Never too early to get the ball rolling on next year's class. Already looking forward to trading up for Stephon Tuitt as the right end of the future (with Odrick moving inside to replace one of our FA defensive tackles). Thoughts of that athletic 300 pounder paired with Dion Jordan on the right side makes me drool like Stephen Hawking eating an orange. 6 other guys on my Dolphins' short list: -2 ballhawking free safeties, Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (Bama) and Ed Reynolds (Stanford) -disruptive DT, Timmy Jernigan (FSU) -playmaking WR, Sammy Watkins (Clemson) -TE, Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (Washington) -DT/RDE, Dominique Easley (UF) Too bad we couldn't have gotten Oakland's 2014 1st in exchange for our #12 pick and been the likely proud owner of Jadeveon Clowney. We would've lost out on Dion Jordan but there's at least 3 stud rush linebackers next year in Kyle Van Noy, Anthony Barr, and Trent Murphy. LOL @ the thought of Clowney, Wake, and Van Noy on the field together.
Psh everyone knows you just trade your 1st 2nd and 3rd for Jacksonville's 1st 2nd and 3rd before the trade deadline is up. YEARS of scientific proof backs this up.
I think some of the positions we could find ourselves targeting next year will be: 1. Left Tackle 2. Right Tackle 3. Defensive Tackle (penetrating) 4. Defenisve Tackle (run stopper) 5. Free Safety 6. Closed End (Base End, Nickel Tackle) 7. Tight End (pass catcher) 8. Wide Receiver (inside/outside flexible) 9. Guard Here are some of the guys I like: Tight End (Pass Catcher) - Eric Ebron, North Carolina A year from now if the Dolphins flush Michael Egnew down the drain and allow Dustin Keller to walk as a free agent (which would not surprise me) the team could find itself in need of a primary pass catching tight end. A guy that I really, really like for that job potentially would be Eric Ebron of North Carolina. Had a really good year this year with 40 catches for 625 yards and 4 TDs. Not a big guy, only 6'4" and right now listed at 245 lbs but he looked lighter than that in 2012. Watch him on tape and immediately you can tell he's got explosive movement skills for such a big man. He really moves like a wide receiver and not just a mediocre wide receiver. He moves like a GOOD wide receiver. But what makes him a tight end instead of a wide receiver is that despite his being relatively small to where he can't overwhelm you with mass or frame, is the fact that he can hit you with explosiveness on initial contact, and his feet are so good he is able to reset his feet and sustain blocks which avails him blocking out in space. That ability also can help him block effectively on the line as he's able to keep moving his feet to counter against players that are a little bigger than he is. He gets on the line and blocks there regularly at UNC. He shows awareness as a blocker as well. He definitely can end up dropping some easy passes, but he also shows the ability to make some pretty incredible catches. He's only a sophomore so he'd have to come out early, but I could imagine him doing so after already having amassed 832 yards and 5 TDs in his first two years at UNC. He was recruited as the #8 tight end prospect in the nation and the #13 all-around athlete in the nation according to SuperPrep. Oh, and you want a bonus? He also plays both ways at times, and doesn't look half bad in the process! I mean, are you serious?!? I mean really, not bad at all, lol. Some pretty good flexibility and strength. I was hoping to check in on his spring game footage to see if it looked like he'd gained any mass in the off season but he did not play in the spring game, I believe due to an injury. Defensive Tackle (Penetrating) - Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh Maybe the best candidate for penetrating defensive tackle on an absolute basis, outside of the fantastic Will Sutton of Arizona State who will surely be a 1st round pick, would be Aaron Donald of Pitt. The guy had 18.5 TFLs this year, along with 5.5 sacks, 64 tackles, an outstanding 11 QB Hurries, 2 passed broken up and a 1 forced fumble. You want to talk about outstanding work, that's outstanding work. Oh and in 2011 he also had 16.0 TFLs and 11.0 Sacks (yes, 11) playing in Pitt's 3-4 defense. This is kind of a unique class when it comes to this type of player because as we know Will Sutton is only 6'0" tall. Well, Aaron Donald is only 6'0" tall as well. Donald doesn't have quite the acclaim of Sutton and so you might be able to draft him a little lower than Sutton. But trust me when I say Aaron Donald has been turning heads since he was a freshman in 2011. He's currently NFL Draft Scout's #6 ranked DT for 2014 and I think NFL