When it comes the Miami Dolphins’ first-round pick, the only thing we know for sure is that it will be an offensive lineman.
For most of the months leading up to the NFL Draft, the Dolphins have been linked to Notre Dame lineman Zack Martin, who could slide in at either or both the guard or tackle positions. That theory took a sudden twist in another direction last week when the team was reportedly targeting Cyrus Kouandjio above all of the other top offensive line prospects.
But according to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins remain interested in Martin — above Kouandjio — largely because of his versatility to play multiple positions.
The team is preparing to draft Martin because it figures its highest-rated tackle, Michigan’s Taylor Lewan, will likely be off the board by the 19th pick. If that’s true, sources tell the Miami Herald that Martin will be the pick.
Although the Dolphins, as one scout put it, would “fall all over themselves” if Michigan’s Taylor Lewan somehow slipped to them, multiple sources in the know firmly believe Martin is the team’s first-round target on May 8.
Martin has been a prospect on the rise since the NFL Scouting Combine, and could be a target of the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens, both teams that pick ahead of the Dolphins. The Giants will likely select the best available player at No. 12, whether it’s an offensive lineman, tight end, or defensive lineman. The Ravens have yet to fill the void at right that was left by Michael Oher, who signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
If Martin if off the board, it still seems unlikely the team will use its first-round pick on Kouandjio, the Miami Herald reports.
The Dolphins will not spend a first-round pick on Alabama’s Cyrus Kouandjio, whose injury red flags have the team concerned.
That idea has been backed by TFY Draft Insider, which reported the medical issues that surfaced during the NFL Scouting Combine and Alabama Pro Day have stood out to Miami general manager Dennis Hickey.
In the XN Sports Mock Draft 2.0, Martin is slated to come off the board 19th to Miami. That could definitely be altered in 3.0, which will be released later this week. Indications are if Martin is not available, the Dolphins may trade out of the spot.
