam Gase’s offense.

Alternate pick---- Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State

Round 3, Pick 73---- Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU

Miami could go defense earlier in the draft, but it doesn’t appear to be an immediate need with the crowded defensive line depth chart.  Nonetheless, BYU’s Kaufusi fits exactly what the Dolphins want to do with their defensive line.  Feast on opposing quarterbacks.  During his career at BYU, Kaufusi recorded 108 tackles and 25.5 sacks.  Who else would you want to mentor your young pass rushing defensive end than Cameron Wake and Mario Williams?

Alternate pick----Jaylon Smith, ILB, Notre Dame

Round 4, Pick 107---- Graham Glasgow, G, Michigan

Ryan Tannehill desperately needs help on the offensive line.  Whether Bushrod can stay healthy and have success at the guard position is anyone’s guess, but Miami must keep searching for good offensive line players.  Glasgow had a productive career at Michigan and is continuing to skyrocket on scout’s draft board.  Whether on the left or right side, Glasgow would be a significant upgrade over the Dolphins’ current guards.

Alternate pick----Rees Odhiambo, G, Boise State

Round 5, Pick 147---- Tyler Matakevich, ILB, Temple

Matakevich may be one of my favorite players in this year’s draft.  What he lacks in size he makes up for with his play.  Matakevich is a tackling machine, and continuously makes plays wherever on the field.  Miami has been lacking this type of player since the great Zach Thomas.  If Matakevich can get better at shedding blocks and pass coverage, he could be one of the real surprises in the 2016 NFL draft.

Alternate pick----KJ Dillon, S, West Virginia

Round 6, Pick 186----Tavon Young, CB, Temple

Yes, the Dolphins selected a cornerback in the first round but that won’t stop them from doubling down in this year’s draft.  Miami’s secondary can use all the help they can get.  Young accumulated 127 tackles and 7 interceptions during his four-year career at Temple.  Young has the skill-set to exceed at the next level, and could compete immediately as a slot corner.

Alternate pick----Nick Vigil, OLB, Utah State

Round 7, Pick 227---- Vernon Adams, QB, Oregon

Since drafting Ryan Tannehill in the 2012 draft, the Miami Dolphins have failed to bring in real competition for Tannehill.  Miami could elect to draft a quarterback earlier in the draft, but will choose to do so in the later rounds.  Adams is underrated and proved productive last season at Oregon.  In 2015, Adams threw for 2,634 yards, 26 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.  Adam Gase is known as a quarterback whisper and Vernon Adams would be the perfect project for the Dolphins.

Alternate pick----Greg Millhouse JR, DT, Campbell

Round 7, Pick 231---- Jake McGee, TE, Florida

Miami could use help at tight end and Jake McGee would be a late rounder flyer worth using a pick on.  The 6’5, 250-pound tight end would help the Dolphins in pass protection as well as providing a legit seam threat for Ryan Tannehill.  During his time at Florida, McGee caught 112 passes for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Alternate pick----Doug Middleton, S, Appalachian State

The Skinny

In the end, mock drafts are a waste of time.  The odds of even one of these picks being correct is slim to none.  No matter what Miami decides to do in this year’s draft, the moves are critical for the team’s future.  Enjoy the draft guys, hopefully the Adam Gase Era kicks off with a bang!

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments.