MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins enter Friday’s second and third rounds of the NFL draft with five picks — one in the second round (No. 43) and four in the third round (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94).
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley are in charge of a draft for the first time in their careers, and you could argue what they do Friday is just as important as what they did Thursday in the first round.
Here are the top 20 players available for the Dolphins:
Scott (5 foot 11, 183 pounds), who projects as a nickel/slot, is a playmaker, evidenced by 2 INT return TDs, 13 TFL (tackles for loss), 5.0 sacks, 2 FF (forced fumbles) and 5 PBU (passes broken up).
Rutledge (6-3, 315), a RG, is a quality run blocker but his pass protection needs work. Regardless, he’s strong, tough, and maintains blocks once he gets his hands on a defender.
Dunker (6-5, 319), who gained a measure of cult-like fame due to his mullet haircut and red hair, is a RT who had played RG and projects as an interior offensive lineman. He’s a good run blocker who anchors well.
Stukes (6-0, 190) is a top-notch athlete with 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed to go along with 4 INTs. But he’s also versatile as he can play deep, shallow or at the line of scrimmage. He’s a sixth-year senior and regarded as a true football nut (in a good way) and studious.
Bernard (6-1, 206) is a versatile weapon who projects as WR2 or WR3 while taking most of his snaps from the slot. Totaled 64 receptions for 862 yards and 7 TDs. Doesn’t have blazing speed (4.48-second 40-yard dash) but is fast enough.
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Bisontis (6-5, 315), a LG, has good hands, good feet and lots of toughness. Pass protection is good enough. Bisontis projects as a Day 1 starter but it’s unclear whether he can also play center, which would increase his value.
Pregnon (6-4, 314) is mostly a LG although he’s played on both sides. He has good hands and lower-body strength which he uses well as a run blocker. He’s got good nastiness and offers versatility.
Clark (6-0, 188) is a ballhawk, as his 4 INT last year (two returned for TDs) and 10 INTs over the past three years attest. He has good cover skills and is a willing tackler despite being a bit small for the position.
Fields (6-4, 218) is a big WR who uses physicality more than finesse. He had 55 receptions for 808 yards and 5 TDs, often going to get the ball. He’s best suited to serve as a complementary WR.
Stowers (6-3, 239) won the Mackey Award (nation’s best TE) and the Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman). He had 62 receptions for 769 yards and 4 TDs. He’s a receiving TE who doesn’t have strong blocking skills.
Bell (6-1, 222) is a big, talented WR who had 72 receptions for 917 yards and 6 TDs but sustained a torn ACL on Nov. 22 against SMU. Bell is reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehab. He had nine receptions for 136 yards and 2 TDs in Louisville’s 24-21 upset win over Miami.
Delp (6-4, 245) totaled 20 receptions for 261 yards and 1 TD last season. He played two seasons under standout TE Brock Bowers. There’s a thought Delp might be a better pro than college player.