1 (14). DeVante Parker WR Louisville - 6’3”, 33 ¼” arms, 209 LBS, 9 ¼” hands, 4.45 40, 17 BP reps, 36.5” Vert, 125“ Broad. 123.8 SPARQ ,76[SUP]th[/SUP] percentile.
What he does:
A long WR with a huge catch radius, Parker excels at winning contested catches. He’s an excellent Red Zone weapon, and he picks up chunk yardage. He can run by the D (4.45 40), win jump balls, and break off big plays with his RAC. He beats press coverage with relative ease, and he’ll make big catches over the middle. Smooth player.
What he doesn’t:
At times, Parker struggled to achieve separation, particularly on short/intermediate routes. He didn’t perform the agility drills at the Combine or his Pro Day, and that raised a red flag. When a player doesn’t separate at a high level, you’d like the confirmation that it’s a correctable issue, that the player has the tools to separate. Without his 3-Cone and Short Shuttle times, we’re left hanging a bit on this issue.
Parker does have a few things working in his favor here. First, he does achieve separation down the field. On deeper routes, he uses his speed and smoothness to break away from DB’s. Second, as mentioned, he beats the press with relative ease. If a CB can’t get a good jam on the WR, it’s hard to stick with a WR in the NFL, because you can’t touch them after 5 yards. Third, his RAC is very good. Gives some indication of his upside in this area. Fourth, and last, Bill Lazor’s scheme creates separation for WR’s.
Fit:
Parker excels in the areas Miami is lacking at WR. Miami needed a big WR who can win on back-shoulder throws or fade routes in the End Zone. His areas of deficiency should be largely masked by Miami’s scheme.
Value:
I had Parker as a First Round WR (3[SUP]rd[/SUP] WR) but not a Top 10 player.
What it is:
A-
Because Parker is such a great fit for this Miami team, not only because he brings tools Miami is lacking but because Miami’s offense will shield him from some of his potential shortcomings (separation is a concern more than a weakness), Parker is a great pick for Miami at 14.
2 (52). Jordan Phillips DT Oklahoma – 6’5”, 34 ¾” arms, 329 LBS, 9 3/8” hands, 5.17 40, 28 BP reps, 30” Vert, 105” Broad, 7.88 3-Cone, 4.68 20-Yard Shuttle. 108.1 SPARQ, 55[SUP]th[/SUP] percentile.
What he does:
A giant DT with long arms, Phillips was born to play the 1-technique. In the running game, he occupies multiple offensive linemen on just about every play; runs to the outside, away from him, would be the exception here. Against the pass, he has the strength to push two blockers into the QB’s lap, and he has the burst and hands to beat an offensive lineman quickly in one-on-one situations. He’s not a dynamo rushing the QB, but he creates disruption, and there’s more meat on that bone.
What he doesn’t:
He’s still raw. His motor is better than advertised but not exceptional. There are times when he allows himself to be blocked by players who have no business blocking him. His intensity and technique run a little hot and cold. These, though, are not issues that should keep a player of his size and ability out of the First Round. His back is the major concern. We’ll have to see how it holds up.
Fit:
Going into the draft, I had 1-technique right at the top of Miami’s needs – with Carl Davis, Eddie Goldman, and Jordan Phillips being the best fits. But why? We just spent all that money on one of the best DT’s in the NFL. You want to maximize that investment. How do you ensure that Suh is as devastating at possible? By putting him next to a 330 LB 1-technique. If healthy, Phillips will swallow up O-linemen while Suh swallows up QB’s and RB’s. With Earl Mitchell at DT, the writing was on the wall. Teams would double Suh every play and take their chances with the perfectly mediocre Mitchell. If Suh is able to take Phillips under his wing and maximize his potential, Miami will have one of the top DT combos in the NFL for years to come. This is a perfect, perfect fit for Miami.
Value:
I had a Second Round grade (8[SUP]th[/SUP] DT) on Phillips, but that’s because of his back. If his back is good, he’s a First Round talent.
What it is:
A
If Miami’s medical staff crossed their T’s and dotted their I’s, Phillips is an inspired pick. Phillips and Suh present Miami with a DT combo that’s as physically imposing as any in the NFL. In Detroit, Suh never played with a DT that possesses Phillips’ abilities. Whereas, Fairley was a terrible fit next to Suh, because he just wanted to shoot gaps, Phillips is a perfect compliment.
