After making a big splash with their first round pick on the first day of the draft, the Miami Dolphins were back at it on Friday as they had a pick in both the second and third round.
With the Dolphins second round pick, the team traded up from 42 overall to 38 to choose Xavien Howard, cornerback from Baylor.
Howard left Baylor early as a junior and decided to take his talents to the NFL after earning first team All-Big 12 honors. The 6-0, 201 pounder recorded 42 tackles, five interceptions and 10 pass breakups last season for the Bears. 
Miami defensive coordinator Vance Joseph loves corners that are at least six feet tall in his scheme and the team believes Howard is a good fit.
“This is a prototype player,” Grier said. “We spent a lot of time with him (Howard). It’s a premium need for us.”
After the Dolphins released Brent Grimes, the secondary became a huge need for the team. Sure, the team traded for Byron Maxwell, but there are still questions marks at corner with Jamar Taylor and Bobby McCain still on the roster.
CBSSports.com compared Howard skillset to Maxwell on their draft prospect board.
“If protected over the top with a rangy free safety, Howard has the size, physicality and ball skills to continue his big-play ways in the NFL,” the website said.
On a conference call, Howard compared his game to Darrelle Revis and Patrick Peterson.
With the Dolphins first third round pick, the team took Alabama running back Kenyan Drake.
Despite the number of injuries Drake suffered while he was at Alabama, he was ranked as a top five running back on a lot of draft experts big board.
Drake is a versatile running back that’s not only is he a good runner out of the backfield; he is also an excellent route-runner out of the backfield. He can also return kicks and punts on special teams, an area the Dolphins could use a lot of help. His best season was in 2013 when he rushed for 694 yards and scored eight rushing touchdowns.
“He has a unique skill set,” Grier said. “He has an explosive element that we lost with Lamar. He’s a good receiver out of the backfield.”
With Lamar Miller leaving for the Houston Texans in free agency, running back was a huge need for the Dolphins. Jay Ayaji is considered the team’s number one running back but there are questions about his durability. With Drake in the Dolphins rotation, the team can have a bit of a committee running the football.
Miami also traded back into the third round to select receiver Leonte Carroo from Rutgers. Grier said the Dolphins gave up future picks in order to trade back into the third round.
Carroo is a solid route runner who knows how to break away from defenders. He is also a player that can be used on special teams.
“I catch the ball very well,” Carroo said. “I’m a very confident receiver that’s very physical. I rely on my speed a lot and I go up and make plays. I had 29 career touchdowns and I only had three career drops in my whole entire career. I take a lot of pride in the way I catch and also the way I block as a receiver.”
Twitter:@antwanstaley
