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Grading the Draft so Far...

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by KeyFin, May 1, 2021.

  1. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    While we still have a few picks in the late rounds, I don't feel like they're going to make or brake this draft class for the average fan. This draft didn't go like many of us expected, but I'm not surprised that we went defense early since that's the Flores way. I do believe that we selected 4 day-one starters so far and I'll briefly discuss each of them below.

    Personally, I think Waddle is an excellent fit for the Dolphins since we haven't had a true slot receiver for several years now. Fuller and Parker will be on the perimeter with Williams mixed in, so I don't know that Chase or Smith fit what we were looking for. Waddle is pure speed and can cut on a dime while quickly reaching full speed again within a few steps, and this kid is going to make an instant impact lurking over the middle and flashing past safeties for wide open TD throws.

    Next, let's talk about Hunter Long...or more specifically, how he's not Pitts. I would not have made this pick and I think he's the worst of the five, specifically because he simply is not aggressive at 6'5" and 255 pounds. If this kid was a dominant blocker and could fit that Anthony Fasano mold then I'd be thrilled, but it's just not who he is and it would be a multi-year project to get him there. The good stuff is that he's an able catcher, very smart player and takes coaching really well...so I can see why they liked him. But I just don't see the fit since Gisecki does virtually everything better than this kid. To be fair, Pitts wasn't a great fit for us either but at least he could replace Gisecki (as in, a big, nimble slot receiver who pretends to be a TE). Long could start day one but it's a different route tree...so I'll reserve judgement for now. The thought of replacing Gisecki at all is ridiculous to me since he's been the only healthy receiver for years now.

    Jaelan Phillips is a definite Flores pick since he's sort of a Swiss Army knife of a defender. Big, quick player who always plays hard against the run or the pass. I don't know a lot about him past watching some film, but he looks like an immediate upgrade in an area of need. Like all DE's, I look at these picks as a prospect that could be great or could bust, so I don't want to toot too many horns here and make it sound like he's a sure thing. The kid's fast and plays super-hard every single down....that's all I got.

    Jevon Holland was actually projected to be a late 2nd/early 3rd round selection, but Miami felt that he was the best safety in the draft. Like so many of our other picks, he has a high motor, great intelligence and he's very active on the field reading plays and reacting. Great speed, great vision and he's a true ball-hawk, which could have a huge impact on this defense in the years to come. I really like this pick and think this kid has a ton of potential.

    Finally, Liam Eichenberg, a lineman that several analysts had as their best overall tackle in the draft. This kid is mean, aggressive and completely fits the mold that we've been building of big bruisers who play with a chip on their shoulder. He's the reason we didn't take Sewell and this kid basically "set our draft board" by allowing the Waddle pick early. He hasn't given up a sack in 2 1/2 seasons, really good run blocker....not much else to say. Great overall pick!

    Overall, I love the picks of Waddle, Eichenberg and Holland. I like Phillips since he's as good of a prospect as any in the draft. Hunter Long...good kid, hard worker...and he'll probably end up a 6-10 starter as a blue collar worker that just gets things done. I definitely don't love the pick but I can understand the thinking behind it- there's massive value there.

    Folks, this is an A+ draft. I know we didn't get our stud RB and I'm still pouting about that as well, but it was a very smart draft by our organization.

    And one more thing- for those who keep saying, "We spent two 1st rounders on Waddle..." Stop with that nonsense already! We spent a 1st on Waddle and picked up a 2023 1st, which means Waddle was essentially free. His cumulative cost was ZERO 1st rounders total!
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2021
  2. Striking

    Striking Junior Member

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    Draft checks all the boxes even if I feel they reached a little bit in round 2. Not that I analyze these guys I just watch some video on them and put them into my like bucket. Rounds 1-2 filled definite needs with talent, no denying that. So I give them a solid B+ because of the trade up for Eichenberg which cost us a 3rd and taking Holland (likely) a bit early
     
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  3. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    Starting to come around on our draft but it’s definitely not an A+ for me. Don’t like our first round and we did invest 2 first round picks in Waddle, I just really hope that he turns out otherwise this pick would really suck. The Phillips pick is really good if he stays healthy, pretty big if for my taste. I like what we did in round 2 even though we didn’t get our RB, really interested in Holland that’s probably the most exciting pick for me. The Long pick is similar to the Iggy pick last year, let’s see how they turn out. I would give it a B- so far.
     
  4. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    I disagree. We invested our first round pick in 2022 for Waddle. The other magic pick was house money.
     
  5. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    So we moved up from 12 to 6 for no picks?
     
  6. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    Only one of those picks were ours.
     
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  7. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    Still a 1st round pick, no?
     
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  8. DolphinGreg

    DolphinGreg Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Love it so far!

    I really thought they'd stick with production and pick D.Smith at #6. The selection of J.Waddle indicates they have a real vision. I like that. I immediately feel good about that pick. Plus, I'm really glad we don't have to debate Smith's size for the next several years.

    The J.Phillips selection is fantastic value. The upside is incredible at a position where he can really make a big impact on an already good defense.

