Solid Starter
Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia – Round 3 
The Dolphins were without first- and second-round picks from the Tyreek Hill trade, but they came away with an early-round talent in the third round. Tindall was rotated behind Bulldogs starting linebackers like Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, but Tindall showed a pro skill set with upside.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Tindall has the size to take on blocks and tackle in the ground game. His speed and athleticism give him the ability to contribute in pass coverage and the the potential to be a three-down starter at the next level. At just about any other school in the country, Tindall would have been a starter, but with Dean and Walker ahead of him, Tindall was a rotational contributor for Georgai.
Miami was in need of inside linebacker help. Jerome Baker is one starter, but before long Tindall could pass Elandon Roberts to be a starter with Baker. With his upside, Tindall could easily be a better player at the pro level and turn into a solid starter for Miami.
2021: Jevon Holland, S
2020: Noah Igbinoghene, CB
2019: Michael Deiter, G
2018: Jerome Baker, LB
2017: Raekwon McMillan, LB
2016: Xavien Howard, CB
2015: DeVante Parker, WR
2014: JaWuan James, OT
2013: Dallas Thomas, G
Most Likely To Bust
NONE The Dolphins were without first- and second-round picks due to trading for Tyreek Hill. With Channing Tindall having solid-starter potential, Miami really didn’t take a player who is in danger of being a true bust. The majority of third-day picks do not work out in the NFL, and pro teams don’t consider the pick to be a bust if a player from Day 3 doesn’t work out. That result just follows with the averages and the probability of any player taken on the final day of an NFL draft.
2021: Hunter Long, TE
2020: Brandon Jones, S
2019: Andrew Van Ginkel, LB
2018: Mike Gesicki, TE
2017: Cordrea Tankersley, CB
2016: Leonte Carroo, WR
2015: Bobby McCain, CB
2014: Billy Turner, G
2013: Jelani Jenkins, LB
Potential Boom Pick
NONE The Dolphins were without first- and second-round picks from the Tyreek Hill trade, so they did not land a player with true boom-pick potential.
2021: Jaelan Phillips, DE
2020: Austin Jackson, OT
2019: Christian Wilkins, DT
2018: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
2017: Charles Harris, DE
2016: Laremy Tunsil, OT
2015: Jordan Phillips, DT
2014: Jarvis Landry, WR
2013: Dion Jordan, LB
Future Depth Player
Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech – Round 4 
The Dolphins’ trade for Tyreek Hill was seismic shift for their roster and the AFC East. With Hill replacing DeVante Parker, the Miami receiving corps got much more dangerous, adding a big-play weapon capable of dominating defenses. The team also signed veteran Cedrick Wilson from the Cowboys to be its third receiver. Behind those two and Jaylen Waddle, Miami was in need of some depth. When you consider that none of these three wideouts is a big receiver, durability has to be a concern. The Dolphins took Ezukanma in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, which was a solid selection. He may never be a starter, but he could be a quality fourth or fifth receiver to provide depth behind Miami’s elite starting trio.
2021: Liam Eichenberg, OT
2020: Jason Strowbridge, DE
2019: Isaiah Prince, OT
2018: Kalen Ballade, RB
2017: Davon Godchaux, DT
2016: Kenyon Drake, RB
2015: Jay Ajayi, RB
2014: Arthur Lynch, TE
2013: Mike Gillislee, RB
Walt’s 2022 NFL Draft Grades:
102. Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia – B Grade
Channing Tindall isn’t much of a surprise with this pick. The Dolphins brought in so many linebackers for top-30 visits because they really needed help at the position. Tindall makes sense in this range as an athletic defender with nice upside.
125. Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech – C Grade
It feels like the one thing the Dolphins didn’t need was a receiver, so why spend a pick on one with so few selections. Erik Ezukanma is an intruging receiver with nice size, but where does he fit into the roster?
224. Cameron Goode, LB, California – B+ Grade
Cameron Goode was in the sixth round of my final mock, so this is a slight value pick. It also fills a need; once again, the Dolphins brought in so many linebackers for visits, so they really wanted to address this position.
247. Skylar Thompson, QB, Kansas State – C Grade
The Dolphins may view Skylar Thompson as their Taysom Hill, but with so few picks, they couldn’t really afford to take a gadget player like this. Besides, Hill hasn’t been all that good for the Saints anyway.
2022 NFL Draft Team Grade: D. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
Miami Dolphins Season Preview
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
