The Miami Dolphins are coming into the draft with big needs on offense and the team has been mentioned in rumors regarding the trade of Dion Jordan and Mike Wallace this offseason and players like Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas could be in the mix on draft day, as the team is targeting names like Marqise Lee, Carlos Hyde and Kelvin Benjamin for Ryan Tannehill on offense in 2014.
The Dolphins may not end up trading anyone, but ESPN.com and Pro Football Talk reported earlier in the offseason that the team had shopped both players at one point and Wallace is an interesting one to keep an eye on. Wallace is a fast and explosive receiver, but after signing a $60 million deal he did not live up to expectations and with the Miami Herald reporting that the team is interested in Marqise Lee and Brandin Cooks in the draft, it could mean that Wallace is not long for Miami. Dennis Hickey did not sign him to that deal as the general manager and since he has no ties to him, Hickey could trade him this year or the next and that is why the team is targeting receivers in the draft.
Ryan Tannehill needs more weapons on offense and with the offensive line looking improved after a horrendous 2013 season, the team could make a big jump on offense. Wallace signed a $60 million deal last season and ended up with 73 catches for 930 yards and five touchdowns and while part of that was the overall struggles of the offense, Wallace disappeared at times in games and that could lead to a move. The Dolphins have options like Marqise Lee, Cooks or Kelvin Benjamin, while names like Odell Beckham and Mike Evans should be off the board by the time they pick.
Cooks could be a great option if he is available when the Dolphins pick in the first round, as he is the fastest wideout in the draft and he fits the mold of a DeSean Jackson, as he can breakout with explosive plays and is a potential deep threat for the team. Last season Cooks was wildly productive and he could be a perfect replacement either this year or next year if Wallace is moved. Cooks had 128 catches for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns and scouts have raved about his football intelligence, which dates back to his time at Oregon State. Cooks was great last season and his worst game saw him have six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown and he started the season with 13 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns and just continued on from there.
Jordan did not live up to expectations as the number three pick, but the team appears to be more willing to wait that one out. The Dolphins ranked 26th in the league in rushing last season and that's one reason why they signed Knowshon Moreno as a free agent and they could go after a back in the draft. The team ranked 26th in the league in rushing and both Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas did not do enough on offense and that is why Carlos Hyde and Tre Mason could be in the mix in the second round.
