And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the Miami Dolphins. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the Miami Dolphins. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
2023 NFL Draft Recap, Analysis & Grades: Miami Dolphins
NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
Thor Nystrom’s Overview & Grades
Miami Dolphins | Draft Grade: B
| Pick |
Team |
Position |
Rank |
Name |
School |
Comp |
| 51 |
Dolphins |
CB5 |
31 |
Cam Smith |
South Carolina |
Alterraun Verner |
| 84 |
Dolphins |
RB5 |
70 |
Devon Achane |
Texas A&M |
Jahvid Best |
| 197 |
Dolphins |
WR29 |
207 |
Elijah Higgins |
Stanford |
DeAndre Smelter |
| 238 |
Dolphins |
OT16 |
177 |
Ryan Hayes |
Michigan |
Ty Sambrailo |
If you’re light on picks – as Miami was after forfeiting their Round 1 selection and trading away a few Day 3 selections – you need to make them count. The Dolphins did just that on Draft Weekend.
At No. 51, Miami stopped the fall of CB Cam Smith. Smith was a sure first-rounder coming into last season. But last year, South Carolina moved him from a pure-boundary corner into a role where he tracked the opponent’s top receiver, including in the slot. This put him into bad situations on islands at a position he wasn’t familiar with. Stick him on the boundary in the NFL, leave him alone, and he’ll be a plus-starter.
RB Devon Achane was a classic Mike McDaniels/Kyle Shanahan pick. Achane possesses world-class speed and is a threat to hit a homer every time he steps to the plate. He’s a usage-specific player whose touches need to be managed due to the frame. But McDaniel is already old-hat at that – Achane couldn’t have found a better landing spot.
Andrew Erickson’s Overview & Grades
Miami finally got into draft action starting in Round 2, going with cornerback Cam Smith. The Dolphins didn’t need another cornerback, but you can never have too many guys that can cover in the arms race AFC. Smith was my fifth-ranked CB, so I love the value of him at 51st overall. In 2021, he earned PFF’s second-highest coverage grade in the FBS. And over the last two seasons, Smith has broken up 15 passes.
The Dolphins followed up the selection of Smith, with running back Devon Achane in Round 3. And it’s the most perfect fit you could ask for. Achane’s elite track speed in an outside zone running offense is going to terrify defenses. The Dolphins are going to overpower their opponents with the sheer speed that have up and down the roster. Wheels up.
Miami selected WR Elijah Higgins in Round 6, but I am very curious to see if they try to move him to tight end. It would help, considering they didn’t add any tight ends of consequence during the draft.
FINAL DRAFT GRADE: B+
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