evaluators will indeed have a little trouble figuring out what they're going to do with a 6'0" and 275 lbs tweener that played defensive tackle in college. That's the reason you may get him lower. But just toss on the tape and enjoy because this guy is pretty dang good. Hell, watch him forklift 1st round pick Justin Pugh en route to a pressure from defensive end. Gives you the willies. He has everything you want from a quick twitch standpoint, pretty long arms despite his lack of height, and he's strong. I don't know if any teams are going to end up liking him MORE than Will Sutton, but then again based on the tape I can't guarantee that certain teams won't, either. Closed End (Base End, Nickel Tackle) - Davon Coleman, Arizona State Will Sutton's teammate Davon Coleman of Arizona State might actually be a better candidate for Miami than Will himself, if only because he's not going to have to get drafted in the 1st round like Sutton. He's a big boy at 6'2" and 276 lbs listed size on his school bio. I've also seen 6'2" and 282 lbs on CFBStats.com and 6024 and 268 lbs on NFL Draft Scout. He's played a lot of right end which is going to be a plus because the spot we could want him ot take over from Jared Odrick would be on the right side. He reduced to the inside next to Will Sutton on a lot of pass downs. He had 11.0 TFLs in 2013 which put him 9th in the country amongst big men on the DL that did not leave school this year. He had 5.0 sacks in that role as mostly a defensive end that also reduced inside on pass downs, along with 66 total tackles which is a pretty good result for that position. He also blocked a kick this year. He played in 2011 as a reserve defensive tackle, getting 5.0 TFLs and 2.5 sacks along with 42 tackles which to me stands out for a reserve defensive tackle. Hell, 42 tackles would stand out to me as a starting defensive tackle. What you like on film is he's got some quick twitch to him, but best of all he gets off blocks and gets to the ball carrier, which is why he has so many tackles. I would like to see him be a more effective pass rusher overall with better forward explosion. But he has flashed a pretty wicked spin move from the interior (look for #43 at left defensive tackle). He has supposedly packed on some muscle this year and from what I've seen in spring ball he does look a little more trim and athletic, though he might be heavier on the scale. He flashed good pass rush from the interior last year (again, #43 at LDT) and has flashed some more this year during the spring game. He reminds me a little of Datone Jones although one thing Datone always had even when I watched him in 2011 was great forward, straight-ahead explosion. Coleman doesn't quite have that yet, that I've seen. Right Tackle - Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee If Jonathan Martin shows a solid amount of progress in 2013 at left tackle, he may earn another year trying out for the right to be the Dolphins' long term answer at the position. If that happens, then the Dolphins will still be looking for a right tackle, because whichever option they choose in 2013 will be short term only. Ja'Wuan is listed at 6'6" and 324 lbs, which is really solid size for the position. He reminds me of Vernon Carey or Orlando Franklin. Very heavy-boned, solid, technically sound and smooth. He's powerful, engulfs even big players. When he faced South Carolina, he made Devin Taylor look undraftable, which was something All Star players at the Shrine Game couldn't do, nor Cornell Green of Florida. He's started 37 games at right tackle. James moves pretty well for his size and build, but obviously he's not an A+ athlete a la Lane Johnson. Yet, when push comes to shove, I'm not sure the Dolphins have shown that they'll chase elite athletes on the offensive line. I find their bark bigger than their bite when they talk about mobile players on the offensive line. They talk about it, but then they draft Jon Martin and Dallas Thomas, start John Jerry and Richie Incognito at the guard spots, and make contract offers to Bryant McKinnie. The best way to watch Ja'Wuan on tape would be to look for him as the right tackle #70 on various Tyler Bray videos, such as his game against Georgia, his game against Florida, his game against Alabama, his game against Missouri and his game against NC State. Plenty of footage on the Tennessee offensive line there, including junior left tackle prospect Antonio Richardson (#74) and guard prospect Zach Fulton (#72).
It's gonna really suck when NY gets a hold of Jadeveon Clowney next year. They might not even have to finish last. They could finish 3rd worst and possibly land him if Oakland & Jax kick off the draft with Boyd & Bridgewater.
