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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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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Rashaad Penny #20 of the San Diego State Aztecs runs past Quenton Meeks #24 and Justin Reid #8 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second half of a game at Qualcomm Stadium on September 16, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Rashaad Penny #20 of the San Diego State Aztecs runs past Quenton Meeks #24 and Justin Reid #8 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second half of a game at Qualcomm Stadium on September 16, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Round 7 – Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State

A note as a reminder, this was compiled prior to the Jay Ajayi trade. 

Running back seems to be one of the few positions that the Miami Dolphins are likely to be set at for the foreseeable future. Despite his struggles this season, Jay Ajayi seems to have entrenched himself as the starting running back for years to come. However, as most football fans know, the life of a running back in the NFL can be a short one. Far too many of them don’t last beyond their first contract. By the time the NFL Draft rolls around, Ajayi will be coming into his third NFL season as a full-time starter.

Factor in just how little production the team has been able to squeeze out of guys like Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake, and it would be wise for Miami to spend some draft capital at the position. I want to make it clear that I don’t anticipate Rashaad Penny still being on the board anywhere close to the seventh round when the actual draft rolls around. I’ve watched a lot of west coast football this season and have seen Penny extensively. He has some question marks about his game to be sure, but he’s nowhere near a seventh round back. I would say he’s a fourth round type at the latest.

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However, if he were to be available this late, I would blow a hamstring to get the card to the podium. Penny is a stout running back. He’s listed at 5-11 and 220 pounds, but runs like a back twenty pounds lighter. He was a 1,000 yard back in 2016, his first year as a starter. In 2017 he’s on pace to eclipse the 1,800 yard mark. He’s the kind of explosive, change-of-pace back the Dolphins have been searching for. But also has the build to be relied upon should his number be called on a more permanent basis. Drafting Penny would be the cherry on top of this draft.

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