Still early, but is this the most exciting draft class for a long time?

[fakespike]

wv is allergic to corn

Fructose intolerant.

 

[normaniii]

I'm not anointing the players as the best draft we've had, it's just I can't remember so many positives coming out so early.

Granted we get certain threads etc saying this guy will be great, loved him in college ......... But this year players seem to be impressing in camp, pushing for starting places, looking like NFL players. Don't hear too many negatives as opposed to previous seasons, that's all I'm saying

 

[spiketex]

normanii - for the first time in a long time there is scope for some genuine optimism re the Draft. In addition to the 5 players you mentioned, Billy Turner is also an excellent development prospect. Because of Dallas Thomas from the previous year appearing to get his break, Billy probably isn't being rushed along as a starter, yet. However, he should also be good. Very safe bet.

 

[normaniii]

normanii - for the first time in a long time there is scope for some genuine optimism re the Draft. In addition to the 5 players you mentioned, Billy Turner is also an excellent development prospect. Because of Dallas Thomas from the previous year appearing to get his break, Billy probably isn't being rushed along as a starter, yet. However, he should also be good. Very safe bet.

I agree mate. Probably not getting the plaudits because he is very raw and moving from OT to OG, which does take time. Maybe Hickey is the GM we have needed for a long long time

 

[FSU Truth]

Landry and Fede's emergence is impressive due to the depth at their respective positions (not so much Landry, dude was going to be successful no matter what team he went to)....Tripp is getting attention due to the shear lack of talent at LB on the Dolphins and James was going to start regardless.

I think Hoops already mention this, but on most teams in the NFL your rookies are suppose to have an impact their first year, many start or see time in the rotation.

 

[ChambersWI]

I don't know about most exciting, but this is the first class in a long time where you are seeing almost every pick get praised in practice as well as multiple UDFAs earning time with the 1st and 2nd teams.

Also the first draft I remember where an early pick hasn't disappointed. Sure Billy Turner isn't starting and you hear about how he needs to work on technique, but he still flashes a lot. There's no Phillip Merling, Michael Egnew, Derrick Hagan, Pat White, Patrick Turner, ect

 

[roy_miami]

I have absolutely changed my mind about drafting offensive linemen early. Roger Goodell has changed the league since 2008. It takes more points these days, particularly for the vital top seeds.

Thats true. Another thing that's changed over the years is the amount of patience shown to staffs, and the internet and twitter is a big part of that. Fans get worked up into a frenzy over things they never would have even known about years ago. These guys simply don't have the luxury of making just the best long term moves for the franchise anymore. If somebody told you you have to show a profit in betting this week or be done with it forever that may have an impact on the types of bets you make.

I've changed my tune a bit as well. I learned a lot from the Martin fiasco, I would have been absolutely incensed had we traded a second for Albert or traded up for Lane Johnson but in hindsight they were probably the best moves at the time. The problem, as I learned, is we simply don't have enough information to be overly critical of any personnel moves. Had any of us known at the time that Martin was suicidal and abusing drugs I don't think anybody here would have been ok with giving him a shot to see what he could do on Tannehill's blind side, with no backup plan.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Very excited about Tripp and Landry.

Just think of how good this draft could have been if we had just signed a couple of more low priced vets to play the OL and drafted playmakers with those picks, instead of burning them on OL.

I see your still living in fantasy football land where the o-line doesn't matter. Regardless, it will be fun watching you squirm this year as T-hill emerges as a top 10 QB.

 

[utahphinsfan]

I just don't understand this philosophy. In order for you to have success on offense, you need to have a good offensive line. If you sign a couple of low priced vets to play OL, you are shuffling through your OLine in two years. If you draft a couple of young guys that pan out, you don't have to worry about your line for a few years. Offensive linemen end up having knee issues and if you sign a vet, he may not work out for you. Don't get me wrong, I would love to be able to draft playmakers in the first round every year, but those guys will bust out if there are no guys protecting the QB.

Agreed. I recall Shula (from the late 80's on) more often than not drafting an OL w/ the #1 pick.

---------- Post added at 08:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

I see your still living in fantasy football land where the o-line doesn't matter. Regardless, it will be fun watching you squirm this year as T-hill emerges as a top 10 QB.

The exception being Jake Matthews.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I don't know about most exciting, but this is the first class in a long time where you are seeing almost every pick get praised in practice as well as multiple UDFAs earning time with the 1st and 2nd teams.

Also the first draft I remember where an early pick hasn't disappointed. Sure Billy Turner isn't starting and you hear about how he needs to work on technique, but he still flashes a lot. There's no Phillip Merling, Michael Egnew, Derrick Hagan, Pat White, Patrick Turner, ect

Well, the entire class is healthy. Let's face it, Jeff Ireland drafted a LOT of injured players.

 

[sn9ke.eyes]

Taking a look at some of this years draft picks:-

I know its very early but every year it feels like we have draft picks who under perform, cant fit system, struggle with injuries etc

I wasn't overly thrilled with Hickey and I know im going to get the 'haters' who are going to throw out, 'too early to tell' etc, but I can remember so many positives coming out so early from one draft class.

So now someone is a hater if they want to wait until some regular season games before declaring a "best" class? Just because someone may not share your opinion or is more cautious doesn't make them a hater. There's plenty of haters on this board without artificially inflating their numbers.

