What are the top 3 best-case NFL draft scenarios for the Miami Dolphins? We break it down

Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post

For the first time since 2021, the Miami Dolphins actually go into the NFL Draft with a first-round pick.

That's the good news.

But the Dolphins have never - dating back to their first draft in 1966 - concluded the NFL Draft without a single third- or fourth-round pick.

That's the situation as it stands for the Dolphins now.

Due to the NFL's finding they tampered with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, they don't have their third-round pick. Miami's fourth-round pick went to Denver in the deal for Bradley Chubb.

That's the bad news.

Could general manager Chris Grier try to add a pick in the third or fourth round by moving back just a bit in Round 1 or Round 2?

Absolutely.

But that scenario is more intriguing if a player they don't absolutely love is not available at Pick 21 or Pick 55.

After all, Miami could really use a guard and/or tackle and/or edge rusher and/or wide receiver in the first two rounds on April 25 and 26.

General managers and coaches often lament the player snapped up one or two spots ahead of them, foiling the best-laid plans.

But what if God smiles on the Dolphins later this month?

Well, here are three best-case scenarios.

(Miami might sign up for any of them.)

Best-Case Scenario 1 for Miami Dolphins: Troy Fautanu slides

This does not seem likely. But if Washington guard/tackle Troy Fautanu somehow makes it to No. 21, Miami should pounce. Fautanu can play left guard or right guard in 2024 and slide to left tackle as early as 2025, following the "Laremy Tunsil" plan. Fautanu is a beast. The perfect potential pick. Only issue? He might very well go to Seattle, Cincinnati or Pittsburgh.

RELATED STORY Fautanu is the perfect Miami Dolphins' draft target

Best-Case Scenario 2 for Miami Dolphins: Laiatu Latu slides

This does not seem likely. But there is a chance. Because the UCLA pass rusher has had some injuries, it could scare off some NFL teams, the same way some teams were once scared off on Jaelan Phillips. Ironically, Latu would hold down things until Phillips is healthy. If this pass-rush talent is somehow available at No. 21, Miami may very well pounce. The only problem? He might very well go to Denver, New Orleans, Jacksonville or the Rams.

Best-Case Scenario 3 for Miami Dolphins: Trade back and hope

If Grier can pick up, say, a third-round pick in this years' draft by moving back just a bit in the first round, it might be worth it.

But in that scenario, Grier would hope one of the players high on their board would still be available.

There are a cluster of players that are probably pretty similarly talented that will go between Pick 17 and Pick 27, so this might make sense.

If the Dolphins were able to land, say, offensive lineman Graham Barton, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Tyler Guyton or Jordan Morgan or edge rusher Jared Verse, Darius Robinson or Chop Robinson or defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry or Cooper DeJean or receiver Xavier Worthy after a trade back, it's a move that may pay dividends.

RELATED STORY Duke C/G/T Barton is versatile, athletic and powerful

But Grier would have to feel good about the depth of players in that range. And he would have to feel good about potentially tapping into a wider range of position targets.

Dolphins NFL draft picks: List of selections in 2024

  • Round 1, Pick 21

  • Round 2, Pick 55

  • Round 5, Pick 158

  • Round 6, Pick 184 (from Chicago)

  • Round 6, Pick 198

  • Round 7, Pick 241

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins NFL draft: Here are the three best-case scenarios

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