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MIAMI (FL) 80, NORTH CAROLINA STATE 73

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MIAMI (FL) 80, NORTH CAROLINA STATE 73


Percentages: FG .453, FT .583.

3-Level Objectives: 8-24, .333 (Joiner 3-6, Smith 3-11, Clark 1-1, Morsell 1-4, Cross 0-1, Ross 0-1).

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Crew Rebounds: 2. Crew Turnovers: None.

Blocked Photographs: 5 (Burns 2, Gantt, Morsell, Smith).

Turnovers: 8 (Gantt 2, Ross 2, Smith 2, Clark, Morsell).

Steals: 4 (Burns, Clark, Dowuona, Smith).

Technical Fouls: None.

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Percentages: FG .455, FT .824.

3-Level Objectives: 6-19, .316 (Wong 2-4, Miller 2-5, Beverly 1-1, Pack 1-4, Poplar 0-1, Joseph 0-2, Omier 0-2).

Crew Rebounds: 2. Crew Turnovers: 1.

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Blocked Photographs: None.

Turnovers: 5 (Poplar 2, Beverly, Joseph, Pack).

Steals: 4 (Beverly, Miller, Omier, Wong).

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Technical Fouls: None.

NC State 43 30 73
Miami 34 46 80

A_4,880 (8,000).



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Miami, FL

Miami GP: Red Bull Adrian Newey drama set to cause tension as Mercedes, McLaren bring upgrades to Sprint weekend

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Miami GP: Red Bull Adrian Newey drama set to cause tension as Mercedes, McLaren bring upgrades to Sprint weekend


Ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, Sky Sports F1 analyse the biggest talking points going into sixth round of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

The F1 news cycle appeared to have calmed over recent weeks following a frantic start to the season, but a series of developments since the Chinese Grand Prix have set off more drama.

Reports that legendary designer Adrian Newey has decided to leave Red Bull will undoubtedly create renewed doubt over world championship leader Max Verstappen’s future with the team.

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Rapper LL Cool J introduces the starting grid at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.

Sauber’s announcement that they have signed Nico Hulkenberg from Haas for the 2025 season ahead of their transition to becoming Audi in 2026 is likely to stimulate further movement in the driver market.

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On the track, Verstappen will be seeking to create more history as he looks to continue his dominant start to the season.

However, the fact that Miami is hosting a Sprint weekend for the first time could create unpredictability and a threat to the Dutchman’s streak of pole positions.

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen beat Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to take victory at the first ever Miami Grand Prix in 2022.

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Despite their weakest weekend of the season so far in China, Ferrari will be hopeful of bouncing back, but must be careful that a growingly fierce battle on track between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz doesn’t reduce their chances.

Every session is live on Sky Sports F1, with the competitive action getting under way with Sprint Qualifying at 9.30pm on Friday night.

Newey bombshell puts spotlight back on Red Bull

When the most spectacular paddock on the calendar, in the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium, begins to fill with F1 personnel on Thursday, there is little doubt that Newey’s reported desire to leave Red Bull will be at the top of the agenda.

There had been murmurings for a while that the 65-year-old may not be completely happy, but Thursday’s reports that he has decided he wants to leave will have sent shockwaves through the sport.

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Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater explains that Adrian Newey could be set to leave Red Bull and might join Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in the future.

On a pure performance basis, F1’s best designer leaving a team that is enjoying one of the most dominant spells in the sport’s history is promising for those who desire more competitive racing at the front of the grid.

Beyond the sporting impact, the fact that Newey’s desire to leave is reported to be directly related to how he feels about Christian Horner is likely to put renewed pressure on the Red Bull team principal.

There has been a period of sustained turbulence at Red Bull following the investigation earlier this year by their Austrian parent company into allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Horner by a female colleague.

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The grievance against Horner, who has always denied the claims, was dismissed on February 28. The woman who brought the complaint has since appealed the outcome.

