Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Picks & Grades 2022: Channing Tindall’s Speed and Physicality to be Unleashed in Miami’s Defense

The Dolphins took a page out of the Rams’ playbook this year when they traded tons of draft capital for a superstar player in Tyreek Hill. That trade left them with just four selections in this year’s draft, the fewest of any team in the NFL, and three of them came on Day 3. It’s challenging to get a firm grade on such a small draft class, but this article will provide a complete draft recap for the Dolphins with analysis and grades for each selection.

Miami Dolphins Draft Picks 2022

Round 3 No. 102 LB Channing Tindall
Round 4 No. 125 WR Erik Ezukanma
Round 7 No. 224 DE Cameron Goode
Round 7 No. 247 QB Skylar Thompson

Overall Draft Grade: B-

The Dolphins deserve some credit in this spot for their aggressive trade acquisition of Tyreek Hill that saw them send a 2022 first-round pick, second-round pick, fourth-round pick, a fourth and sixth-round pick in 2023. That’s a lot of draft capital for a non-quarterback, but Hill is arguably the best skill position talent in the NFL, and he immediately raises the floor and ceiling of the Miami offense.

Miami gets a knock here for not addressing the O-line, especially with players like Zach Tom and Darian Kinnard still available during their first two picks. With their remaining draft picks this year, the Dolphins curiously didn’t look to add another offensive lineman despite their need upfront. Free agency signings Terron Armstead and Connor Williams lock down the left side of the line, but questions remain about 2020 draft picks Robert Hunt and Austin Jackson, the projected starters on the right.

This is likely a lackluster class with no future superstar talents, but it’s hard to complain too much about just one selection on Days 1 and 2. Tindall provides some juice to the defense, Ezukanma provides physicality to the receiving corps, and Goode has some pass-rushing fire. This is a decent enough class to earn a slightly above-average grade, given the lack of capital.

Miami Dolphins Draft Grades 2022

Round: 3 Pick: 102 / Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia

The Dolphins’ first pick came at #102, and they landed one of the most fun players in the draft. Tindall lacks the instincts of Nakobe Dean and the coverage ability of Quay Walker; the two Georgia linebackers drafted ahead of him. Still, he flies around the field and is a highlight waiting to happen. When I went back to watch Georgia’s tape, he was consistently the linebacker of the three who popped off the screen. His success in the NFL will depend on how much he is asked to handle. He may be out of his element if the Dolphins force him into a coverage-heavy role or ask him to be a playmaking MIKE linebacker. However, if they use him as a downhill weapon as a blitzer and against the run, his 9.69 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) and explosive combination of strength and 4.47 speed will allow him to dominate.

Grade: B+

Round: 4 Pick: 125 / Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech

Miami has added loads of speed, shiftiness, and explosiveness to their receiving corps in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Cedrick Wilson. Still, they lack a physical size element on the boundary, particularly after trading away DeVante Parker. Erik Ezukanma can fill that role with his massive 6’2”, 209-pound frame and 33.5-inch arms. He led his team in receiving each of the past three years with over 600 yards in each season, and his go-up-and-get-it jump ball ability complements the skill sets Miami already had in its receiving corps. Questions will remain about the Miami offensive line, and they may have been better off using this pick on that position group, but Ezukanma still adds to one of the most improved offenses in football.

Grade: B

Round: 7 Pick: 224 / Cameron Goode, DE, California

Cameron Goode was a five-year contributor at Cal, and he refined his skill set to come in with 38 total pressures in 2021, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Goode’s 17.7% career missed tackle rate is concerning, and it’s indicative of his lack of size and strength – he weighed in at just 232 pounds at the combine and recorded just 17 bench reps. However, he’s a high-level athlete overall with a 9.45 RAS, and it should translate to the next level despite the lack of functional strength. Goode will be a solid fit for Josh Boyer’s defense as he can carve out a role as a part-time speed rusher when they run diverse third-down blitzes.

Grade: B-

Round: 7 Pick: 247 / Skylar Thompson, QB, Kansas State

The Dolphins only had four draft picks, so using one on a likely practice squad quarterback was surprising, even though it’s one of the last picks. Thompson will turn 25 years old this summer, and, despite being a five-year player for Kansas State, he never got to an NFL level as a passer. As a passer, he lacks anticipation and timing, and his accuracy comes and goes. Thompson is also a very undersized quarterback at 6’1”, 217 lbs, and that’s a dangerous combination with his history of knee, ankle, and upper body injuries. Overall, it’s hard to imagine Thompson carving out a career in the NFL, even as a backup.

Grade: C-