Miami Dolphins: A look back at the 2011 draft

[DKphin]

I think that everyone of these guys, if utilized correctly, could make a contribution next season.

First round (15th pick)

Mike Pouncey C Florida Produced a solid season as the team’s top pulling lineman. Allowed three sacks and 15 quarterback pressures after started 16 of 16 games. Pouncey faded at the end of the year, and that could be the fact he hit the rookie wall.
Second round (62nd pick)
Daniel Thomas RB Kansas State Started out strong, averaging 5.0 yards per carry his first two game. But fizzled by season’s end, finishing with 3.5 yards per carry and no rushing touchdowns. The Dolphins, which initially didn’t have a second-round pick because of the Brandon Marshall trade, traded away their third-round pick (79th) and fifth-rounder (146) to move up for Thomas, who battled hamstring injuries most of the season.
Fourth round (111th)
Clyde Gates WR Abilene Christian This speedster was solid as a kickoff returner, but his route running was raw, which explains why he only caught one pass (15/0). Gates flashed from time to time as a kickoff returner, averaging 24.8 yards per return, but didn’t score any touchdowns.
Sixth round (174th)
Charles Clay FB Tulsa The Dolphins traded away their own sixth-round pick, and a seventh rounder to move up for Clay. The intent was to make him a tight end, but when he settled in as a fullback he began to blossom, contributing 16 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Clay started nine of the 14 games he played, but need to become a better lead blocker, and in-line blocker to take his game to the next level.
Seventh round
Pick No. 235 Jimmy Wilson CB Montana Wilson was one of training camp’s more pleasant surprises last offseason. This converted safety blossomed in to a strong special teams contributor, and solid backup. He contributed nine tackles, one interception and broke up one pass. But his inconsistent play showed there’s room for improvement. However, Wilson might be in play to replace Will Allen as the Dolphins’ nickel cornerback in 2012.
So, in hindsight, how would you evaluate the Dolphins’ 2011 draft class?
G.G.G.

Read entire article:http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sport...i-dolphins-a-look-back-at-the-2011-draft.html

 

[bryan]

The draft screams blah!!! Not good, not bad but safe. Someone has to step up other than Pouncey to make it a success. We didn't have a second rounder so you have to take that into consideration.

Drafting a center at #15, who happens to have an identical twin, is like cloning your draft prospect and getting to see how he plays in the NFL. You just cannot get much safer than the Pouncey pick.

 

[LANGER72]

I agree with Brian, other than Pouncey, we have no other starters from the draft.

DT was a mistake so far. Hopefully I am wrong. Bush is the starter, DT is lumped in with Slayton, and Hilliard.

Gates has shown a few small flashes, but not enough to think that he will be a starter as a WR.

Clay has made some big plays. He is playing better than expected IMHO.

Jimmy Wilson has a knack for the football, but he needs more experience. He could emerge in 2012 as a starter.

Not to mention getting Colombo in free agency.

I am not knocking Ireland, but this draft was not helping us win a super bowl any time soon.

 

[rent this space]

I see many people criticize the Pouncey pick because apparently they think a safe pick is a bad one.
imo, the pick was smart. what's wrong with a sure thing at a position of need?

 

[Casas9425]

I see many people criticize the Pouncey pick because apparently they think a safe pick is a bad one.
imo, the pick was smart. what's wrong with a sure thing at a position of need?

The player behind the center is more important.

 

[ticophin]

Even though we got an injured DThomas in the 2nd round, I wouldn´t be opposed to picking up TRich should he be available @8-9...I´ll elaborate: Let´s say we get a pass rusher, Flynn or Manning in FA, and maybe some Oline help...TRICH with our 1st, and best available TE with our 2nd? Fleener, Green, or Chase? We´d strike it rich!!! And still have all of our other picks to improve the secondary and LB corps!!

 

[DeeAy3000]

I agree with Brian, other than Pouncey, we have no other starters from the draft.

DT was a mistake so far. Hopefully I am wrong. Bush is the starter, DT is lumped in with Slayton, and Hilliard.

Gates has shown a few small flashes, but not enough to think that he will be a starter as a WR.

Clay has made some big plays. He is playing better than expected IMHO.

Jimmy Wilson has a knack for the football, but he needs more experience. He could emerge in 2012 as a starter.

Not to mention getting Colombo in free agency.

I am not knocking Ireland, but this draft was not helping us win a super bowl any time soon.

Lumping DT in with Slaton and Hilliard is a bit harsh. He showed some flashes of being a solid all-around back, with the ability to run with power, as well as make people miss. The injuries really stymied his development, and also gave Bush the chance to secure the starter's role and create more of a time share. I'd say he's pretty solid at #2 heading into camp, with the chance to take over starting duties. If he can stay healthy, I like the kid.

 

[normaniii]

Better to judge after next yr IMO

 

[Shula Fan]

^^^This

 

[Locke]

We haven't missed on a first round pick since Ireland took over as GM. For everything else he is, no one can say the man isn't good at spotting talent. Not every pick is going to be a starter. That's a horrible way to judge a draft. You're looking for contributors. Charles Clay isn't a starter, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who says it wasn't a good pick. Same with Jimmy Wilson. All-in-all, he hasn't done a bad job. I just wish he'd have put more of an emphasis on the QB position...

 

[NYPhin24]

Even though we got an injured DThomas in the 2nd round, I wouldn´t be opposed to picking up TRich should he be available @8-9...I´ll elaborate: Let´s say we get a pass rusher, Flynn or Manning in FA, and maybe some Oline help...TRICH with our 1st, and best available TE with our 2nd? Fleener, Green, or Chase? We´d strike it rich!!! And still have all of our other picks to improve the secondary and LB corps!!

I think if Messam ends up signing with the Phins it eliminates using a pick on another RB, as we have seen are a dime a dozen, i mean DT had no training camp no mini camp no real offseason and played QB before he was turned into a RB as well as was held up by a hamstring injury, he constantly showed ability to get yards after contact and did well catching the ball in limited playing time, regardless of DT, we just had a 1,000 yard rusher in Reggie Bush who we got for a 6th round swap and a backup safety.....if that isnt the ultimate indication, Arian Foster who has dominated the league the past 2 seasons, undrafted, MJD leagues leading rusher last season, 2nd round, even when Adrian Peterson went down, Toby Gerhert stepped right in and had some good production, i know a lot of people are saying Richardson is a special player but he not a NEEDED player especially for this team,

 

[rent this space]

The player behind the center is more important.

we should pick 7 QBs every draft?

 

[armyphin]

How many rookies not drafted in the first two rounds make an impact to any team their first year?

Easy on the unrealistic expectations.

 

[SR 7]

I wouldn't jump the gun on Wilson... Carrol looked like a good player hai rookie year to only stink it up later.

Only Player with a chance of being good is Piuncey the rest are all decent players for depth instead of very good players.

This has Ireland all over it and don't expect anything different this years draft.

Dip ahit talked about speed so he addressed it in round 1,000 and said people wanted speed we wanted speed so we drafted Clyde but yet in rd 2 we took the slowest player in the draft probably (obv some exaggeration was involved).

 

[dolpns13]

Lumping DT in with Slaton and Hilliard is a bit harsh. He showed some flashes of being a solid all-around back, with the ability to run with power, as well as make people miss. The injuries really stymied his development, and also gave Bush the chance to secure the starter's role and create more of a time share. I'd say he's pretty solid at #2 heading into camp, with the chance to take over starting duties. If he can stay healthy, I like the kid.

Slaton is the best of the three, IMHO