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Miami Dolphins full 2018 NFL mock draft

By John Buhler

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Ward (12) lines up on the outside during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Ward (12) lines up on the outside during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Miami Dolphins need to right the ship after a frustrating 6-10 2017 NFL campaign. Here is the latest 2018 NFL mock draft for the Dolphins.

After reaching the AFC playoffs for the first time in eight years in 2016, the Miami Dolphins regressed in 2017. They went a frustrating 6-10 last fall. Frankly, it was a year that the Dolphins lost before it even began. Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill tore his ACL in training camp, leading the way for Miami to pry recently retired signal caller Jay Cutler out of the FOX broadcasting booth. That didn’t go over so well for Miami.

The Dolphins had to deal with Hurricane Irma wreaking havoc on South Florida. This hurricane forced to Dolphins to essentially live on the road for a month, as they did not play their first true home game of the year until October. Add in that their former offensive line coach had substance abuse issues and so many players were put on the trading block and it was a disastrous season for the ‘Phins.

But here we are. Miami will be entering year three of the Adam Gase era down in South Beach. The Dolphins need to adjust on the fly to stay relevant in an improving AFC. Some might see 2018 as a make or break year for Gase and the Dolphins organization. They will need to crush it in the upcoming NFL Draft, as well as in free agency.

Miami has primary needs this offseason at cornerback, guard and linebacker. Secondary needs include safety, quarterback and along the defensive line. Tertiary needs for the Dolphins are at wide receiver, tight end and center. Here is the latest 2018 NFL mock draft for the Dolphins.

First Round

Miami needs to get more relevant in the secondary. Yes, the Dolphins drafted Cordrea Tankersley out of Clemson in the third round last year. However, the Dolphins really just have Reshad Jones at safety in their defensive backfield. One would think that the Dolphins would look to go with the best cornerback available at No. 11.

In this draft, that would likely be Ohio State Buckeyes junior cornerback Denzel Ward. Ward is the latest defensive back talent leaving Columbus a year or two early from school. It has become a defensive back factory of NFL talent in Urban Meyer’s system. Ward looks to be the best of the Buckeye bunch this year.

He is 5-foot-10, 191 pounds and projects as a day one starter in the NFL. Ward ran a blistering 4.32 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He also had a vertical jump of 39.0 inches at the combine. Ward has the speed and verticality to be an excellent defensive back at the next level.

In three years in college, Ward recorded 67 total tackles (47 solo, 20 assists), 24 pass breakups, two interceptions and two tackles for a loss of yardage. Those may not be overly impressive stats, but do keep in mind how deep the Ohio State defensive back room has been for the last half decade. He did earn All-American honors last year for Ohio State as a junior. Ward has to be the pick for the Dolphins at No. 11 if he is still available.

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