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Ex-Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins is worried about how Red Bull might perform from 2026 onwards following the news that chief technical officer Adrian Newey has left the team.

Pressure on Horner could be increased by the reaction of Verstappen, who is unlikely to be happy about the prospect of Newey’s departure.

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Despite Verstappen’s contract running until 2028, he is understood to hold exit clauses and Newey’s exit will only increase doubt over whether the Dutchman will see out the deal.

Outside of Red Bull, it will also be interesting to see how potential suitors for Newey, such as Ferrari and Aston Martin, will react to the news.

Hulkenberg move to energise driver market?

Another topic of discussion in the paddock will be the driver market, after Hulkenberg’s switch from Haas to Sauber altered the landscape.

While the German’s move – ahead of Sauber’s transition to becoming Audi in 2026 – was widely expected, confirmation of it could trigger a flurry of movement in F1’s remarkably fluid 2025 market.

Hulkenberg is the 10th driver to be confirmed for the 2025 grid, which means half of the seats are still to be filled.

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Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft believes that Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz will soon be heading to Audi.

At least one of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu won’t be driving for Sauber in 2025, which will no doubt intensify their representatives attempts to find options for next year.

Hulkenberg’s departure from Haas also opens the door for British teenager Oliver Bearman to make the step up from F2 following his hugely impressive debut for Ferrari when Sainz was unable to race in Saudi Arabia.

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While there could be more movement in the seats expected to be towards the rear of the grid, it is Sainz who looks set to dictate much of what may happen at the sharp end.

The Spaniard would appear to have several options after making a strong start to the final season of his stint with Ferrari.

Ferrari duo set to continue battle… in blue

Sainz’s impressive form, punctuated by a victory in Australia, has set up an intriguing battle at Ferrari with his team-mate Leclerc under pressure to prove he was the right choice to remain at the team alongside Lewis Hamilton next year.

While the pair were engaged in some thrilling battles on track last season, the fact that Sainz is leaving the team and doesn’t need to worry too much about the consequences of his actions means the gloves are off.

Leclerc was upset by the way Sainz defended against him, as he was forced off track by his team-mate during the Sprint in China.

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Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft says he doesn’t mind if team-mates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz squabble and admits that Ferrari won’t care too much either.

A day later in the race, Leclerc appeared to return the favour as he forced Sainz off at the first corner in an incident which saw both Ferraris lose places.

This time it was Sainz who was unamused, as he appeared to refrain from fully expressing his frustrations in his post-race interview with Sky Sports F1.

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While the affable duo, who get on well away from the track, are likely to play down the incidents when they face the media in Miami on Thursday, the contest is worth keeping a close eye once their visors go down on Friday.

Viewers will need to be extra sharp to keep track of the Ferraris, as they run a one-off blue livery to publicise the agreement of a title sponsorship deal with American technology company HP.

Verstappen’s chance to surpass Hamilton

Amid the considerable noise around Red Bull, Verstappen is maintaining an incredible level of performance.

The Dutchman’s pole in China was his sixth in a row, creating the longest streak of his career. In Miami, he can level the seven successive poles that Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost each managed, and is two short of Ayrton Senna’s all-time record.

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Max Verstappen secures another win for Red Bull at the Chinese Grand Prix with Lando Norris and Sergio Perez also finishing on the podium.

He has won four out of five races this season and may well have also triumphed in Australia were it not for a brake issue forcing him out of the contest.

While Verstappen has largely insisted that records aren’t of huge importance to him as he attempts to stay in the moment, there is an eye-catching feat he could pull off in Miami.

If he were to claim the 59th win of his F1 career on Sunday, Verstappen would move above Hamilton into fourth on career-win percentage.

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The 26-year-old has currently won 30.53 per cent of his races, but that number would increase to 30.89. Hamilton is on 30.56 per cent for his career, but seems highly likely to dip lower, with his wait for a first win since December 2021 set to continue.

Will Mercedes, McLaren upgrades have a major impact?

