Lord Of Miami
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and they have us taking..................... http://draftace.com/mockdraft_picks11_20.htm
DraftAce new two round mock.
- Thread starter Lord Of Miami
- Start date
Another 2nd round pick for a WildCat player? I don't think so. That is a stupid mock
Graham huh ? Love it.
I've talked about this guy quite a bit, but I will just finally re-post this before ending it, as it got lost in the shuffle.
Aside from the height thing, Brandon Graham has every single quality and attribute this regime looks for in a first round draft pick.
I also heard from a very reputable source that Larry English was high on the Dolphins board last year, and likely would have been our pick at 25 if he was there and Vontae wasn't. English is only an inch taller than Graham and he weighed 12 pounds less than Graham when he came out.. Larry English went 16th overall.
But let's look at all the other attributes Graham has that this regime looks for in a 1st round pick:
1) Tough, Smart and Disciplined - Yes he is. VERY.. Check
2) He's a Michigan kid. Parcells loves great productive players who were long time starters from that school- see Jake Long and Henne.. Check
3) Gym rat - Absolutely. Just like Vontae Davis and Jake Long were dedicated gym rats.. two of their previous 1st round picks.. Check
4) Hard Worker - Absolutely. Graham plays every snap 110% with relentlessness, doesn't take any plays off, and is a very hard worker off the field. Highly dedicated to his craft.. Check
5) Film Study - Absolutely. Graham is a film nut. Studies the game relentlessly and has an extremely high football IQ.. He was the leader in the film room on that team.. Check
6) Can he stop the run as a 1st round 3-4 OLB? - You bet. He is very good against the run. In the 1st round this regime looks for "complete" football players, that's why it was important for Vontae to be good against the run. If he wasn't, I don't think he would have been picked in the 1st by us.. Check
7) Physical.. Oh yes, Graham is extremely physical.. Check
8) Production - Absolutely.. Check
9) No "one-year wonders" need apply - This regime detests one year wonder types early in the draft in the 1st round.. They prefer players who produced over the long haul, not the short term. They like a track record. Graham played 47 college games and did what this regime looks for.. which is continued development and production over all those games played.. Check
10) Leadership - Graham has it in spades.. Check
11) Love for football - Graham has a very high level of passion and love for the game of football. He eats, sleeps, dreams and breathes football... His attitude and will to succeed in football, and be the best in his craft is off the charts... which is another big thing this regime looks for when scouting players early in the draft.. They steer away from the Vernon Gholston types who would rather spend time showing their muscles on Venice Beach than be on a football field.. Check.
12) Durability - Graham doesn't get injured. He is extremely durable, and has shown that over a 4 year span.. Check.
13) Did he bite as a pup? This is one of Parcells' most famous quotes. "If they don't bite as pups they won't bite". Graham had plenty of bite as a very young player early in his football career. And was the #1 linebacker recruit in the country out of high school.. Check
14) Technically sound? - very technically sound. he is the most technically sound DE in the draft. In fact he is one of the most technically sound players in the entire draft, regardless of position.. Check
Graham is definitely on our radar. The Dolphins coaching staff didn't run plays away from him 80% of the time yesterday because they don't know how good he is.. they definitely do.
Check mate.
I've talked about this guy quite a bit, but I will just finally re-post this before ending it, as it got lost in the shuffle.
Aside from the height thing, Brandon Graham has every single quality and attribute this regime looks for in a first round draft pick.
I also heard from a very reputable source that Larry English was high on the Dolphins board last year, and likely would have been our pick at 25 if he was there and Vontae wasn't. English is only an inch taller than Graham and he weighed 12 pounds less than Graham when he came out.. Larry English went 16th overall.
But let's look at all the other attributes Graham has that this regime looks for in a 1st round pick:
1) Tough, Smart and Disciplined - Yes he is. VERY.. Check
2) He's a Michigan kid. Parcells loves great productive players who were long time starters from that school- see Jake Long and Henne.. Check
3) Gym rat - Absolutely. Just like Vontae Davis and Jake Long were dedicated gym rats.. two of their previous 1st round picks.. Check
4) Hard Worker - Absolutely. Graham plays every snap 110% with relentlessness, doesn't take any plays off, and is a very hard worker off the field. Highly dedicated to his craft.. Check
5) Film Study - Absolutely. Graham is a film nut. Studies the game relentlessly and has an extremely high football IQ.. He was the leader in the film room on that team.. Check
6) Can he stop the run as a 1st round 3-4 OLB? - You bet. He is very good against the run. In the 1st round this regime looks for "complete" football players, that's why it was important for Vontae to be good against the run. If he wasn't, I don't think he would have been picked in the 1st by us.. Check
7) Physical.. Oh yes, Graham is extremely physical.. Check
8) Production - Absolutely.. Check
9) No "one-year wonders" need apply - This regime detests one year wonder types early in the draft in the 1st round.. They prefer players who produced over the long haul, not the short term. They like a track record. Graham played 47 college games and did what this regime looks for.. which is continued development and production over all those games played.. Check
10) Leadership - Graham has it in spades.. Check
11) Love for football - Graham has a very high level of passion and love for the game of football. He eats, sleeps, dreams and breathes football... His attitude and will to succeed in football, and be the best in his craft is off the charts... which is another big thing this regime looks for when scouting players early in the draft.. They steer away from the Vernon Gholston types who would rather spend time showing their muscles on Venice Beach than be on a football field.. Check.
