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Yet Another Draft Review
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Stoobz
May 12, 2013, 9:38:58 AM5/12/13
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Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Review
Check back regularly, as Draft Reviews are being added Daily!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff Ireland and the Dolphins are going "all in" for this season and
continued with that bold mind set by displaying an aggressive draft
strategy. Dion Jordan is a high risk high reward player, but in rounds two
through six they got six players who could possibly start for them this year
or next. Miami consistently got good value with all their picks,
supplementing their haul in free agency with an outstanding draft class
Overall Grade: A
1st Round, Pick #3: Dion Jordan (DE/OLB Oregon)
Since Brandon Albert didn't get traded before the draft when Miami traded up
to three here we were all expecting the Dolphins to take Lane Johnson. Miami
hit a home run here by not taking Johnson and instead going for star pass
rusher Dion Jordan giving up only a 2nd round pick (which they had two of).
The more you watch Dion Jordan the more he grows on you. Although his
production wasn't spectacular at Oregon, he wasn't really utilized in a way
that would make for putting up big time statistics. It will be interesting
to see just where the Dolphins line Jordan up at, but combining him with
Cameron Wake will make for a dominant 1-2 pass rushing duo.
Grade- A
2nd Round, Pick #52: Jamar Taylor (CB Boise State)
In many other draft classes Jamar Taylor might have been a first round
selection. However, one of the few areas the 2013 draft class was
exceptionally strong at was cornerback, so Taylor ended up being the seventh
corner off the board at this point. An exceptionally fluid athlete Taylor is
tremendous in man coverage with the ability to cover big receivers out wide,
shifty receivers in the slot and is the type of corner you can leave on an
island. Jamar Taylor is likely a day one starter and will go a long way
towards replacing Sean Smith who left via free agency.
Grade- A
3rd Round, Pick #77: Dallas Thomas (OL Tennessee)
Because he got kicked inside to guard last year, people forget that Dallas
Thomas was one of the premier left tackles in the SEC during his sophomore
and junior seasons. It was an interesting decision by Tennessee to use
Thomas at guard considering how athletic he is, but he was just as dominant
there too. Truly one of the more under appreciated players in this class,
whether it's at left or right tackle, or guard, Dallas Thomas is going to be
a top end starter for the Dolphins.
Grade- A
3rd Round, Pick #93: Will Davis (CB Utah State)
Will Davis is a prospect we like a lot and were pleasantly surprised to see
him go on day two of the draft. You can check out our in-depth interview
with Will Davis here where he breaks down his most unusual path to the NFL.
Davis didn't start playing football until his senior year in high school,
but has shown steady improvement in every season. We love Davis' size at
over six feet, he is also a very fluid athlete with tremendous ball skills.
He struggled at the Senior Bowl and showed underdeveloped technique and
physicality, but those are things that can come with time. Another solid
pick by the Dolphins in an effort to solidify their secondary.
Grade- B+
4th Round, Pick #104: Jelani Jenkins (OLB Florida)
Jelani Jenkins was one of the nation's top five recruits when he came to
Florida but injuries held him back from fulfilling his potential in college.
Jenkins is a bit undersized at barely six feet tall, but the kid is one of
the most explosive athletes in this draft on defense. He flies to the
football and could definitely be considered a playmaker. Miami will use him
at weakside linebacker where he can blitz and be used in coverage, but the
key for him is staying healthy.
Grade- C+
4th Round, Pick #106: Dion Sims (TE Michigan State)
Miami picked up another one of my favorite players here in Dion Sims. It's
becoming so rare in the NFL nowadays to find tight ends who can both block
and be athletic pass catchers, but that's what Dion Sims is. Michigan State
utilized him mostly as a blocker which is his strong suit, but Sims has
sneaky athleticism and huge hands which allow him to make plays up the seam
too. Sims is the type of player who will do the dirty work and his value
will likely never be fully appreciated. Great value in the 4th!
Grade- A
5th Round, Pick #164: Mike Gillislee (RB Florida)
Miami's backfield situation is somewhat up in the air right now as they are
hoping Lamar Miller will take hold of the job, but he's yet to really prove
anything so far. Daniel Thomas remains, but we know he's pretty mediocre.
