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The 2017 NFL Draft ended yesterday, with the Miami Dolphins adding seven rookies during the three-day selection process. The team was systematic in their attack on the Draft, waiting for the draft board to come to them, never panicking and jumping around the board, and, essentially, getting their top-rated remaining player at each of their positions of need. It as a solid Draft for the Dolphins, even if it did not provide them with the splashy, dominant prospect, but rather gave them players who could develop into that kind of player.
Immediately after the Draft, everyone around the web wants to throw in their “grade” for how each team did. Rather that inundate the site with multiple draft grades, I thought we would collect a bunch of those grades into one place. Here are the thoughts and grades from around the web for the Dolphins’ 2017 Draft:
SB Nation
Dan Kadar
Grade: B-
The Dolphins are a team that came into the draft understanding their needs. Miami didn’t get fancy and trade around. The team just went down its needs list and checked each one off. That started in the first round with pass rusher Charles Harris. He might begin his career as a rush specialist, but he fits on a team that added run-stopping specialist William Hayes.
On the second day of the draft, the Dolphins continued on defense, getting linebacker Raekwon McMillan of Ohio State and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley of Clemson. Both could develop into starters. My grade would be higher if they picked up an interior offensive lineman earlier in the draft, but they still found one in Utah’s Isaac Asiata in the fifth round. Defensive linemen Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor provide solid depth.
ESPN
Mel Kiper, Jr.
Grade: C+
Top needs: Guard, defensive back, linebacker
Charles Harris' dropping a few spots and falling into the Dolphins' lap helps them a bit, but I thought he was better suited to go to a 3-4 team. He might be a situational pass-rusher early in his career as he bulks up from his 6-foot-3, 253-pound frame. He needs to improve playing against the run, and that should come in time. Miami filled a big need with tackling machine Raekwon McMillan. I was surprised he went off the board before Zach Cunningham, however.
Cordrea Tankersley is a big corner (6-1, 199) who had nine career interceptions. The Dolphins traded up for Isaac Asiata, and I gave him an undrafted grade. If they wanted a guard who could play immediately, they could have taken Forrest Lamp in Round 1. Asiata isn't that guy. Davon Godchaux, who has some off-field concerns, and Vincent Taylor will provide depth along the interior of the defensive line.
NFL.com
Chad Reuter
Grade: A-
Draft picks: Charles Harris (No. 22 overall), Raekwon McMillan (No. 54 overall), Cordrea Tankersley (No. 97 overall), Isaac Asiata (No. 164 overall), Davon Godchaux (No. 178 overall), Vincent Taylor (No. 194 overall), Isaiah Ford (No. 237 overall)
Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: Miami definitely needed to get younger in its pass rush, so seeing Harris on the board was a godsend. He'll need to improve against the rush to be an all-around player on the edge, but the pick will still be very good if he can make an impact attacking the quarterback sooner than later. Finding a linebacker of Raekwon McMillan's stature in the second round was a steal. Clemson's Cordrea Tankersley has a chance to start in Year Two for the Dolphins, as well -- he was an excellent pick. With Laremy Tunsil moving outside in 2017, the Dolphins found an immediate starting guard in Isaac Asiata in the fifth round. Godchaux bolstered the defensive line depth on Day 3.
Fox Sports
Dieter Kurtenbach
Grade: B+
The Dolphins hit their needs. Charles Harris will contribute on the first day, and while Raekwon McMillan is a strange fit, he could be the linebacker the Dolphins need. Cordrea Tankersley might be the steal of this draft — him falling to the third round was crazy.
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco
Grade: B+
The Dolphins did a nice job with their draft, landing pass rusher Charles Harris in the first round. He fills a need, and he's a productive player. Linebacker Raekwon McMillan brings some speed to a group that needs it. Adding corner Cordrea Tankersley in the third round and guard Isaac Asiata are also good picks and fill needs. It was a good draft.
CBS Sports
Rob Rang
Grade: B
Defense was clearly the top priority for the Dolphins in this draft, and first year general manager Chris Grier did a nice job of stacking his board, getting terrific value with his seven selections. Top pick Charles Harris' best football lies ahead of him after only joining the sport five years ago. The Dolphins added a classic glass-eating run-stuffing inside linebacker in Raekwon McMillan and a lanky press corner with excellent ball skills in Clemson's Cordrea Tankersley on Day 2, both of whom project as starters early in their respective careers. Isaac Asiata, the reigning Morris Trophy Award winner as the top blocker in the Pac-12, will outplay his fifth-round grade. Fellow Day 3 strongmen Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor are similarly built run-stuffers but may be too alike to both make the final roster.
Sports Illustrated
Chris Burke
Grade: B
The Dolphins’ draft was as noteworthy for whom they passed up as the prospects they actually took. Charles Harris (No. 22 pick) gives them needed depth off the edge, but G/T Forrest Lamp was available there, as were LB Reuben Foster and multiple corners. Raekwon McMillan (No. 53) could be a very good, three-down linebacker, but Zach Cunningham went shortly thereafter to Houston. And Miami chose hit-or-miss CB Cordrea Tankersley (No. 97) over others at his position (i.e. Rasul Douglas) and multiple interior linemen. Frankly, their best pick relative to value might be fifth-round guard Isaac Asiata. He’s a road grader who can start as a rookie.
BleacherReport
Tyler Conway
Grade: B
USA Today
Nate Davis
Grade: C+
Seems like a decent, if not particularly noteworthy, group. Pass rusher Charles Harris (Round 1), LB Raekwon McMillan (2) and CB Cordrea Tankersley (3) all have upside along with attributes to their games that seem like worrisome flaws. Don't be shocked if fifth-round G Isaac Asiata winds up playing the most as a rookie.