Are our draft picks in great spots...I think so

[Dolphinator530]

When looking at the draft I am glad we decided to stay heavy on the D side of the ball and not only filled some holes but tried to add depth at some positions with guys who have some ability but need coaching to become rotational guys or more.


But when looking at who the Fins drafted it seems not only did we get guys who have traits we want such as leadership and high motors but guys who will take the mantle eventually.


Here is what I mean.


Charles Harris - not my fav pick at the time but is something we needed a pass rusher with high effort and a desire to get better. Been playing football for what 7 years total so there is plenty of room for growth unless you believe MJ (Ceiling is the roof!). I know that every player coming in has flaws but how well positioned is he? Can learn from Cam on how to bend how to use his hands in a rush and learn new moves and how to take care of and build the body he needs to be a terror on the edge. Also it may only be for one year but his POA and ability in the run game has been criticized and for good reason but a year with William Hayes who is rated as the best run stuffing DE in the league, how much can Harris learn? With his mentality from mini camps and OTAs seems like he will learn a lot. So he is extremely well positioned to fix his weaknesses and round out as a player


Raekwon McMillan - Super young (20 yo for 90% of rookie season) talented willing tackler and has what I believe are hard to come by darn near impossible to teach instincts. For at least one year gets to learn from Timmons who is a smart play making LB who creates turnovers. Great guy to learn from and a no nonsense guy who will hold him accountable for mistakes. And Kiko who is a high motor guy who will be a great guy to push him and teach him about having an immediate impact (like Kiko did) and how to sustain that effort and energy, hard to take plays off with a guy like Kiko flying around the ball especially now he is more of a pursuit guy. Again really well positioned.


Cordrea Tankersley - not so much having a veteran guy to learn from and grow but still in a good spot IMO. Young guys like Lippett and Howard who are already pushing each other to be better. If you want a spot on the outside and have a desire to be on an island better step your game up and get to work both Howard and Lippett are bigger than you and have already shown promise. I don’t think he can sleep and will have to stay intense all the time and really work hard in the classroom and the field if he wants playing time. With corners being more and more alpha type guys now I’m sure as hell he doesn’t want to sit on the sidelines. And while I do believe he can play special teams, that group is pretty good and has several guys who now (and probably always if you are honest) has players who only way to be in the NFL is ST so they will for sure make him work his tail off to keep the unit good and their job secure.


Asiata - Fills a huge hole is aggressive and nasty offensive minded coach some good guys on the line already though one is oft injured, wants to compete wants to make a difference and hit someone and by all intents and purposes will get that shot. Not to mention he will go up against Philips and Suh every day and how can that not make you better moving forward. I know it hasn’t worked for others in the past but I don’t think DT or Turner really had the mentality of this guy and the second they had a coach who was tough and held people accountable they folded so bad they got kicked off the team. Whereas Asiata day one was exited and said something to the effect of "I wanted to be a Dolphin let’s get to work" He is a grown ass man can wait to see what he offers.


Dochax/Taylor - each offer something different and are more than likely depth guys but there is veteran leadership on the Dline and strong personalities who are not afraid to call guys out especially in camp. The new motto of the Dolphins seems to be tough tough tough and there is the door if you don’t want it. Each of these guys have shown flashes and though they are needed for depth TBH Gase's mentality and the hammer he was given by the FO and ownership over personnel they will have to grow and flash or they will be out the door. The Dolphins window may just now be opening hopefully we have the people (HC, QB, GM) in place to keep it open for a while but the older guys want to win NOW not be good not go to the playoffs and keep building time to WIN and to me that competition that atmosphere the energy in that building if you can’t catch it then you never will.


Ford - We all know WR is STACKED and I mean STTTAAACCCCKED. Parker is flashing in off season program we know Stills and Landry can ball when it matters, Caroo who knows, Thomas/Drake etc. etc. not a lot of room for a guy unless he dominates and shows up big time. Perfect spot for a guy who feels underrated and underappreciated whatever Ford’s ceiling is the Dolphins will find it (not to say it’s that high but in this atmosphere and with this group not hard to see it being reached)


That’s just my opinion, we did a great job of drafting and putting in stop gaps at some much needed positions. I feel like it’s a symbiotic relationship and the stop gaps will not just fill a hole but bring up and really help the growth of the younger players.


Thoughts?

 

[raving]

Well the draft system changed under Gase.

Specific character traits were prioritized.

Players who had a long history of being successful through hard work - maximizing natural talent through the experience of being mature, serious, dedicated...

