Give the war room a raise for the dealing alone. The Dolphins came out ahead on every exchange that mattered, and it was not close.
If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through quarterback. The cost of the Thomas Jr. reach is exactly the players who went right after him. The Dolphins paired the rookies with proven help, Justin Jefferson leading the way.
They are betting the present roster is worth a lighter draft next spring.
Add it up and it is a good, unfussy class.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.1
· Pick 1
· Marvin Harrison Jr.
· WR
· rank 1
In the Round 1 slot they get a go-to option on the outside. The biggest hole, addressed.
R1.2
· Pick 2
· Malik Nabers
· WR
· rank 3
In the 2nd overall pick they get a matchup problem out wide at fair value. Exactly the need they had to hit.
R1.3
· Pick 3
· Rome Odunze
· WR
· rank 10
In the 3rd pick they get a true top target. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
R1.4
· Pick 4
· Brian Thomas Jr.
· WR
· rank 28
A big swing on Brian Thomas Jr. at slot 4, well ahead of any board in the building. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
R1.5
· Pick 5
· Joe Alt
· OT
· rank 4
In pick No. 5 they get a blindside protector at fair value. A real need, handled.
R1.6
· Pick 6
· Olumuyiwa Fashanu
· OT
· rank 8
In pick 6 they get a plug-and-play piece up front. A clean fit for the roster.
R1.7
· Pick 7
· Brock Bowers
· TE
· rank 5
A straight-up fair deal on Brock Bowers at Round 1, Pick 7, value and slot in agreement. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
R1.8
· Pick 8
· Laiatu Latu
· DL-EDGE
· rank 11
In No. 8 they get a double-digit-sack hope at fair value. Exactly the need they had to hit.
R1.9
· Pick 9
· Jared Verse
· DE-EDGE
· rank 12
Jared Verse in the 9th overall pick is fair value, right on his grade. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
R1.10
· Pick 10
· Jer'Zhan Newton
· DL
· rank 13
In slot 10 they get a disruptive interior force. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
R1.11
· Pick 11
· Byron Murphy II
· DL
· rank 17
In pick 11 they get an anchor for the defensive front. The biggest hole, addressed.
R1.12
· Pick 12
· Dallas Turner
· LB-EDGE
· rank 14
In the Round 1 slot they get a problem off the edge at fair value. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
R2.23
· Pick 55
· Christian Haynes
· OG
· rank 65
The board had cheaper options than Christian Haynes at Round 2, Pick 23, and it noticed. A need, and now a little less of one.