After the Miami Dolphins completed a busy three days during the annual NFL draft, noted draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. stated that the team’s roster isn’t too far from being a Super Bowl contender.
The Dolphins had four selections during the important first two rounds, with Kiper noting how some strategic moves will also help the team in future drafts.
“Looking at this roster, I don’t think it’s far away from being a Super Bowl contender, and the Dolphins hit their major needs,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper wrote. “The other major bonus is that they ended up moving down three spots from No. 3 after some maneuvering and picked up that 2023 first-round pick. This is a stellar class overall.”
That trade for the future first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers came in late March, with the Dolphins making another deal soon after to move up to the sixth overall spot.
The Dolphins then used that pick to select University of Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who already has played with the team’s quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
With the 18th overall pick, the Dolphins stayed close to home by selecting University of Miami defensive end Jaelan Phillips, who will hopefully improve their pass rush.
In addition, second-round selections of Jevon Holland and Liam Eichenberg should help bolster the secondary and offensive line, respectively.
Kiper, who’s been assessing drafts for the past four decades, wasn’t the only draft expert to praise the Dolphins’ draft efforts. If Kiper and the others are accurate with their opinions, the postseason could be an interesting time of year for both the Dolphins and the team’s fan base.