    I think the J.Holland and L.Eichenberg picks are going to be very useful for the Fins as well. I really like Eichenburg's potential to solve the OT question if we move Hunt inside (which I've always been in favor of). Holland is just a good athlete. He's a Safety with coverage skills. What's not to like about that kind of guy in this defense?

    I don't have much to say about Long at TE. I like competition though. I'm not in love with anyone behind Gesicki. Long has the size to pan out. That's all you want from a developmental player. Good size. Good school. Solid pick.
     
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  9. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    Yes, 1st round pick. SO Miami only invested 1 first round pick.

    If we are going to do stupid "two first round pick" math, might as well be accurate.
     
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  10. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    That's if we would have stayed at 12. We lost a pick to move up to 6 so its two picks for Waddle, easy math.
     
  11. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    That pick was house money so we didn't lose anything.
     
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  12. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    Don't matter pick is a pick and we moved up for Waddle hope he turns out and shows that he is worth those two picks...
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2021
  13. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

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    6. Waddle- C- I’ve said enough here
    18. Phillips- B I think the most upside of any of the pass rushers but it’s a high risk move
    36. Holland- B I’m coming around on this guy. We need better coverage over the middle of the field and apparently he’s lights out there
    50. Eichenberg- A+ love this pick. Doesn’t have elite athleticism but he’s a brawler and gets the job done. He’s a Flo kind of guy
    81. Long- C+ coming around here too but really wanted us to take Meinerz
     
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  14. Dolphin Dundee

    Dolphin Dundee Well-Known Member

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    I think you have to look at the amount of picks we got for the Tunsil trade that was a real value pick. We could have got the same amount of value for Sewel down the line if not more. We will never recoup the 2 first rounders for Waddle that's what i don't like.
     
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  15. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    Since he only cost one pick, it will be nice if he shows if he is worth our 2022 first round pick
     
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  16. daphins

    daphins A-Style

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    You’re assuming we move to #12 if we didn’t have an avenue to move up to #6. Reports are we don’t move to #12 without the trade in place to move up to #6. This bears out in the timing with a move back to #12 and a near immediate move back to #6. This was planned. Their intent the entire time was to trade down, collect picks, and still get Waddle. #6 didn’t want to move up to #3, so they took an about-route, and effectually traded back from #3 to #6 and picked up an additional first and third.

    Edit: The lens you’re measuring the pick through didn’t exist. The two options were

    #3 for Waddle

    or

    #6 for Waddle + 2023 1st and 2022 3rd

     
  17. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    Good point when they had him as their Nr. 1 receiver and would have taken him at 3 I would have been even more furious.


    That sums it up pretty good if we would have traded down or stayed at 12 and got him there I would be fine with it.
     
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  18. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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    I look at it two ways:

    Taken on its own and for the talent that we got, I'd grade it a B. I love Waddle and Phillips and Eichenberg and like Grant and Long. We definitely improved our roster with players - perhaps all - who will see significant action this year.

    But, in context of what we did last year when we added a ton of rookies who should be developing and taking a jump in year #2, this year's draftees are complimentary and add key competition that should make everybody better. When I list this year's players beside last year's, I can see how Grier and Co. are building the roster and I'm impressed. To that understanding, I want to rate it an A.

    And since that's the case, I'll rate it a B+/A-.
     
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  19. Pennington's Limp Arm

    Pennington's Limp Arm Well-Known Member

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    Nailed this breakdown.
     
  20. daphins

    daphins A-Style

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    I’d have been upset with Waddle at #3 too. Given all of the options I really can’t complain. If you made me choose between Chase, Waddle, and Smith I couldn’t pick who’s going to be “the” player out of that trio. They’re all too 10 potential at a position that is exceedingly hard to predict success. I’d prefer any of them at six + extra first and third over any of them at #3.

    Pitts muddies it a bit as I see him as being a potential standout talent and a safer bet to be a premiere talent than the 3 WR’s, but again he’s a TE taken at #3, which is tough pill to swallow. He’d have to be an exceptional talent coupled with a coaching staff with exceptional vision to make that value play out. I wouldn’t have complained with him at #3, but I can’t say I’m sad with Waddle and the extra picks either.

    Sewell again was a player I liked and I’d have been excited to get him at #6 if we traded up to get Waddle or Smith. I’m just not sure we could have pulled it off, and I’m super stoked with most of our first and 2nd round picks (don’t love TE), so I again, not sure if trade them for Sewell and Waddle.

    Overall, I think we got a ton better this draft. OT in the 2nd put any concerns I had away.
     
  21. pumpdogs

    pumpdogs Well-Known Member

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    I say we rent Levon Bell for a year.
     
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  22. ripper1961

    ripper1961 Active Member

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  23. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    Well the national press and analysts seem to near universally love our draft. We will see.

    I am fine with this draft so far. I'm disappointed we didn't get one of three RB's but the guys they have gotten are starters in short order. Only pick I'm confused by is the TE. Grade would be a B+.
     
