That’s because last year it was fairly certain the Dolphins were going to draft a QB at 5. It was just a question if that QB would be Tua or Herbert. Otherwise the Dolphins have drafted players few predicted prior to the draft. No one predicted they would draft Tunsil because he was predicted to be a top 5 pick until the video came out on draft day.
‘’’A few people had mentioned Fitzpatrick as a possibility but again, most people thought he would off the board by the time the Dolphins were picking in the first round. Prior to that draft many people were predicting the Dolphins would draft Tremaine Edmunds, Derwin James or a QB.
Charles Harris was a name that came up a few times before the Dolphins drafted him in the first round but he certainly wasn’t the player most fans expected to be the pick.
Wilkins again was a name mentioned before the draft as a possible Dolphins selection but there were several other players who were also mentioned as players the Dolphins might take with that pick.
So when I look back at drafts since Grier became the GM in 2016. The only draft during that time that didn’t turn out different in regards to their first pick based on pre draft predictions was last year, when it was obvious they were going to select a QB.