- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 30,987
- Reaction score
- 1,249
Positives
Negatives
Overall Assessment
- Incredible value in getting perhaps the best player in the draft at 13 in Laremy Tunsil. The team had done their homework and took an incredible value at 13. Considering they were outside the top ten of the draft, taking one of the highest graded players at their spot is completely worth the risk.
- The team is making the smart move starting Tunsil at LG. As mentioned by others, Jonathan Ogden started out as a LG and ended up Canton. While it is premature to project such success, Tunsil will be placed between two Pro Bowl lineman and there will be no better mentor than Branden Albert. Allow Tunsil to learn the game and get his feet under him before transitioning out to tackle. 2017 should be the year Tunsil moves to LT.
- Drafting Xavien Howard in the second round was a tremendous move. Howard’s game is not that far off from the other CB’s in the draft that went in the first round. He has great ball skills and has a high upside. He is certainly not a finished product. Leading up to the draft, I wondered if Howard would be a target because he fits the type of defense that Miami wants to play. Finally, I would rather have Xavien Howard at 42, than do what the Giants did and reach for Eli Apple at 10. Howard will need safety help early in his career, but I think once he gets coached up he will be an asset.
- Leonte Carroo is an interesting player. A fourth receiver was needed and there will be a nice competition this summer between Carroo, Matt Hazel and Griff Whalen. Carroo looks to have some special qualities as a receiver.
- One of my favorite picks over the weekend was Thomas Duarte. He will be a matchup piece for Adam Gase. While I am not expecting immediate dividends, Duarte could emerge as a player that could get a lot of snaps in 2017.
- The Dolphins drafted healthy and able-bodied players. Nobody will be starting on the side with trainers this season.
- Because of the 2016 draft, players like Dallas Thomas, Damien Williams, Jamar Taylor (booted during the draft), Kelvin Sheppard (not signed back) will no longer being playing major roles on this team. The Fins completely upgraded the team by simply putting the players above out contributing roles.
- So much for the garbage talk that the “Fins will lose out on a good player by moving back to 13”. You want to call it dumb luck...have at it. However, it was obvious at the time of the trade with the Eagles that still a starting caliber player was going to be available. The Fins netted three starters from the deal. Obviously, those players need to produce in order to have the trade work. However, Miami did not lose out on a significant player by moving to 13. By the way, the team saved a few millions by picking 13 instead of 8. It was a good trade.
- I like hearing the rumors that the Fins had Tunsil #2 on the board and if he was taken prior to 13, Miami was thinking Myles Jack, Apple and William Jackson as the draft went along.. Those all would have been great picks and fits. Miami had a strong plan throughout the draft.
- This team is unified for the first time in a long while. From the front office to coaching staff, the “left-hand knows what the right-hand is doing”. You saw players drafted that will fit what Adam Gase and his staff wants to do.
- This draft certainly attempted to get talent for Adam Gase’s offense.
- I liked how Miami held tight on their early picks, but got tactical later in attacking various parts of the draft. People bemoan the fact they gave a pick here and there or lost out on a certain round. I completely disagree. Nobody, will care about draft picks given up if Leonte Carroo turns out to be a starting, productive player over time. Nobody will care about missing out on the 4th round if Xavien Howard turns into a capable starting CB. In the end, it is about finding players that help the team win.
- I am completely with impressed with the direction that Adam Gase has taken his program. He seems to have a specific plan in how he wants things conducted.. I like how is trying to be innovative early on, but also with a purpose in mind. Let’s see how many other teams copy him and start a trend.
- This draft helps for 2017. Tunsil could very well supplant Branden Albert and the team could shed Albert’s salary or get a pay cut from him as they toss him inside to guard. Howard will fill a CB. Carroo will replace Stills. Duarte could replace Jordan Cameron. This draft will help a ton when looking to next offseason as well.
Negatives
- Kenyan Drake is interesting, but I think the team reached a bit for him. I think they could have got him later and there were other RB’s that could take on more of a load than Drake. Drake has speed and some quicks. He can help in different parts of the game. However, the team is missing another complete back to help Jay Ajayi.
