The Case for Reggie Ragland

[SF Dolphin Fan]

The Dolphins will have an interesting choice to make at #8, but the player who might best fit the mantra for "physical, tough and smart" could be Alabama's Reggie Ragland. Ragland seems a little high for #8, but recent mocks have him pretty close to top 10 for what that's worth. I doubt he falls past #15.

Here's some reasons to make a strong case for Ragland.

1. First off, middle linebacker is a huge need for Miami and Ragland is the most physical run stuffer in this class.
2. The AFC East features two teams that would like nothing more than to run the ball 40 plus times a game with Buffalo and New York. The Dolphins haven't matched up physically with those teams and have been bullied in the run game.
3. Adding to the AFC East argument, the way teams attack the Patriots you know Bill Bellichick wouldn't mind improving the running game in New England.
4. Ragland called the defense for Nick Saban so you know he's smart and should transition easily to the NFL. He is said to be a leader and a good locker room presence.
5. While his forte is stopping the run, Ragland isn't bad in pass coverage. He's not up there with Miles Jack or Jaylon Smith in that category, but he's not Crowder either.
6. Speaking of Jack and Smith both are coming off injuries and are better fits as weakside linebacker IMO. Both are awesome talents.
7. Love that Ragland took his game to another level, especially in coverage, which shows he has desire and is coachable.

That's about it. There are other players out there that I love, but I keep coming back to Ragland. He would be a great start for the Dolphins to establish a physical presence on defense and hopefully match up better in the division.

 

[biggrouper]

I like the idea of taking Ragland but only if we make a trade down. 8 is just too high...

 

[Fin Thirteen]

I don't think he has the sideline to sideline range to be a top of the first pick. In a draft that lacks good MLBs though I can see why a team would be tempted. I'd rather we passed unless the Combine helps him a lot. Even then, he still looks like he's short of speed when the bullets are flying.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I like the idea of taking Ragland but only if we make a trade down. 8 is just too high...

Yeah, a trade down would be ideal. Not sure how far Miami can move down, but I've seen mocks with Ragland going to Chicago at #11 with most having him go to the Jets at #20. I can see the Giants being in the picture as well. I think they pick 10th.

Would be nice, though, to get him with a move down and add picks.

 

[utahphinsfan]

If the phins resign Soliai then a rub stuffing MLB is not as mandatory. A more fluid, athletic Mike would be better whether its drafting Scooby Wright in rd 2 and/or hope like hell that Vigil progresses really fast.

 

[jimthefin]

Taking Ragland at 8 would be a horrible pick.

I am not a huge fan to begin with but taking him anywhere inside the Top 20 seems way too rich for me.

At #8 you have to get a difference making player and while Jack and Smith ate outside guys they are too talented to pass on just because inside is a bigger need.

You can find a solid (2 down) MLB well outside the 1st round who would be fine in a defense that has talent around him(like an impact OLB taken at #8).

 

[jbyrd850]

I wouldnt mind Ragland but only if we traded down.

I also wouldnt mind Elliott if we traded down. If the dolphins wouldve been drafting BPA the last 5 years we wouldnt suck right now. Elliott is going to be a stud without a doubt imo.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Ragland would be one of my worst-case scenarios at any point in the 1st RD.

 

[jetsh8r]

I see Ragland around 25 to 30 range

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[AJ Duhe]

The Dolphins will have an interesting choice to make at #8, but the player who might best fit the mantra for "physical, tough and smart" could be Alabama's Reggie Ragland. Ragland seems a little high for #8, but recent mocks have him pretty close to top 10 for what that's worth. I doubt he falls past #15.

Here's some reasons to make a strong case for Ragland.

