10 prospects the Dolphins could target on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft began Thursday night in Kansas City and, as expected, the Dolphins were spectators.

The team was stripped of its first-round pick last July for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, and despite general manager Chris Grier’s admission last week that some teams were calling about trading out of the bottom of the first round, Miami ultimately watched as all 31 selections were announced.

There were some surprises on Day 1. Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who was linked to the Dolphins as a possible late-round pickup in a draft night trade, went to the Detroit Lions at No. 12 overall. There were positive developments, too. Despite the reputation of this year’s tight end draft class as one of the best in years, only one was selected, as the Buffalo Bills traded up to the No. 25 pick to get Utah’s Dalton Kincaid.

Miami has a pair of picks on Day 2, one each in the second round (No. 51 overall) and third round (No. 84). Round 2 begins at 7 p.m.

Here are 10 players the Dolphins could target on Day 2 of the draft.

Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer

▪ Skinny: Many draft experts had Mayer, 6-4 and 249 pounds, as the top tight end in the draft, and if not, it was widely believed he would be selected in the first round. Instead, Mayer is the top tight end available on a day when there could be a run on the position. One of the most productive players at his position in recent years, Mayer isn’t a burner but he’s a fluid athlete who could also handle in-line blocking duties. The Dolphins would probably have to trade up to get Mayer but the team has a history of doing so, most recently moving up 10 picks to get Liam Eichenberg in 2021.

Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave

▪ Skinny: Musgrave, 6-5 and 253 pounds, missed 11 games in 2022 because of a knee injury but he’s one of the best athletes at his position, with the speed to test defenses vertically, plus the size and mindset to be a capable blocker.

Georgia TE Darnell Washington

▪ Skinny: Washington, 6-6 and 264 pounds, is one of the best blockers in the draft, regardless of the position. He’s not as sudden in his movements as his draft counterparts but would give the Dolphins a different dimension as a large catch-radius target.

Iowa TE Sam LaPorta

▪ Skinny: Iowa has a history of producing NFL-caliber tight ends — George Kittle and TJ Hockenson are among the recent ones — and LaPorta, 6-3 and 245 could be the next. He was a do-it-all player in college, lining up everywhere. When LaPorta gets the ball in his hands, he has the elusiveness to evade defenders and pick up yards after the catch. He still needs development as a blocker and isn’t as proficient in contested situations, though.

TCU OL Steve Avila

▪ Skinny: Avila, 6-3 and 332 pounds, made 15 starts at guard, 17 starts at center and has even taken snaps at right tackle. He’s a strong run defender who could bring competition and depth to the Dolphins’ offensive line.

Texas A&M RB Devon Achane

▪ Skinny: The Dolphins spent time in the predraft process with Achane, who ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and is one of the most dynamic running backs in the class. Though he’s just 5-8 and 188 pounds, he runs hard with good contact balance and could be another speedy option for head coach Mike McDaniel.

North Dakota State OL Cody Mauch

▪ Skinny: Mauch, 6-5 and 302 pounds, has over 37 starts at offensive tackle in college but projects as an interior lineman in the NFL. A former walk-on tight end who added about 80 pounds to his frame, Mauch is a tireless run blocker who will need to overcome his shorter-than-average arm length and improve his pass protection at the next level.

South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft

▪ Skinny: The Dolphins flew to work out Kraft, 6-4 and 254 pounds, and he’s one of several tight ends that could be available at No. 51. He’s better working on underneath routes and finding the soft spot in zone coverage. But he lined up all over the field and was hard to bring down with the ball in his hands. According to Pro Football Focus, he broke 25 tackles on 102 catches across the past two seasons.

Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron

▪ Skinny: Grier said the expectation is that Austin Jackson will be the Dolphins’ starting right tackle. But Bergeron, 6-5 and 318 pounds, has the traits to provide Miami a viable swing tackle option, competition for Jackson or move inside to guard. He has the movement skills to excel as a blocker in the zone-running scheme but has hand placement and other technical issues that will need to be corrected.

Ohio State OL Dawand Jones

▪ Skinny: Jones’ fellow Buckeyes offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 6 overall and it might not be long until Jones hears his name on Day 2. Jones, 6-8 and 374 pounds, has a tremendous frame with long arms to move defenders in the run game. His ability to hold up against speed rushers is a legitimate question but he could also compete with Jackson.

Also could be under consideration: Florida OL O’Cyrus Torrence, Wisconsin OL Joe Tippmann, Florida DL Gervon Dexter Sr., Wisconsin DL Keeanu Benton, UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet