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S Dante Trader Jr

MrClean said:
Something else I was thinking of with Trader...before we traded 116 to the Texans, we could have stood pat and taken the much more ballyhooed Billy Bowman or Lathan Ransom at that point. It appears Grier was targeting Trader and calculated he could get him in the 5th. So he took the chance to gain an extra 3rd next year, figuring he could still get the safety this year they wanted. Even assuming that to be the case, I'd have rather seen him use 116 on another OL. Mbow, Frazier, or Rivers.
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I was never very high on Ransom, but Bowman I would have welcomed.
 
Maybe Grier didn't feel like any of the players likely to be there at 116 were worth the pick or better than what else was already on the roster (or that they intended to acquire with later picks or in FA). A 3rd next year is worth a lot more than a cut down casualty this year.
 
Seyi Oladipo, S from Boise State, who we signed as a UDFA, IMO has a similar skill set to Trader, but was a more successful blitzer. More of a box safety or slot corner type, but a lot of their plays vs the run look similar.
 
cullenbigcstill said:
I'm kind of meh on Trader tbh, and felt he was more of a 7th or priority free agent, and a reach. I see a lesser athlete of Brandon Jones.

I do like how efficient he is at tackling, and takes good angles as well. He's a little small and light for my safety size preferences tbh.

I do however like the Florida CB. I saw him down there in that 180-200 range but didn't pay much attention to him pre-draft....but after looking at him and watching a couple UF games since yesterday, there's a lot to like with him imo.

He plays with an edge, and is physical and very tight in coverage as a starting boundary in the SEC. I've heard he's inconsistent, but who isn't after the first 30-40 picks?

He mentioned Ramsey as a guy he watches and models game after, and clearly you can see it. In no way am I saying he's Ramsey or the athlete, but in the way he sticks his face mask into confrontation of a play, how he blitzed and bats passes off the blitz, and how he is more than a willing tackler.

I'm not saying he loves to tackle and a hitter, but he surely isn't shy and will make desired plays in wrapping up and bringing down most ball carriers anywhere on the field.

23 PBU's shows ball awareness, I love the instinctual player who get pbu's, if his INTs and pbu's were low, he'd be just a guy out there covering.

He's a stopper, and has good size at 6' 196 and 4.49...as a mid 5th that's a pretty solid get tbh, he immediately has a chance here with how our CB depth is currently.

At first I didn't like the pick, but once I got over it and looked at him I came away impressed and certainly understand the selection and I'm excited to see his development.
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I wanted the Dolphins to draft Jaylen Reed over Trader.
 
Feverdream said:
Ramsey's gone if we are offered a bag of old jockstraps.

He was already a locker room issue, and now, it's only gotten worse.
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Time to weed out the cancer, if that's indeed the case. Soft rebuild, total rebuild, whatever you want to call it, odds are Miami's not contending.

I'd probably take my chances with young players over vets if they are neck-to-neck in competition. Or close enough.

Might still look to deal Hill too, and I'm not talking Julian. There's potentially better depth at wide receiver. Waddle, Washington and Westbrook-Ikine might be okay.
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
Time to weed out the cancer, if that's indeed the case. Soft rebuild, total rebuild, whatever you want to call it, odds are Miami's not contending.

I'd probably take my chances with young players over vets if they are neck-to-neck in competition. Or close enough.

Might still look to deal Hill too, and I'm not talking Julian. There's potentially better depth at wide receiver. Waddle, Washington and Westbrook-Ikine might be okay.
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In the NFL, in the free agency era, you rebuild every year.

So, I'm less worried about this stuff than some.
 
Feverdream said:
In the NFL, in the free agency era, you rebuild every year.

So, I'm less worried about this stuff than some.
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True, but Miami also isn't rebuilding in a vacuum. New England instantly got better with the Mike Vrabel selection at head coach.

I do think the Dolphins could be competitive if Tua stays healthy and Miami gets some luck on the injury front.

There are so many questions here, beginning with McDaniel. Can he take the offense to a new level? Has he lost the locker room, or is he heading in that direction?
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
Time to weed out the cancer, if that's indeed the case. Soft rebuild, total rebuild, whatever you want to call it, odds are Miami's not contending.

I'd probably take my chances with young players over vets if they are neck-to-neck in competition. Or close enough.

Might still look to deal Hill too, and I'm not talking Julian. There's potentially better depth at wide receiver. Waddle, Washington and Westbrook-Ikine might be okay.
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I'm in full agreement.

Let's see what the "Lemmings" try and do with that.
The bait has been "presented". - LOL
 
Dane Brugler on Trader, 12th ranked safety:

A three-year starter at Maryland, Trader primarily played a field safety role in defensive coordinator Brian Williams’ balanced scheme, alternating from the post or walking down toward the line. A former top-five recruit in lacrosse, he was a dual-sport athlete for most of his life — including with the Terrapins — and will benefit from being 100 percent focused on football in the NFL.

