Buzz on NFL Draft options emerging for the Dolphins, whose nine picks include Nos. 25, 44 and 56 (we will deal with the defensive front-seven here and other positions in coming days):
• Outside linebacker: Lots of depth here. The Dolphins have been linked to USC's Clay Matthews, a former walk-on who ''can get after the quarterback'' and warrants consideration at No. 25, ESPN's Mel Kiper said. But ESPN's Todd McShay has him going 20th.
Sporting News draft analyst/former Browns scout Russ Lande said there's a chance USC teammate Brian Cushing could fall to No. 25 -- Kiper and McShay have him going 23rd -- and predicts Miami would pounce if he does. Lande said both players project as good pass rushers, though Cushing had just three sacks in 2008 and Matthews 4.5.
The Dolphins have shown an interest in several defensive ends who project to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense: Utah's Paul Kruger (''a slam dunk if he's there at 44,'' Lande said); Northern Illinois' Larry English (ran poorly at the NFL combine but Lande said he's the best pass rusher of these five); Cincinnati's Connor Barwin (McShay has him going to Miami at No. 25); Connecticut's Cody Brown (spoke with Dolphins executives at a Miami playoff practice and again with Bill Parcells in January); and Tennessee's Robert Ayers (''high second-rounder,'' Lande said). But first-round prospect Michael Johnson underachieved at Georgia Tech and work-ethic concerns could deter Miami.
Clint Sintim, who played in a 3-4 at Virginia and had 11 sacks in 2008, is a viable option at No. 25.
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/926668.html
• Outside linebacker: Lots of depth here. The Dolphins have been linked to USC's Clay Matthews, a former walk-on who ''can get after the quarterback'' and warrants consideration at No. 25, ESPN's Mel Kiper said. But ESPN's Todd McShay has him going 20th.
Sporting News draft analyst/former Browns scout Russ Lande said there's a chance USC teammate Brian Cushing could fall to No. 25 -- Kiper and McShay have him going 23rd -- and predicts Miami would pounce if he does. Lande said both players project as good pass rushers, though Cushing had just three sacks in 2008 and Matthews 4.5.
The Dolphins have shown an interest in several defensive ends who project to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense: Utah's Paul Kruger (''a slam dunk if he's there at 44,'' Lande said); Northern Illinois' Larry English (ran poorly at the NFL combine but Lande said he's the best pass rusher of these five); Cincinnati's Connor Barwin (McShay has him going to Miami at No. 25); Connecticut's Cody Brown (spoke with Dolphins executives at a Miami playoff practice and again with Bill Parcells in January); and Tennessee's Robert Ayers (''high second-rounder,'' Lande said). But first-round prospect Michael Johnson underachieved at Georgia Tech and work-ethic concerns could deter Miami.
Clint Sintim, who played in a 3-4 at Virginia and had 11 sacks in 2008, is a viable option at No. 25.
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/926668.html
