Running Back.
2016 "The Dolphins should draft..." megathread
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Miami Dolphins biggest need in NFL draft is a cornerback
It's that time of year for mock drafts (clickbait), draft visits, mock drafts 2.0 (clickbait), private workouts, and the regurgitation of someone else's mock draft with the appropriate indignation about how awful that mock draft is (more clickbait).
I'm not doing that here.
With rare exceptions, mock drafts do not include legitimate inside information from team sources. Some mocks include information from teams intending to put smokescreens out there. But that is not good information. Draft visits do not necessarily signify draft interest. Private workouts are more telling, in my opinion.
What matters about the coming month of draftmania is that you know your team. And as this is a Miami Dolphinscentric blog, you should know the Dolphins. And if you know the Dolphins, you must think the following about the next draft:
The Dolphins expect their first-round draft pick (No. 13 overall) to be a starting player. That comes directly from coach Adam Gase. So that player has already been penciled in this early on in the process.
The Dolphins have worked hard to fill multiple needs in free agency. They signed two starting defensive ends in Mario Williams and Andre Branch. That's right, Branch is a starter at least early on while Wake gets his bearings as he returns from his 2014 Achilles rupture. Wake will be a pass-rush specialist when he's healthier. And maybe eventually he can add more snaps each game. The Dolphins added a starting safety in Isa Abdul-Quddus. The Dolphins added a starting linebacker in Kiko Alonso. The Dolphins filled depth at offensive line, and quarterback. So the team is by its moves telegraphing that those spots may still be "wants" and even "needs." But they are not "must haves."
There are two positions that are "must haves" -- cornerback and running back.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...clickbait-private-workouts-and-the-regur.html
It's that time of year for mock drafts (clickbait), draft visits, mock drafts 2.0 (clickbait), private workouts, and the regurgitation of someone else's mock draft with the appropriate indignation about how awful that mock draft is (more clickbait).
I'm not doing that here.
With rare exceptions, mock drafts do not include legitimate inside information from team sources. Some mocks include information from teams intending to put smokescreens out there. But that is not good information. Draft visits do not necessarily signify draft interest. Private workouts are more telling, in my opinion.
What matters about the coming month of draftmania is that you know your team. And as this is a Miami Dolphinscentric blog, you should know the Dolphins. And if you know the Dolphins, you must think the following about the next draft:
The Dolphins expect their first-round draft pick (No. 13 overall) to be a starting player. That comes directly from coach Adam Gase. So that player has already been penciled in this early on in the process.
The Dolphins have worked hard to fill multiple needs in free agency. They signed two starting defensive ends in Mario Williams and Andre Branch. That's right, Branch is a starter at least early on while Wake gets his bearings as he returns from his 2014 Achilles rupture. Wake will be a pass-rush specialist when he's healthier. And maybe eventually he can add more snaps each game. The Dolphins added a starting safety in Isa Abdul-Quddus. The Dolphins added a starting linebacker in Kiko Alonso. The Dolphins filled depth at offensive line, and quarterback. So the team is by its moves telegraphing that those spots may still be "wants" and even "needs." But they are not "must haves."
There are two positions that are "must haves" -- cornerback and running back.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...clickbait-private-workouts-and-the-regur.html
hoops
Tua time!
if tbaum goes running back at 13 public stone him at the draft party
Drafting for need is a sucker move.
I get it, it may mean relying on Jamar Taylor or a later draft pick . . . But this team needs talent almost everywhere. Seriously, grab the highest rated player on your board and keep it moving.
I get it, it may mean relying on Jamar Taylor or a later draft pick . . . But this team needs talent almost everywhere. Seriously, grab the highest rated player on your board and keep it moving.
If you draft a LB, are you just assuming then, that Kiko Alonso will be garbage and get hurt by week 3? Right now, we've got Jenkins, Misi, Alonso...and...holy ****, we do need another linebacker.
Besides the ones I listed, we've got Hewitt (who I have faith in, but that and a nickel...), Zach Vigil, Mike Hull, Spencer Paysinger... Yikes!
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------
LB is Definitely in the 'BPA' pool of consideration.
Besides the ones I listed, we've got Hewitt (who I have faith in, but that and a nickel...), Zach Vigil, Mike Hull, Spencer Paysinger... Yikes!
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------
LB is Definitely in the 'BPA' pool of consideration.
