Keenan Allen, Justin Hunter, Robert Woods, who do you target in next years draft? | Page 6 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Keenan Allen, Justin Hunter, Robert Woods, who do you target in next years draft?

Quinton Patton has been a great player since day 1 for Louisiana Tech since he came out of JUCO. I can't imagine what else anyone could be waiting on from him unless they just haven't seen him. He does 2 things extremely well which is why he's able to produce so consistently..... he beats the jam, and is one of the best run-after-catch receivers in the country. Two things that are the foundation of a terrific pro.

I watched Troy Edwards catch 21 passes for over 400 yards for Louisiana Tech against Nebraska back in the late 90's.... Patton's game against Texas A&M was a little reminiscent of it.

Johnthan Banks once said that Quinton Patton is the best receiver he's ever faced..... I imagine Terry Hawthorne would agree with him.
 
TedSlimmJr said:
Quinton Patton has been a great player since day 1 for Louisiana Tech since he came out of JUCO. I can't imagine what else anyone could be waiting on from him unless they just haven't seen him. He does 2 things extremely well which is why he's able to produce so consistently..... he beats the jam, and is one of the best run-after-catch receivers in the country. Two things that are the foundation of a terrific pro.

I watched Troy Edwards catch 21 passes for over 400 yards for Louisiana Tech against Nebraska back in the late 90's.... Patton's game against Texas A&M was a little reminiscent of it.

Johnthan Banks once said that Quinton Patton is the best receiver he's ever faced..... I imagine Terry Hawthorne would agree with him.
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Which is exactly the problem. As I already said, I've only seen one game of his.
 
We will not be in a draft position to get Keenan or Hunter. My guess is Woods or Williams can fall to us but that's only if we go WR with our first. It's going to be a draft time call depending on who at CB and De are also still on board. I can see maybe Rodgers with one of our 2nds.
 
from the little I've seen of Patton, he can get separation in small areas that allow him to make nice plays. He had 2 great TDs on fades against the Aggies
 
Hunter, Hartline, Bess, Matthews, Mike Wallace
 
TheWarriorFins said:
If we make no moves for WR in FA I trade up for Keenan
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We lack depth everywhere. Why would u trade up ans lose a second rd talent player. No thanks I want my 5 guys in the first 100 picks.
 
SCOTTY said:
We lack depth everywhere. Why would u trade up ans lose a second rd talent player. No thanks I want my 5 guys in the first 100 picks.
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That depends on how much better that player you traded up for would be compared to the guy you got by staying put. Take the 2011 draft for example, the Falcons traded up for Julio Jones (6th overall). The 26th pick that came through Atlanta ended up being Jonathon Baldwin. So you tell me, would you prefer to have Julio Jones or Baldwin and a 2nd round draft pick.
 
SCOTTY said:
We lack depth everywhere. Why would u trade up and lose a second rd talent player. No thanks I want my 5 guys in the first 100 picks.
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Almost everyone believes the most value in the draft is in the 2nd round & 3rd round. This is false. After the Top-40 picks, the value doesn't change very much.

Because the same holds true every year. Everyone always gets hyped up over 2nd and 3rd round prospects. The truth always remains that the best prospects are at the top, and that the middle range extends past the 2nd round.

For example here is a list of the number of Probowlers by round from 2001 to 2009 (players who have made a pro bowl appearance):

1st: 84
2nd: 33 (*14 of them were selected between picks 33-40, at the top of the 2nd)
3rd: 14
4th: 12
5th: 10
6th & 7th: 13

Total Pro Bowlers in Top 40 Picks: 98

Of the 2nd round pro bowlers, 14 of those pro bowlers were taken between picks 33 and 40.

So there were 98 pro bowlers taken in the top 40 picks, 19 pro bowlers taken between picks 41 and 64 of the 2nd round, 14 pro bowlers in the 3rd, 12 in the 4th,, and 10 in the 5th.

There isn't a huge difference between the middle to the end of the 2nd round through the 5th round, however there is a great imbalance towards the top of the draft. The Top 40 is where the real value of the draft is because here is where there's far better chances of securing players that are "difference makers"

It's better value to "trade up" to be within the top 40, and trade down in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to pick up as many picks in the latter part of the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds as you can, but its not worth it to trade down from those top 40 picks to stockpile 2nd and 3rd rounders. The caveat being, of course, to avoid the top 5 unless there is an elite super talent (because of the cost of trading up that high if the player doesn't hit - IE: what the redskins gave up for RG3, the Falcons for Julio Jones but even then you see it's worth it if your scouting department did their jobs.
 
