Final grades for the Miami Dolphins' 2024 draft class

The 2024 NFL Draft has finally come and gone, and the Miami Dolphins' draft class is complete.  

The Dolphins addressed a number of needs, particularly on the defensive edge and on the offensive side of the ball as far adding playmakers.  Unfortunately, other areas were badly neglected as a result. 

Here are the grades for each pick, along with a final overall grade for the entire class. 

1) Chop Robinson, edge, Penn State

It's hard to knock this pick much.  Robinson has the athleticism and quickness that, if the coaches can mold it, can make him an outstanding pass rusher.  The need box is checked as well, with both starting edge rushers still coming back from injury and not much being in the tank behind them.  Perhaps a bit of concern with his lack of statistical production in college, but the skills are clearly there to produce them on Sundays. 

Grade: A-

2) Patrick Paul, OT, Houston; Round 2 (pick 55)

Miami really needed to deal with its offensive line, both now and in the future.  They did, but only for the future and at a position where they have two starters in place for 2024.  Paul is a huge and athletic prospect, but he'll need some time to develop into an NFL starter.  He'll get that time with Miami. 

Grade: B

3) Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee; Round 4 (pick 120)

I love the player and I love the place where the Dolphins got him: late in the fourth round.  He's a second-round talent and possibly the best running back in the draft.  I do not like the price paid to get him: a 2025 third round pick sent to the Philadelphia Eagles to trade into the spot.  I also don't like adding a third running back where the team BADLY needs to address the interior of their offensive line as well as depth across the defense.  A major luxury pick for a team who doesn't have the credit right now. 

Grade: C+

4) Mohamed Kamara, edge, Colorado State; Round 5 (pick 158)

The Dolphins added on a second edge rusher, and it's one with good value in Kamara, who was good enough to go rounds earlier.  He's a high-intensity rusher with an attitude about him.  The production is also there with 30.5 sacks across 49 games.  He also ran a 4.57 40-yard dash at the Combine.  There's a whole lot to like here. 

Grade: A

5) Malik Washington, WR, Virginia: Round 6 (pick 184)

Washington exploded onto the scene for Virginia last year, going for 110 catches, 1426 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.  He's a good route runner, a true deep ball threat, and he doesn't put many balls on the ground.  It's amazing he's still there in the fifth round, but the Dolphins will surely take it.  He doesn't have the size to differentiate himself from the rest of the WR corps, but hey, that hasn't really stopped wideouts in Mike McDaniel's offense.  A legit WR3 candidate on a cheap late draft rookie deal.  Very sensible. 

Grade: A

6) Patrick McMorris, safety, California: Round 6 (pick 198)

I don't know what to make of this one.  McMorris serves a need, as Miami had to do SOMETHING to address their secondary depth, but his numbers at the Combine were very underwhelming.  Still, the tape doesn't lie, and McMorris was productive for San Diego State and Cal, where he totaled 90 tackles twice (2021, 2023) and defended 23 career passes.  Tape and need.  I'll hang my hat on that.  

Grade: B

7) Tahj Washington, wide receiver, USC: Round 7 (pick 241)

I mean.....another one?  I guess if you're going to go all in with not drafting an interior offensive lineman or a defensive lineman......just grab someone you think has upside?  But to do that with ANOTHER wideout?  I really don't get it.  Yes, Washington - also undersized at 5'10" - is a reliable pass catcher with a big yards per catch average, but I would rather have seen them roll the dice on someone who can help them elsewhere on the roster. 

Grade: C+

Overall, there's a good bit to like from this class.  Well, at least in a couple of respects.  They have some legitimate options to help with the pass rush as Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb work to return from injury.  They also added some serious playmakers to the offense in Wright and both Washingtons.

However, outside of Paul, Miami did literally nothing to improve either side of the line of scrimmage, which is something that was an obvious issue for the team in 2023.  The depth in the secondary wasn't addressed until almost pick 200.  As such, the Dolphins leave the draft with some major questions still in place. 

Grade: B