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2017 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins 7-round mock

By Parker Hurley

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Derek Rivers

Defensive End, Youngstown State Penguins

Derek Rivers was another player who flashed at the combine. Another under recruited All-Star, Rivers found his way onto the Youngstown State campus, playing for Bo Pelini and Jim Tressel. Rivers posted 14 sacks in 2016, and proved that he was dominant of the lower end of competition. However, the question is obviously how can he do against tougher competition.

Rivers has yet to answer the question, but his combine measurements said that he is on par athletically to be a top 50 player. He measures athletically similar to Ryan Kerrigan, and it is not a bad comparison. Rivers does most of his work attacking the quarterback, and the run in the box, but he has dropped back into coverage. However, for the Dolphins, they are looking at his pass rush ability.

The Dolphins re-signed Cameron Wake, mainly because who the heck else were they going to have rush the quarterback. Wake is 35 years old now, and is mainly used as a third down specialist. However, on the practice field and in the locker room, a guy who worked his way to the NFL such as Rivers could learn to benefit from a veteran who played until he is 35 like Wake. It would hit a position of need for Miami, and be a premier landing spot for Rivers.

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