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ckparrothead said:
I don't know how you've come away with the impression that they won't draft anyone under 6'3" but I assure you if you go through Green Bay's history, and even just look at the two WRs that the Dolphins drafted this past year, you'll come away thinking that they're more likely to AVOID guys that are above 6'3" as opposed to the other way around.
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The drafts at Green Bay weren't Ireland drafts. Still, their WR's tended to be bigger guys that were considered bigger WR's when they were acquired. The only real exception there is Cobb, who most people saw as falling in the draft and a high-value where he was taken. His explosive quickness really presents a contrast to most of their big WR corps. It provides some diversity, but it isn't how they built their offense.

Today successful NFL WR's tend to be bigger than they used to be. The heyday of the Marks Brothers and the Smurfs are long gone. Parcell's not wanting to draft a WR under 6'0 seemed a bit close-minded back then, but has become the norm. Steadman Bailey may be the second coming of Steve Smith, but guys like that are fewer and farther between. The small WR's seem to be more in the mold of Percy Harvin, Desean Jackson and yes, Randall Cobb. Guys who are more super-fast and super-quick athletes in space who you get the ball in a number of ways but you fear getting hit. The full time small WR like Steve Smith with the mass and strength to be durable, physical and effective seems to be rare these days.

The Dolphins are currently filling the role that Harvin/Jackson/Cobb fill with guys like Reggie Bush and eventually Lamar Miller. I don't see Ireland wanting to go against the prototype of big WR's to fill a role he is already filling with Bush and Miller. In the past a 6'1 WR was considered a big WR. These days the prototypical big WR's are 6'4 with large wingspans and strong hands. I see Ireland building a WR corps that provides a large target and RAC to help his young QB and the WCO. That said, he knows he needs at least one legitimate deep threat to loosen up the box for the run game.

Philbin wants guys that make the WCO easy. We have a decent OL and RB situation. We have our QB. We have a blank slate at WR--literally everyone is expendable and we need to build it from the ground up. Philbin will get the guys that fit his mold, and Ireland will insist on the prototype size and speed. Those are different criteria, making for a very demanding list of wants. Philbin was hired for his offense. Currently we have a lot of good pieces but a low scoring offense. If Philbin doesn't produce offense and wins, neither Philbin nor Ireland will be here for too many years. I fully expect WR's and pass rushers to be our focus in the next draft.

While Hard Knocks isn't a good view into the organization, it is a data point. It showed extreme patience for the prototype guys Roberto Wallace (6'4 and fast) even when their play clearly suggested otherwise. Similarly, big WR's (who could block) who had the intangibles Philbin holds highly, like Legadu Naanee, were given every opportunity to succeed despite their consistent underperforming. I don't think these things are coincidences. I fully expect the Miami Dolphins to take 2 WR's in the next draft with any marquee day 1 draft pick being at least 6'3.
 
datruth55 said:
Using your criteria Justin Hunter is out...I think he lacks in the brains department and I've seen more than enough "diva" moments from him in games. I haven't watched enough of Keenan Allen to formulate an opinion on him but the University of California - Berkley is a top 10 - 15 school in the country.

I also don't think I would eliminate anyone with this coaching staff due to height...those cookie cutter measurables per position requirements was the Parcells way of drafting. During Sherman's time as a Coach/GM in Green Bay they seemed to draft guys who were 6'0"+ but during Philbin's time there the year after Sherman left they took Greg Jennings who's 5'11" and they also took Randall Cobb in 2011 who's 5'10". I agree that Tavon Austin may not be in play but I would be surprised if Stedman Bailey isn't on the list...he's too much of a playmaker to overlook and fills every requirement Philbin is looking for, catches the ball consistently, short area quickness to get separation, deep speed to get behind the defense, unbelievable ability to get yards after catch...I have a hard time thinking they're just going to disregard this kid just cause he's not 6' something.
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I'm sure the Dolphins will interview Hunter closely and determine where his maturity level is at that time. You may be right; they may deem him too much of a diva. But, I suspect his combo of size (height+wingspan+leaping) and speed (vertical speed+quickness in and out of cuts) will put him both on and at the very top of Ireland's list along with Allen. Hunter's biggest issue might be the durabilty one. Assuming he can demonstrate health and solid durabilty from this point onward, I think he will be viewed as a less-refined version of AJ Green--and that is simply too good to pass up.