Of note, the trade down netted Miami Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett. More on them later, but I see at least one of these gets as significant, and that added value bumps this pick from an A- to an A.
4 (114). Jamil Douglas OG Arizona State – 6’4”, 33 3/8” arms, 304 LBS, 10 ¾” hands, 5.25 40, 28 BP reps, 29” Vert, 99” Broad, 7.73 3-Cone, 4.58 20-Yard Shuttle. 101.3 SPARQ, 45[SUP]th[/SUP] percentile.
What he does:
Adequate size for a ZBS OG with big hands, which he uses well to control opponents. Douglas plays with good balance. He’s not fast or explosive, but he moves well in short areas, and he consistently puts himself in position to execute his assignment. He’s not a guy that’s going to randomly lose his balance like Jon Martin or Dallas Thomas. He comes from a Spread in Arizona State that asked him to pull and get to the second level, and neither appeared difficult for him.
What he doesn’t:
He’s not going to blow you off the ball. As noted, his explosive power isn’t there, and he’s not a big guy. He’s not weak. Typically he holds or improves his position, but it shows up as a negative on some situations inside the 10. The lack of power also shows up a bit in the passing game, where he can be susceptible to the bull rush.
Fit:
Billy Turner figures to start at RG, where his power and length will be an advantage. Douglas looks like a player who can start from Day 1 at LG. He’ll certainly be a better player than Dallas Thomas from Day 1. He’s a good fit for Lazor’s ZBS – particularly at LG. Between studs like Albert and Pouncey, assuming they can remain healthy, Miami only needs a solid LG, and Douglas looks to be that.
Value:
Fourth Round (#21 OL) grade on Douglas. At 114, I had Mark Glowinski (#17) and Shaq Mason (#18) as the only OG prospects left with higher grades than Douglas. Good place to land an OG, though, because there was a notable drop in talent after these three.
What it is:
B
Appropriate value, good fit, timely selection. He should win the starting LG job, and he should be pretty solid pretty soon. Whenever you land an upgrade in Round Four, you’ve done a good job, and Douglas is definitely an upgrade over Dallas Thomas.
5 (145). Bobb McCain CB Memphis – 5’9”, 30 ½” arms, 195 LBS, 9” hands, 4.51 40, 17 BP reps, 36” Vert, 130” Broad, 6.80 3-Cone, 3.82 20-Yard Shuttle, 11.22 60-Yard Shuttle. 128.6 SPARQ, 86[SUP]th[/SUP] percentile.
What he does:
Ball hawk and a play maker, McCain creates turnovers, and he scores points. While short, he’s strong and solidly built. He’s an alpha male on the football field and a leader. His instincts are top notch, and he’s a very good, almost elite, athlete. Can play inside or outside, and he can play man or zone. His COD is right up there with any CB in the draft. Has make-up quickness.
What he doesn’t:
He doesn’t measure in at 5’10”. His speed is adequate, but he doesn’t have make-up speed. I’ve seen him get caught guessing, but I don’t see that as a recurring issue.
Fit:
McCain should immediately compete for the starting CB spot opposite Grimes. He and Grimes have many similar attributes. If he’s not ready to start outside, he has everything you’d want from a slot CB, and he’ll contribute on ST’s. Coyle knows how to use Grimes, and that should be an advantage in integrating McCain.
Value:
Second Round (3[SUP]rd[/SUP] CB) grade on Bobby McCain, and he was my best available CB at 145. His instincts, ball skills, COD/burst, and toughness overcome his lack of height and make-up speed.
What it is:
A+
Miami lands a CB who should contribute immediately, an alpha competitor with high-end tools. This one checks every box of an ideal draft pick.
5 (149). Jay Ajayi RB Boise State – 6’0”, 32” arms, 221 LBS, 10” hands, 4.57 40, 19 BP reps, 39” Vert, 121” Broad, 7.10 3-Cone, 4.10 20-Yard Shuttle, 11.10 60-Yard Shuttle. 127.6 SPARQ, 69[SUP]th[/SUP] percentile.
What he does:
Powerful runner with nice feet, runs through arm tackles, and has the speed to hit the hole. He is also excellent as a receiver out of the backfield. Talented RB with all the necessary traits to be quality starting RB. Grinds out tough yards, has the feet to make you miss, excels in the passing game, has the speed to take it all the way.
What he doesn’t:
If he doesn’t have cartilage where he should, that’s a problem. While he has a similar running style to Lynch – wide stance, great jump cuts – Ajayi doesn’t run with the power and tenacity of Lynch. Few do. He doesn’t pass block very well, and he doesn’t always hit the hole with a sense of urgency.
