As the calendar approaches March, the NFL Combine is essentially the start of the off-season in a prospect’s professional journey. In the NFL timeline of what has become a 12-month season, we can say the combine is almost month one.
In addition to the scouting of players who will begin the official on-field evaluations on Thursday, March 2 with defensive linemen and linebackers, NFL front offices will then have to analyze their draft capital. Adding to the formula of building a team in the off-season, throw in needs at free agency as well. This brings salary cap evaluation as well as players currently contracted who could be expendable.
In that latter case, it could be as simple as a heavy contract versus need on the team, or simply a player who can benefit from a new situation, thus allowing the Dolphins to recoup salary cap, while potentially acquiring a draft pick or multiple.
This brings us to Miami’s current allotment of 2023 draft picks, which currently reads as follows:
- Round 2, Pick 51
- Round 3, Pick 77
- Round 3 Pick 84
- Round 6, Pick 178
- Round 7, Pick 240
Of course, Miami originally owned a pair of 2023 first-round picks, however, one was taken away from the league, and the other shipped to Denver in the Bradley Chubb trade with the Broncos.
Miami has a need at linebacker, running back, offensive line, tight end and cornerback to name a few areas. Yet, when looking over the roster, there could be a few opportunities to explore a deal with other teams who may have higher draft capital, yet a more immediate need for a player with NFL experience.
It’s here we look at some other teams who own some of the highest-valued pick counts and overall pick numbers.
2023 draft capital as of now pic.twitter.com/DPv903LZS3
— Timo Riske (@PFF_Moo) February 27, 2023
Now we look at some potential teams Miami should call.
Houston Texans: 12 Picks - NEEDS: QB, WR, EDGE, DL, OT
According to NFL Mock Draft Database, the Texans have the most valuable portfolio of draft picks. Owning 12 of them including two in the first round starting at number two overall, comes as no surprise.
Of course, when you think Houston and Miami, a trade comes to mind from back in 2019 in the Laremy Tunsil deal. That move sent left tackle Tunsil, wide receiver Kenny Stills, a 2020 fourth-round pick (No. 111), and 2021 sixth-round pick (No. 202) to Houston for what has become a treasure trove of picks and eventual players for Miami.
The Dolphins received a 2021 first-round pick (No. 3), a 2020 first-round pick (No. 26), and a 2021 second-round pick, otherwise known as Jevon Holland. This trade ended up being the gift that is continuing to give, as other players involved after several more deals with some of these picks led to Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Channing Tindall, Erik Ezukanma, and a 2023 first-round pick, otherwise known as Bradley Chubb, who was acquired on November 1st this past season. If there was ever a draft pick ATM for Miami general manager Chris Grier, it’s housed in Houston.
The teams also made a deal in 2021 that didn’t necessarily work out with Shaq Lawson being moved for linebacker Benardrick McKinney and a seventh-round pick in 2021 that turned into offensive lineman Larnel Coleman. Neither player remains on the Dolphins roster. This past pre-season Miami attempted to deal Adam Shaheen to Houston, although a failed physical voided that move.
Presently, the Texans could use help in positions that Miami could afford to explore a deal with, namely wide receiver, cornerback, edge, and offensive tackle. In these cases, we are not talking about Day 1 or Day 2 pick compensation, but if the teams can revisit the negotiations, there could be a way for Grier to cut some salary, while potentially getting into the fourth or fifth round, which Miami is not a part of at the moment.
Houston also owns a pair of third-rounders, which each fall before Miami’s pair of thirds. The Texans have picks 65 and 73 while Miami sits at 77 and 84.
Miami signed in a receiver last off-season from a team in the same state as the Texans, so it could be a solid exploration with Houston needing wideouts, and Miami not in desperate need there with having Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Seattle Seahawks: 9 Picks - NEEDS: EDGE, DL, IOL, CB, QB, WR
Similarly to Houston, the Seattle Seahawks have a need at cornerback, edge, and offensive tackle, yet could be in the wide receiver market as well. Not so much in common is dealing with Miami. The teams had made only a few in each franchise’s history with each other, the last being a 2020 Draft Weekend trade when Miami traded a seventh-round selection (251st) in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round selection.