1. First off, middle linebacker is a huge need for Miami and Ragland is the most physical run stuffer in this class.
2. The AFC East features two teams that would like nothing more than to run the ball 40 plus times a game with Buffalo and New York. The Dolphins haven't matched up physically with those teams and have been bullied in the run game.
3. Adding to the AFC East argument, the way teams attack the Patriots you know Bill Bellichick wouldn't mind improving the running game in New England.
4. Ragland called the defense for Nick Saban so you know he's smart and should transition easily to the NFL. He is said to be a leader and a good locker room presence.
5. While his forte is stopping the run, Ragland isn't bad in pass coverage. He's not up there with Miles Jack or Jaylon Smith in that category, but he's not Crowder either.
6. Speaking of Jack and Smith both are coming off injuries and are better fits as weakside linebacker IMO. Both are awesome talents.
7. Love that Ragland took his game to another level, especially in coverage, which shows he has desire and is coachable.

That's about it. There are other players out there that I love, but I keep coming back to Ragland. He would be a great start for the Dolphins to establish a physical presence on defense and hopefully match up better in the division.

I've written about Ragland before, but I haven't decided if he is the player we need in the middle. My main hang ups are his ability to cover backs in space, and his ability to diagnose and react quickly to what he sees off the snap. I think we'll know more after the combine. Ragland is a physical presence, and that makes him different from every other LB prospect, but
I believe he could actually shed 5-7 pounds and improve his quickness without sacrificing strength.

 

[jlfin]

Good player, but not a 3 down LB. Foolish to spend a top 10 pick on a 2 down player.
Solid MLBs can be found in rds 2 and 3.

 

[hoops]

i think ragland can be a 3 down lb in a 34 as the thumper...but this isn't worth a top 20 pick as a 43 mike to miami

 

[Eesti]

I think there's still much to be learned about Ragland as well as the other top 2 LB's.

As several have mentioned, can he be a 3-down player? The only way he is worthy of 8, is if the answer is "YES". He also played in a 3-4 and it's a projection to 4-3.

He is dropping weight for the combine. My guess is he beefed up a few lbs for the Senior Bowl since he was auditioning as a pass rushing OLB. He weighed in at 259. I'm thinking he weighs in closer to 245 at the combine. That's a much better weight for him since he also only measures in at 6'1. Now, can he run a 4.6? That's what will make him a top 15 talent.

Channing Crowder ran a 4.8 and couldn't cover a TE to save his life. That's why he and players like Brandon Spikes, Dont'a Hightower, Paul Dawson, etc. dropped. Hightower ran a 4.68 and still dropped to 25.

Certainly, there are players who can overcome slowness like Zach Thomas but he was a VERY rare athlete who studied harder than a QB.

Ragland was knocked for failing to cover RB's in the flat at the SB. Still more to learn after the weigh loss.

As far as Jaylon Smith and Myles Jack....I don't think we can afford to wait on Smith but Jack may be too good to pass up. He will be ready for camp. Smith may not be ready until 2017 camp.

Several scouts have stated that Jack can play inside in an odd or even front. 6'1 242 is plenty IMO and that's what he is rumored to be at right now. That's the same size as Scoobey but he won't run a sub 4.5 like Jack likely will (but not at the combine).

Jelaney Jenkins had a down year but I don't think it was a coincidence that it happened when Earl Mitchell was promoted to starter. I think he'll be back even better if they find a new DT. Jenkins at WLB, Jack in the middle sounds pretty intriguing to me.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

i think ragland can be a 3 down lb in a 34 as the thumper...but this isn't worth a top 20 pick as a 43 mike to miami

I think his ability to rush the passer is overrated. Every NFL team should have 4-6 better pass rushers, and he's not staying on the field to cover.

 

[SCLSU Mud Dogs]

If the phins resign Soliai then a rub stuffing MLB is not as mandatory. A more fluid, athletic Mike would be better whether its drafting Scooby Wright in rd 2 and/or hope like hell that Vigil progresses really fast.

lol "fluid" and "athletic" are the two complete opposite descriptions of what Scooby Wright is. Ragland is a much better athlete than Scooby. A second round pick for Scooby is absolutely ridiculous. I'd draft him in the 4th round at the highest.