2014 DBN Mock Draft: Miami Dolphins Select LB Ryan Shazier at No. 19

With the 19th pick in the 2014 Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft, the Miami Dolphins select...

Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State

This selection and write-up was made by Brocolis154033:

I think when looking at Miami's needs the most glaring one is on the O-line specifically OG and RT. Zack Martin would be a great pick here and would certainly fill a need. In what could be a make or break season for Tannehill adding a weapon for him is definitely an option as well. I really could have went a multitude of ways with this pick, but given the depth of WR and OL I decided to take the LB. Ellerbe and Wheeler both disappointed last year, so by adding Shazier Miami gets a huge infusion of talent and flexibility in the LB core. C.J. Mosley is widely considered the top ILB in this draft, but for me the upside of Shazier is just too good to pass on. If Pryor or Clinton-Dix had fallen to me one of them probably would have been the pick.

A large portion of Miami fans might pan a pick that passed on Martin given how much Tannehill was on his back last year. However, the struggles at LB are undeniable in what was otherwise a pretty solid defense. I see the Phins addressing the O-Line in the 2nd, and as for Shazier he'll be an impact player right out of the gate. My vision for Shazier is for him is to make his home at the MIKE and bouncing Ellerbe to the SAM. I think he'll also be used some on the outside at WILL. Overall, the lack of depth at ILB combined with BPA were the deciding factors in this pick.

We've got our first member of the Ohio State Buckeyes off the board! At the end of the day, that's all that really matters here, right? This pick would have the Dolphins addressing the linebacker position for the second year in a row. Logic tells me to go offensive line after the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito situation last year, but the Dolphins actually didn't suffer too badly after their departures. The Dolphins need to find a way to overtake the Patriots in the division, but it's hard to determine what piece will actually accomplish that for them.

The Arizona Cardinals are up next, led by a2342432a.

2014 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)