We've reached Thanksgiving, and the AFC East-leading Miami Dolphins have the same record as the Kansas City Chiefs at 7-3, just half a game behind top-seeded Baltimore.  That's a heck of a start to the season.  

But that's not to say there aren't areas where the team could improve.  The 2024 NFL Draft will be an important one for a team looking to fortify itself among the best of the AFC.  

Here are the top five draft needs for the Dolphins: 

Interior offensive line

This one goes without saying as the clear-cut #1 need on the roster.  All of the Dolphins' starting interior linemen will be free agents after the 2023 season.  The unit has also been plagued by injuries.  The team could desperately use reinforcements in that area with not just one, but multiple picks in April.  

Defensive line

The depth here is already thin and Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis are set to become free agents after the season.  This is another area where multiple picks wouldn't be a big surprise.  The Dolphins have been pushed around a bit in some of their losses, so establishing some quality depth here would be smart. 

Tight end

Mike McDaniel hasn't really used his tight ends all that much in the offense, but having a dynamic tight end would give the Dolphins' offensive genius another tool to utilize. Quite simply, that's something they don't have right now. Durham Smythe and Julian Hill are TE2/3 on other teams. The Dolphins can do better here. 

Offensive tackle

Terron Armstead is under contract for three more seasons, but Austin Jackson is set to become a free agent after the season since the team declined to pick up his fifth-year option in the offseason.  As Jackson has been perhaps the most pleasant surprise on the team this year, it wouldn't be a big surprise to see him re-signed some time before the start of free agency. Armstead has had major injury concerns in the last two seasons.  For now, the future of the position remains a little bit shaky.

Safety

The Dolphins found a bit of a gem in DeShon Elliott, who's playing on a one-year deal.  However, Elijah Campbell and Brandon Jones are also all free agents after the season.  As such, there very well could be a need to add some names via the draft to this positional group. 

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