Miami Dolphins find undrafted gem in LB Tyler Gray | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Miami Dolphins find undrafted gem in LB Tyler Gray

DKphin

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[h=2]The Miami Dolphins had a huge 2016 draft class, but they might have found a significant contributor on the UDFA market in Boise St. linebacker Tyler Gray…[/h] The Miami Dolphins had a phenomenal draft class in 2016, but the addition of Tyler Gray after the draft was over could wind up paying some huge dividends.
Gray was an unheralded member of the Boise State defense over the course of the last few seasons, racking up 184 career tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles, and three interceptions in his career.
While Kamalei Correa garnered all the hype as far as Boise State defensive prospects go, it’s not hard to notice Gray when you flip on the Boise State tape. He has a big, 6-4 238 pound frame, and he runs really well for his size, posting a 4.72 second 40-yard dash.
What Gray brings to the table is a disciplined player who is improved in all aspects. He’s not a traditional pass rushing linebacker as he’s more effective playing off the ball, but he can blitz and play in coverage as well as mix in against the run.
Pro Football Focus graded Gray as a top five linebacker in all of college football last season. Here’s what they had to say:
“Despite a more limited sample size than some of his counterparts at the position, Gray really impressed in 2015 to turn in the fifth-highest grade we saw from a linebacker in this draft class. The big jump in grade we saw is both a strength or a concern, with the lower snap count making us want to temper the excitement somewhat. That being said, on top of the improvement we saw from 2014 to 2015, he also comes with a fair amount of versatility given just how much Boise moved him around this past season.”
https://nflmocks.com/2016/05/30/miami-dolphins-find-undrafted-gem-in-lb-tyler-gray/
 
There is one who is worthy of putting some hope in.............................but his name is Akil
 
Of the three udfa linebackers from 2016 (Blount, Gray and Burgess) and the three from 2015 (Vigil, Hull and Hewitt) I think Gray and Hull are the longest shots to make the roster.
 
as much as we have to depend on fresh blood after a roster turnover from last year, I am not sure if we can depend or count on these UDFA's. Would be nice if it can work to, but next year we all know the positions we may have to go after and get younger
 
Haven't seen any of this kid or of Blount, but Burgess looks a very interesting pickup to me. As I said in another thread somewhere, he's kind of a mini Kiko Alonso - bit of a jack of all trades, very instinctive and decisive, very good at sifting through the trash despite a limited frame.

Vigil and Hewitt both have some value to bring to the table. All that said, we're still a poor LB unit until proven otherwise and we've been a below-average ST unit for forever, so I'm not sure any of these guys is a cut above what you'd find in the depth position of most NFL rosters at LB.

Like with most things Miami, in the absence of a significant body of evidence, we at least have hope.
 
We can use talent at the LB position. If any of these guys develops, it's a bonus.
 
Building a football team is finding 53 contributors from all available sources...its impossible to have an entire roster of day 1 or day 2 draft picks.

Not every position on any football team has elite players at every position...its good to see Miami do a better job of acquiring these undrafted guys that may possibly surprise.

Daniel Jerimiah's take from Gray's bowl game

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-state-linebacker-emerges-as-sleeper-prospect


Tyler Gray, LB, Boise State
Gray wasn't really on my radar prior to this bowl game. The teams I spoke to had free-agent grades on him and didn't think he had much pro upside. However, he was ultra productive in this game. In the first half alone, he had a sack, forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a tackle for loss. He has enough size and agility to warrant further study. I look forward to digging a little deeper on his tape.
 
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LB - one of those positions that REALLY can't be evaluated til pads go on. A few of the new guys look good on tape or drills, but those mean nothing for now.
 
Well they are wearing pads on the tape.....
Certainly. But we've all seen UDFAs look very good on tape and wash out in the NFL. OTOH, we've seen some do VERY well in the NFL. But, IMO, LB is a position that has to be watched in NFL practices in pads to get good read.
 
You have to figure they believe in their LB group but it really wasn't addressed with proven players
 
You have to figure they believe in their LB group but it really wasn't addressed with proven players
Agreed. My problem with last year's 3 LBs is two-fold . . . 1) they're 'good,' but not a top LB in the group 2) no playmakers KA may solve both but that remains to be seen. Everything else is potential.
 
Cool. Keep the roster churning.

If he beats out a guy like Vigil, then we improved our depth/STs.
 
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