The Miami Dolphins, like every other team in the NFL, will be looking to their rookie draft class for both immediate and long-term help in 2024 and beyond.
However, given the makeup of the Dolphins' roster entering 2024, there is a standout or two who could be looked to quickly to assist in a couple of different areas on the roster.
As such, I went through the class and ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 the level of urgent need as far as immediate production from each draft class member. 10 being the most urgent and 1 being the least.
1) OLB Chop Robinson (1st round, overall pick 21); rating: 10/10
It goes without saying that expectations out of the gate are sky high for the rookie edge rusher from Penn State. While that might not be fair, that's the reality given Miami's roster. With Shaq Barrett retiring and Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Cameron Goode looking doubtful to be ready for the start of the season, Miami needs pass rushing help in the worst way.
Robinson was likely going to start across from Barrett absent a major failure in training camp or in the preseason. However, Miami is now scrambling looking for short-term veteran help to go with their rookie edge rusher. The Dolphins could really, really use a hot start from their rookie first rounder to bridge the return of their starters later in the season.
2) OT Patrick Paul (2nd round, overall pick 55); rating 2/10
Paul was drafted in order to be Miami's tackle of the future once Terron Armstead eventually hangs them up. The only reason he's not a 1 is that Armstead has proven to be routinely injured.
That said, Miami has swing tackle Kendall Lamm back for 2024 , who filled in capably when Armstead was down. No rush on the rookie tackle to step in and contribute quickly.
3) RB Jaylen Wright (4th round, overall pick 120); rating 4/10
Look, Wright could end up being the man out of this whole group when all is said and done. However, he doesn't need to be in 2024. Miami's one-two punch of Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane from 2023 is back and healthy, and they have proven they can handle the role very well.
Wright should eventually carve into the workload share, particularly given how well he pass blocks for a rookie. However, he's not going to be pressed into work out of necessity unless Miami suffers an injury among their starters - although that's something that did happen last year with Achane.
4) OLB Mohamed Kamara (5th round, overall pick 158); rating 8/10
Like Robinson, Kamara will have an opportunity for immediate usage based on his positional situation alone. Kamara was considered a sleeper pick for the Dolphins by some who expected him to go off the board sooner.
The only reason I didn't put as high a grade for urgency for Kamara as I did for Robinson is because the expectations are less for a fifth-round pick compared to a first. The Dolphins will also surely find some veteran options to bring in for training camp and preseason.
But Miami really could use their rookie to show up and flash a pass rushing ability early on. A quick emergence like third-rounder YaYa Diaby had for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year would be ideal for a player like Kamara.
5) Malik Washington (6th round, overall pick 184); rating 4/10
Miami is set with their starting wide receiver trio in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Odell Beckham, Jr. However, being able to replicate Miami's offense with speedy, smaller wideouts wasn't possible prior to 2024 with Miami's wide receiver room. Washington fits that mold to a T. The speedy and shifty wideout has the tools to step in and succeed in Mike McDaniel's offense in the event of an injury to either Hill or Waddle, which is something that happened last year with both.
Washington also adds experience in the return game, something that Miami will have to figure out in camp and the preseason. It's reasonable to think they don't want to expose their starters to injuries if they have another viable option from deeper down the roster.
Not a rush to get him on the field, but there's plenty of potential if he does get the chance.
6) Patrick McMorris (6th round, overall pick 198); rating 5/10
McMorris won't start barring injury, as Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland will hold down that fort. However, if either miss time, there could be an opportunity to earn a shot. The Dolphins have Elijah Campbell back for another season and added Marcus Maye in free agency.
However, the opportunity is there for McMorris to make it in the two-deep with a strong preseason, and with Miami's injury history, there could certainly be a chance to see the field earlier than expected.
7) Tahj Washington (7th round, overall pick 241); rating 3/10
Pretty much the same situation as Malik Washington. He has an interesting skillset if he were to be called upon. For now, he's a depth option with other options (likely including Malik) ahead of him.
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