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It's Miami's time to dominate beginning with the draft.
Here are some thoughts I have.
1. Could Sexy Rexy Have Said Something Right?
Rex Ryan is always good for a laugh. I remember when he first was named a head coach and I thought his us against the world approach would wear thin pretty quickly. Somehow he is still around. Ryan did say something recently that made sense, something to the affect that a big hit can be the biggest momentum changer in a game. Miami has Suh as a physical presence, but not much else. When I think physical in this draft I think Reggie Ragland and Karl Joseph. What are some of the other big hitters in the draft? The Dolphins need to impose their will on teams both offensively and defensively. I think Adam Gase believes in that. We will soon find out how much Miami values physical players.
2. Anticipating the Run on Guards
The importance of the guard position has increased in the NFL with so many good defensive tackles and teams attacking from inside out. Looking at the projections and rankings for guards, I think a run starts near the end of round 1. Which means that round 2 is probably where Miami needs to find a player with immediate starter potential. Maybe someone like Vadal Alexander from LSU. Alexander isn't athletic enough to play tackle, but dominated as a collegiate guard. Lots of players for Miami to choose from in R2, gets tricky after that IMO. I like the center on Alabama Ryan Kelly, but think he could go end of R1.
3. Who will be the Best Player at #13
Not sure if Miami is setup to go best player available at #13 with glaring holes at corner, linebacker and on the offensive line. That said, this isn't a one year fix so let's say the team does go BPA. Who do you think that will be? Lots of discussion on Zeke Elliott if he drops. I see him as a potential elite back, but I do think he goes earlier than #13. Could be a defensive tackle such as Jarron Reed from Alabama, who may be the best run stopping tackle in the draft. Could the Dolphins be looking to add a presence next to Suh and would they look that early? Linebacker Darron Lee has some elite skills, but is limited to weakside an area where Miami is okay. Still, I think Lee could be a 10 sack a year player if cut loose to strictly rush the passer. What about a true middle linebacker in Reggie Ragland? That's a tough call because I think there will be more talented players, but I do think a player like Ragland is exactly what the defense needs. Wildcards that others have mentioned include Laquan Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche. Love Treadwell's physical qualities and how he wins the 50/50 battles, but that's currently a position of relative strength for Miami. Take away character concerns and Nkemdiche is intriguing. He could play defensive end and move inside on passing downs. Does he want it bad enough? What about Vernon Hargreaves, the best cover corner in the draft?
4. Where Does Miami Find a Running Back?
I don't think this will be difficult. I see Jay Ajayi as a starter so I think the team looks for a complementary back. CJ Prosise from Notre Dame looks very intriguing and could be in the 4th round range. The running back situation could change if Elliott is there in R1 or if Derrick Henry makes it to R2.
5. A Trade Down Scenario
Denver and Kansas City, both drafting low in R1, may wish to trade up for a quarterback with Paxton Lynch as a likely target. It's a long way to trade down, but Miami could explore getting a lot of picks in such a move. Who would you target at the end of R1 and what could Miami get in exchange?
6. Finally, Here's the Pick at #13
My best guess is Eli Apple. On tape he looks more like a late first rounder, but he is physical, can matchup with bigger receiver and has tremendous upside. Vance Joseph has talked about rushing the passer and covering versus the pass. In that approach, Apple makes sense.
Here are some thoughts I have.
1. Could Sexy Rexy Have Said Something Right?
Rex Ryan is always good for a laugh. I remember when he first was named a head coach and I thought his us against the world approach would wear thin pretty quickly. Somehow he is still around. Ryan did say something recently that made sense, something to the affect that a big hit can be the biggest momentum changer in a game. Miami has Suh as a physical presence, but not much else. When I think physical in this draft I think Reggie Ragland and Karl Joseph. What are some of the other big hitters in the draft? The Dolphins need to impose their will on teams both offensively and defensively. I think Adam Gase believes in that. We will soon find out how much Miami values physical players.
2. Anticipating the Run on Guards
The importance of the guard position has increased in the NFL with so many good defensive tackles and teams attacking from inside out. Looking at the projections and rankings for guards, I think a run starts near the end of round 1. Which means that round 2 is probably where Miami needs to find a player with immediate starter potential. Maybe someone like Vadal Alexander from LSU. Alexander isn't athletic enough to play tackle, but dominated as a collegiate guard. Lots of players for Miami to choose from in R2, gets tricky after that IMO. I like the center on Alabama Ryan Kelly, but think he could go end of R1.
3. Who will be the Best Player at #13
Not sure if Miami is setup to go best player available at #13 with glaring holes at corner, linebacker and on the offensive line. That said, this isn't a one year fix so let's say the team does go BPA. Who do you think that will be? Lots of discussion on Zeke Elliott if he drops. I see him as a potential elite back, but I do think he goes earlier than #13. Could be a defensive tackle such as Jarron Reed from Alabama, who may be the best run stopping tackle in the draft. Could the Dolphins be looking to add a presence next to Suh and would they look that early? Linebacker Darron Lee has some elite skills, but is limited to weakside an area where Miami is okay. Still, I think Lee could be a 10 sack a year player if cut loose to strictly rush the passer. What about a true middle linebacker in Reggie Ragland? That's a tough call because I think there will be more talented players, but I do think a player like Ragland is exactly what the defense needs. Wildcards that others have mentioned include Laquan Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche. Love Treadwell's physical qualities and how he wins the 50/50 battles, but that's currently a position of relative strength for Miami. Take away character concerns and Nkemdiche is intriguing. He could play defensive end and move inside on passing downs. Does he want it bad enough? What about Vernon Hargreaves, the best cover corner in the draft?
4. Where Does Miami Find a Running Back?
I don't think this will be difficult. I see Jay Ajayi as a starter so I think the team looks for a complementary back. CJ Prosise from Notre Dame looks very intriguing and could be in the 4th round range. The running back situation could change if Elliott is there in R1 or if Derrick Henry makes it to R2.
5. A Trade Down Scenario
Denver and Kansas City, both drafting low in R1, may wish to trade up for a quarterback with Paxton Lynch as a likely target. It's a long way to trade down, but Miami could explore getting a lot of picks in such a move. Who would you target at the end of R1 and what could Miami get in exchange?
6. Finally, Here's the Pick at #13
My best guess is Eli Apple. On tape he looks more like a late first rounder, but he is physical, can matchup with bigger receiver and has tremendous upside. Vance Joseph has talked about rushing the passer and covering versus the pass. In that approach, Apple makes sense.