Each player has had trials in life that they have successfully overcome - including being flooded out in New Orleans and being left homeless, having a mother struck by MS and being wheelchair bound, ---

The players chosen all have a history of being alpha, or vocal team leaders, several were team captains, all went to big schools and played bigtime competition....

The Dolphins were ecstatic about drafting Harris - They picked him immediately - refused trade offers with other BIG players on the board...They felt one Harris was worth 2 picks of the players left available...

This helps build the optimal environment for success - because players come in humble (strong minded but open to the idea that they may not know enough) hungry, eager, ambitious, seasoned, leaders...

That is A GREAT bottom up approach...

Finally we will compete with New England and if we do it right knock them down and help Miami get its Dolphin pride back!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

The Dolphins did a good job of finding some quality players and depth in free agency. Because of that, the rookies don't have to be starters right off the bat, which I think is a good thing.

With Miami, if a rookie starts you know he earned it and had to beat out a quality veteran. That's a lot better than handing four rookies a starting job because there's no talent and they have to start. You will see that with some teams and they may receive a better "draft grade" because of that, but I like Miami's approach. Players can develop and start when they are ready.

Others have also pointed out that Miami drafted players who were physical and durable. That also seems like a good change after drafting a lot of injury prone players with prime picks over the last five years or so.

My feeling is that Harris could turn out to be the best pass rusher from this draft. He needs to work on his run game and as someone else mentioned better hand usage to disengage.

I believe McMillan will be a solid starter from the get-go. I think he's the one draft pick who will start immediately. Asiata could be a starter year one, but I think it's more likely in his second year or mid-way through the season. Tankersley likely takes over next year for Maxwell.

 

[Pandarilla]

Harris is in the perfect spot. I saw a YouTube of a couple of draft geeks, they literally said that Harris should watch Cam Wake (this was predraft.)

Raekwon, likewise with Timmons.

Cordrea, Maxwell, ditto.

Asiata is needed and will be appreciated tremendously from the fan base.

Taylor actually idolizes Suh.

Ford has a mountain to climb, though...Duarte 2.0?

None of the top four appear "stuck" behind anyone, nor are they expected to start. Taylor may actually ascend beyond a rotational player.

Ford's going to have to be Biblically good to crack the lineup.

 

[phintim]

Every pick greatly filled a need position IMO big time except the last which was Ford so we nailed it from that perspective now did we absolutely get the best player available thats hard to know. I looked at Hoops picks at those same spots and they looked like possible better options for example. Time will tell.

 

[spiketex]

Where would you play Raekwon McMillan - the mike or the sam?

 

[spiketex]

Who is the player we drafted with a mother suffering from MS and wheelchair bound?

 

[phintim]

All these rookies have a great opportunity to start and contribute this year. Are they going to good enough is really the question. Face it we were very, very fortunate for Wake to overcome his injury last year at his age and our backup plan last year did not show up. Branch is OK but if Wake goes down your down to Fede. So yea Harris fills a huge hole.
McMillan just where do you not start why he will not start after looking at last year's cast. Jenkins and Msi both on IR again, Butler, Paysinger, Hewitt and Hull. Wow what a hole to fill. Not to mention that again we lucked out with Kiko showing up after 2 years on IR.
Tank is a little less dramatic but look at where our starters in Howard and Maxwell were playing much of the time at the end of last year with their backup Lippett starting for them. So yep there is that hole to fill again.
So our starting left guard is now our starting left tackle, starting center limping around on a cane and journey men filling in at right guard.
Tackle there is Suh and sometimes Phillips then nothing. All the backups were basically jettisoned. So there is a ton of opportunity for both those DTs to make this team.
As far as Forde I found it interesting that you could tell before the draft we were interested in wide recievers so you have to wonder if there is some master backup plan or Gase likes to collect recievers like some women like to collect shoes. My best guess he is looking for another red zone threat outside of Parker.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Good point on wide receivers, phintim. I am surprised by drafting Ford and the number of college free agents signed as well. I don't know if that's because the decision makers aren't sure if Parker or Carroo can make that next step, or just that they saw talent there at wide receiver late in the draft and in undrafted players.

I don't think it has anything to do with Jarvis Landry and his contract demands. I hope not, anyway. Ford's skill sets seem more in-line with what Parker can do.

 

[JakeemThe Dream]

I actually believe Ford will make the team.

As a Canes fan, I heard his name way too much to care about his 7th rd spot.

He could easily have been picked in the 4th and nobody would question it.

He always seems to get open.

I really think every pick could make this team.

I love the last two drafts. Talent, scheme fits, and filled a bunch of needs.

 

[sunworshipper]

Who is the player we drafted with a mother suffering from MS and wheelchair bound?

I believe that it's Harris.