3 best moves by the Dolphins in the 2024 NFL Draft

Robinson provided plenty of support in the run-and-pass game that his raw sack and tackle aren’t quantifying. There’s a reason why he went in the first round. He’s a very good player who also tested off the charts at the NFL Combine. Good on the Dolphins to see through his lackluster counting stats. He’ll be a big help while Phillips rehabs.

Drafting Patrick Paul

Outside of pass rush, the biggest area of improvement for the Dolphins to address may have been preventing pass rushes. That’s what they did when they selected Houston’s Patrick Paul in the second round. Paul’s 91.5 pass block grade came out as the best among offensive tackles in this year’s class.

This couldn’t be a bigger get for the Dolphins. They ranked 31st in the NFL in pass block win rate a year ago according to ESPN.com. A major reason for that was the absence of Terron Armstead. Armstead was in and out of Miami’s lineup last season tending to nagging injuries. Their offensive line was fine when he played, but things went haywire in the seven games he was forced to sit.

The Dolphins won’t get caught off guard like that again now with Paul behind Armstead. It isn’t outlandish for him to start over Austin Jackson on the right side of the line either. He was a great pick for Miami.

Drafting Malik Washington

The Dolphins have a great team and don’t have a ton of weaknesses outside of the positions that were mentioned earlier. If they had another one, it would be a third receiver. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for 2,813 yards a year ago, but Miami barely got any receiving production from anyone else. Their third leading receiver was tight end Durham Smythe with just 366 yards.

Maybe Virginia’s Malik Washington can step up and be their third receiver. Washington’s collegiate career was quiet through his first four seasons at Northwestern, but things changed in a big way at Virginia. There, he hauled in 110 receptions for 1,426 yards and nine touchdowns. He can play out of the slot in all areas of the field.

The Dolphins also drafted USC’s Tahj Washington, who is a deep-threat speedster. Malik Washington, however, can step up and be the starting slot receiver for Miami. He’s a name to remember.