The Miami Dolphins added Texas Tech wide receiver Erik Ezukanma and California outside linebacker Cameron Goode with their first two picks on the final day of the 2022 NFL draft on Saturday.
After the Dolphins started their draft with the third-round selection of Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall on Friday, Ezukanma was chosen in the fourth round, No. 125 overall, and Goode was picked with the team’s early seventh-rounder, No. 224. Miami still has a later seventh-round pick at No. 247.
Ezukanma, as a 6-foot-2, 209-pound wideout, is a bigger body in Miami’s receiving corps after the team traded away veteran 6-3 receiver DeVante Parker to the New England Patriots this offseason.
Getting the bigger pass catcher appears to fit into the Dolphins’ receiving unit, complementing Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who are more diminutive, speedy threats.
“It’s going to be a big opportunity,” Ezukanma said in a web conference call with reporters. “You’ve got a guy like Tyreek Hill who’s done it for a long time. Jaylen Waddle being a rookie last year and putting the numbers he put up, it’s going to be a great opportunity to learn from them and take notes and learn from [wide receivers coach Wes Welker], as well.”
Welker, who played for the Dolphins from 2004 to 2006 and came over from the 49ers this offseason with new coach Mike McDaniel, is a Texas Tech alum, like Ezukanma.
Ezukanma can compete in the Dolphins’ second group at the position behind Hill, Waddle and free-agent acquisition Cedrick Wilson Jr. Miami also has the 6-foot-5 Preston Williams, Lynn Bowden and Trent Sherfield, who played with McDaniel in San Francisco, among second-unit options at receiver.
Ezukanma was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2020, leading the Red Raiders with 46 receptions for 748 yards and six touchdowns. Despite breaking his arm during the following spring practices, he was named second-team all-conference with 48 receptions for 706 yards and four touchdowns, making it three straight years he led the team in receiving.
Able to make contested catches, present a deep threat and provide yards after catch, Ezukanma is also a capable special teams player. Along with Parker, he can help fill the void of 6-4 receiver Mack Hollins, who was also a big special teams contributor and went to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
Goode is 6-foot-3, 237 pounds and touted for his pass-rushing ability. He had 20 1/2 sacks in his college career with the Golden Bears and can play physically, setting the edge as a 3-4 outside linebacker. In a web conference call with reporters, he said he enjoyed his pre-draft visit with the Dolphins.
It’s mildly surprising Miami let its two mid-round selections go by without selecting an offensive lineman, specifically a center to compete with Michael Deiter. The team addressed last year’s troublesome offensive line of 2021 with free-agent pickups of left tackle Terron Armstead and guard Connor Williams but no center.
It’s a possible sign that the Dolphins could still look to add one in free agency, where former Cleveland Browns starting center J.C. Tretter remains available.
This story will be updated.
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