Miami Dolphins fantasy implications based on 2020 mock draft simulation

Before the 2019 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins were not thought much of as a team with fantasy football implications. In fact, they haven’t been thought of as a team with any importance for quite some time. However, 2019 saw a number of players breakout for the Dolphins, and fantasy players have much higher expectations heading into 2020. Could players that the Dolphins select in the NFL Draft, however, help or hinder each player’s potential? A look at a mock draft simulation could help decipher what we could expect from new and existing Dolphins’ players in dynasty formats.

Using the PFN Mock Draft simulator, I decided to conduct my own mock draft for the Dolphins to predict the possibilities Miami could look to add. In turn, to see what these additions could do as far as fantasy football implications in dynasty leagues could do for their values and the veteran Dolphins players. Here are the full results of the seven-round mock draft.

Quarterbacks

It should be noted that in this simulation, I did not make any trades. I do believe that Miami will definitely be doing some wheeling and dealing come draft day, but I really liked the way the board was falling, so I didn’t feel it was necessary for this situation.

It’s well known that the Dolphins are looking to grab their future franchise quarterback in this class. However, I’m beginning to believe that they won’t move up from number five overall to grab him. It’s very likely that they will continue to try and trade with the Cincinnati Bengals to get Joe Burrow, but I think the Bengals asking price is going to remain too high for the Dolphins to bite.

Despite the medical concerns, I still believe that the Dolphins have Tua Tagovailoa rated higher than Justin Herbert, even if the difference is minimal. In this simulation, Tua fell right into the laps of the Dolphins at five, and the decision was easy.

With Ryan Fitzpatrick returning, Miami does not have to rush Tua into any scenario. Tua will be one of the top two quarterbacks taken in dynasty rookie drafts regardless of where he lands. If Miami is able to land him, he will instantly add value to everyone around him, provided he can stay healthy.

Running Backs

The Dolphins added Jordan Howard in free agency, but it’s obvious they are still expected to add another dynamic running back early in the draft. Many believe that they will add someone like D’Andre Swift in the first round with another one of their picks. Personally, I believe that waiting until Day 2 to take an RB would be more beneficial for the team and still leaves the opportunity for them to land one of the better prospects.

It would not surprise me at all if there are no running backs selected at all in the first round, so it did not surprise me here to see Swift fall to Miami at pick 39. Swift would be the perfect complement to Howard. Howard is not well-known for his pass-catching abilities and is best suited as an early-down back, whereas Swift is great at catching the ball out of the backfield.

Miami’s run-game has been laughable at this point, and a duo of Howard and Swift would greatly boost them in that regard, provided they add quality offensive linemen in the draft as well. Howard already receives a boost in dynasty rankings now that he is out of the crowded backfield of Philadelphia. While it may hinder some with the addition of Swift, he’s a great addition in later rounds of startup leagues and a buy-low candidate.

Swift is already considered one of the top three running backs in this class. Landing with the Dolphins may not be the ideal spot for some fantasy owners, the volume will be there as there is no other competition for snaps outside of Howard.

Wide Receivers

The one position that most Dolphins fans believe the team is okay at is wide receiver. Given the season that DeVante Parker had last year and how well Preston Williams produced before his injury, it makes sense. However, as we get closer and closer to the draft, don’t be surprised at the rumors of Miami looking to add a WR or two.

Questions still surround Parker as to whether or not he can build off of his incredible season or go back into obscurity as he was before. How will Williams be after returning from a torn ACL? These are valid questions, and with such a great class of wide receivers, it’s understandable if the Dolphins want to grab at least one.

I would not expect the Dolphins to take one early unless one of the top prospects falls into their laps, but I had them take two receivers here on Day 3. James Proche is an underrated prospect that would likely be rated much higher if there wasn’t already so much talent in this class. He would be a great addition to Miami as a slot receiver and could be a sign as the end of Albert Wilson as a Dolphin.

Jeff Thomas flashed at the University of Miami and could be a nice dart throw towards the end of the draft. Thomas would likely start off on the practice squad, but he has the talent that could impress the coaching staff into giving him a bigger role.

Proche would obviously take some touches away from Parker and Williams, but he should not hinder their fantasy value in any way working in the slot. Thomas should not affect either player in the short-term unless he vastly outperforms his draft stock.

Isaiah Ford ended the year strong, but any receiver that Miami adds would likely drop any fantasy value he currently holds. As for Wilson and Allen Hurns, it’s unclear where their roles are currently with the team, so any new additions would only further confuse those situations.

Tight Ends

Mike Gesicki is on an island of his own as the leading tight end in Miami’s offense after a breakout sophomore season. Jared Pinkney from Vanderbilt, on the other hand, had a complete opposite year in 2019.

Heading into 2019, Pinkney was one of the top-rated tight ends. His season was abysmal, however, and now he is rated at the bottom-tier of one of the worst tight end classes on record. For Miami to grab him in the latter part of the seventh-round, there is no risk. If the Dolphins’ coaching staff can somehow turn him back in the right direction, Pinkney and Gesicki could form a nice dynamic duo in the near future.

That’s being highly optimistic, though. There are no tight ends in this class that could hinder Gesicki’s value, and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if the Dolphins do not draft one at all.

Eric Frosbutter is a writer and editor for Pro Football Network covering fantasy football. You can follow him @efrosbutterPFN on Twitter.