Miami traded that pick to Chicago in exchange for tight end Adam Shaheen in 2020. However, with Seattle coming off of a playoff berth, and owning nine selections this draft, the teams could potentially be partners for conversation.
The Seahawks have a pair of second-round picks, 37 and 52, while Miami sits at 51. Seattle also has a pair of fifths, and again, Miami is not in that round. Something to think about if wanting to move salary while trying to get something in return.
Detroit Lions: 8 Picks - NEEDS: CB, DL, EDGE, QB, TE
When Dolphins fans think Detroit Lions and trade, Joey Harrington comes to mind from way back in 2006, and that really is about it other than Miami acquiring Akeem Spence in 2018 for a seventh-round pick and a few failed moves from regimes long before Grier.
Per Brian Miller of Phinphantic.com, in 1998 and 1999, the Dolphins made significant pick trades, as Miller pointed out, with Miami sending a second-round selection to the Lions for a third, fifth, and sixth. The names will be left out for a reason, so overall the return on investment with Detroit has not been great, but like Seattle, they own a pair of second-round picks at 48 and 55 as well as a fifth for Miami to explore at 154.
Once again, dealing in more a later-round mindset in terms of potential positions and players Detroit could be interested in on the Dolphins, it’s more a Day 3 situation since the Lions could explore a chance for a cornerback to change addresses and perhaps get a new beginning. Same to be said for a defensive end, who may have a salary Miami may need to think about moving.
Arizona Cardinals: 8 Picks - NEEDS: EDGE, DL, CB, OT, IOL
Not to harp on failed quarterback trades with the Dolphins and other franchises, the Arizona Cardinals deal for Josh Rosen, well, didn’t work. Back in the 2019 Draft, Miami sent a 2019 second-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick for Rosen.
However, prior to the Rosen move, Grier shrewdly called the New Orleans Saints to move down from 48th overall to 62nd, while picking up a second-round pick in 2020, otherwise known as defensive lineman Raekwon Davis.
Dolphin fans will likely always remember running back Kenyan Drake, the hero of the Miami Miracle of 2018. However, later in 2019, he was dealt to Arizona in exchange for a 2020 conditional pick that turned into a fifth-rounder, which was basically the re-acquiring of that Rosen pick.
In 2023, the Cardinals own a second-round pick at 34 overall and Miami again is back at 51. Arizona also has a pair of thirds at 66 and 96, but more importantly in this pairing, a fourth and fifth where Miami is pick-less.
Chicago Bears: 8 Picks - NEEDS: EDGE, DL, WR, OT, IOL, CB
If we must discuss one more forgettable quarterback trade, let’s do so briefly. In 2001 Miami sent a 2002 and 2003 sixth-round pick for Cade McNown and a 2002 seventh-round pick.
The Dolphins would end up trading McNown to San Fransisco a year later.
Moving on…
The Bears have a slew of needs and open up the selection meeting with the number one overall pick, so they are currently on the clock. They also have a huge decision to make with quarterback Justin Fields amidst trade rumors.
Whether they sit at one overall and/or retain Fields, at the moment Chicago has intriguing picks in areas the Dolphins could explore. On the Bears’ end, they are painfully thin at wide receiver.
Chicago is another team with a pair of second-round picks at 53 and 64, but more valuable to Miami could be those pairs of fourths and fifth, picks 103, 133, 137, and 150.
Miami has a pick gap from 84 through 178, so Chicago is deeper than Pizzaria Uno at this time if they fancy a pass-catcher who can apparently now return punts in a pinch. A very solid opportunity for a quality slot receiver to get more targets elsewhere, Chicago could talk trade with Miami, although in this described situation, salary may be an issue.
Nevertheless, with recent history in deals including that aforementioned Shaheen transaction, Jakeem Grant also comes to mind. Ironically another pass-catcher and punt-returner who didn’t see as many snaps or targets as he could of in his time in Miami. The Dolphins sent Grant to the Bears in October of 2021 in exchange for a sixth-round pick in this draft, which is No. 178.
As we come full circle now, Miami fans will hope Grier checks all the boxes to help take the next step in getting the Dolphins to the top of the football pyramid.
