Dolphins have appealing defensive line, linebacker, safety options at No. 55 in the draft

Part 2 of a two-part series

The Dolphins’ second-round draft picks have yielded mixed results during the past decade or so, from the Jonathan Martin bust to the excellence of Xavien Howard and Jarvis Landry to the good work from Jevon Holland and Robert Hunt.

With the Dolphins facing salary cap challenges in the years ahead, it’s vital they acquire an immediate contributor at No. 55.

Exploring who could be available in that range, by position, at four positions on defense:

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE

▪ Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat: The chances of him falling to 55 seemed to increase this week. Already with a reputation as a player who likes to party, Sweat was arrested on Sunday on a charge of suspicion of driving while intoxicated, per the Travis County (Texas) Sherriff’s office.

ESPN’s Matt Miller mocked him 54th, before his arrest, and said: “Sweat is an immovable force in the middle of the defensive line, but he also has enough quickness to score 22 pressures and two sacks in 2023 while consistently collapsing the pocket and chasing down ball carriers.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has him falling out of the second round.

▪ FSU’s Braden Fiske: Kiper mocks him 54th, noting: “He had a stellar Combine workout, showing top-level physical traits.” He had 12 sacks in his two seasons at FSU.

Miller slots him 42nd, adding: “Fiske is slightly undersized at 6-5 and 292 pounds, but his quickness shooting gaps and ability to take over a game are notable. Coming off back-to-back six-sack seasons, Fiske dominated at the Senior Bowl before putting together an all-around great Combine workout that featured a 40-yard dash time of 4.78 seconds.”

▪ Michigan’s Kris Jenkins: There’s a decent chance he’s available at 55. At 6-3 and 299 pounds, Jenkins could play in multiple spots along a defensive front.

Kiper mocks him 48th and said he “has the versatility to play end or tackle, but I like his ability to penetrate from the interior. He’s strong and stout against the run, too.”

Miller mocks him 63rd. He had 37 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception last season.

▪ Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro: Kiper mocks him 52nd, noting the 294-pounder “has some juice as an interior pass-rusher, and he could kick outside and defend the run as an end.”

“The pass rush still needs improvement, but he projects as an ascending talent and future starter in odd or even fronts,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said.

▪ Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr.: He’s undersized at 6-2 and 280 pounds, but Miller — who mocks him 64th — says he “had a dominant Senior Bowl week, showcasing burst and first-step quickness that is rarely seen from a college tackle.”

FYI: Though Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton has been mentioned as a Dolphins option at 21, Kiper has him sliding all the way to 42.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

▪ Texas A&M Edgerrin Cooper: Considered the best inside linebacker in the draft, Cooper had 17 tackles for loss last season (fifth most among Power 5 players), and eight sacks.

In an earlier mock draft, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler sent him to Miami at 55. But his stock has risen since; Kiper has him 41st.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein’s take: “Highly physical linebacker with elite top-end speed and a burning desire to get to the football that can lead to some inconsistencies in his play.... He’s a capable quarterback spy, can blitz the pocket and will be an instant hit on special teams, but teams will need to balance the inconsistencies with the passionate run-and-hit mentality.”

▪ NC State’s Payton Wilson: In 2023, he won the Chuck Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year Award and Butkus Award (for the nation’s top linebacker) and was ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

He was fifth in FBS with 138 tackles, tied for seventh with 17.5 tackles for loss and had three interceptions.

ESPN’s Miller mocks him 50th.

“Wilson’s length and athletic profile could certainly push him up the board for some teams, but his history with injuries could tamp down his draft stock,” Zierlein said. “... Has early starting potential but scheme fit and medical reports will play a big role in his evaluation.”

▪ Michigan’s Junior Colson: He had 101 and 95 tackles the past two seasons, including 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. ESPN’s Jordan Reid calls him “the best run-defending linebacker in the class but also has excellent range to make plays outside the tackle box.”

Many have him as a third-round pick. But Miller has him sliding to 79th, noting: “Colson didn’t workout at the Combine or his Pro Day, which could push him down the board.”

EDGE PLAYERS

▪ Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland: Had 28 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in four years at Western Michigan; Miller slots him 46th; Kiper doesn’t have him in the first two rounds.

“Teams might drop him in as a 4-3 base end, but he’s actually a more consistent playmaker when he’s standing, surveying and using his athleticism rather than fist-fighting at the point of attack,” Zierlein said.

▪ Washington’s Bralen Trice: Projected to go anywhere from the 40s to 70s, Trice had 49 tackles, including 11.5 for loss, and seven sacks last season.

Miller slots him 67th and says “he has fantastic pass-rush moves in his toolbox. His quickness off the ball stuns offensive tackles and will get him into the Rams’ starting lineup as a rookie.”

▪ Penn State’s Adissa Isaac: He had 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season, but like Trice, pick No. 55 could be too high for the 6-4, 267-pound lineman. Kiper has him 61st, calling him a “well-rounded defender who has an impressive get-off at the snap.”

NFL.com’s Zierlein: “The anchor strength needs improvement to become a more consistent edge setter and rush finisher, but his production, length and motor could eventually earn him a starting job as a 3-4 rush linebacker.”

▪ Kansas’ Austin Booker: The transfer from Minnesota had eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his one season with the Jawhawks. Kiper doesn’t have him in the first two rounds.

Booker is taking a ‘30’ visit to Dolphins headquarters next week.

He played in only 18 college games, and Zierlein said he’s a “truly unique prospect combining tremendous upside with an extremely limited sample size. Booker needs to get bigger and stronger, but that will come. The diversity of his rush approach is unheard of for a player with so little playing time.”

SAFETY

▪ Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin: He would be an interesting option to pair with Jevon Holland if available at 55.

“He’s a ball hawk with 6-foot-2 size and range to attack over the top,” Miller said in mocking him 59th. “He’s the best safety in this class.”

▪ Southern Cal’s Calen Bullock: The 6-2 Bullock had nine interceptions over the past three seasons and returned two for touchdowns. He visited Dolphins headquarters late last week.

He’s right in Miami’s range: Miller has him going 52nd, The Athletic’s Brugler mocks him 54th. Kiper doesn’t have him going in Round 2.

“Bullock is a true center-field safety,” Brugler said. “There are questions about his tackling, but he has outstanding range and budding instincts.”

▪ Georgia’s Javon Bullard: Projected for the 50s or 60s, Bullard had four interceptions, 11 pass breakups and 3.5 sacks combined in 2022 and 2023. Miller cites his “ability to thrive both in the box and in coverage.” Kiper mocks him 58th.

Kiper notes: “Bullard is a fun player to watch, because he can play as a slot corner, as a center fielder or closer to the line of scrimmage, where he can make plays in the run game. He’s a little undersized (5-foot-11, 198 pounds), but he’ll get after it in coverage.”

▪ Utah’s Cole Bishop: Kiper mocks him 60th, noting he “has some versatility — he even played some off-ball linebacker for the Utes -- and he’s a great blitzer.” The Dolphins like him.

Here’s a look at the Dolphins’ second-round options at guard, tackle, wide receiver, tight end and cornerback.