2016 NFL Draft: Round 1 Mock for All 32 Teams
By Peter Panacy
No. 8: Miami Dolphins
2015 Record: 6-10
The Pick: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
The Miami Dolphins have a good amount of need on the offensive side of the ball entering 2016. This unit ranked No. 27 in the league with 310 points scored and wasn’t particularly impressive moving the ball on the ground.
But there isn’t a lot of value at this spot for the Dolphins to take a flier on offensive talent. And running back Lamar Miller is still developing. The 24-year-old averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season.
Instead, Miami will look to reinforce a defense that finished 2016 19th in the NFL with 389 points allowed.
Adding Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner makes sense here. He’ll replace free agent pass-rusher Oliver Vernon, who led the team with 7.5 sacks last season, and offer additional pass-rushing prowess to an already potent Dolphins front seven.
Next: No. 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers