5 players Dolphins should draft in the first round

2. Trevor Penning

Like Raimann, Penning projects as a starting tackle in the NFL, but that’s where their similarities as prospects end. Penning is a physical brute at the point of attack who projects as a real weapon in the run game for the team that drafts him.

Reducing Tagovailoa’s workload with a quality ground game would be a sound strategy for the Dolphins. Penning could take on the left tackle position and really punish opposing edge rushers that lack elite physical strength.

Penning will likely be available towards the bottom of Round 1 because of how much work he’ll need as a pass-blocker at the next level. He has adequate quickness and agility but he does show some stiffness in his deep sets. It’s very likely the former Northern Iowa star will struggle with quality speed guys early on during his NFL career.

The fact that Tagovailoa is a lefty makes it easier for the Dolphins to select a guy like Penning to play left tackle. They should be able to live with his early struggles as a pass-blocker because it will be pressure Tagovaila can see. The upside here makes Penning worth the gamble at No. 29.