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Miami Dolphins: 5 First round targets in the 2018 NFL Draft

By Michael Johnson

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter of their NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter of their NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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2018 NFL Mock Draft
ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 05: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts in the first half against the Mississippi Rebels during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2. Derwin James, S, Florida State

The Dolphins still have T.J. McDonald on their roster, who played safety for them last season. However, they need a guy that with the athletic prowess of a Derwin James. The 6-2, 215-pound defensive back may not be the ball hawk that Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick is, but he’s a better specimen who can bang like a linebacker and who possesses severely underrated coverage skills.

James is not just some in the box safety that many have been misled to believe, though it’s easy to make that assumption when you watch how aggressive he attacks in the run game. Nevertheless, one of the more underrated aspects of James’ game is his ability to drop down as a nickel corner or cover tight ends.

The Fins need a safety who can provide that type of stability, a player with elite athletic ability who isn’t hindered by his large frame. James also frees up Rashad Jones to continue to do what he does as a box safety and gives Miami a trio of players at the position who could be used similarly to the way Arizona used when they had  with Tyrann Mathieu, Tyvon Branch and Antoine Bethea. Additonally, James could provide something the Fins have been missing as team, leadership.

1. Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Vita Vea is the type of player the Dolphins have been missing in the middle of their defense. After releasing Ndamukong Suh, there’s a huge void at the defensive tackle position. The scheme never really fit Suh, plus the coaches and front office weren’t able to build around a guy whose skill set was more of an upfield gap shooter.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Final projection on draft day

That’s not the case with Vea, who could slide inside as the one-technique (2i) and allow Jordan Phillips to play the 3-technique voided by Suh’s absence. This would automatically give the Dolphins an improved run defense. Why? Vea is an old school mammoth of a man at 6-4, 347 pounds who will dominate the smaller guards of today’s NFL. Vea’s excellent length and sheer power is evident when he bull rushes and when he locks out guards when defending the run. He’s a two gap players who could side inside to the 3-technique because of his athleticism.

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