• Bolstering the OL: With Terron Armstead’s future unknown, the Miami Dolphins prioritize offensive tackle by selecting Alabama's JC Latham.
• Jaheim Bells gives Miami's offense even more speed and talent: Head coach Mike McDaniel could find a unique athlete at tight end that could play into his “need for speed” offensive strategy
• Draft and trade for yourself — Try PFF's mock draft simulator. Trade picks and players and mock for your favorite NFL team.
Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
Miami Dolphins fans are probably reading draft content sooner than they hoped – and for that, we send our condolences. Nonetheless, now that they’re here, let’s look at some options for the 2024 NFL Draft that could put Miami over the top to the conference championship and potentially the Super Bowl.
Here is a five-round Dolphins mock draft for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Round 1, Pick 21: OT JC LATHAM, ALABAMA
Miami's offensive line really worries me. Left tackle Terron Armstead felt like one of the few bright spots on the offensive line this year, and even that itself was inconsistent due to him missing games due to injury. Armstead, who will be 33 years old next season, has also said he’s not sure if he wants to come back and play in 2024 or retire. This all points to offensive tackle being a high priority in the draft. Alabama's Latham is a unique player the Dolphins should jump at if they can grab him in the early 20s.
He’s listed at 6-foot-6, 360 pounds but moves way better than you’d expect for his size. People who watched the Alabama-Michigan College Football Playoff might be hesitant due to Latham getting bullrushed on the game's final play. However, if you watch the rest of that contest, he was good and impactful on some of their most important plays. His experience at right tackle would make him a plug-and-play option in year one with or without Armstead.
Round 2, Pick 53: IOL JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON, OREGON
The Dolphins’ offensive line has more than one hole to fill. Center Connor Williams is an unrestricted free agent and might be the best center option on the market, even coming off that torn ACL. He was PFF’s highest-graded center this season before the injury. While I’m sure the Dolphins would love to bring him back, he’ll likely have many other suitors from teams trying to improve in the trenches.
If they are looking for an immediate replacement at center, Powers-Johnson would be a great candidate in the draft. He’s good enough to go higher than this – maybe even sneak into the back end of Round 1. However, centers can be tricky due to how the league values them, so it’s not impossible to see him here. He’s 6-foot-3, 320 pounds and is a mauler in the run game with good movement skills. If the Dolphins can’t grab JPJ, perhaps West Virginia center Zack Frazier will be an option, as well.
Round 5, Pick 158: TE JAHEIM BELL, FLORIDA STATE
Though it is an under-utilized position in Mike McDaniel’s passing attack (at least from 2023), I believe the Dolphins will be in Jaheim Bell due to the athleticism he brings to the position. He is listed at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and has been used all over the field. In his college career, he played 190 snaps in the backfield, 100 as an outside receiver, 381 as a slot receiver and 454 as an inline tight end. He is the Swiss-army knife type of tight end who Mike McDaniel could use as a mismatch.
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