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2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Dolphins could take in Round 1

By Rucker Haringey

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHESTNUT HILL, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (42) rushes during a game between the Boson College Eagles and the Clemson University Tigers on. November 10, 2018, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (42) rushes during a game between the Boson College Eagles and the Clemson University Tigers on. November 10, 2018, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Christian Wilkins

Wilkins certainly isn’t an edge rusher, but he is a defensive tackle who could really help the Dolphins front. Turn on his Clemson tape and you can see him consistently find his way into the opposing backfield to harass the opposition.

There are questions about his conditioning, but that’s something the Dolphins’ coaching staff can improve once they get him in the building. Wilkins has a ton of tools you just can’t teach. Guys with his size and quickness just don’t come available very often.

Again, the Dolphins have to ask themselves whether or not Wilkins can provide real value here. Defensive tackles that aren’t elite pass rushers generally don’t go quite this high in the draft. Wilkins projects as a terrific starter, but he’s never going to notch double-digit sacks for his team. It’s possible the Miami front office could decide they need an edge rusher even if they rate Wilkins as the better player on their board.

On the other hand, Wilkins is an inside player who can command consistent double teams. A defensive coach like Flores might see more value in that trait than some of his peers.

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