The Miami Dolphins made the stunning switch of going cornerback with their first 2023 draft select, taking South Carolina’s Cam Smith throughout the second spherical, select No. 51, Friday night time time.
Smith (6-foot-1, 180 kilos) had six interceptions in his four-year occupation with the Gamecocks, leaving for the draft as a redshirt junior.
Smith ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash on the NFL scouting combine. He’s touted for his dimension as a boundary cornerback, nevertheless scouts are concerned collectively together with his fluidity in safety.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will get a cornerback that might match the zone-heavy coverages he’s attempting to include on the once more end of Miami’s safety.
Deciding on a cornerback was stunning given the Dolphins’ desires at tight end and on the offensive line, nevertheless Miami fundamental supervisor Chris Grier stayed true to his frequent best-player-available methodology to the draft.
Miami’s largest personnel switch throughout the offseason was shopping for and promoting for ex-Los Angeles Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, pairing him with the Dolphins’ private four-time Professional Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard. Miami has Nik Needham getting back from a torn Achilles to doubtlessly compete with standout 2022 undrafted participant Kader Kohou. The Dolphins even have veterans Keion Crossen, Justin Bethel and Elijah Campbell on the roster, along with 2020 first-round select Noah Igbinoghene.
Mammoth 6-foot-7 Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, a fan favorite, was on the market at Miami’s selection, nevertheless the Dolphins bypassed him. Florida standout guard O’Cyrus Torrence, who went eight picks later to the division-rival Buffalo Payments, was moreover there for the taking. Washington reportedly fell due to points over a knee harm.
Earlier than Miami picked, the group watched potential draft targets in tight ends Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions), Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders) and Luke Musgrave (Inexperienced Bay Packers), offensive tackles Matthew Bergeron (Atlanta Falcons) and Cody Mauch (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and inside offensive linemen in Steve Avila (Los Angeles Rams) and Joe Tippmann (New York Jets) go off the board.
The Dolphins largely made out properly in watching the 31 first-round draft picks Thursday. Explosive Alabama working once more Jahmyr Gibbs, who had been linked to Miami, proved properly out of attain when the Lions took him at No. 12.
The Dolphins made their first draft selection in the midst of the second spherical Friday on account of they didn’t have a first-round select. Their prime selection was stripped from them due to tampering violations in earlier pursuit of quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton. They moreover had a 49ers first-rounder from a earlier commerce that was dealt to the Broncos lastly season’s commerce deadline.
Miami has a third-round select, No. 84 common, remaining Friday. On Saturday, when Rounds 4 by 7 of the draft occur, they’ve sixth- and seventh-round choices.
This story shall be updated.
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