I think Allen will be assessed individually, but from what I've seen thus far I expect that he will be one of our marquee options. The only question I see is whether his top speed is enough to open up the run game. If not, they will likely pair him with a burner.

I addressed the size issue in my above post responding to CK's post, so I will let that illustrate why I believe our marquee day 1 selection will be at least 6'3. I can see us taking a sub-6'3 receiver in the later rounds, but for that marquee #1 slot I do think Ireland will insist on at least 6'3.
 
I would like to draft a top prospect and sign a top free agent.

This league is about scoring points now.
 
Greyboy said:
Almost everyone believes the most value in the draft is in the 2nd round & 3rd round. This is false. After the Top-40 picks, the value doesn't change very much.

Because the same holds true every year. Everyone always gets hyped up over 2nd and 3rd round prospects. The truth always remains that the best prospects are at the top, and that the middle range extends past the 2nd round.

For example here is a list of the number of Probowlers by round from 2001 to 2009 (players who have made a pro bowl appearance):

1st: 84
2nd: 33 (*14 of them were selected between picks 33-40, at the top of the 2nd)
3rd: 14
4th: 12
5th: 10
6th & 7th: 13

Total Pro Bowlers in Top 40 Picks: 98

Of the 2nd round pro bowlers, 14 of those pro bowlers were taken between picks 33 and 40.

So there were 98 pro bowlers taken in the top 40 picks, 19 pro bowlers taken between picks 41 and 64 of the 2nd round, 14 pro bowlers in the 3rd, 12 in the 4th,, and 10 in the 5th.

There isn't a huge difference between the middle to the end of the 2nd round through the 5th round, however there is a great imbalance towards the top of the draft. The Top 40 is where the real value of the draft is because here is where there's far better chances of securing players that are "difference makers"

It's better value to "trade up" to be within the top 40, and trade down in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to pick up as many picks in the latter part of the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds as you can, but its not worth it to trade down from those top 40 picks to stockpile 2nd and 3rd rounders. The caveat being, of course, to avoid the top 5 unless there is an elite super talent (because of the cost of trading up that high if the player doesn't hit - IE: what the redskins gave up for RG3, the Falcons for Julio Jones but even then you see it's worth it if your scouting department did their jobs.
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Excellent analysis as always Greyboy. Thanks.

I think your metrics illustrate what personnel guys always say--that there is a dropoff of talent at certain points. While it varies from draft to draft, often the 1-10'ish guys are substantially better prospects (e.g. higher ceilings) than the next 30'ish players. Often there are guys at the top of round 2 that do quite well. They play with a chip on their shoulders from day 1 because they maybe didn't have as high of a ceiling or weren't prototypical speed, or weren't premier positions. But after the first rounders and those high 2nds it often becomes a lot of projection. IMHO, some GM's are simply better at it than others, which is why you seem to see Pittsburgh cull stars from the 2nd-4th rounds while many teams seem to just draft bums. I think our 2nd and 3rd round picks in the upcoming draft will be very important. Let's hope Ireland makes wise choices.
 
Digital said:
The drafts at Green Bay weren't Ireland drafts. Still, their WR's tended to be bigger guys that were considered bigger WR's when they were acquired. The only real exception there is Cobb, who most people saw as falling in the draft and a high-value where he was taken. His explosive quickness really presents a contrast to most of their big WR corps. It provides some diversity, but it isn't how they built their offense.
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Green Bay's current era receiver picks:

Craig Bragg - 6'1"
Terrence Murphy - 6'1"
Cory Rodgers - 6'
Greg Jennings - 5'11"
James Jones - 6'1"
David Clowney - 6'0
Jordy Nelson - 6'3"
Brett Swain - 6'0"
Randall Cobb - 5'10

Which of these guys, besides Nelson, was considered "big" when he was drafted? Even if you want to argue 6'1" was considered big in 2005 (which is ridiculous), the trend hasn't changed. Nelson is the exception, not Cobb.

I think Marqise Lee is the dream receiver for Philbin's offense, not Keenan Allen.
 
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