Who Do You Pound the Table For?

[LargoFin]

Not all day one and day two are created equal. Depends on how deep in the round and what talent is on the board. I’ll take a great center over an average premium position any day of the week.

No center is a great player. There is no such thing. Centers are usually tweeners or undersized linemen who cannot cut it at guard nor tackle. You stick them at center for several games, and that is good enough.

 

[Birdmond]

No center is a great player. There is no such thing. Centers are usually tweeners or undersized linemen who cannot cut it at guard nor tackle. You stick them at center for several games, and that is good enough.

 

[Joe Dolfan]

I don't know about trading up for a LB. I like Dean better, but his usage would be pretty similar to J. Baker, I imagine.

Generally, I'm going offense early unless the talent/fit are too good to pass up. And Miami's D is currently a lot more talented than its offense, so it'd take a lot for me to deviate from that.

Dean is good, but I'm not sure why Christian Harris doesn't get more publicity. I'd be good with getting him in the second round.

 

[Joe Dolfan]

No center is a great player. There is no such thing. Centers are usually tweeners or undersized linemen who cannot cut it at guard nor tackle. You stick them at center for several games, and that is good enough.

Linderbaum was a defensive lineman until a couple years ago, and now he's purportedly the best C coming out of college.

Also: https://www.profootballhof.com/players/dwight-stephenson/

 

[Pachyderm_Wave]

Linderbaum is also a championship wrestler. Which is why he's adept at leverage and hand/feet placement right out of the box.

He beat Tristan Wirfs to make the Iowa State Tournament in high school. You can watch video of him slamming and beating Wirfs.

You don't see many Centers that can get a reach block on a 4i. Watched Linderbaum do it with my own eyes.

Certified monster. Don't let anybody try to tell you different.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I don't know about trading up for a LB. I like Dean better, but his usage would be pretty similar to J. Baker, I imagine.

Generally, I'm going offense early unless the talent/fit are too good to pass up. And Miami's D is currently a lot more talented than its offense, so it'd take a lot for me to deviate from that.

True. Have to focus on the offense. Lots of needs including RT, LT, WR and RB. That could be tough in one offseason. I could see Grier/Flores sticking with Eichenberg at LT. Historically, finding good offensive linemen in free agency is challenging, especially tackles.

A greatly improved offense helps the defense as well. Get to league average in the run game and this team could be a serious contender.

I love defense and you have to be open to possibilities there, BPA scenarios etc. But you are absolutely correct. Too many holes on offense to be competitive.

Would love to add another playmaker opposite Waddle at wide receiver. I think that would make the Dolphins tough to defend in the passing game.

 

[LargoFin]

Linderbaum was a defensive lineman until a couple years ago, and now he's purportedly the best C coming out of college.

Also: https://www.profootballhof.com/players/dwight-stephenson/

I never in my life heard of a great center, that does not exist. A great center is a fake story.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Excellent post as always SF. It’s never to early to talk about the draft.

As always it obviously depends on where our pick falls but it’s exciting as always.

If you recall last year... I posted over and over again about wanting Jaelan Phillips and Jevon Holland as I had them rated #1 at their respective positions. So far... so good. I was definitely “pounding the table” for those 2 guys and said so on numerous occasions. I also recall you and I specifically talking about Jevon Holland as you loved him as much as I did.

I love draft time bc I’m a tape guy. The combine and measurements and all that count for sure but I’ll be a tape guy until the day I die. A workout in shorts and tank tops account for very little of my draft projections bc like I said I’m a “show me the tape” kind of guy. With all that being said... here’s a few guys that I love love love their tape. Although it’s early and things will shift and change... here’s where I’m at as of today.

Kayvon Thibodeaux (EDGE) Oregon- To me the best player in the class. Speed power bend setting the edge. The guy is the total package. Though more than likely we won’t have a chance to get him... he’s special.

George Karlaftis (EDGE) Purdue- I actually prefer Karlaftis over Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson has a probable 1st round EDGE playing across from him in David OJabo. As well as fringe 1st rounder Daxton Hill at Safety. My point... Hutchinson has a ton of talent playing around him that I believe helps him. Karlaftis on the other hand has been a 1 man show for the Purdue defense. Offenses scheme against him bc he’s really been Purdue’s only threat on defense and the dude has continued to produce. Dude is strong as an ox and I saw numerous times on his tape where he just drives OTs backwards into QBs. I see a lot of JJ Watt in his prime in Karlaftis.

David Bell (WR) Purdue- I think the best WR in this class is a tossup between Bell and Treylon Burks out of Arkansas. Against Iowa and Michigan St... Bell was completely unstoppable. He has more impressive tape than just those 2 games but obviously they stick out bc of his production. He won’t test out of this world in workouts but he’s got football speed a plenty. A bigger kid around 6’2 he just knows how to go up and get the ball. Very strong for a WR and sort of bully’s DBs with his strength. The guy is just a playmaker.

Treylon Burks (WR) Arkansas- Basically the same as I Wrote about David Bell except Burks is more agile and faster. Also a big kid for a WR with a thick body type. I see some DK Metcalf here but like Bell the kid is just a playmaker.

Tyler Linderbaum (C) Iowa- The reports of him maybe being the best Center to come out in over a decade may be a little much but the kid is exactly what you’d expect out of a Big-10 OL. Naturally country boy strong. Elite agility for a guy his size and can pull with the best of them. Considering OL is a need for us... I’d expect Linderbaum to be in heavy consideration if he were to somehow make it to our pick.

