To me, Rhodes is a legitimate and I mean seriously legitimate possibility at 12.

 

Rhodes is a bit overrated, I'd say.

 

Interesting. Why do you say that? He certainly has two question marks for me; how fast is he deep......although going back and watching him stride for stride with 4.42 Michael Floyd allayed some of those. And the other is how sticky his hips get when faced with real movement at the line of scrimmage.

 

I think he has good enough speed and good enough hips. Solid ball-skills. But he is a bit sloppy and doesn't have great click and drive ability.

 

Interesting. I actually think that's one of his strengths :) Not a lot of wasted movement, in part because for a guy purported to be 6'2, he tends to play like a 5'10 guy and doesn't uncurl at all, which doesn't affect his ability to click and close. By the very nature of human physiology, it should take the taller players slightly more time to change direction at pace, especially when changing from back foot to front.

 

Sloppy with technique, I should have noted. As for the high-cut and breaking down, certainly.

 

Any thoughts on Brandon McGee? I watched some film and came away thinking that based on physical talent there's no reason that he can't succeed at an NFL level. Fast, powerfully built, good size and quick. Pretty aggressive and physical as well.

Here's some film against FSU- as usual it provides a good look at the beastly Menelik Watson as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8qahOLtB1A

 

I like the Sam Madison comparison you made in another thread. The fan base wouldn't be happy with the pick but what do they know?

 

Well 98% of the fan base are idiots and only 2% of the fan base actually go to games so the sooner they shut their yap the better for all of us. Plus, it's difficult to say what the fan base will say and do because we haven't had free agency yet.

 

Oh I am in agreement with you. I am not completely sold on Rhodes at 12 but like you said I have no idea what the team needs are until free agency happens. I don't like the idea of taking a corner or receiver at 12. Too risky and takes time for these positions to contribute at next level. It seems like the Dolphins are letting Randy Starks walk, they aren't high on moving Odrick inside, and Soliai has one year left on his deal. If you stay put at 12 I think Sheldon Richardson is a GREAT pick. Could the Dolphins be bold and look to move up for a player like Star Lotulelei or Bjoern Werner?


With all that said I do not see how they do not value Odrick inside. He is a far better 3 technique than 5 technique. This really pisses me off because they could have had Dez Bryant, Jason Pierre Paul, or Earl Thomas. I know it is always easy to do this in retrospect but those three players even the uninformed fans were calling for.

 

No-one is moving up to take Bjoern Werner.

 

I still feel Rhodes could become a better safety than Jairus Byrd. He's an outstanding press corner, but IMO he's even better with the ball in the air, especially with the action in front of him where he seems like a naturally decisive ball-hawk. If it's between bump & run with his back to the QB or safety where he's watching the action most of the way, I think safety allows him to be a better playmaker. Perhaps a 6+ per year INT guy, and IMO it would allow him to better utilize his physicality and do so in more intimidating fashion b/c he'll be afforded more hitting opportunities than at corner. Rhodes having a chance to build up steam and unload on pass catchers all across the field is quite enticing to me. Plus he can come up and play man if needed.

 

I love breakdowns like this. I wonder how much of an effect that Florida State's pass rush had on Rhodes's stellar numbers? Of the three, Johnthan Banks played with by far the worst pass rush.

 

Very good point.

 

KB what is your opinion on Banks teammate Darius Slay and do you think he's a possibility for the Phins in round 3?

 

I say that post-combine I really hope we draft Rhodes at 12

 

I feel like that about all these scouts and breakdown gurus. It does not take but looking at a few plays to know whether a player is a beast, and that is the end of analysis for draft purposes. All this other stuff is noise.

 

Very good for you. Then, no need to waste anymore of your time reading a draft forum.

 

Yet you're hanging out in a draft forum??

And you're right. Most scouts and breakdown gurus just watch a few plays. No wonder the draft is such a crapshoot when all scouts do is watch a few plays. Dear oh dear.

 

That's not very accurate imo. Sometimes it only takes a few plays to show the upside, what a player is capable of, but that hardly shows show downside in terms of flaws and inconsitencies- that takes more time. I'm just starting to see the downside of Cornelious Washington, who looks and test out like a maniac 1st rounder but plays at time like someone who is destined for arena football. The warts take more time to reveal themselves. I've seen the upside of Sanders Commings, Brandon McGee and Menelik Watson- that isn't really hard to do. Seeking out their weaknesses takes longer, watching entire games or unbiased clips that show more than just the good stuff. If players were judged and rated as you suggest Tyler Bray might be the first pick of the draft. It doesn't work that way.