While victory seems an entirely unrealistic prospect for Hamilton following Mercedes’ dismal start to the season, the seven-time world champion’s hopes could at least be boosted by the arrival of upgrades for the W15.

Mercedes’ only top-five finish at the first five races was delivered by George Russell in Bahrain, while Hamilton has failed to finish higher than ninth since coming seventh at the season-opener.

It’s unlikely that these early-season upgrades will make a huge impact, but given the tight margins we’ve seen between Mercedes and Aston Martin, the Silver Arrows could at least make ground in that battle.

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Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok and Damon Hill discuss the problems at Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari next season.

The other issue for Mercedes is that they won’t be the only team bringing upgrades, with McLaren, for one, having also confirmed updates are coming to the MCL38.

McLaren will also not expect enormous gains but having seen Lando Norris claim a brilliant second behind Verstappen in China, will be hopeful of at least slightly closing the gap to Red Bull.

Teams bringing upgrades will face the additional challenge of attempting to find an optimal car setup with the new parts after just 60 minutes of practice, given Miami is hosting a second successive F1 Sprint weekend.

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The new Sprint format, which seemed to get the thumbs up from most after its debut in China, will at least allow for teams to alter their setups when the cars are released from parc ferme following Saturday’s Sprint, and ahead of full qualifying.

Sky Sports F1’s live Miami GP schedule

Thursday May 2
6.30pm: Drivers’ press conference

Friday May 3
3pm: F1 Academy Practice 1
5pm: Miami GP Practice One (session starts at 5.30pm)
8.20pm: F1 Academy Practice 2
9pm: Miami GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 9:30pm)

Miami GP schedule

Saturday May 4
3.25pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
4pm: Miami GP Sprint (race starts at 5pm)
6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
7.05pm: F1 Academy Race 1
8pm: Miami GP Qualifying build-up
9pm: Miami GP Qualifying
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Sunday May 5
6.05pm: F1 Academy Race 2
7.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Miami GP build-up
9pm: The MIAMI GRAND PRIX
11pm: Chequered Flag: Miami GP reaction
Midnight: Ted’s Notebook

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NOW TV PROMO APRIL 2024

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Trump, DeSantis meet privately for several hours in Miami

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Trump, DeSantis meet privately for several hours in Miami


Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis met privately in Miami, Florida on Sunday, a Republican with knowledge of the meeting confirmed to Fox News.

During the several-hour long meeting, DeSantis agreed to help Trump as the GOP’s presumptive presidential nominee tries to close his fundraising gap with President Biden in their 2024 election rematch, the source confirmed.

DeSantis, who was convincingly re-elected in 2022 before launching an unsuccessful bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has built up a formidable network of wealthy donors who could be helpful to Trump as the general election campaign heats up.

News of the meeting was first reported by the Washington Post, which said the get-together between the two rivals was orchestrated by Steve Witkoff, a Florida real estate broker known to both Trump and DeSantis.

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RFK JR. CHALLENGES TRUMP TO DEBATE AFTER ‘DEMOCRAT PLANT’ ACCUSATION

Ron DeSantis dropped out of the 2024 GOP race and endorsed former President Trump on Sunday. (AP Photo, File)

The meeting appears to be the first time DeSantis and Trump have spoken, let alone met in person, since the governor ended his White House bid in January, after a disappointing second place finish in the Iowa caucuses, far behind Trump.

The former president and his allies spent nearly a year attacking DeSantis as the two squared off for the GOP nomination that also included other contenders.

DeSantis and Trump did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital on the matter.

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TRUMP’S LAST GOP RIVAL LANDS NEW GIG AFTER FAILED 2024 PRESIDENTIAL BID

Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis shake hands

Then-President Donald Trump greets Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis as his wife, Casey DeSantis, looks on as they are introduced during a campaign rally at the Hertz Arena on October 31, 2018 in Estero, Florida.  (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

DeSantis suspended his presidential campaign just two days ahead of the New Hampshire primary and has since endorsed Trump. But to date, DeSantis hasn’t campaigned on behalf of Trump.

