The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2024 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2024 Football Preview.
With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2024 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Miami Dolphins, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Miami Dolphins rookies?
- Chop Robinson — EDGE — Round 1
- Patrick Paul — OT — Round 2
- Jaylen Wright — RB — Round 4
- Mohamed Kamara — EDGE — Round 5
- Malik Washington — WR — Round 6
- Patrick McMorris — S — Round 6
- Tahj Washington — WR — Round 7
Miami Dolphins Draft Class Grade:
The Miami Dolphins received an A draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Dolphins Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Dolphins paired need and value perfectly with their selection of Chop Robinson (first round). Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (ACL) are both returning from significant injuries, which made pass rusher a more pressing need than a glance at their depth chart might indicate. Once Phillips and Chubb are at full strength, Robinson won’t start as a rookie but will certainly work his way into the rotation. Robinson’s 19.1% pressure rate when lined up on the edge ranked 11th among Power Five pass-rushers in 2023. Expect to see him on the field on passing downs sooner rather than later.
Patrick Paul (second round) was drafted as an insurance policy behind Terron Armstead, who just can’t stay healthy. Paul started every game of his five-year career at left tackle for Houston and is ready to play immediately if needed. The downside to this selection is Paul is not as consistent blocking in the run game, especially on the move, which makes him a less-than-ideal fit for Miami’s offense. However, after the extreme run on tackles in the first round, there were limited options for Miami on Day 2. Paul stood out as the best fit for their needs.
Jaylen Wright (fourth round) may not have an immediate role due to the presence of Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, but Mostert is 32 years old, so Wright’s time will come. Wright benefitted from an extremely friendly scheme at Tennessee. Only 17% of his carries were into a box with seven or more defenders, so there is some doubt as to whether Wright can maintain his success outside the Tennessee offense, but his explosive traits should make him a good fit for Mike McDaniel’s offense.
Mohamed Kamara (fifth round) lacks the length and athletic traits teams covet in the early rounds, but his production was too great to ignore at this stage of the draft. Over the last two seasons, Kamara played four games against Power Five opponents, generating 21 pressures and a 17.2% pressure rate in those games. That includes a 2022 game against Michigan in which he generated three pressures, including a sack. Depending on the health status of Chubb and Phillips, there could be room for Kamara to get into the rotation early in his rookie year.
Malik Washington (sixth round) looks like a good fit in the Dolphins offense due to his ability to produce after the catch. He generated 16% more yards after catch than expected based on route-adjusted data last year. He’ll be joined by Tahj Washington (seventh round), who isn’t as reliable of a pass catcher but is even more dynamic after the catch with route-adjusted yards after catch 26% above expected.
Both Washingtons were good values late on Day 3 and fit the offense, but have the Dolphins gone overboard in their love of undersized YAC machines? The two rookies, Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, and Braxton Berrios are all 5-foot-10 or shorter. Diversity in the receiver room is usually a good thing, and the Dolphins have almost none.
Patrick McMorris (sixth round) will compete for a job at safety. He’s probably best suited for a strong safety role, but he has experience in the deep secondary as well. Starting safeties Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer are both free agents after the year, so a strong rookie campaign could lead to McMorris competing for a starting role, or at least a more significant backup job, in 2025.
The Dolphins were without a third-round pick due to tampering violations, which limited expectations for this draft class as they only had two picks in the top 100. However, no one would have been shocked if Wright or Kamara landed in the top 100, so Miami still came away with a great haul by finding some of the best values on Day 3. This class may only provide depth as rookies, but expect multiple starters to emerge within two or three years.
This analysis continues in the 2024 Football Preview
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