12) Durability - Graham doesn't get injured. He is extremely durable, and has shown that over a 4 year span.. Check.
13) Did he bite as a pup? This is one of Parcells' most famous quotes. "If they don't bite as pups they won't bite". Graham had plenty of bite as a very young player early in his football career. And was the #1 linebacker recruit in the country out of high school.. Check
14) Technically sound? - very technically sound. he is the most technically sound DE in the draft. In fact he is one of the most technically sound players in the entire draft, regardless of position.. Check
Graham is definitely on our radar. The Dolphins coaching staff didn't run plays away from him 80% of the time yesterday because they don't know how good he is.. they definitely do.
Check mate.
And one article I just found. I agree 100% with McShay here in his ending comment. I also find it interesting how he credits his work with Jake Long helping him become the player he is today.
http://www.freep.com/article/20100130/SPORTS06/1300347/?imw=Y
MOBILE, Ala. -- It's the quick-and-easy comparison, but for good reason. It goes beyond the fact that Brandon Graham played defensive end at Michigan like LaMarr Woodley did.
"LaMarr Woodley was the one who taught me most of my stuff," Graham said this week while preparing for today's Senior Bowl. "Coming in as a freshman, I tried to imitate everything I saw him do."
Graham (6-feet-1, 263 pounds) measures almost the same as Woodley (6-2, 265) does, although his build is more stout. He could play defensive end in a 4-3 scheme in the NFL or move to outside linebacker in a 3-4, as Woodley has. He is projected to go in the first or second round of the draft in April; Woodley went to Pittsburgh in the second round three years ago and has blossomed into a star who will play in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
The Lions run a 4-3 defense and hold the second pick of the second round, No. 34 overall. "I looked at Woodley a lot when he came out, and I loved him," said Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. "I didn't know if he was going to be big and strong enough. But, boy, he's had a great career already.
"Maybe Graham will be the same thing. ... They're very much alike."
When Woodley went through the NFL draft process three years ago, he told teams he wanted to play defensive end. That's where he starred at Michigan. That's where he felt most comfortable.
Graham starred at defensive end for the Wolverines, too. But as he goes through the process now, he's telling anyone and everyone that he will play defensive end or outside linebacker.
"Right now, I'm in the best position possible for myself as a D end," Graham said this week while preparing for today's Senior Bowl. "If coaches want me to stand up, I can show them tomorrow I can drop back and cover, if that's what they want me to do."
It worked pretty well for Woodley. Pittsburgh drafted him in the second round and moved him to outside linebacker.
"When the Steelers called me and said, 'We're going to draft you with the next pick, and you'll play outside linebacker,' I definitely wasn't going to say no," Woodley said at the Super Bowl last year. "I knew it was going to be a challenge for me, but I knew once I had the opportunity to have the reps at the position ... that I could get it down."
It took him a year to make the transition, but Woodley has been outstanding since, racking up 25 sacks over the past two regular seasons. He will play in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
Graham is projected to be a first- or second-round pick, but it remains to be seen what he'll play.
NFL folks scrutinize body type as they project how a player might fit, and they like their pass rushers at least 6-feet-2. Graham is considered more stout than Woodley, even though he measured 6-1, 263 at Monday's weigh-in and Woodley is listed at 6-2, 265.
But while he said "you'd like to have more height," Cunningham compared Graham favorably to Woodley as an end.
"I think Graham has more pass-rush skills at this stage, if they were both at the same stage," Cunningham said. "Woodley was a powerful player, and he looked like a linebacker to you."
The Lions' staff is coaching the North for the Senior Bowl. The Lions -- who have the No. 34 pick and need a pass rusher -- run a 4-3 scheme and have used Graham as a defensive end this week.
"He's really showing himself in the one-on-one pass rush," Cunningham said. "He's certainly been consistent every day beating guys."
Graham learned a lot from Woodley at U-M. He also learned a lot practicing against left tackle Jake Long, whom Miami drafted first overall in 2008.
"That was the hard thing," Graham said. "He played every down like it was a game, so he really got me ready, too."
Teams that run a 3-4 scheme and want to look at Graham as an outside linebacker likely will put him through different drills at Michigan's pro day, testing to see how he drops in pass coverage.
Graham said he would be comfortable with that. He did it at Detroit Crockett.
"I played linebacker all my life," Graham said. "And then when I came to Michigan, they put me down as a D end. I mean, stuff happens for a reason."
One thing teams don't need to test is Graham's motor, no matter how they view him as a player.
"From the first meeting we had him, I could tell that he loves to play football," said Kris Kocurek, the Lions' assistant defensive line coach. "He likes the game. He has fun. He feeds off other guys making plays.
"As far as him fitting in what we do, we look for explosive guys on the edge, and I think he's shown some things this week where he's shown some explosion and he has playmaking ability."
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said "despite an underwhelming body," Graham showed this week "he's able to do everything you need him to do." McShay raved about Graham's hustle, technique and intelligence and said he would not be surprised if Graham went late in the first round.
"Whether he plays defensive end in a 4-3 or outside linebacker in a 3-4, he's just the kind of guy that seems to get to the NFL and have success," McShay said in a conference call.
"LaMarr Woodley didn't come off the board in the first round, so it doesn't really matter where you get picked, it's how you do at the next level. And I think Graham is going to be very successful."
http://www.freep.com/article/20100130/SPORTS06/1300347/?imw=Y
MOBILE, Ala. -- It's the quick-and-easy comparison, but for good reason. It goes beyond the fact that Brandon Graham played defensive end at Michigan like LaMarr Woodley did.
"LaMarr Woodley was the one who taught me most of my stuff," Graham said this week while preparing for today's Senior Bowl. "Coming in as a freshman, I tried to imitate everything I saw him do."
Graham (6-feet-1, 263 pounds) measures almost the same as Woodley (6-2, 265) does, although his build is more stout. He could play defensive end in a 4-3 scheme in the NFL or move to outside linebacker in a 3-4, as Woodley has. He is projected to go in the first or second round of the draft in April; Woodley went to Pittsburgh in the second round three years ago and has blossomed into a star who will play in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
The Lions run a 4-3 defense and hold the second pick of the second round, No. 34 overall. "I looked at Woodley a lot when he came out, and I loved him," said Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. "I didn't know if he was going to be big and strong enough. But, boy, he's had a great career already.
"Maybe Graham will be the same thing. ... They're very much alike."
When Woodley went through the NFL draft process three years ago, he told teams he wanted to play defensive end. That's where he starred at Michigan. That's where he felt most comfortable.
Graham starred at defensive end for the Wolverines, too. But as he goes through the process now, he's telling anyone and everyone that he will play defensive end or outside linebacker.
"Right now, I'm in the best position possible for myself as a D end," Graham said this week while preparing for today's Senior Bowl. "If coaches want me to stand up, I can show them tomorrow I can drop back and cover, if that's what they want me to do."
It worked pretty well for Woodley. Pittsburgh drafted him in the second round and moved him to outside linebacker.
"When the Steelers called me and said, 'We're going to draft you with the next pick, and you'll play outside linebacker,' I definitely wasn't going to say no," Woodley said at the Super Bowl last year. "I knew it was going to be a challenge for me, but I knew once I had the opportunity to have the reps at the position ... that I could get it down."
It took him a year to make the transition, but Woodley has been outstanding since, racking up 25 sacks over the past two regular seasons. He will play in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
Graham is projected to be a first- or second-round pick, but it remains to be seen what he'll play.
NFL folks scrutinize body type as they project how a player might fit, and they like their pass rushers at least 6-feet-2. Graham is considered more stout than Woodley, even though he measured 6-1, 263 at Monday's weigh-in and Woodley is listed at 6-2, 265.
But while he said "you'd like to have more height," Cunningham compared Graham favorably to Woodley as an end.
"I think Graham has more pass-rush skills at this stage, if they were both at the same stage," Cunningham said. "Woodley was a powerful player, and he looked like a linebacker to you."
The Lions' staff is coaching the North for the Senior Bowl. The Lions -- who have the No. 34 pick and need a pass rusher -- run a 4-3 scheme and have used Graham as a defensive end this week.
"He's really showing himself in the one-on-one pass rush," Cunningham said. "He's certainly been consistent every day beating guys."
Graham learned a lot from Woodley at U-M. He also learned a lot practicing against left tackle Jake Long, whom Miami drafted first overall in 2008.
"That was the hard thing," Graham said. "He played every down like it was a game, so he really got me ready, too."
Teams that run a 3-4 scheme and want to look at Graham as an outside linebacker likely will put him through different drills at Michigan's pro day, testing to see how he drops in pass coverage.
Graham said he would be comfortable with that. He did it at Detroit Crockett.
"I played linebacker all my life," Graham said. "And then when I came to Michigan, they put me down as a D end. I mean, stuff happens for a reason."
One thing teams don't need to test is Graham's motor, no matter how they view him as a player.
"From the first meeting we had him, I could tell that he loves to play football," said Kris Kocurek, the Lions' assistant defensive line coach. "He likes the game. He has fun. He feeds off other guys making plays.
"As far as him fitting in what we do, we look for explosive guys on the edge, and I think he's shown some things this week where he's shown some explosion and he has playmaking ability."
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said "despite an underwhelming body," Graham showed this week "he's able to do everything you need him to do." McShay raved about Graham's hustle, technique and intelligence and said he would not be surprised if Graham went late in the first round.
"Whether he plays defensive end in a 4-3 or outside linebacker in a 3-4, he's just the kind of guy that seems to get to the NFL and have success," McShay said in a conference call.
"LaMarr Woodley didn't come off the board in the first round, so it doesn't really matter where you get picked, it's how you do at the next level. And I think Graham is going to be very successful."
SQuinn17
League Dominator
I'd take them both. But if Cody is on the board when we pick in round 2, I think we gotta take him. Fat-so or not, guy is a playmaker.
Love Graham. Have loved Graham. I'd much rather draft him than McClain. My one caveats: Earl Thomas and C. J. Spiller. Thomas can be to Nolan in Miami what Ed Reed was to Nolan in Baltimore. And, C. J. Spiller is explosive, and if we draft him, we might be looking at an extra 2nd rounder - if we're able to trade Ronnie Brown.
If we decide that Spiller and Thomas aren't what they might be, Graham's a great pick.
McCluster's a garbage pick for us in the 2nd, though.
If we decide that Spiller and Thomas aren't what they might be, Graham's a great pick.
McCluster's a garbage pick for us in the 2nd, though.
hoops
Tua time!
that's a good read greyboy...very good
graham did play lb in high school and he also ran a 10.9 100 meters...
graham did play lb in high school and he also ran a 10.9 100 meters...
newlownorder
Hoof Hearted
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I don't know if I would call his a "playmaker" he's interesting because of what he brings to the table as a NT. Personally, I like Cam Thomas, he look more like a DE or LB but at 6'3" 331lbs he hold his own inside. I was looking at a bunch of UNC games and he was getting double teamed alot, and not moving. Dude is a beast.
Yeah, I don't see us passing on Spikes in the 2nd. I think he's the best ILB in the draft for what we want to do - under Nolan - on D.
Clipse
mediocrity sucks
Can't disagree with the first round selection. No McClain, next best option for us is Graham.
Can't really disagree with the number 2 pick either. McCluster is a playmaker, plain and simple. He can run, he can catch, he can be the return guy that we need. However, not sure can justify picking him over Jerry Hughes or Brandon Spikes.
Can't really disagree with the number 2 pick either. McCluster is a playmaker, plain and simple. He can run, he can catch, he can be the return guy that we need. However, not sure can justify picking him over Jerry Hughes or Brandon Spikes.
#1dolphinsfan
Perennial All-Pro
McCluster in the second round would be a horrible pick IMO he is very expolisive but that is a reach for a player that you dont know where he is going to be playing in the NFL i would have taken Cody or Thomas or Nate Allen over or i would have taken Brandon Spikes for sure over him but i love the graham pick just picking a wildcat player would be a huge mistake and would remind me of the Pat white pick last year
#1 Graham
#2 Spikes
#1 Graham
#2 Spikes
roy_miami
2020 cant get here soon enough
I think its almost a certainty we'll take Graham or McClain at 12. Its 50/50 on which i would choose right now. Although, I can't help but to day dream about the nightmare both Wake and Graham on the field at the same time would be for the opposing QBs.
Clipse
mediocrity sucks
McCluster isn't just a Wildcat player.
Glad to see Graham getting love . . . he was mocked by me in round 2 this whole offseason . . . but after his Senior Bowl performance, he clearly is starting to look like a top 20 pick. I think u stick him on the strongside and u are set for years. Still would take Earl Thomas and McClain over him, but would be a good pick.