- Not crazy about the group of UDFA’s the team brought in. James Burgess might have a chance, but the group does not make me stand up and take notice. To be fair, there are not many roster spots for an undrafted player to stick. However, the group of players signed is uninspiring.
- Shame on the NFL for even floating the idea that Tunsil could enter the drug program. Tunsil has passed his drug tests and was completely embarrassed on national TV at an NFL event. He was completely violated and if the NFL had any spine they would looking to support a young man as he enters the league. Threatening the drug program for a video that was from years ago and was illegally obtained, is garbage.
- The roster is still missing a few key positions. There is no RB right now to share carries with Ajayi. Drake is not going to going to take much of Ajayi’s plate outside of 3rd down/passing downs. Daniel Thomas and Isaiah Pead should not be considered. Whether the team looks for another veteran that could be cut or kicks the tires of Arian Foster, the team is too thin at RB. The depth at CB is very, very young. The team could be rolling out Maxwell, a nickel in his second year and a rookie second rounder. While he is hurt and supposedly asking for a lot of coin, Leon Hall could be a steady force for the secondary. The franchise is asking a lot of Vance Joseph to work wonders with some very young players. Finally, another DE would be nice. Jason Jones has been rumored and would be a helpful fit. The overall depth has improved, but there are still some major gaps on the depth chart that could easily derail the season.
- The Fins have issues at DE in 2017. Wake is aging. Andre Branch is a free agent. Mario Williams could return, but has to be productive or he will be trimmed. I was hoping the team made a move for a DE in the draft so he could be developed and at least be a rotational option for the team in ‘17. As it stands now, the cupboard is kind of bare.
- Suzy Kolber’s and Deion Sanders’ interviews with draftees were completely dreadful.
- Mike Nolan and Ray Farmer were brutal on Path to the Draft.
Overall Assessment
- I love seeing the draft picks fit to the philosophy of the coaching staff. This concept has been a long time coming for this franchise.. It shows a coordinated effort with the FO and coaching staff.
- Along with helping the Gase’s offense, it also should be mentioned that this draft went specifically went to help QB Ryan Tannehill. The line has improved because of Tunsil. In addition, Drake will help in the passing game and has speed to catch and run. Carroo is another weapon as is Duarte. The onus is going to be on Tannehill to make a jump under a great offensive coach, a much improved offensive line and talent-rich skill position players. This is a huge year for the QB. Hopefully, Tannehill becomes more consistent, better in the 4th quarter and is able to stay healthy to continue his growth.
- While not draft related, it is pretty cool that Cam Wake looks like he will be finishing his career in Miami. I made an argument to release Wake in order to try to keep Olivier Vernon. When Vernon was allowed to walk, it become imperative to sign the veteran. Wake has been a tremendous story and example. There is no other player I would love to see have a trip to the postseason than Cameron Wake.
- Let’s not make any mistake about this...the Miami Dolphins will win or lose this season based on the performance and health because of the likes of Ryan Tannehill, Ndamukong Suh, Reshad Jones, Mario Williams, Cam Wake, Branden Albert, Jarvis Landry etc. We get caught up in how much the draft picks will contribute. However, this team is going to succeed or fail based on the players that are already in house.
- This front office and coaching staff needs time if need be. It is obvious they have a plan and attempting to execute it. They need to be given the time and patience to let it play out. I am excited for the next few years ahead...I am excited for the upcoming year to be honest. The bottom line is they need to be given time to find success for the franchise it has desperately looked for over the years.
- I know there is skepticism by the boatloads on this site on the direction of the Miami Dolphins. That is completely fine. However, the limited nature of the critique has been completely weak. Posters replying to a post with the inarticulate grunt of a meme and emjoi has brought the level of discourse to new lows on Finheaven. This site has always been better than what has occurred over the past few months. Here is hoping we get back to talking and debating constructively on the issues of the day. That said, after this thread, I am going to “retire” my assessment threads. I will still bounce in and out, but I think I will turn the keys over to someone else to do something similar. To those that liked my takes, thanks. To those that “thumbed it down” or “single-starred it”, it is a good day for you. Thanks to all those that participated over the years. Fins up!
