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2018 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins 7-round mock draft in October

By Chris Spooner

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: The Miami Dolphins players run out onto the pitch before the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium on October 1, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: The Miami Dolphins players run out onto the pitch before the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium on October 1, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Round 1 – Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

I don’t think it’s possible to overstate just how poor the offense has been for the Dolphins this season. That poor performance can’t be blamed on one person or position, but it all starts with the guys up front. It’s exceedingly difficult to have a solid offense if you don’t have good blocking and protection, and the Dolphins have been utterly bereft of that this season. Moving second-year lineman Laremy Tunsil outside to tackle and letting go of Branden Albert in the off-season has proven nothing short of a disaster.

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The Dolphins suited up their third quarterback of the season last week when Matt Moore had a genuinely dismal outing against the Baltimore Ravens. A lot of that has to do with the blocking, or lack thereof, of the guys up front. In the first mock draft piece I wrote back in September, I had the Dolphins selecting guard Quenton Nelson from Notre Dame in the first round. I have a feeling that’s going to be a consistent theme with these pieces. It’s our most significant area of need, and he’s the best player available at the position.

The tandem of tackle Mike McGlinchey and Nelson has been dominant for the Irish, not just this season, but as long as both have been in the lineup. They’ve entirely stonewalled some of the best pass rushing attacks that college football has to offer. If the Dolphins find themselves in a position to draft Nelson and pass on him, I don’t have much hope for improved offensive line play next season. Simply put, it’s time for the front office to cop to their mistakes and finally invest in the interior of the offensive line.

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