The Miami Dolphins are coming into the 2014 NFL draft after missing the playoffs last season and the team could be looking at the skill positions for their first and second round picks, as names like Marqise Lee, Carlos Hyde, Tre Mason, Kelvin Benjamin and Brandon Cooks are likely going to be on the draft board for general manager Dennis Hickey along with CJ Mosley or Zack Martin.
The Dolphins went 8-8 last season and missed the playoffs after scoring just seven points down the stretch over the final two games of the season and that is one reason why some draft experts think the team could go with an offensive player at number 19 overall. According to ESPN.com, the second round could be an option for a running back even after the team signed Knowshon Moreno as a free agent, as Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller were not productive enough last season.
The Dolphins ranked 26th in the league in rushing last season with just 90 per game and they could go after players like Carlos Hyde, Andre Williams, Jeremy Hill or Tre Mason at running back. Hyde comes out of Ohio State after rushing for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Mason was very productive with Auburn last season and he had over 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns and he is one of the fastest backs in the draft this year.
Lee could be an interesting option for the team where they pick, as he has good size and great hands and he is coming off of a solid year with 57 catches for 791 yards and four touchdowns and that came while dealing with up and down QB issues. The Dolphins could look to make a trade for more picks during the draft and that could lead to some later picks and the running back position could be a focus in those rounds. Zack Martin and Taylor Lewan have been mentioned as well and there is a good chance that Martin could be the option if he is on the board.
A trade of Mike Wallace could be an option as well, as Hickey has been looking at some of the receivers in the draft and there are some names available that could replace him. The Dolphins have a straight draft of just one pick in each round and while that is a solid amount, they could get a mid-round pick for Wallace and after the way he played last season following his $50 million contract, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him moves. According to Pro Football Talk, the team has dismissed the rumors, but reports from a couple months back had the team shopping the receiver and that could come up again.
The Dolphins have a solid group led by Brian Hartline and with Rishard Matthews stepping up last season and names like Marqise Lee, Kelvin Benjamin, Allen Robinson and Brandin Cooks available, Wallace easily could be on his way out of town. Cooks was very productive in college and he is a speedy receiver like Wallace and he comes out after making 128 catches last season for the Oregon State Beavers. Benjamin was on FSU and caught the winning TD pass, which was one of his 15 on the season and he is a huge receiver that could be a red zone threat. The team also could look at names like Carlos Hyde and Andre Williams in the second or third rounds.
