2018 NFL Draft Grades: Miami Dolphins

It was another lost season in Miami for the Dolphins in 2017, as they finished 6-10. In order to push forward in Tom Brady's division, the Dolphins would have to make major impact in 2018. With 8 picks, and needs at QB, TE, DL, LB, and CB listed as priorities, did they do enough in this class to push themselves up to another level?

CB/S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Fitzpatrick can play anywhere in the secondary, and in the box if needed. In my opinion, he may have been the best DB in this class. He fell to the Dolphins at 11, and they had to move on him. Smart pick.
Grade: A

TE Mike Gesecki, Penn State
He had 1st round value, and fell to the 2nd round. Again, this was another major need, and the Dolphins crushed the pick, where they would have goofed on this one in years past.
Grade: A

LB Jerome Baker, Ohio State
This was a bit of a mistake, as Baker was graded as a 4th rounder, and they reached on him early in the 3rd. Their first miss of the draft. He could still pan out, but we grade on value as well, and this was not great value.
Grade: C

TE Durham Smythe, Notre Dame
Good value with the pick itself, but the double dipping issue at TE is concerning, as the Dolphins have several areas of need outside of that. Gesecki was good enough alone to take on the position, and adding Smythe muddies the waters some.
Grade: B

RB Kalen Ballage, Arizona State
Ballage is a solid power back who can get big yardage on short yardage downs, but he grades out as a career backup who will never be a 3 down back. There is also an issue where the Dolphins ignored inherent need for someone who does not fill one of those needs.
Grade: C

DB Cornell Armstrong, Southern Miss
The Dolphins really went off the rails in the 6th round, drafting a player who was not graded or evaluated. I can't see him making the roster out of camp, and that, to me, is a huge miss.
Grade: F

LB Quinton Poling, Ohio
Poling had late 7th round value according to some, but he is severely undersized, and other than a special teams roll, I just don't see the value with this player.
Grade: C

PK Jason Sanders, New Mexico
Why spend a pick on a player who you could have had for nothing? Especially with a kicker. This was just a messy selection.
Grade: F

Priority needs filled in first two days: 3
Total Points: 17
Average points per pick: 2.13
Grade: D