INDIANAPOLIS — NFL scouting combine prospect drills wrapped up Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, and professional teams got their final look at players they will consider for their 2024 draft classes.
The Miami Dolphins, before the late April draft, prepare for free agency to begin a week from Monday. Depending on which positions they address in free agency and which of their own players from the 2023 team they lose in the process, they will use information gathered from the combine through a process that continues through college teams’ pro days and prospect facility visits.
Miami still has its first-round pick this year. If the Dolphins hold on to it, which general manager Chris Grier is not committed to, they will have the 21st selection on April 25. Miami also has a second-round pick, a fifth-rounder, two in the sixth and one in the seventh.
With an eye on possible needs — if not addressed in free agency — at offensive line, edge rusher, tight end, cornerback and on the defensive line, here are 10 prospects who improved their draft stock at the combine, many of which could interest the Dolphins:
Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy
Coach Mike McDaniel likes speed, and Worthy was not only the fastest at the 2024 combine, he ran the fastest 40-yard dash in combine history, breaking John Ross’ 4.22-second mark with a 4.21. It surely caught the attention of the Dolphins coach who has added the likes of speedsters Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane since joining forces with general manager Chris Grier in Miami.
Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson
He has been linked to the Dolphins in mock drafts, and get this: He also grew up a Dolphins fan, as a previous interview revealed. Dealing with a hamstring injury, he didn’t run the 40 at the combine, but his 32-inch vertical jump was impressive at 328 pounds. The Dolphins may need a new center in the draft, as uncertainty remains over how Connor Williams, a free agent, will come back from his torn ACL. Williams is focusing on his rehab first before handling his free agency.
Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders
If elite Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is out of reach for the Dolphins at 21, as many expect him to be, Sanders could very well be the second one taken at the position. It’s probably telling that McDaniel met with him at the combine. Miami could use a pass-catcher at tight end to be that third receiving option after Hill and Jaylen Waddle. His run blocking could use some work, but he takes pride in it to improve and the Dolphins system could get him away from bigger edge defenders and working outside in the wide zone against defensive backs.
Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske
If the Dolphins don’t end up bringing Christian Wilkins back, finding a 3-technique defensive tackle in the draft could be ideal in complementing Zach Sieler, who is locked up for the future. Fiske had one of the top moments of Day 1 of combine drills, shouting “Oh yeah!” while crossing the finish line on his 4.78-second 40-yard dash. His 4.37-second 20-yard shuttle time shows he’s also quick. With the times down, he can stand to tack on some weight to his 292-pound frame before he gets after it on the interior of the defensive line in the pros.
Houston tackle Patrick Paul
At 6-foot-7 ½ and 331 pounds, Paul matches that size and length with athleticism and smarts. He’s a more polished pass protector than he is a run blocker at this time, but get him in with Dolphins offensive line coach Butch Barry, and he could develop him if, say, Miami veteran left tackle Terron Armstead decides he’ll just play one more season. A left tackle draft pick could learn behind the veteran Armstead and back him up when he gets hurt and eventually take that spot opposite right tackle Austin Jackson.
Rutgers cornerback Max Melton
He ran a 4.39 40 and impressed with his 40 1/2-inch vertical and 11-foot-4 broad jump, showing exceptional athleticism. He may have solidified himself as a Day 2 prospect at the combine. The Dolphins went cornerback in the second round, their first draft selection, in the 2023 draft. With Jalen Ramsey there and, although releasing Xavien Howard, they probably won’t double-down there too early in the draft, so Melton could be an option if Miami ends up adding a mid-round pick, possibly in the third.
Texas nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat
The heaviest player in the draft, at 366 pounds, proved he can also move at that size, running a 5.27 40. By comparison, Vita Vea, 19 pounds lighter, ran a 5.1 in 2018 before starring for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Miami has a need in the middle if the team is not planning on re-upping with free agent Raekwon Davis, and Sweat probably doesn’t last past the second round.
Alabama edge Dallas Turner
The South Florida product and St. Thomas Aquinas grad ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and got up 40 1/2 inches in the vertical. At 247 pounds, the Crimson Tide standout could be a top stand-up outside linebacker at the next level. The Dolphins have uncertainty on the edge with Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb coming back from season-ending injuries and Andrew Van Ginkel a free agent, but Turner is likely out of reach for them with the 21st pick.
Utah safety Cole Bishop
Training for the combine in South Florida at Bommarito Performance Systems, like Fiske, Bishop’s 4.45-second 40 and 39-inch vertical could secure him as a Day 2 prospect. He had an exceptional gauntlet drill before appearing to pull up at the end. The Dolphins could need a safety if they don’t bring back DeShon Elliott and/or Brandon Jones in free agency. Miami Hurricanes’ James Williams could be another option at the position as a bigger safety who could be versatile and play in the box if defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver wants to give free safety Jevon Holland more room to flash his range.
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker
Walker, another prospect who trained at Bommarito’s had the fourth-fastest wide receiver 40 time, at 4.36 seconds. He also has a long 6-1½ frame with the ability to take an opponent deep. It’s interesting that LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., at 6 feet 3 and 209 pounds, hadn’t even met formally with the Dolphins at the time of his media session. Thomas should be a first-rounder, but maybe Miami merely doesn’t look for a wideout early and could grab a Walker later on.