The Dolphins draft rumors around who the Miami Dolphins will select in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft continue to grow. Miami has the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and after finishing 6-10 last season, Miami has plenty of holes that need to be addressed. According to ESPN's Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr's third mock draft, he believes the Dolphins should select Florida State Seminoles safety Derwin James.
NEXT READ: Derwin James 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Strengths, Weaknesses & Player Comparison
Kiper believes that the Dolphins will go with a versatile player like James if he falls to Miami.
"James is back in the discussion for the top 10 after he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and showed off a 40-inch vertical at the combine," writes Kiper. "He has rare athleticism for a 6-foot-2 safety, though his 2017 tape was inconsistent after he returned from a knee injury that caused him to miss most of the previous season. At his best, James is an enforcer in the mold of Kam Chancellor -- he's not afraid to bring the wood. He can be a versatile defender who plays in the box and also covers the deep middle of the field. The Dolphins have arguably lost more talent this offseason than any other team, and they have needs all across their roster."
The athletic monster didn’t have the best year in terms of overall production, but his performance at the NFL combine and his total body of work throughout his career at FSU should vault him into the top 15. He’s a versatile safety who can play either free or strong safety and can play some snaps as an undersized linebacker if needed. If put in the right position, he could end up being one of the best players in this entire draft.
He would be a huge asset to a defense that allowed 24.6 points per game, which was the 4th most in 2017. Bringing in a smart football player like James would also limit the Dolphins penalties since they had the second most in the league on the defensive side of the ball with 122.
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