The Miami Dolphins are heading into the NFL draft with a number of needs on both sides of the ball and while reports of a potential trade with Dion Jordan or Daniel Thomas have not been confirmed, there is a chance the team could look to make a move to get some extra picks and down the line some targets include Tre Mason, Andre Williams, Jeremy Hill and Carlos Hyde.
The Dolphins are likely going to focus on offense in this draft and that comes after the team scored just seven points over the final two weeks of the season and that included a shutout against the Bills. The team signed Knowshon Moreno in the offseason, but according to ESPN.com and the Miami Herald, that does not mean that GM Dennis Hickey will not go after a running back and one of the top options is Tre Mason from Auburn. The back has blazing speed and was wildly productive last season and he could join Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas and Mike Gillislee along with Knowshon Moreno in the backfield.
Moreno was a great addition after he had over 1,000 yards last season and he also set career highs in receptions and yards from out of the backfield and adding that to the mix for Ryan Tannehill could be huge. The team needs more weapons and getting a player like Mason could give the team some explosiveness out of the backfield that they lacked last season. The Dolphins ranked 26th in the league last season in rushing yards with Miller and Thomas and neither of those players put up enough yards and that is why they added Moreno and now Mason could be next.
Mason is from the area and he had over 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns when he was in high school before heading to Auburn and he had some amazing numbers, putting up 2,374 yards total and over 1,800 on the ground and he ended up as one of the Heisman finalists. He could be a very good option in the draft since the Dolphins have picks in each of the seven rounds and that is also why a trade could come into play, as the team could look to add some extra picks since this is such a deep draft.
Carlos Hyde also could be an option for the team and he is considered to be one of the top running backs in the draft after coming out of Ohio State. Last season Hyde rushed for over 1,500 yards with 15 touchdowns and he showed last year that he can be a tough runner and a solid receiver out of the backfield. Hyde is not as explosive as Mason, but he could be more consistent. Andre Williams had over 2,000 yards rushing last season but he had zero catches, while Jeremy Hill was very productive and he is a tough runner as well. Hill has size and speed and he had over 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
The Dolphins traded up for Jordan last season and Hickey could look to make some moves this season and he is not beholden to any players after taking over for Jeff Ireland.