 

[spiketex]

Well, the entire class is healthy. Let's face it, Jeff Ireland drafted a LOT of injured players.

Maybe the fascination for drafting injured players comes with the fatal attraction for recruiting players with serious mental health issues (Marshall, Incognito, Martin, Bess, etc). Jeff Ireland was pretty good at searching for acorns but he certainly had his blindspots. I expect that Hickey has much less ego, is easier to work with and is more pragmatic about the players selected. Drafting the top 4 with injury issues was ridiculous. A pragmatist might pick one but 4 was dumb.

 

[roy_miami]

Maybe the fascination for drafting injured players comes with the fatal attraction for recruiting players with serious mental health issues (Marshall, Incognito, Martin, Bess, etc). Jeff Ireland was pretty good at searching for acorns but he certainly had his blindspots. I expect that Hickey has much less ego, is easier to work with and is more pragmatic about the players selected. Drafting the top 4 with injury issues was ridiculous. A pragmatist might pick one but 4 was dumb.

5 picks used on 4 injured players too. Plus we drafted the first kicker off the board, an injured one no less.

 

[MexDolfan]

This draft class includes our new starting RT, a diamond on the rough WR4, a RG to add some depth at OL, a DB to add depth on secondary, a very grey TE, a potential starting LB, a guy who will end as part of our PS and a potential acorn at DE.
This is not the most exiting draft class, but it's a very promising class.

Without doubts in recent years, the most exiting draft class was 2012 with Ryan Tannehill as the QB of the future.


Let me be clearer.
Miami Dolphins' 2013 class was pathetic in terms of production during rookie year. In easy words, Jeff Ireland's mental-fart of adding a bunch of injured youngsters with "great potential" avoided this team to be in playoffs.
Picking a safe spot like OT or RB or wasting to bring a quality veteran has erased excitement at draft day. In 2012 Dolphins added some hope by drafting a first round QB, the first since team drafted Dan Marino. Ignore the rest of the class, that's excitement.


- Ja'Wuan James has been fine, but requires a lot of reps to fix important issues. He looks like a safe bet as starting RT.
- Jarvis Landry is a star on the rise, but within a great group of receivers including Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, his time will come later in the year or perhaps in a season or two.
- Billy Turner is going to be part of our OL in years to come, but growing pains will add work to Bill Lazor.
- Walt Aikens has shown a lot of talent, and he will fight for a spot against sophomores Jamar Taylor & Will Davis. That's behind Cortland Finnegan & Brent Grimes. Reshad Jones' suspension adds chances for him.
- Arthur Lynch will require time to grow. At this point I expect him to be ready to compete by mid season.
- Jordan Tripp has been above expectations and with the mess that's living Mark Duffner with LB corps, there's a huge chance for Tripp to steal a starting spot.
- Matt Hazel is going to be a wasted draft pick because Brandon Gibson's knee is healthier than expected and guys like Rishard Matthews & Armon Binns are well above him. As today he's fighting to be a member of practice squad.
- Terrence Fede could win a starting job because of two factors: Jordan's PED sanction and his amazing speed. He's too fast for such a big guy. Now calling thing by its name, Fede has been practicing with 2nd team and playing with 3rd string opponents. It will be important to watch him as part of the first team to be fair.

 

[normaniii]

This draft class includes our new starting RT, a diamond on the rough WR4, a RG to add some depth at OL, a DB to add depth on secondary, a very grey TE, a potential starting LB, a guy who will end as part of our PS and a potential acorn at DE.
This is not the most exiting draft class, but it's a very promising class.

Without doubts in recent years, the most exiting draft class was 2012 with Ryan Tannehill as the QB of the future.


Let me be clearer.
Miami Dolphins' 2013 class was pathetic in terms of production during rookie year. In easy words, Jeff Ireland's mental-fart of adding a bunch of injured youngsters with "great potential" avoided this team to be in playoffs.
Picking a safe spot like OT or RB or wasting to bring a quality veteran has erased excitement at draft day. In 2012 Dolphins added some hope by drafting a first round QB, the first since team drafted Dan Marino. Ignore the rest of the class, that's excitement.


- Ja'Wuan James has been fine, but requires a lot of reps to fix important issues. He looks like a safe bet as starting RT.
- Jarvis Landry is a star on the rise, but within a great group of receivers including Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, his time will come later in the year or perhaps in a season or two.
- Billy Turner is going to be part of our OL in years to come, but growing pains will add work to Bill Lazor.
- Walt Aikens has shown a lot of talent, and he will fight for a spot against sophomores Jamar Taylor & Will Davis. That's behind Cortland Finnegan & Brent Grimes. Reshad Jones' suspension adds chances for him.
- Arthur Lynch will require time to grow. At this point I expect him to be ready to compete by mid season.
- Jordan Tripp has been above expectations and with the mess that's living Mark Duffner with LB corps, there's a huge chance for Tripp to steal a starting spot.
- Matt Hazel is going to be a wasted draft pick because Brandon Gibson's knee is healthier than expected and guys like Rishard Matthews & Armon Binns are well above him. As today he's fighting to be a member of practice squad.
- Terrence Fede could win a starting job because of two factors: Jordan's PED sanction and his amazing speed. He's too fast for such a big guy. Now calling thing by its name, Fede has been practicing with 2nd team and playing with 3rd string opponents. It will be important to watch him as part of the first team to be fair.

Good round up