http://www.thephins.com/forums/showthread.php?75962-Kenny-Vaccaro-may-be-target-of-Dolphins-at-12

 

I think it's entirely possible they're very serious about him.

But I also think he will be gone before they pick.

 

Here's the real question.
If he is available, do they pounce? I know that depends on whether or not other players on their board are still available, but what gives?

 

A 3-down player with great versatility. He can play deep, he can come into the box and hit in run support, and most importantly he can guard slot receivers and handle these mismatch TEs. He'd give you a Big Nickel package with 3 safeties when he comes into the slot. He can get physical with slot WRs (like Baltimore did to NE last playoffs), can run with these hybrid TEs (Hernandez, Keller, Davis), and is big+strong enough to hang with more traditional size TEs on passing downs. He has very good cover skills to go along with solid deep-safety work, and he brings it in the box (sometimes out of control) against the run.

I feel like if you're going to argue that TE and slot WR are increasing in value and are therefore viable positions to pick at 12, then you have to allow that a Safety/NB like Vaccaro is a viable position too because they're the ones who'd guard an Austin or Eifert to mitigate potential mismatches. He's not my first choice, but I get why he's in the conversation.

 

I don't think he will be gone. I really don't see a scenario above them where someone is going to take him.

 

Really? The Jets are hot on him and have a HEAVY need at the position. Have you looked at their safety position lately? A bunch of guys who have never played before and none of them with any kind of pedigree. They only just signed Dawan Landry (the lesser Landry) maybe like a week ago, and he seemed set for unemployment before they signed him. If any other team signed Dawan as an afterthought in mid-April, you'd accuse him of being camp fodder or perhaps depth. And that's the best safety the Jets have on roster.

The Titans have a need there as well. The Titans are currently considering a Guard at that pick, as per local beat writers. I'd rather take a Safety than a Guard.

 

For no problem picking this cat

 

Visits to team headquarters will probably propel him up teams boards, he was fun to study off the field as well, loves the game and just has a great demeanor when he plays, great confidence, and is simply a bad ***.

 

This guy is not for us. He is far from a terrible player but he is a terrible pick for us.

 

I love our options at our pick this year. Lots of talented players who will help us win games. THis kid included.

 

I think he is gone also.

I agree. That's why a team like Dallas could trade up for him too.

 

Rafs?. Would you take the kid at 12?

There are other players for me that go before him.

 

Think the Dolphins have gone over the top with their interest in Vaccaro and it smells to me like a ploy to drive the Rams and Cowboys into trading up.

 

I haven't heard that the Jets are hot and heavy for him. I think it is more likely that the Jets go with a pass rusher there, and from reports, they are apparently high on Barkevious Mingo. They also are bringing in Tavon Austin this week.

With Tennessee, I think they are definitley looking more at Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper, and I would probably pencil in Star Lotulelei or Sheldon Richardson there before I would Vaccaro.

 

I think Vaccaro is the guy honestly.

 

Star Lotulelei won't be available. And they have strong performers all over that DT unit between Jurrell Casey, Mike Martin and Karl Klug. They're just fine there. And at DE they've got Kamerion Wimbley and Derrick Morgan. Morgan has really come on.

 

On a historically bad UT defense, Vaccarro was one of the VERY few brights spots. Tough as nails and very good cover skills. Stepped up in leadership role when Hicks went down. If we need a safety, then I would be more than happy with Kenny. Full disclosure, I am a Texas homer, so probably less than objective

 

I think while they like Vaccaro, he is a smoke screen.

It's the off field stuff with Vaccaro that tips me off. Every guy they take won't be a choir boy. BUT the marquee guys will be. The 1st round picks will be. They will exemplify what BOTH Jeff Ireland and Joe Philbin want in their players...which is "the makeup".

They're going to take guys in the 1st round that are squeaky clean.

 

I hope it is a smoke screen to stir someone to trade up to the Dolphins pick, but it sure would be nice to get another Madison and Surtain if that is ever possible.

 

Life savings on the line- who are they picking?

 

Visiting Thursday? You sure it wasn't today? It sure seems like today based on Kenny's twitter.

 

If they stay put: CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
If they move up: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma...or OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan (hard to say which will be available at #6).
Dark Horse: DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State

 

IMO, he isn't even the definite best safety in the draft, so I'll feel sick if he is the pick at 12. Eric Reid is just as good and to me would fit the Dolphins better. Though safety isn't nearly the biggest need. Even if stacking the board horizontally I can't see him being the choice.

 

I wonder if tavon going to buffalo or the jets would bump vaccaro up on our board due to his slot coverage.

 

He and Austin are my top two. S and pass rusher are the two top impact defensive positions in the NFL. If you believe you have a top 5 at their position talent (NFL, not draft) then you take him. I think all these mocks that have us trading up for a T or taking Rhodes are out of touch with the lessening impact of those positions. The quick passing game has lessened the importance of the T position (although it is still important) and and the rules have neutered the CB position.

 

Austin.

 

We can hope

 

I want him to be the guy!!

 

Kenny Vaccaro is my pick.
This guy would help every aspect of the defense. Vaccaro can play CB/nickle CB, He is known for be good against the run, he is good in pass protection, AND he can safety blitz better than anyone out there. He is a superior prospect, has anyone seen the sport science clip on him?

This guy can do it all on the defense- blitzing, CB, SS, FS, run D

 

I really like the idea of taking a safety high. I'm not locked into any value structure where I feel like I don't want a safety or other less important position high. I'm a sucker for DBs, and would love to draft a good safety. At the same time, I keep trying to like Vaccaro and I keep coming away feeling underwhelmed.

I've watched a good amount of his games multiple times and I'm not sure how he's special enough to be picked at 12 or higher. I know teams have needs at safety so they might reach, but I just can't wrap my head around a top 15 selection for him. He's a solid player, nice in the box safety who's good in run support when he's not trying to take a guy's head off. I don't get him as an impact player at 12. Undoubtedly he'd start right away, but Earl Thomas he ain't. Maybe I'm just missing something

 

The worry is that, while insanely athletic, he is a cross between Taylor Mays and Jason Allen... neither of whom are particularly good safeties

 

Someone I was talking to compared his upside to Tyvon Branch. He's not getting a bunch of interceptions each year and he'll have a lot of tackles. Branch even did really well against Gronkowski two years ago lining up in the slot, but is that what you value at 12? That's the question to be answered.

 

[video=youtube_share;T3_UNFZHSQU]http://youtu.be/T3_UNFZHSQU[/video]

I hope this is who we use our 1st pick on.. Imagine Mike Wallace's deep threat ability, Brian Hartline's possession on the outside, and Tavon Austin running slants and reverses with his quickness and agility. Match that with Dustin Keller in the middle and Lamar Miller in the backfield.. Wow!

[video=youtube_share;msB2cYNL_o4]http://youtu.be/msB2cYNL_o4[/video]

Then we can hopefully pick up safety Eric Reid with our 2a, then best possible TE, OL, CB with our 2b, 3a, 3b. That's what I'm hoping for. I like Kenny Vaccaro a lot and what he brings to the table, but personally I think 12 is too high for him and I've read he has had some off the field issues. Then we could go DE, another OL, DL, RB, CB, etc with the rest of our picks.. Just my two cents. :)