I will laugh my *** off if someone uses one of the first two picks on Teddy Bridgewater. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Chris, if you're looking for a pass rusher to vault himself up draft boards then check out Clemson's incredibly athletic Vic Beasley. He explodes off the ball in Von Miller/Bruce Irvin fashion. Notched 8 sacks (in 288 snaps) last year on raw ability alone in his first season ever at DE after playing RB & LB in high school, TE his first year at Clemson, linebacker his second, and then moved to end last year. He went from 225 last year to closing in on 245. DT Grady Jarrett (true junior) looked impressive last year (37 tkl, 8.5 tfl, 2 sacks, 5 hurries) and shined through spring practice. He's undersized at 6'1 290-295 but is strong, plays with great leverage, and consistently defeats blocks. Father is Jessie Tuggle. Won Georgia state titles in wrestling & shotput. Side note: sophomore defensive tackle, D.J. Reader has a chance to become special. An athletic 6'3 324 and will spend winter & spring on Clemson's baseball team as a pitcher with a 93 mph fastball. 23 tackles as a true freshman, along with an impressive bowl game vs LSU where he frequently disrupted the pocket. Junior WR Martavis Bryant (6'4, 200, legit 4.4 forty) finally has his head on straight and has had a great spring. ESPN had him as 2011's #3 WR recruit ahead of Sammy Watkins, and Chad Morris has stated on a few occasions that Bryant is possibly the most talented receiver on the team, ahead of Sammy Watkins and last year's Nuk Hopkins. What's crazier is ESPN's #2 WR of 2011, Charone Peake (6'3 205) is right there with Bryant & Watkins and runs the fastest forty on the team, hand timed at 4.24 last summer. That's likely exaggerated, however anything faster than Sammy is impressive. Sammy might even be the slowest of the trio. If this receiving corps reaches its potential this year it'll be a scary sight with Boyd slingin' it around, especially if Germone Hopper (#13 WR of 2012) gets into the action, too.
They have Wilkerson, Coples, and just drafted Sheldon Richardson. That would be 4 drafts in a row that they took a defensive lineman with a 1st round pick, which would be crazy. I am not saying Clowney doesn't warrant the pick, but I don't know if they have the luxury to take him. They would probably consider Anthony Barr since they were rumored to be infatuated with Mingo... Still too far out to predict though.
Whatever happened to that fast tailback that hailed from my high school alma mater, think he might have been one of the Bellamy clan.
Do you honestly think the Jets would let Antwan Barnes & Ricky Sapp stop them from pogo-jumping in their pick of Clowney to Roger Goodell? Wilkerson, Coples, and Richardson make Clowney more sensible, not less. That'd likely become the most dominant & disruptive front 4 in the league and capable of taking over games. Anyone who passes on the greatest defensive impact player since Lawrence Taylor for Anthony Barr should have his head lopped off and examined by science. Just sayin. Besides, the Jets, personnel wise, are a pass-rushing right end away from being a NY Giants'esque 4-3. Coples is better suited at left end; Wilkerson & Richardson nicely fit the Giants' DT roles; and Antwan Barnes moves to SAM (similar to Kiwanuka's role). Demario Davis is a 4-3 Will; David Harris can play the middle; and both are strong in coverage. Much more harmonious on paper.
Mike Bellamy. uggg that was an unfortunate one. Electric runner with tons of talent.... but even more ego. immature. poor attitude. head case. thought he could skate by on talent. got into trouble. wasn't disciplined enough to take to coaching; not thick skinned enough to handle criticism. Transferred after being academically ineligible. Think he's at Eastern Arizona.
I'd be down with that. It should be a great draft for it. One of my early favorites (based on if we're drafting in the 20's) is Stanford's Trent Murphy who is already accustomed to the left side.
that's a bummer. I think my only notable is Kevin Boothe..... and our ex owner Huizenga. Brandon Knight for basketball. Porn star Mary Carey (after my time unfortunately). Betheny Frankel from Real Housewives of NYC (before my time unfortunately). Kelsey Grammer. BTW, it's weird going back to old high school year books and envisioning Betheny becoming a sultry Housewives celebrity/millionaire. Be like picturing me becoming the center for the Houston Rockets.... coincidentally, owned by the father of a girl I went to school with.
I'm about a foot and a half short of that career move. And white. Back then we were annoyed b/c, of all the kids to luck out with a parent owning a top NBA team, it had to be the brainy Jewish girl who could've ordered Olajuwon to fetch her an orange juice and not had a clue who the hell he was, other than a really tall black guy. HOLY.SH-T. I just discovered one of my good high school friends (haven't talked to in nearly 20 years) is first runner up Mrs Universe 2012...... and she's an attorney with a doctorate in psychology, too?! WTF. I'm looking at her bio as we speak. Sh-t she's happily married for 10 years. That's gonna pose a problem.
Just call her up and woo her by saying "I'm a pretty big deal on a Dolphins fan forum." Then report back on how fast she hangs up.
It seems it's going to be my mission this off season to see how deep the rabbit hole goes on Aaron Donald. This has kind of been a thing for me. I really liked Geno Atkins a whole lot coming out and I could see right away in his first preseason what a player Atkins was going to end up. Ever since, I've been looking for an inside player that really reminds me of Atkins...as far as style and ability. Donald is probably the closest I've seen so far.
That's a fair OCD mission. Gonna be tough finding someone undersized who's that strong vs the run and poses a serious hemorrhoid for QBs. Forgot Geno Atkins went to St Thomas and was rated only the 50th DT recruit out of high school. Per usual he shrunk since HS (listed 6'2). lol.