Fit:
On offense, more than anything, Miami needed a RB that can grind out tough yards in critical situations. Miami is in win-now mode for a number of reasons, and Ajayi gives them everything they were lacking at the RB position. He might not be Marshawn Lynch, but he breaks arms tackles.
Value:
This will be determined by whether or not he’s healthy enough to play out his rookie contract, but I had a Second Round (4[SUP]th[/SUP] RB) grade on Ajayi, and I had him as the best RB available at 149.
What it is:
A
Jay Ajayi is exactly what Miami needed. He’s one of the best RB’s in a talented RB group. From Day 1, he should see more touches than Lamar Miller. Lazor’s offense should also minimize Ajayi’s dancing. There’s still room for Ajayi to grow. As long as his knee holds up through his rookie contract, Ajayi is a major get for Miami.
5 (150). Cedric Thompson S Minnesota – 5’11”, 31” arms, 211 LBS, 10 ¼” hands, 4.46 40, 21 BP reps, 40.5” Vert, 122" Broad, 6.94 3-Cone, 4.28 20-Yard Shuttle. 126.8 SPARQ, 83[SUP]rd[/SUP] percentile.
What he does:
He moves very well for a player his size. When he’s sound in his technique, he’s a great open-field tackler, because he has very good COD for a player his size. While he hasn’t put it together, he has all the physical tools you want from a FS. When he knows what he’s doing, he’s an instinctive athlete.
What he doesn’t:
Too often, he doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing. He’s not consistent in his technique as a tackler. He transitioned from CB to Safety, and he looks to still be developing the nuances of the position. Gets beat by play-action.
Fit:
I can see Thompson developing into a Safety like Louis Delmas. Similar athletes who can play the pass and the run. In Miami, Thompson will have the opportunity to learn behind Delmas while contributing on ST’s and sub packages. Coyle’s excellent at developing his players in the secondary, and Thompson seems like a smart guy. If Thompson was going to do it anywhere, he should succeed in this situation. His skill set is best utilized in a 2-Deep, particularly Quarters, which Miami likes to run.
Value:
I had Cedric Thompson as a Second Round (3[SUP]rd[/SUP] Safety) player. Despite his rough edges, Thompson has the physical tools, intelligence, and character to develop into a quality starting Safety. It’s difficult to find players who have the tools to cover and the physicality to play Safety. Thompson has both.
What it is:
A
At worst, Thompson will add a lot of athleticism to Miami’s ST’s as a rookie. Expect to see him in sub packages later in the season. And, unless Delmas has an outstanding season, expect him to compete for the starting FS spot in 2016.
5 (156) Tony Lippett WR/CB Michigan State – 6’2”, 32 ¾” arms, 192 LBS, 9 7/8” hands, 4.61 40, 10 BP reps, 36” Vert, 114” Broad, 6.92 3-Cone, 4.13 20-Yard Shuttle, 11.44 60-Yard Shuttle. 103.9 SPARQ, 15[SUP]th[/SUP] percentile.
What he does:
I didn’t scout Lippett as a CB, but his long arms and good COD will help. Lack of speed shouldn’t hurt too much in Coyle’s D.
What he doesn’t:
He’s not fast, and he has a slight frame. Can’t say anything about his play at CB.
Fit:
His lack of speed shouldn’t kill him in Coyle’s D, and his COD and length will fit.
Value:
I had Lippett as a Fifth Round WR (25). This helps nothing.
What it is:
Incomplete
I don’t have enough information to grade this pick. Don’t like that the pick broke the pattern of drafting quality athletes.
Dolphins Draft Summary:
1[SUP]st[/SUP] Round players – 1* (if Phillips back is good, it’s 2)
2[SUP]nd[/SUP] Round players – 4* (see above)
3[SUP]rd[/SUP] Round players – 0
4[SUP]th[/SUP] Round players – 1
5[SUP]th[/SUP] Round Players – 1
6[SUP]th[/SUP] Round Players – 0
7[SUP]th[/SUP] Round players – 0
Grade – A
*Positional rankings, which these grades are based upon, and SPARQ ratings in the links below:
http://www.finheaven.com/showthread.php?365629-Final-Positional-Rankings
http://3sigmaathlete.com/
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I can't be the only one who saw "J-Off" in the thread title, and immediately thought of something else before my brain kicked in.