During a February call with supporters, the governor took aim at Trump and his top political advisers.

“I think he’s got people in his inner circle who were part of our orbit years ago that we fired, and I think some of that is they just have an ax to grind,” DeSantis said at the time.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? TRUMP’S FORMER OPPONENTS LINING UP NEW JOBS AFTER FAILED 2024 PRESIDENTIAL BIDS

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Trump off Illinois primary ballot

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he departs after speaking during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, in Oxon Hill, Md., Feb. 24, 2024. A Cook County judge ordered the Illinois State Board of Elections to take former President Donald Trump’s name off of the state’s March 19 primary ballot Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, but placed her order on hold until Friday to allow an appeal.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Responding, top Trump campaign aide Chris LaCivita called DeSantis a “sad little man.”

While many on Trump’s team and in his wider political orbit detest DeSantis, the former president may be more forgiving, if it benefits him.

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Trump said in January after DeSantis endorsed him that he would “officially retire” the derogatory “Ron DeSanctimonious” nickname he used repeatedly to attack the Florida governor for nearly a year.

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Miami Dolphins 2024 draft grades: Solid marks roll in after NFL Draft

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Miami Dolphins 2024 draft grades: Solid marks roll in after NFL Draft


Grading an NFL team’s draft class takes years, with players needing time to adjust to the speed of the game, what they are being asked to do as professionals, and to grow into the potential that led them to be selected. Getting a true grade for a player or draft class is not an overnight thing – see Miami Dolphins tackle Austin Jackson and how many people had written him off before last year – but immediately grading a draft class overnight is definitely a thing.

Analysts from all around the web start comparing what a team did to what their expectations for the team were, as well as to how they ranked the prospects pre-draft. Did you “reach” for a player that was ranked 10 spots after your draft position? Did you get a steal because you selected a “first-round talent” in the third round?

Prior to the draft, fans and analysts explain how the best method for selections is to take the “best player available” regardless of the position. During the draft, fans and analysts react pick by pick to whether the player selected was “at a position of need” for the team. After the draft, teams are graded for how well they filled their needs – despite the “BPA” approach – as well as for the players they did not select.

It is confusing, but it does lead to some fun looks at the draft class. How do the fans and analysts feel about the Dolphins’ 2024 draft class? It is time to take a look.

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Dolphins 2024 draft picks

21: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
55: Patrick Paul, T, Houston
120*: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
158: Mohamed Kamara, Edge, Colorado State
184: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
198: Patrick McMorris, S, Cal
241: Tahj Washington, WR, USC
*The Dolphins traded a 2025 third-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles to jump into the fourth round of this year’s draft, picking up the 120th overall selection.


The Phinsider Readers: B

The poll, which is below allowing you a chance to weigh in, had received just over 2,500 votes at the time of publication, with 50 percent of them coming in with a “B” grade. Seems like a solid grade from the fans of the team.

Poll

How do you grade the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 draft?


Associated Press – Rob Maaddi: B-

Edge Chop Robinson (21) has AP Defensive Rookie of the Year potential. OT Patrick Paul (55) doesn’t seem to fit the team’s preferred style of athletic tackles. WR Malik Washington is a sleeper in the sixth.


Bleacher Report – BR NFL Scouting Department: C+

The Miami Dolphins have no shortage of offensive playmakers. However, they were a candidate to take an interior lineman in Round 1 after losing Connor Williams to an ACL injury in 2023 and Robert Hunt in free agency this offseason.

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However, the Dolphins instead took Penn State edge-rusher Chop Robinson with the 21st pick. It was a sensible choice considering Miami ranked 22nd in points allowed last season. Robinson may need some seasoning, but he has the baseline tools to become a major difference-maker.

“He’s a top-tier athlete which, combined with how well he sets up his pass-rush moves, gives him a ton of potential as an edge-rusher in the NFL,” Holder wrote.