Geno Atkins is the son of Gene Atkins too. He fell because he was undersized and has sickle cell, I think. That and the NFL didn't recognize the talent, though I'm not sure why. Still I can see how the conventions have gotten so strong that when you see numbers on a page like "282" or "287" you automatically get nervous. Atkins was listed 282 lbs in his track and field profile at Georgia, and 287 lbs in his football profile. He bulked up to 293 at the Combine. Mel Kiper has released his Big Board for 2014 and he's actually made it a Top 50 instead of Top 25. 01 - DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina 02 - QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville 03 - WR Marqise Lee, USC 04 - LT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama 05 - OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA 06 - LT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M 07 - NT Louis Nix, Notre Dame 08 - LT Taylor Lewan, Michigan 09 - CB Bradley Roby, Ohio St 10 - CB Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida 11 - LT Anthonio Richardson, Tennessee 12 - OLB Adrian Hubbard, Alabama 13 - DT Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame 14 - CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon 15 - DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida St 16 - WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson 17 - OLB CJ Mosley, Alabama 18 - WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M 19 - LT Cameron Erving, Florida St 20 - DE Aaron Lynch, USF 21 - QB Tajh Boyd, Clemson 22 - DT Anthony Johnson, LSU 23 - OLB Kyle Van Noy, BYU 24 - TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington 25 - QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 26 - OLB Ryan Shazier, Ohio St 27 - WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers 28 - Ath De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon 29 - G David Yankey, Stanford 30 - FS Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, Alabama 31 - DE Scott Crichton, Oregon St 32 - OLB Christian Jones, Florida St 33 - QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon 34 - RB Lache Seastrunk, Baylor 35 - OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech 36 - CB Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma 37 - RB Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona 38 - DE Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas 39 - ILB Trey DePriest, Alabama 40 - FS Ed Reynolds, Stanford 41 - QB AJ McCarron, Alabama 42 - DE Morgan Breslin, USC 43 - NT Daniel McCuller, Tennessee 44 - CB Jason Verrett, TCU 45 - ILB Yawin Smallwood, UConn 46 - DT Deandre Coleman, Cal 47 - CB Quandre Diggs, Texas 48 - WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt 49 - G Gabe Jackson, Mississippi St 50 - ILB AJ Johnson, Tennessee Obviously I'm not likely to agree with all of these. I think Cyrus Kouandjio should go below Jake Matthews but that's nit picking because he's so good. I'm not sure Purifoy or Roby have earned such high placement and think Ifo Ekpre-Olumu and Jason Verrett may have earned higher placement. I don't agree with putting Twinkle Toes in the top 25 but at least I can understand that (based on hype and honors) way more than putting Marcus Mariota in the top 35. Antonio Richardson doesn't deserve such high standing, IMO. Aaron Lynch has some issues and I'm not sure he's resolving them. He's garnering a reputation that isn't flattering.
Interesting list. Agree about Matthews being higher than the guy's name I hate trying to spell. Clinton-Dix should be higher but that's nitpicking. Boyd should be top 10, if not top 5. IMO Stephon Tuitt should be ahead of Louis Nix and in the top 10. Surprised Stanford OLB Trent Murphy isn't on that list; feel he's a more complete player than USC's Morgan Breslin and worthy of a top 25 pick. Could definitely see your impressive USF boy Aaron Lynch creeping onto that list. EDIT: never mind, just saw he is on the list.
Just watched Aaron Donald against Rutgers. Another reason to like him? Missed a total of 2 plays in the game. That's all he needed to get subbed out for. And that very well could've just been an equipment malfunction or something like that. He's a 3-Technique and he plays damn near 100% of the snaps of the game.
I think my impressive USF boy might be more likely to creep OFF the list than on. The word out of Notre Dame was poor locker room, poor effort. That hasn't changed at USF. He transferred for a reason. The talent is clear. But he's also lost some weight so I don't know that he has the outside-inside flexibility that he flashed at Notre Dame. I took issue with his technique coming off the snap, got too high at Notre Dame. It hasn't gotten better. Seems like that could be about his attitude and coachability. He's also added a new kink I don't like in the form of a jack start off the snap which detracts from his game. USF is going to rush him against the passer from an up position as well as a down position, so he'll have chances to make an impact. I just don't know if he's right mentally.
damn. That's impressive. You've got me now about to spend the next however many minutes watching whatever's available on Donald, which is good since I think we share a similar eye in DTs.
That's disappointing to hear. Kid looks like he could be near dominant if he wanted it bad enough. Impressive physical specimen he is.
