It seems as if the Rams' Super Bowl-winning strategy of trading draft capital for established assets has been a significant source of inspiration for Dolphins GM Chris Grier this offseason.
That has been most notable in Miami's acquisition of star Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill, who commanded not only the Dolphins' 2022 first- (by way of the 49ers), second- and fourth-round selections, but also the fourth- and sixth-round picks in the 2023 draft. The team also traded its own first-round pick to the Eagles for the opportunity to select Jaylen Waddle in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Those moves on paper represent massive upside for first-year coach Mike McDaniel's offense and for third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who enters a pivotal season as the Dolphins' undisputed quarterback. But where do they leave the Dolphins in the draft?
With a league-low four draft picks. Indeed, Miami has surrendered three of its first four picks, including each one inside the top 100 draft positions (were it not for the 49ers' special compensatory pick, Miami would not have a pick in any of the first three rounds). It's clear that Grier wanted to improve this team with players already in the league, but that doesn't mean there isn't room to grow in the 2022 NFL Draft.
With that, The Sporting News breaks down the Dolphins' NFL draft, and how they can use it to further improve their team ahead of a pivotal 2022 campaign:
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Dolphins draft picks 2022: Who did Miami take?
- Round 3, Pick No. 102: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
- Round 4, Pick No. 125: Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech
- Round 7, Pick No. 224: Cameron Goode, EDGE, California
- Round 7, Pick No. 247: Skylar Thompson, QB, Kansas State
Click here for live analysis and grades on every pick.
Dolphins 2022 NFL Draft order
| Round | Pick | Overall | Notes |
| 3 | 38 | 102 | From 49ers (special compensatory pick) |
| 4 | 20 | 125 | From Steelers |
| 7 | 3 | 224 | From Texans via Patriots, Ravens |
| 7 | 26 | 247 |
Dolphins NFL Draft needs
- Offensive line: Grier made tremendous strides in the offseason to revamp what was largely the NFL's worst offensive line in 2021. But even the additions of Terron Armstead and Connor Williams can't erase all the concerns for this unit, particularly at center and right tackle. Liam Eichenberg and Michael Deiter figure to fit in somehow, but considering how former first-round pick Austin Jackson has panned out thus far, there's room for more competition — and improvement.
- Receiver: The addition of Hill and Cedrick Wilson Jr. are huge additions that open up the offense more and give Tagovailoa more targets a year after rookie Jaylen Waddle led the team by far in targets (140) and receptions (104). Quality depth is a concern after that, however: Lynn Bowden. Jr. likely takes the fourth spot in the receiving corps, followed by Preston Williams or Trent Sherfield, who have combined for 93 receptions and 1,214 yards in seven years.
- Running back: Again, Grier made significant improvements to this unit with the addition of Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds. And again, quality depth is lacking (an indicator of how bad off the Dolphins were in several key offensive positions last season). A quality third-string/rotational back could be available in the middle of the draft to overtake Salvon Ahmed or Myles Gaskin.
Miami Dolphins mock draft 2022
Here are the latest 2022 NFL Draft projections for the Dolphins, according to Vinnie Iyer's seven-round mock draft:
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 3 | 102 | Jamaree Salyer | OT | Georgia |
| 4 | 125 | Akayleb Evans | CB | Missouri |
| 7 | 224 | Jaivon Heiligh | WR | Coastal Carolina |
| 7 | 247 | Michael Clemons | EDGE | Texas A&M |