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  24. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    I'm fine with the draft. The main objective was to give Tua some weapons at WR so our offense doesn't hold back the team, and they didn't disappoint by getting cute with that first pick. Waddle is a fine prospect. I would've preferred Chase, but it's too difficult to tell how they'll pan out so getting a good prospect (one of the 3 at WR or Pitts) was all I was really asking for.

    As to the rest, there's a logic behind (most of) those picks. Potentially high upsides or filling a need/niche. Main disappointment is not taking the RB position more seriously, but it's possible to fix that with good coaching and better blocking and passing. Not sure we have the right coach on offense, but if Flores remains a no-nonsense type of guy that should eventually work out too.
     
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  25. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Think about it this way. According to Miami's boards, we got the best overall WR, DE, OT, S AND TE in the draft. Nobody had Long rated above Pitts due to his measurables, but the fact remains that Long has him topped last season in total yards, 1st down catches, etc. The more I look into Long, the more he's growing on me...he could actually be our Gronk once he learns to block at the NFL level.
     
  26. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    You're advocating for a draft then trade the good ones model? Where are you going to find enough suckers to make that work? You gotta know that haul for Tunsil isn't the norm.
     
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  27. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

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    We filled the needs we had going i to the draft
    - Prioritize receiving weapons
    - Acquire edge rusher
    - solidify secondary
    - keep improving the OL.

    The only need we didn’t address was RB. But hitting on 4 of the 5 needs in the draft is a really good ratio, quite simply because you never have enough high picks to address every need.

    The players acquired fit into the mold that the coaching staff desire which is another plus.

    I’ll wait to see how the players develop, but drafting for need and sticking with what your coaches want in players leaves me feeling reasonably positive.
     
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  28. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Hoping we grab multiple RB's after the draft to bring in some competition. Otherwise, I completely agree with you on meeting the other needs.
     
  29. Dolphin Dundee

    Dolphin Dundee Well-Known Member

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    Of course i don't but if it happened once it can happen again. I don't know how anyone can argue that an elite L/RT isn't worth way more than an elite slot receiver.
     
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  30. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    It's about value. Deep tackle draft. I'll take Waddle-Eichenberg over Sewell-"receiver available at 42". This wasn't a one pick draft. I don't know how anyone can look at our first 4 picks and think they didn't knock it out of the park.
     
  31. Kud_II

    Kud_II Realist Division

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    F with our most important pick.

    B+ for the rest of the draft.

    Pretty much the same as last season.

    Are those kind of blunders acceptable for a solid (rest of draft)
    if you MISS the franchise players?

    I think we may get a few solid starters out of this draft (if we are fortunate) That #6 pick was a disaster how the whole thing was handled any way you slice it... even if you're somebody who happens to be on Waddle's jock for some reason (speed? woopti.) anyway, even if you think Waddle will be good, the value for Position and draft picks surrendered make this a questionable pick at best (EVEN IF HE TURNS OUT GOOD.)

    That #5 Pick last year was a fireable offense for me. But Ross aint got no balls, neither football sense, I think we all know that about our dear owner.
     
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  32. ripper1961

    ripper1961 Active Member

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    4 starters i would agree.
     
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  33. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  34. Silverphin

    Silverphin Well-Known Member

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    Bruh, if Waddle turns out to be a consistent 1,000 yard receiver and gets multiple Pro Bowl/All-Pro selections, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who'd call it a questionable pick. And the people who would call it that would get laughed out of the room.
     
  35. Ronnie Bass

    Ronnie Bass Luxury Box Luxury Box

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    Holy hell, you gave the Waddle pick an "F"??? For ****ing real??

    Ironic you call out Ross for having no football sense, seriously.
     
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  36. Silverphin

    Silverphin Well-Known Member

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    On the topic at hand, I was a bit down on the draft because I was hoping we'd grab a center and I forgot that we signed Matt Skura. But, with that last part remembered, I have to give the draft a solid B. Only pick I'm really iffy on is Hunter Long. And, even then, it's not so much the player as it is that I wish we grabbed a Running Back instead.
     
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  37. Fireland

    Fireland Well-Known Member

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    I like how you say for some reason like he wasn't going to be a top 10 pick with or without Miami
     
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  38. hitman8

    hitman8 Well-Known Member

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    Miami's board is worth crap. They don't know how to evaluate and rank players. They simply don't and they have shown it year after year after year. Grier has been the one constant in our terrible drafting ever since he was director of scouting. If you really think we got the best wr, EDGE, safety, OT and TE in the draft, then I have a bridge to sell you my friend.You homers are ridiculous.
     
  39. Ronnie Bass

    Ronnie Bass Luxury Box Luxury Box

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    How did I ever miss putting you on ignore. Cheers jackass.
     
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  40. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

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    This is where I have to trade my own ignorant biases and doing too many mock drafts for the experts. I don’t love all the picks but when you hear 4 potential 1st round picks you have to be happy. Assuming you hit on 50-60% of those type of players that’s 2-3 impact players on an already young, talented team.
     

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