In the 2024 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to start on April 25, the Miami Dolphins are positioned with the 21st overall pick.
Miami needs to replace a few gaps on their squad during the draft due to late-season injuries and some noteworthy offseason subtractions. But, given that the Dolphins only have six picks in 2024, they may decide to trade the 21st pick in order to obtain more draft capital.
Nevertheless, given that they currently possess a first-round selection, these three prospects are the most suitable for the Dolphins at No. 21 overall.
The departure of guard Robert Hunt during free agency—he inked a big five-year, $100 million contract with Carolina—damaged Miami’s offensive line interior. Now that it acquired Aaron Brewer this offseason, Miami may re-sign its previous starting centre, Connor Williams, to replace Hunt, but it could be better for the team to select a guard in the first round.
The Morris Trophy winner from the previous season, Fautanu, spent all but one snap of 2023 at left tackle for the Huskies, but he’s arguably the most flexible offensive lineman available. With his 6-foot-4, 317-pound bulk, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN predicts that Fautanu will be an NFL guard worthy of a Pro Bowl.
In his four seasons at Washington, Fautanu gave up just 36 total pressures and three sacks. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa managed to stay healthy last season, but given his lengthy history of injuries, it would be prudent to use a first-round choice to provide him with additional protection.
Miami would gain depth at the position even though they signed former Commanders CB Kendall Fuller in free agency to take Xavien Howard’s place, a four-time Pro Bowler.
Cam Smith, a 2023 second-round pick, saw just 20 defensive snaps in his rookie season, and it’s doubtful that the inexperienced cornerback will ever be a consistent player. To further alleviate the situation, adding another boundary cornerback, such as McKinstry, to play opposite Jalen Ramsey in the slot, considering Fuller’s prior success there, may be a good idea.
In coverage last season, opposing quarterbacks hardly ever put the first-team All-American to the test. Consequently, McKinstry not only collected 32 tackles, including two for loss and seven pass breakups, but he also only allowed 16 of the 36 targets that were thrown his way to be completed.
Despite the fact that McKinstry missed the NFL Scouting Combine because of a Jones fracture in his foot, which caused some to speculate that he might go to the second round, he cemented his first-round status during Alabama’s Pro Day. McKinstry ran a 40-yard sprint in 4.47 seconds at the event.