Ahmad Gardner (CB) Cincinnati- This is one of the more unbelievable stats I’ve ever seen. This kid has basically been a 3 year starter and yet he’s never surrendered a TD pass. That is flat out unbelievable especially in today’s college football with the HUNH offenses. A really big kid for a CB at 6’3 allows him to matchup with bigger WRs and stay on their hip. This kid also is a pure football player as he absolutely loves the game. He doesn’t have elite quickness but his body size and recovery ability allow him room for error. I think he’s better than Derek Stingley who will probably be the first CB off the board but IMO I think Gardner and Andrew Booth (Clemson) are both better players.

Daniel Faalele (OT) Minnesota- An absolute mountain of a man at about 6’8 360. The size alone is enticing but after seeing his tape I like him even more. A devastating road grader in run blocking. He just punishes DEs and DTs. Now he’ll need some coaching as he’s still raw. With how big he is he struggled some with pure speed rushers but some refined coaching and technique will help that. He also needs to find a little bit more of a mean streak but the talent and upside is undeniable.

Marcus Jones (CB) Houston- Lightning in a bottle is the best way to describe Jones. A smaller guy at about 5’9 but has speed to burn. Flips his hips effortlessly and can recover at will. He’s probably a day 2 pick bc of his smaller stature but has that ****y attitude you like to see with CBs. I think he’s more than likely a nickel CB in the pros. Also with Jones you get college footballs most lethal kick and punt returner. He dazzles in the return game.


Wan’Dale Robinson (WR) Kentucky- Was electric at Nebraska before deciding to return home to Kentucky this year. Didn’t have quite the same numbers as he did at Nebraska but is electric with the ball in his hands. I think Nebraska actually used him better than Kentucky did and he split time between Tailback and WR at Nebraska but was almost exclusively a WR at Kentucky. Another guy with speed to burn but has the agility and quickness to match. This is exactly the type of guy you throw those bubbles and flares and he can take it 60 yards to the house.


Brandon Joseph (Safety) Northwestern- An extremely intelligent and cerebral DB. Joseph has been a 3 year starter and continuously produced. Also probably a day 2 pick. Doesn’t really do any one thing spectacularly but does everything well. Incredibly smart player who knows how to read his keys and breaks on the ball with the best of them. Not a real high ceiling as he’s pretty close to a finished product but he’s ready to step onto a NFL field and play today. He’ll play right away for whoever selects him.

Darian Kinnard (OT) Kentucky- Played OT at Kentucky but as reports have stated he’s probably better suited to OG in the pros. A huge guy at 6’5 345. 3 year starter in the SEC for Kentucky. Road grading run blocking is his specialty. Exact opposite of Faalele as he’s got no problem with a mean streak and he shows it repeatedly on tape. Plays to the whistle constantly. Will need some coaching in pass pro but that shouldn’t be a problem in time. Surprisingly agile for a guy his size. Once he locks on to his man it’s game over for the defender. Really really love his style.

These 11 guys are who I like a lot this early in the process but as always I’m sure more will come on my radar as we go through the draft process. Once again SF great thread!

Just got a chance to watch Karlaftis highlights. Wow. Talk about explosion and closing speed! I see some Nick Bosa in his game.

I would pound the table for this guy. He's going to come off the board quickly.

 

[Joe Dolfan]

Just got a chance to watch Karlaftis highlights. Wow. Talk about explosion and closing speed! I see some Nick Bosa in his game.

I would pound the table for this guy. He's going to come off the board quickly.

Yeah, this is a good draft for DEs. Shame that there will be like 5 off the board by the time we pick.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Yeah, this is a good draft for DEs. Shame that there will be like 5 off the board by the time we pick.

I know every draft post starts with depending on how things go in free agency...

But, if Miami can solve a couple of their major issues there, it could really open things up and DE could be in the conversation.

Karlaftis is someone I'd trade up for, but he'd probably have to drop put of the top 10. I don't think that happens.

 

[Zachofferdahl]

Linderbaum is also a championship wrestler. Which is why he's adept at leverage and hand/feet placement right out of the box.

He beat Tristan Wirfs to make the Iowa State Tournament in high school. You can watch video of him slamming and beating Wirfs.

You don't see many Centers that can get a reach block on a 4i. Watched Linderbaum do it with my own eyes.

Certified monster. Don't let anybody try to tell you different.

How does he compare to Creed Humphrey? Creed went in the 2nd round and he’s the highest rated center this season.

 

[Joe Dolfan]

I know every draft post starts with depending on how things go in free agency...

But, if Miami can solve a couple of their major issues there, it could really open things up and DE could be in the conversation.

Karlaftis is someone I'd trade up for, but he'd probably have to drop put of the top 10. I don't think that happens.

The Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl (what a stupid name) starts in fifteen minutes on ESPN. Cameron Thomas is a DE that could be available on day 2.

 

[CANDolphan]

Is Linderbaum good enough to justify taking a C, when Deiter has shown to be one of our better younger OL? Or do we focus on a true LT and accept that the Austin Jackson experiment is over and just cut bait?

 

[Zachofferdahl]

Is Linderbaum good enough to justify taking a C, when Deiter has shown to be one of our better younger OL? Or do we focus on a true LT and accept that the Austin Jackson experiment is over and just cut bait?

I don’t think we’ll be in position to draft Linderbaum with the 9ers pick.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Is Linderbaum good enough to justify taking a C, when Deiter has shown to be one of our better younger OL? Or do we focus on a true LT and accept that the Austin Jackson experiment is over and just cut bait?

That's a great question. I asked something similar in another post.

I'd love for someone with an offensive line background to chime in and break down the individual play of each Miami offensive lineman.

I also think Deiter has played pretty well. Even if the Dolphins need four new starters on the offensive line, that's really not a one year fix.