6 players who should be on the Miami Dolphins' first-round wish list heading into the 2024 NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins have a number of roster needs entering the 2024 NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday night from Detroit, Michigan.  Fortunately, there are a number of extremely talented prospects who could help them out. 

The Dolphins will be on the clock at pick #21 on Thursday.  That is, unless they trade out of the spot.  There are a number of players who could potentially be on the board still whenever Miami is up to make a selection.  

Here's a list of six players who should be under consideration for Miami. 

1) Washington OL Troy Fautanu

Miami still needs significant help on their offensive line, and getting it with a player of the positional flexibility of Fautanu would be outstanding.  Although he's a tackle prospect, he should be powerful enough to fill in at guard, where Miami could possibly be looking for two starters.  Having the ability to play tackle with the issues Miami has had on the injury front, particularly with Terron Armstead, is key.  Fautanu could end up taking over that job long term whenever Armstead retires, which he considered this offseason. 

2) Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

While 21 might seem early for a center, Powers-Johnson is a rare combination of physicality and athleticism. He's an easy plug and play for the next five years and should fit into Mike McDaniel's rushing attack very well.  A very logical pick if he's still there.  Free agent signee Aaron Brewer, who can play both center and guard, would man one of the guard spots in that scenario. 

3) Duke IOL Graham Barton

Barton should slot in as an NFL guard, and as mentioned, the Dolphins need them.  He could also play tackle in a pinch, where he played for three years at Duke.  A monster at 6'5", 313 pounds, he is a powerful run blocker who would add some size and physicality on the inside that an underwhelming Dolphins offensive line has needed.  

4) Florida State edge Jared Verse

The Dolphins' pass rush is a big question mark in the middle of the offseason, with both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb working to get back from serious late-season injuries.  Can Miami spend a premium pick on a player at a position where they have two quality starters?  It's worth strongly considering. Verse is perhaps the best all-around edge prospect in the draft. He'd become a high-quality rotational player with the potential to become the successor at the position.  

5) UCLA edge Laiatu Latu

Latu's medical history could give some teams pause.  That should something to think about for the Dolphins who saw nothing but injury after injury strike their roster in 2023.  However, he's seemed to put that behind him after medically retiring after the 2020 season.  He notched 23.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss from 2022-23.  While he still has something to prove as a run defender, his pass rushing ceiling is likely the highest in the draft. 

6) Illinois DT Jer'Zhan Newton

The Dolphins lost one of the most athletic pass rushing defensive tackles in the league with Christian Wilkins heading off to Las Vegas in free agency.  Why not take perhaps the best pass rushing defensive tackle prospect to replace him?  Newton has a great first step and also posted solid run defense grades during his time at Illinois.