With his urgent, competitive mentality, Trader has twitchy responses to plays in front of him and loves to be around the action. His long speed isn’t as impressive as his short-area burst, which can lead to coverage lapses if his reads aren’t on point. Overall, Trader falls short of what teams desire size-wise at safety, but he is a tough, instinctive defender at his best driving downhill, although he also can patrol the deep half and match up man-to-man against tight ends. His aggressive play style will help him earn a backup role with the potential to eventually become a starter.
GRADE4th–5th Round

Testing
TYPE HT WT HAND ARM WING 40 20 10 VJ BJ SS 3C BP NOTES
Combine 5107 196 87/8″ 311/4″ 751/8″ DNP DNP DNP 31″ 9′9″ 4.32 7.09 12 No 40 (choice)
Pro Day 5107 200 9″ 311/4″ 743/4″ 4.65 2.67 1.58 331/2″ DNP DNP

Strenths
Plays with natural athletic instincts
Functional range from the post to get outside numbers or cover opposite hash
Efficient click and close with little wasted movement
Comfortable playing underneath routes, forcing pinpoint throws for completions
Runs alley with physicality, but doesn’t sacrifice pacing or technique
Comes to balance well as tackler and rarely misses in open field
Maryland strength staff says he is one of the hardest workers on the team
Wired the right way with an attitude toward training and leadership (NFL scout: “He’s already a pro. … (The) type of dude with motivational quotes on Post-its and mirrors at his crib.”)
Played on punt and punt return coverages all four seasons (523 career special teams snaps)

Weaknesses
Doesn’t stand out — on paper or in pads — in terms of size or length
Quality speed, but he’ll have a tough time if asked to cover slot receivers in man coverage
Better anticipation will help him squeeze routes
Falls off tackle attempts occasionally because of his lack of ideal measurements
Minimal reps as a blitzer (didn’t have any career sacks)
Missed one game as junior because of hamstring injury (Oct. 2023); missed two games with injuries as senior (Oct. 2024)

Background
Dante Trader Jr. was born and raised on the eastern shore of Delmar, Del., with his parents (Dante Trader Sr. and Roniell). His father ran track and played football at Widener University (1997-2002) and was a wide receiver and secondary coach at Division III Salisbury College. He introduced Dante Trader Jr. to football at a young age. Trader’s mother is a teacher, and she inspired Trader to create backpack drives and other initiatives to help kids with their education. Along with playing Pop Warner football in Delmar, Trader picked up lacrosse at age 7 and fell in love with the sport at Salisbury Lacrosse Club. His first sport was rec basketball, but football and lacrosse were his focuses throughout childhood. Trader was recruited for several travel lacrosse teams throughout middle school, and that sport helped develop his athleticism and set him up for football.

Trader originally attended Delmar Senior High (his parents’ alma mater), where he made an immediate impact as a freshman quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He helped lead Delmar to a 12-1 record and the 2017 Division 2 state championship (took over at quarterback in the playoffs because of injuries). As a sophomore, Trader earned all-state honors and led the program to a 10-win season. Not knowing if college football would be an option for him, Trader transferred to McDonogh School, a private school in Baltimore County, Md., for his final two prep years to join the lacrosse program (Trader: “I had to make a sacrifice to better myself in lacrosse”). He also continued to play football at McDonogh and led the program to the 2019 conference title as a junior wide receiver and safety. Trader earned all-conference honors with 25 tackles, 20 passes defended and six interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), adding 21 receptions for 462 yards and six touchdowns on offense. He was a star on the lacrosse teams at both Delmar and McDonogh and joined the respected Madlax-Capital youth club team, enduring long commutes to play in the Washington, D.C. area.

A three-star recruit, Trader was the 49th-ranked cornerback in the 2021 recruiting class and the No. 19 recruit in Maryland. A dynamic two-way midfielder, he was also a five-star lacrosse recruit (No. 9 overall). Ever since he attended a Maryland youth lacrosse tournament in eighth grade, Trader had wanted to join the Terrapins. Before his junior season, in September 2019, he committed to Maryland for lacrosse. Midway through the 2019 football season, Trader then received an offer from head coach Mike Locksley to play football at Maryland, as well (he also garnered football offers from Boston College and Syracuse). He was the seventh-ranked recruit in Locksley’s 2021 class. A dual-sport athlete at Maryland, he decided to focus only on football as a freshman (Maryland lacrosse went 18-0 in spring of 2022 and won the NCAA national championship).

As a sophomore, Trader joined the lacrosse team after the football season ended and accounted for 14 forced turnovers and five goals, earning honorable mention All-America honors. Trader decided not to return to the lacrosse team for the 2024 spring season because he needed time for his body to recover from football. He twice earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Trader accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.
 
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Finsup1981 said:
Dane Brugler on Trader:

A three-year starter at Maryland, Trader primarily played a field safety role in defensive coordinator Brian Williams’ balanced scheme, alternating from the post or walking down toward the line. A former top-five recruit in lacrosse, he was a dual-sport athlete for most of his life — including with the Terrapins — and will benefit from being 100 percent focused on football in the NFL.

