Miami Dolphins: Complete 7-round mock draft

Dec 14, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphin running back Lamar Miller heads to the end zone for a second quarter touchdown as New York Giants safety Cooper Taylor (right0 gets beat on the play at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 18, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Cassanova McKinzy (8) lines up during the spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5: Cassanova McKinzy, ILB (Auburn)

Again, there aren’t enough picks in the 2016 NFL Draft for the Dolphins to add as much help as they need on the defensive end going forward, particularly outside of their front four. One of those areas of concern is at inside linebacker. If they choose to wait a bit in addressing that need, though, the Dolphins could still find great value in Auburn Tigers linebacker Cassanova McKinzy.

First and foremost, I’m 99 percent sure that when there is a player named “Cassanova” available in a draft, a team would be foolish to not nab him up solely for the name value. Beyond that, McKinzy has a ton of talent as an NFL prospect at inside linebacker. He’s got commendable size, but even more impressive is his agility in regards to that size and how that allows him to close and lay big hits. McKinzy showed the ability at Auburn to not only deliver huge blows, but also to play aggressively in stopping up gaps while defending the run and penetrating gaps to get after the passer.

McKinzy is far from perfect as he needs to develop more of the mental aspects of his game to help make him a more efficient defensive player and one less prone to making mistakes. That being said, he has a lot to offer already and, in the fifth round with what the Dolphins need to do in this draft, the Tigers prospect would be a fantastic addition.

Next: Round 6

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