Getting Robinson was a solid value, even if it didn’t address Miami’s top need.

Second-round pick Patrick Paul is a bit of a developmental tackle, and he won’t address Miami’s need on the interior. However, he has the size (6’8”, 331 lbs) and physical tools to develop into a solid starter and will give Miami insurance behind Terron Armstead. The 32-year-old Armstead will be back in 2024, but he hinted earlier this offseason that retirement could be on the not-too-distant horizon.

Miami kicked off its Day 3 by trading a 2025 third-round pick to move to 120th overall and grab Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright. While running back wasn’t a major need for the Dolphins, Wright’s speed and breakaway ability fits perfectly with returning ball-carriers De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert.

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Wideout Malik Washington might not possess the same game-changing speed of other Dolphins receivers, but his ability to move in traffic, separate and high-point the football should add a new dynamic to Miami’s passing attack sooner than later.

General manager Chris Grier added some fine players who should bolster all three phases. However, he may have prioritized value over need too much, and the Dolphins still have question marks along the offensive interior and in their secondary.


CBS Sports – Chris Trapasso: B-

I like many of the prospects the Dolphins picked, but their plan was somewhat confusing. Robinson was my EDGE1. Sensible. Paul is the opposite of a scheme fit for what McDaniel asks of his blockers. Wright is a rocket when given space, which is fun, but now the running back room is super crowded.

I’m all about adding more weapons at receiver today, but two slot types? Although Malik Washington was a second-round talent on my board, which is why I gave that a perfect grade.


ESPN – Mel Kiper, Jr.: B

Miami was hit hard in free agency as a result of a salary-cap crunch, losing guard Robert Hunt, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jerome Baker and cornerback Xavien Howard, among other players. And while I liked the Dolphins’ additions of linebacker Jordyn Brooks, cornerback Kendall Fuller and tight end Jonnu Smith, they have big holes to plug. Plus, they came into this draft with six picks, tied for the second fewest in the league.

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Chop Robinson (21) has elite upside if he can reach his ceiling, but when you turn on his Penn State tape, you wonder why he didn’t dominate. He had just four sacks last season. If I were running this team, I would have taken tweener defensive end/tackle Darius Robinson or center Graham Barton instead. Patrick Paul (55) is a selection for the future — he played left tackle in college and could replace Terron Armstead there down the line. But I’m not sure he’s ready to start as a rookie for a team that really had to get instant-impact players.

I’m a huge fan of speedy running back Jaylen Wright (120), but Miami gave up its 2025 third-rounder to get him. That’s not great value, especially for a team that doesn’t necessarily have a need at the position. I had Mohamed Kamara (158) at No. 67 overall in my rankings, so this is a fantastic pick. He had 13 sacks last season. GM Chris Grier tried to hit his void at wideout with Malik Washington (184) and Tahj Washington (241) on Day 3; Malik is the guy to watch, as he had 110 catches last season.

I like a bunch of these players, but it’s a small class and giving up the 2025 third-rounder means it can’t make it to B+.


Fox Sports – Fox Sports NFL Staff: A-

You had to laugh when the Dolphins took Jaylen Wright, the draft’s second-fastest running back. Last year, they took Devon Achane, one of the fastest players in the NFL. But that didn’t stop them from bringing more speed into the offense in the fourth round. Wright followed a good get in the first round in Chop Robinson, an edge rusher who’ll help the team manage snaps for Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, who both ended last year with major injuries. They also managed to snap up a tackle in Patrick Paul, who will develop behind Terron Armstead. It was a great draft, one that matched value with need. —Henry McKenna


New York Post – Ryan Dunleavy: C+

Of course, the blazing fast Wright went to the speed-obsessed Dolphins. Add some more 40-yard touchdowns. Paul thought he was going to be a first-rounder — few agreed, so that could leave a chip on his shoulder. The athletic Robinson gets pressures, not sacks.