With his urgent, competitive mentality, Trader has twitchy responses to plays in front of him and loves to be around the action. His long speed isn’t as impressive as his short-area burst, which can lead to coverage lapses if his reads aren’t on point. Overall, Trader falls short of what teams desire size-wise at safety, but he is a tough, instinctive defender at his best driving downhill, although he also can patrol the deep half and match up man-to-man against tight ends. His aggressive play style will help him earn a backup role with the potential to eventually become a starter.
GRADE4th–5th Round

Testing
TYPE HT WT HAND ARM WING 40 20 10 VJ BJ SS 3C BP NOTES
Combine 5107 196 87/8″ 311/4″ 751/8″ DNP DNP DNP 31″ 9′9″ 4.32 7.09 12 No 40 (choice)
Pro Day 5107 200 9″ 311/4″ 743/4″ 4.65 2.67 1.58 331/2″ DNP DNP

Strenths
Plays with natural athletic instincts
Functional range from the post to get outside numbers or cover opposite hash
Efficient click and close with little wasted movement
Comfortable playing underneath routes, forcing pinpoint throws for completions
Runs alley with physicality, but doesn’t sacrifice pacing or technique
Comes to balance well as tackler and rarely misses in open field
Maryland strength staff says he is one of the hardest workers on the team
Wired the right way with an attitude toward training and leadership (NFL scout: “He’s already a pro. … (The) type of dude with motivational quotes on Post-its and mirrors at his crib.”)
Played on punt and punt return coverages all four seasons (523 career special teams snaps)

Weaknesses
Doesn’t stand out — on paper or in pads — in terms of size or length
Quality speed, but he’ll have a tough time if asked to cover slot receivers in man coverage
Better anticipation will help him squeeze routes
Falls off tackle attempts occasionally because of his lack of ideal measurements
Minimal reps as a blitzer (didn’t have any career sacks)
Missed one game as junior because of hamstring injury (Oct. 2023); missed two games with injuries as senior (Oct. 2024)

Background
Dante Trader Jr. was born and raised on the eastern shore of Delmar, Del., with his parents (Dante Trader Sr. and Roniell). His father ran track and played football at Widener University (1997-2002) and was a wide receiver and secondary coach at Division III Salisbury College. He introduced Dante Trader Jr. to football at a young age. Trader’s mother is a teacher, and she inspired Trader to create backpack drives and other initiatives to help kids with their education. Along with playing Pop Warner football in Delmar, Trader picked up lacrosse at age 7 and fell in love with the sport at Salisbury Lacrosse Club. His first sport was rec basketball, but football and lacrosse were his focuses throughout childhood. Trader was recruited for several travel lacrosse teams throughout middle school, and that sport helped develop his athleticism and set him up for football.

Trader originally attended Delmar Senior High (his parents’ alma mater), where he made an immediate impact as a freshman quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He helped lead Delmar to a 12-1 record and the 2017 Division 2 state championship (took over at quarterback in the playoffs because of injuries). As a sophomore, Trader earned all-state honors and led the program to a 10-win season. Not knowing if college football would be an option for him, Trader transferred to McDonogh School, a private school in Baltimore County, Md., for his final two prep years to join the lacrosse program (Trader: “I had to make a sacrifice to better myself in lacrosse”). He also continued to play football at McDonogh and led the program to the 2019 conference title as a junior wide receiver and safety. Trader earned all-conference honors with 25 tackles, 20 passes defended and six interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), adding 21 receptions for 462 yards and six touchdowns on offense. He was a star on the lacrosse teams at both Delmar and McDonogh and joined the respected Madlax-Capital youth club team, enduring long commutes to play in the Washington, D.C. area.

A three-star recruit, Trader was the 49th-ranked cornerback in the 2021 recruiting class and the No. 19 recruit in Maryland. A dynamic two-way midfielder, he was also a five-star lacrosse recruit (No. 9 overall). Ever since he attended a Maryland youth lacrosse tournament in eighth grade, Trader had wanted to join the Terrapins. Before his junior season, in September 2019, he committed to Maryland for lacrosse. Midway through the 2019 football season, Trader then received an offer from head coach Mike Locksley to play football at Maryland, as well (he also garnered football offers from Boston College and Syracuse). He was the seventh-ranked recruit in Locksley’s 2021 class. A dual-sport athlete at Maryland, he decided to focus only on football as a freshman (Maryland lacrosse went 18-0 in spring of 2022 and won the NCAA national championship).

As a sophomore, Trader joined the lacrosse team after the football season ended and accounted for 14 forced turnovers and five goals, earning honorable mention All-America honors. Trader decided not to return to the lacrosse team for the 2024 spring season because he needed time for his body to recover from football. He twice earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Trader accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.
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I know it's a long-shot, but Trader, Saunders and Oladipo could potentially make this roster. There will definitely be competition in the secondary. Part of me just wants to see the Dolphins let the young players play and see who rises to the top. That said, I fully expect Grier will at least add a veteran corner.
 
kingfin23 said:
We better keep Ramsey. No one wanted him during the draft
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I say if no team wants him bad enough, keep him this season. He couldn't tank because he is going to want that last payday and teams will be watching. Having said that, I believe he will get moved post June 1st because that saves us $10M I believe, but I don't know if that is cap space, or actual dollars?
 
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