MarinoEqualsGod
The man, the myth, the legend
Awesome.
His speed is obvious, but what I love more is his willingness to initiate contact when he's going to be tackled. Also appears to have reliable hands, which would be a perfect fit for Gase's offense.
That should be the idea...people are going to get hung up on having holes, but as soon as we settle on the idea that we are not going to fill everything this year then you can see the value of injecting elite talent.
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There are, what, 10 or so backs that look like decent prospects. You know all 10 won't be studs. Most of them will be "just a guy." Some will lay the ball on the ground too much.
Every year there is a Mike Gilleslee type in the 5th round. Most major college programs have a running back that can produce. But, identifying the select few that can actually move the needle in the NFL is a tough proposition. A lot of guys can look good running against college (JV) defenses.
Now, which one to pick for the Dolphins? Gotta select the right guy. Picking a running back has been treated as so "overrated" for so long that it is actually --underrated.--
Every year there is a Mike Gilleslee type in the 5th round. Most major college programs have a running back that can produce. But, identifying the select few that can actually move the needle in the NFL is a tough proposition. A lot of guys can look good running against college (JV) defenses.
Now, which one to pick for the Dolphins? Gotta select the right guy. Picking a running back has been treated as so "overrated" for so long that it is actually --underrated.--
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I don't know where Jaylon Smith is projected to go. My wild guess is 3rd or 4th. The reason I say that is, why blow a pick on him when there are enough good LB in rounds 1 and 2. The LSU speed LB and Cravens can go second. There is concern about nerve damage, a dead foot or whatever. If docs think there is a good shot that he will be healthy in 2017, I'd consider him in the 3rd or 4th.
We need impact players at LB.
We need impact players at LB.
Not to get off on another tangent here.....but...
It's still crazy to me how much more picks are valued than starting NFL players in terms of trades. You want that early 1st round pick to get a player who's hopefully skilled enough to, one day make a Pro Bowl, and you'd rather have that pick than a guy who just just selected to start in the Pro Bowl.
If you had the #1 overall pick in the draft, would you trade that for Julio Jones? You'd probably be called crazy if you would, right? Yet, what % of #1 overall picks become players as good as Julio Jones? 30%?
That's an extreme example but it only gets stranger from there. The Dolphins just traded down 5 spots in the 1st round to get a former, still-young, Pro Bowl player who was only slowed by injury which he's now recovered from. And they were called crazy for doing it.
I bet the Dolphins could trade their #13 overall pick and get a CB ranked in the top 25 at the position. Find a team that probably won't be contending for the SB this year, and trade for their best CB. Yeah, you gotta take on that money, but, now you KNOW you have a Top 25 NFL and the team that takes the draft pick can use the pick on a CB who will reach his prime when the team itself is ready to ascend to being a playoff contender again.
It's still crazy to me how much more picks are valued than starting NFL players in terms of trades. You want that early 1st round pick to get a player who's hopefully skilled enough to, one day make a Pro Bowl, and you'd rather have that pick than a guy who just just selected to start in the Pro Bowl.
If you had the #1 overall pick in the draft, would you trade that for Julio Jones? You'd probably be called crazy if you would, right? Yet, what % of #1 overall picks become players as good as Julio Jones? 30%?
That's an extreme example but it only gets stranger from there. The Dolphins just traded down 5 spots in the 1st round to get a former, still-young, Pro Bowl player who was only slowed by injury which he's now recovered from. And they were called crazy for doing it.
I bet the Dolphins could trade their #13 overall pick and get a CB ranked in the top 25 at the position. Find a team that probably won't be contending for the SB this year, and trade for their best CB. Yeah, you gotta take on that money, but, now you KNOW you have a Top 25 NFL and the team that takes the draft pick can use the pick on a CB who will reach his prime when the team itself is ready to ascend to being a playoff contender again.
What about drafting, in the 3rd round, maybe, the OTHER RB from Alabama? I got a Bleacher Report notice about him on my FB page. Kenyan Drake. The dude could be even better than Henry and would be a better pairing with Ajayi, IMO.
Wishfishin
Waterboy
Damn if that doesn't look like Jarvis Landry as a RB. His attitude shows.
I'm gonna reiterate as well, with what Vance Joseph wants to do, I think you're gonna see us take a more Seattle like approach to CBs.