Adding a solid and reliable backup who is NFL ready like Mike Gillislee was
a tremendous move. In his only year as a starter Gillislee took firm hold of
the job rushing for over 1,000 yards and carried Florida in a couple of
their games this year, helping lead the Gators to a BCS bowl. He isn't an
explosive athlete and his upside is somewhat limited, but he is a
well-rounded back who can stay on the field for all three downs.
Grade- A
5th Round, Pick #166: Caleb Sturgis (Kicker Florida)
Miami went back-to-back Florida Gators in the fifth round, while we love
Gillislee, Caleb Sturgis was a bit of a head scratcher. Only in rare
occasions would I take a kicker or punter higher than the seventh round, and
Caleb Sturgis is not one of those rare occasions. Especially since they have
a functional kicker on the roster in Dan Carpenter. Maybe the Dolphins like
Sturgis because he can punt as well as kick, but there were far superior
players available at this point, while a player of Sturgis' caliber could
easily have been had in the seventh or even as an UDFA.
Grade- F
7th Round, Pick #250: Don Jones (S/CB Arkansas State)
Miami capped off an outstanding draft class with another stellar pick in the
seventh round of Don Jones. Jones played safety at Arkansas State, but is a
former track start with sub 4.4 speed which is why Miami will move him to
cornerback. Jones though is known for being a special teams ace and projects
as an effective "gunner" on punt coverage. A versatile defensive back with
great speed and strong on special teams? Can't knock this pick.
Grade- A-
http://www.nfldraftgeek.com/miamidolphinsdraftreview.html
Check back regularly, as Draft Reviews are being added Daily!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff Ireland and the Dolphins are going "all in" for this season and
continued with that bold mind set by displaying an aggressive draft
strategy. Dion Jordan is a high risk high reward player, but in rounds two
through six they got six players who could possibly start for them this year
or next. Miami consistently got good value with all their picks,
supplementing their haul in free agency with an outstanding draft class
Overall Grade: A
1st Round, Pick #3: Dion Jordan (DE/OLB Oregon)
Since Brandon Albert didn't get traded before the draft when Miami traded up
to three here we were all expecting the Dolphins to take Lane Johnson. Miami
hit a home run here by not taking Johnson and instead going for star pass
rusher Dion Jordan giving up only a 2nd round pick (which they had two of).
The more you watch Dion Jordan the more he grows on you. Although his
production wasn't spectacular at Oregon, he wasn't really utilized in a way
that would make for putting up big time statistics. It will be interesting
to see just where the Dolphins line Jordan up at, but combining him with
Cameron Wake will make for a dominant 1-2 pass rushing duo.
Grade- A
2nd Round, Pick #52: Jamar Taylor (CB Boise State)
In many other draft classes Jamar Taylor might have been a first round
selection. However, one of the few areas the 2013 draft class was
exceptionally strong at was cornerback, so Taylor ended up being the seventh
corner off the board at this point. An exceptionally fluid athlete Taylor is
tremendous in man coverage with the ability to cover big receivers out wide,
shifty receivers in the slot and is the type of corner you can leave on an
island. Jamar Taylor is likely a day one starter and will go a long way
towards replacing Sean Smith who left via free agency.
Grade- A
3rd Round, Pick #77: Dallas Thomas (OL Tennessee)
Because he got kicked inside to guard last year, people forget that Dallas
Thomas was one of the premier left tackles in the SEC during his sophomore
and junior seasons. It was an interesting decision by Tennessee to use
Thomas at guard considering how athletic he is, but he was just as dominant
there too. Truly one of the more under appreciated players in this class,
whether it's at left or right tackle, or guard, Dallas Thomas is going to be
a top end starter for the Dolphins.
Grade- A
3rd Round, Pick #93: Will Davis (CB Utah State)
Will Davis is a prospect we like a lot and were pleasantly surprised to see
him go on day two of the draft. You can check out our in-depth interview
with Will Davis here where he breaks down his most unusual path to the NFL.
Davis didn't start playing football until his senior year in high school,
but has shown steady improvement in every season. We love Davis' size at
over six feet, he is also a very fluid athlete with tremendous ball skills.
He struggled at the Senior Bowl and showed underdeveloped technique and
physicality, but those are things that can come with time. Another solid
pick by the Dolphins in an effort to solidify their secondary.
