Yes I have noticed that point in your threads for quite awhile. So my questions to you even though I feel like this is one of the best drafts I have seen from us in awhile did it fit your criteria of obtaining the players we need to take the next steps and how much of a footprint do you think Gase had on this draft
I'm not sure how much of a footprint that Gase had on this draft, except to say that this draft felt different -- it had none of the "I don't know what I'm doing, so let me trade up for a player that's not a playmaker" vibe. Players were taken where slotted for decent value, for the most part. This draft felt different, but it's too early to say if it will bring better results.
As far as did this draft fit my criteria of what it takes to build a successful team, I'd give it a C+ or a B-. Miami started off in the same ole same ole by drafting Harris in the 1st. Wrong foot, big time, imo.
Then, Miami was missing two draft picks on the back end, where lost value could have been made up. I'm counting Carroo against this draft, btw. This could have been a team-changing, future-changing draft IF Miami had the two additional picks on the back end, and had traded down in the first for an extra second or third. They could have picked up better upside DE (tho more raw), and added potentially three more players in rounds 2, 3 and 4. IF they had done that, and filled with quality playmakers and upside players at DL, LB, S or more OL, wow! THAT's how you build a team in the draft.
Everyone looking at this draft in terms of "Don't you like the players brought in?" is missing some of the point. The point is this: IF the right thing had been done last year, they'd have had two draft picks in round 3 and 4, higher than the comp picks. And IF they had done the right thing in trading down from Harris (a player that's low-level athlete and so sloppy that its gonna take two years of development to turn him into an average DE), they'd have had another additional pick in round 2-3. Spend those kinds of picks on developing players with upside at positions of need, and that's how you build a team over time that will compete for division titles and eventually super bowls.
Miami has its QB. Miami has its coach. That's two huge elements of need right there.
the problem is: does Miami have a top ten D? And a top ten OL? Those are almost necessary, to consistent super bowl runs.
No, Miami doesn't have those last two things. And jury is out if Miami has a front office ever capable of gaining those things, across an entire team.
LD