The Miami Dolphins are thought to be in the quarterback market with the fifth pick of the draft but who are the top options should they go another route?
With three picks in the first round and six on the opening two days, the Miami Dolphins have a great deal of control in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Dolphins can go in any direction they want having traded away some key players to amass a haul of picks in a strategy that provoked much controversy.
Miami is expected to pursue a quarterback with their first pick in the draft, the fifth-overall selection. However, the Dolphins have so many other holes that nothing is off the table.
Here we look at three non-quarterbacks they would be wise to consider with that opening pick.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Isaiah Simmons #11 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammates after an interception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
The Dolphins defense looks vastly improved after their free-agency spending spree, with the cornerback duo of Xavien Howard and Byron Jones an extremely intriguing one.
Simmons, however, has the potential to be an X-factor for the defense with his ability to play almost anywhere on the field.
Despite being listed as a linebacker, Simmons’ versatile skill set enables him to play both safety positions as well as off the edge and as a cornerback in a pinch.
That would give the Dolphins’ defense an element of disguise. Opposing offenses figure to be frequently second-guessing whether Simmons will be blitzing or dropping back into coverage, with the Tigers star able to do both from several spots.
Adding the multi-faceted Simmons to a defense featuring a player in Jones who can operate at corner and safety would allow the Dolphins to mix up their coverages and disguise blitzes to level the playing field against more talented offenses.
There has been no definitive answer provided to the question of where to play Simmons at the next level. However, head coach Brian Flores has the acumen to solve that puzzle and turn him into a superstar who can elevate the Dolphins defense into one of the better units in the AFC.