8. QB Ryan Tannehill B

This is a boom or bust pick. Normally I give these picks a C in the first round (an average of an A and an F), but I’m giving the Dolphins a B. Tannehill is a better fit for the Dolphins than anyone because they have Mike Sherman as their offensive coordinator and because they have two stopgap quarterback so they can ease Tannehill into action. Also, the Dolphins absolutely had to do something at the quarterback position after missing on every quarterback in the offseason. They haven’t had a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino and their fans were starting to lose interest.

42. OT Jonathan Martin A

Jonathan Martin fell into the 2^nd round because he doesn’t have elite athleticism and feet or elite power and strength. However, he’s a pure football player, albeit a bit of a tweener. He fits really well on the right side in Miami, where they had a huge hole opposite Jake Long. This is a great value.

72. DE Olivier Vernon C-

They needed a defensive end, but this is really early for Vernon. He’s got elite athleticism, but only managed 1.5 sacks last season for a variety of reasons. He’s got a lot of upside, but this was way too early for him. He does fit both their 3-4 and their 4-3 defenses, important because they’ll probably be running a hybrid next season.

78. TE Michael Egnew C

They needed  a tight end, but this is two rounds too early for Michael Egnew, who doesn’t block and who had a poor statistical season last year. Both Orson Charles and Ladarius Green would have been much better values here in the 3^rd rounds at tight end.

97. RB Lamar Miller A

I had Lamar Miller in the 2^nd round, but he fell out of circumstance to the beginning of the 4^th round. The Dolphins moved up to grab him. They didn’t really need another running back, but Miller way was too good of a value. Besides, Reggie Bush hasn’t been the most consistent back in the past. He’ll also, believe it or not, be a 28 year old free agent next season and even durable backs don’t last much into their 30s so he might not be resigned. They also plan on using Miller on special teams as a return man.

155. OLB Josh Kaddu B+

Kaddu has more value in their 4-3 as an outside linebacker, but they plan on using that scheme at least in part next season. He’ll play some as a rotational player in their front 7 next season, but they did have bigger needs. Who is Ryan Tannehill going to throw to?

183. WR BJ Cunningham A-

Here’s a receiver. I had Cunningham as a 7^th round prospect, but this is a late pick so that’s not a huge deal. They needed at least one developmental receiver out of this draft.

215. DT Kheeston Randall A

They lost Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling from their 3-4 defensive end rotation so Randall, a good value at this point, could play immediately in a rotational role. If not, it’s just a 7^th round pick.

227. WR Rishard Matthews A

I actually had Matthews rated higher than Cunningham. I have no problem with them taking two receivers.

Their draft is obviously going to be tied to Ryan Tannehill. He’s a major risk in the top 10, but he’s got the ability to become their first franchise quarterback since Marino. However, I can’t really fault them for that pick because they absolutely needed to do something at the position to have any hope for the future and he’s a great fit in Miami with Mike Sherman there as offensive coordinator and Matt Moore and David Garrard there as stopgap quarterbacks. T

They also made a really good pick with Jonathan Martin in the 2^nd round, but you have to wonder why they didn’t get him a receiver until the 6^th round. Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are solid complimentary receivers, but unless Clyde Gates steps up as a #1 receiver this year (highly unlikely), Tannehill or whoever starts at quarterback won’t have a lot of open options. They also made 2 pretty big reaches in the 3^rd round. They could have spent either of those two picks on a solid wide receiver. Even if they didn’t, there were better players available at those positions, which were needs. They made some solid late round selections, but overall this was an underwhelming draft.

Grade: B-