2023 NFL Draft Recap: Miami Dolphins

The 2023 NFL Draft has concluded after months of scrutiny about these prospects, potential landing spots, team and scheme fits, and so on. Now we get to start the entire process all over again now that we have team landing spots for these college prospects with their new NFL teams.

Today, we tackle the Miami Dolphins and how they fared in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Miami's 2023 NFL Draft Selections:

  • Round 2, Pick 51 - Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
  • Round 3, Pick 84 - Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
  • Round 6, Pick 197 - Elijah Higgins, WR, Stanford
  • Round 7, Pick 238 - Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan

The 2023 Fantasy Football Impact:

After last season's tampering with Tom Brady debacle, the Miami Dolphins were left without a first-round pick for this year’s NFL Draft. Talk about getting your hand caught in the cookie jar. With the Dolphins only rolling with four NFL draft picks this season, they focused on shoring up their secondary by drafting Cam Smith in the second round. With this draft capital, Smith should be used plenty in new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme. The Dolphins also added some depth on the offensive line late in the draft by selecting Michigan tackle Ryan Hayes. 

However, the Dolphins did add a couple of fantasy impactful players by drafting running back Devon Achane and wide receiver Elijah Higgins. Achane is a dual-threat dynamo who blossomed over his last two seasons at Texas A&M. During that span, he racked up 2,012 yards rushing on 326 carries, brought in 60 receptions for 457 yards receiving, and had 21 total touchdowns. The rookie running back has some wheels on him as he electrified the crowd when he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle clearing out the secondary, Achane will be able to make plenty of plays out of the backfield. He only has injured-prone running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. ahead of him on the depth chart, making Achane in line for a major role sooner rather than later. Look to draft Achane late in the first round or early second round in your upcoming dynasty drafts.

Higgins will bring some much-needed size to this receiving group, with his 6-foot-3 and 235 lb. frame. Higgins’ production consistently increased during his collegiate career as he totaled 119 receptions for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns. What intrigues me the most about Higgins is that although he was a wide receiver at Stanford, he will now transition to be a tight end in the NFL. The Dolphins let Mike Gesicki walk in free agency, so Higgins will have a chance to make plays in the red zone and short-yardage situations. Higgins will more than likely go undrafted in most dynasty leagues but in deeper tight end-premium leagues you may want to draft him late in the fourth round of dynasty drafts.

Undrafted Free Agents of Note

  • Chris Brooks, RB, BYU: Had career totals of 2,551 yards rushing, 443 yards receiving, and 27 total touchdowns.
  • Daewood Davis, WR, Western Kentucky: In his two seasons with the Hilltoppers Davis, produced 106 receptions for 1,635 yards, and 15 touchdowns.
  • Chris Coleman, WR, Cal Poly: Coleman was the team leader with 60 receptions and 939 yards. He has elusive route-running skills and can make plays after the catch.

Follow Leo Grandio on Twitter @smooth1074!

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