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NFL.com – Chad Reuter: B-

Miami needed another edge rusher, especially with Jaelan Phillips coming off an Achilles injury and Bradley Chubb coming off a torn ACL, but Robinson must show he can be a factor in the run game and convert pressures into sacks more regularly in the NFL. Left tackle Terron Armstead’s difficulty staying on the field made Paul a good pick in the second round. The teams’ forfeiture of its third-round pick dragged down its grade.

Trading a future third-round pick for a fourth in the current draft is usually not wise, and Miami has a few backs in the stable already, but finding a potential star in Wright waiting around made it easier to swallow. It would not surprise me if the relentless Kamara is as productive as Robinson early in his career. Both pass-catchers with the surname Washington (not related) will flourish as tough-minded slot receivers in Mike McDaniel’s offense.


Pro Football Focus – Trevor Sikkema: B-

Robinson — Robinson, ranked 40th on the PFF big board, could be considered a bit of a reach, but his potential is undeniable. He has dimensions of power and speed in his pass-rush arsenal. He also earned a 93.9 pass-rush grade over the past two seasons, which ranks second among FBS edge defenders — behind the Colts’ Laiatu Latu. Miami’s edge group could be a dominant unit if Robinson achieves his potential and Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips recover from their injuries.

Paul — Miami selected a potential heir to Terron Armstead in Houston‘s Patrick Paul. Paul has terrific length and movement skills. He led all FBS tackles in 2023 with a 91.5 PFF pass-blocking grade. Pass protection is at a premium with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, so this is a significant move for the Dolphins’ offense.

Wright — Speed is the name of the game in Miami, and Wright supplies plenty of burst. His career-best 91.0 PFF grade in 2023 paced all backs in the SEC after racking up over 7.4 yards per carry, the second-highest rate among Power-Five backs.

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Kamara — The Dolphins continue to add speed to their roster, regardless of position. Kamara is explosive — he recorded a 4.57-second 40 and a 10-foot-3 broad jump — but has a limited frame at 6-foot-2 and 249 pounds. He’s been a productive pass-rusher for Colorado State over the last few seasons, though. Over the last three years, he ranks in the 94th percentile of qualifying edge rushers in pass-rush grade on true pass sets.

Washington — The second-highest-graded receiver in 2023, behind only Malik Nabers, Washington led the FBS in receptions over the past two seasons. Despite his stature, he has some impressive movement skills and solid ability at the catch point to contribute in the receiving game while providing value on special teams in the meantime.

McMorris — McMorris wasn’t ranked on the PFF big board or the consensus board this year, though he did earn PFF grades above 70.0 in each of the past two seasons. He earned a 73.3 PFF coverage grade last year and finished the campaign with 21 defensive stops.

Washington — Washington is small but was really productive at the college level. He averaged 3.06 yards per route run in his final year at USC, dropped just 1.7% of the catchable passes thrown his way and earned an 80.4 PFF grade against man coverage.


Pro Football Network – Cam Mellor: B-

It was an interesting 2024 NFL Draft for the Miami Dolphins that might not be immediate dividends. Their first two picks, Chop Robinson and Patrick Paul have some high-end athletic traits and measurables that, if they can be developed, could turn them into excellent selections.

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However, if you want to see an immediate return on your early-round investments, that’s not likely to happen in Miami.

Although EDGE was considered a need coming into the draft, selecting two pass rushers in the first four picks can be considered excessive, even if the latter selection was great value at pick 158.

Given the rumors circulating before the draft that Miami would take a receiver early, it was somewhat poetic that their biggest wins from a draft spot vs. PFN Big Board ranking perspective were with Malik Washington and Tahj Washington, who should compete to start in the slot in 2024.


