NFL Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins’ 5 Biggest Draft Needs Heading Into 2015 NFL Combine

Miami Dolphins' 5 Biggest Draft Needs Heading Into NFL Combine

Miami Dolphins, 2015 NFL Draft
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

All of the all-star collegiate games have been over with for a couple weeks. Now is the time for general manager Dennis Hickey, head coach Joe Philbin and the rest of their staff to be picking out players they want to focus on during the NFL Combine set to take place starting Feb. 17. Here are the five positions they must focus on first.

5. Secondary

Cortland Finnegan, Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5. Secondary

Cortland Finnegan, Miami Dolphins
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Brent Grimes and Reshad Jones are the two best players currently in the Dolphins' secondary. However, Grimes is getting old and neither him or Jones have someone to play across from. Cortland Finnegan is expected to get released to gain cap space and both Will Davis and Jamar Taylor (drafted in 2013) have yet to bloom. Deciding how high to draft here is the real question.

4. Linebacker

Dannell Ellerbe, Miami Dolphins
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

4. Linebacker

Dannell Ellerbe, Miami Dolphins
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In the offseason of 2013, both Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler were brought into Miami with large expectations and even larger contracts. Both haven't panned out and now it's time to move on. Jelani Jenkins came on strong last season and is a shoe-in to stay at the Will backer spot, and Koa Misi plays better at the Sam backer spot. An inside linebacker should be drafted early this May.

3. Wide Receiver

Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wide Receiver

Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

As of right now, the only receiver who has a safe roster spot going into the 2015 season is Jarvis Landry. Every other player is expendable. Rumor is, up to three guys could receive the pink slip any moment. That makes hitting the draft hard for pass catchers extremely crucial and making those picks count is even more important so the development of quarterback Ryan Tannehill isn't hindered.

2. Offensive Guard

Miami Dolphins, Offensive Line
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2. Offensive Guard

Miami Dolphins, Offensive Line
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

For a second consecutive season, Tannehill was knocked around and sacked an unprecedented amount of times. Rookie Ja'wuan James did a solid job filling in after Branden Albert was injured, but the real problem was at the guard position. We found out that Mike Pouncey needs to play the center spot because he was horrible filling in at guard. What coaches think about Billy Turner will go far into where they will take a guard in May.

1. Defensive Tackle

Randy Starks, Jared Odrick
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

1. Defensive Tackle

Randy Starks, Jared Odrick
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Odrick had a great season but is up for grabs as an unrestricted free agent, and Starks may be released to relieve some cap space. If both aren't able to return, the run defense will be even worse than it was the last six games of the season. Miami holds the 14th overall pick in the draft and that spot may be used to take care of that tackle spot. Danny Shelton and Carl Davis will be hot names surrounding the Dolphins' camp.

Tyler Olson is an NFL and Miami Dolphins writer for www.RantSports.com.  Follow him on Twitter @to2471, like him on Facebook, and connect with him on Google.

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