Though we are still more than nine months away from the 2017 NFL Draft, it is never too early to begin taking a look towards next season’s crop of NFL rookies. For the Miami Dolphins, this also means trying to project where they will possibly end up in the first round pecking order as well as where the team may need to add to their roster entering the 2017 campaign. For this series, I am projecting the Dolphins record to be between 6-10 and 8-8 with draft position between the late top ten and the mid-teens.

It is also important to remember that these projections are basically educated guesses. With so much time still left till next season’s draft process most the players we cover could rise or fall in the rankings. While many believe that these rankings are sound, nothing is set in stone.

With all of that said, we will be taking a look at the second straight ACC and Florida based player. Definitely one of the top two running backs in the draft class, Dalvin Cook has not only been a major playmaker for the Florida State Seminoles but also one of the best runners in all of college football.

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Dalvin Cook — Florida State — Running Back

Coming from the Miami area, Dalvin Cook is the home town player many Dolphins’ fans could get excited about. While their is no doubt that LSU running back Leonard Fournette is the number one running back in this draft class, Cook is possibly the better all-around player of the two.

Doing everything NFL teams look for in a potential running back, Cook has the power, speed, and hands needed to succeed. Not only does Cook bring these skills to the table but he also is very good when doing them. While some players are more known as power backs or speed runners, Cook is the all-around running back team’s drool over most years.

While the Miami Dolphins do have a young starter in Jay Ajayi, there is no denying that Dalvin Cook is the better player already. Able to lower the boom when running between the tackles, Cook can instantly change from being a rumbling tank into a world class sprinter, pulling away from chasing defenders with every stride.

The reality of this type of pick though will be squarely on the shoulders of Jay Ajayi. Should the Boise State alumni put on some good performances in his first year as a starter then the Dolphins will definitely not go running back in the first round. However, if Ajayi struggles in his role as starter then coach Adam Gase could be forced to pull the trigger on a new running back.

Averaging 7.4-yards per carry last season with FSU, Cook is a proven stud in college. With another year of development before he could enter the NFL Draft, Dalvin Cook’s draft stock has the potential to skyrocket into the top ten. Should he be available for selection when the Miami Dolphins are picking he will definitely be hard to pass up.

READ MORE: Kiko Alonso Fantasy Football projections

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