The Ringer – Danny Kelly: B+

In true Dolphins style, Miami prioritized speed and explosiveness in building its 2024 draft class. The team rolled the dice on a high-upside pass rusher in Chop Robinson on Day 1, grabbing a raw but super twitchy pass rusher who has the best first-step burst in the class. Robinson has to develop more moves and get stronger against the run, but he has the foundation from which to build an excellent pass-rush plan. Fourth-round running back Jaylen Wright fits a similar high-upside mold as a deliciously explosive running back with elite top-end speed. I compared him to Raheem Mostert prior to the draft, and now the Tennessee standout has a chance to be Mostert’s long-term replacement. The team had a couple other Day 3 picks that I really liked, too: Colorado State’s Mohamed Kamara brings an explosive element off the edge to complement Robinson, and receiver Malik Washington was one of my favorite pass catchers in this class, period. My 56th ranked player, Miami got an absolute bargain by grabbing him in the sixth round. The former Virginia playmaker has strong hands, excellent burst, and elite tackle-breaking ability out of the slot. It wouldn’t surprise me much if he ended up getting on the field as the team’s no. 3 receiver early on. This is a class of high-variance players, but I’m excited about its potential.


The Sporting News – Vinnie Iyer: C

This seemed like the biggest “forced hand” of a draft class, as the Dolphins had to be dedicated to depth with some injury edge concerns up front (Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips). Paul was thinking beyond Terron Armstead, while they hope Washington can give them a key No. 3. Wright is a fine talent, but for them, he’s just a Mike McDaniel luxury pick to a position of strength.

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Sports Illustrated – Matt Verderame: C+

The Dolphins were predictable but effective. They built along the offensive and defensive lines with their first two picks, grabbing Robinson and then Paul, who should eventually replace Terron Armstead when he retires. For Miami, Robinson’s early maturation will be key with Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb working back from injuries.


USA Today – Nate Davis: B-

Taking Penn State pass rusher Chop Robinson in the first round was probably a good call given the injuries to veteran OLB Bradley Chubb (ACL) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and fact a surplus of edge players is never a bad thing. Choosing OT Patrick Paul in Round 2 was a defensible hedge given the appearance that LT Terron Armstead seems to be coming to the end of the line – though Miami seems to remain quite vulnerable up the middle. Mid-round RB Jaylen Wright (Tennessee) and OLB Mohamed Kamara (Colorado State) could add bonus juice. Miami’s third-rounder was forfeited due to owner Stephen Ross’ tampering violation, and the fourth-rounder was used in the acquisition of Chubb two years ago.


The Washington Post – Mark Maske: B-

The Dolphins focused on their lines in the draft’s early stages, getting edge rusher Chop Robinson in Round 1 and offensive tackle Patrick Paul in Round 2. But they still managed to add to their collection of speedsters by trading up for a fourth-round selection to use on big-play RB Jaylen Wright. Getting pass rusher Mohamed Kamara in the fifth round was a great value. Sixth-round WR Malik Washington also could fill a role


Yahoo! Sports – Charles McDonald: B+

It’s a strong draft haul for the Dolphins. They found a potential 10-sack edge rusher with Chop Robinson in the first round and grabbed a future starter at offensive tackle with Patrick Paul. Their trade-up for Jaylen Wright in the fourth was perplexing. Overall this is still a good group of players. Malik Washington and Tahj Washington are two wide receivers who had a lot of buzz in college and could compete for reps behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Favorite pick: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston (55th overall)

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Loved this one. Paul is scratching the surface of how good he can be and comes with supreme athleticism in a 6-7, 330-pound body. He’s raw, but being a consistent NFL tackle is certainly within reach for him and he’ll make some incredible highlight-reel blocks in head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense. This is one of those prospect-to-team matches that seems destined to work out.

Least Favorite pick: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee (120th overall)

Head coach Mike McDaniel is always going to place a premium on speed, but this might not be the back they’re looking for to spell De’Von Achane once Raheem Mostert eventually moves on. Wright is a blazer with inconsistent vision and ability to run between the tackles. Perhaps that’s less of a concern with McDaniel, but they may learn that not all fast backs are created equal.



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