Grade- B+
4th Round, Pick #104: Jelani Jenkins (OLB Florida)
Jelani Jenkins was one of the nation's top five recruits when he came to
Florida but injuries held him back from fulfilling his potential in college.
Jenkins is a bit undersized at barely six feet tall, but the kid is one of
the most explosive athletes in this draft on defense. He flies to the
football and could definitely be considered a playmaker. Miami will use him
at weakside linebacker where he can blitz and be used in coverage, but the
key for him is staying healthy.
Grade- C+
4th Round, Pick #106: Dion Sims (TE Michigan State)
Miami picked up another one of my favorite players here in Dion Sims. It's
becoming so rare in the NFL nowadays to find tight ends who can both block
and be athletic pass catchers, but that's what Dion Sims is. Michigan State
utilized him mostly as a blocker which is his strong suit, but Sims has
sneaky athleticism and huge hands which allow him to make plays up the seam
too. Sims is the type of player who will do the dirty work and his value
will likely never be fully appreciated. Great value in the 4th!
Grade- A
5th Round, Pick #164: Mike Gillislee (RB Florida)
Miami's backfield situation is somewhat up in the air right now as they are
hoping Lamar Miller will take hold of the job, but he's yet to really prove
anything so far. Daniel Thomas remains, but we know he's pretty mediocre.
Adding a solid and reliable backup who is NFL ready like Mike Gillislee was
a tremendous move. In his only year as a starter Gillislee took firm hold of
the job rushing for over 1,000 yards and carried Florida in a couple of
their games this year, helping lead the Gators to a BCS bowl. He isn't an
explosive athlete and his upside is somewhat limited, but he is a
well-rounded back who can stay on the field for all three downs.
Grade- A
5th Round, Pick #166: Caleb Sturgis (Kicker Florida)
Miami went back-to-back Florida Gators in the fifth round, while we love
Gillislee, Caleb Sturgis was a bit of a head scratcher. Only in rare
occasions would I take a kicker or punter higher than the seventh round, and
Caleb Sturgis is not one of those rare occasions. Especially since they have
a functional kicker on the roster in Dan Carpenter. Maybe the Dolphins like
Sturgis because he can punt as well as kick, but there were far superior
players available at this point, while a player of Sturgis' caliber could
easily have been had in the seventh or even as an UDFA.
Grade- F
7th Round, Pick #250: Don Jones (S/CB Arkansas State)
Miami capped off an outstanding draft class with another stellar pick in the
seventh round of Don Jones. Jones played safety at Arkansas State, but is a
former track start with sub 4.4 speed which is why Miami will move him to
cornerback. Jones though is known for being a special teams ace and projects
as an effective "gunner" on punt coverage. A versatile defensive back with
great speed and strong on special teams? Can't knock this pick.
Grade- A-
http://www.nfldraftgeek.com/miamidolphinsdraftreview.html
J Lunis
May 12, 2013, 10:10:28 AM5/12/13
to
see potential in 3-4 but, even then, I'm not certain Jordan will amount
to anything. OTOH, every year there are the Zack Thomas type who many
see as camp fodder. Sims? He may get playing time. Is that because
he's that good or because he's the only blocking TE on the roster?
Jones? Not a bad pick to get a good ST guy in the 6th. But when I read
Ireland got "starters," my mind didn't include ST.
Not to knock any of the rookies. I hope they all make HOF. But I grow
weary of 'grades' based on individual picks. I've see a FEW grades based
on filling needs. I can accept that. Picks by some teams seem to have
been of the PW type. Or raise the question of 'team x didn't NEED a WR
but took player y in the 2nd. I can accept that. Anything remotely
grading a draft based on individual picks (que Ryan Leaf) is no ore than
speculation. Having said all that, it is nice to have Miami finally get
a grade above C+.
tgowan
May 12, 2013, 9:17:22 PM5/12/13
to
On May 12, 9:10 am, J Lunis <lun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 5/12/2013 9:38 AM, Stoobz wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Review
> > Check back regularly, as Draft Reviews are being added Daily!
>
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> On 5/12/2013 9:38 AM, Stoobz wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Review
> > Check back regularly, as Draft Reviews are being added Daily!
>
If a player, such as the kicker from Florida, is figured to be a 7th
round pick or an UDFA, then he's a bad pick in the 5th round. Fantasy
trumps reality.
Terry Gowan
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