LB, more specifically OLB. We desperately need a playmaker at Sam or Will.

Guard, Free Safety, & DE, are also high up on my list.

 

Linebacker who can cover tight ends.

A playmaker tight end

 

Yes, this. SO MUCH THIS. Either one actually, preferably BOTH somehow. If we can't stop a TE, it would be nice to have one the other team can't stop either.

 

LB, although another performer on the DL wouldn’t hurt. TE is also an area where we haven’t performed at NFL adequate standard for a long time.

We need improved OL performance but for me that seems more a coaching issue than a drafting issue.

I think our DB situation is solid enough not to need a 1st rounder there. WR should be good, but if Landry walks it could be possible that the team drafts one. QB is a wild card. Maybe if there is a Patrick Mahones type high risk high reward player available it could be worth the chance. A backxup/reliever for Kenyan Drake shouldn’t be looked for in the first round.

First priority. LB who can cover
Second prority. TE, DL help WR if Landry walks.
Take if there is a special player available. OL, QB.
He’d better turn into a HOFer if we draft him. DB, RB, WR if Landry stays.

 

We have needs at almost every position

Linebacker and safety being chief among them followed by interior linemen

 

I said TE because we have absolutely nothing there. With linebacker, we get Raekwon back, and though he didn't have a good year, Kiko is not THAT bad. We can replace Timmons.

But TE we have Thomas and Fasano. That's not even worth mentioning - we HAVE to find an upgrade. I think 11 is likely going to be WAY to high for a TE, but in round 2, or via trade down ... gotta do it.

LB and DL would be priority as well. That Georgia linebacker - Roquan Smith? - is an intriguing choice, as is a DE like Davenport. Just assemble a line that can plant Brady into the turf again and again. Make him feel 41, make him want the couch.

 

THIS!!!!! We need upgrades at every single position.

 

I vehemently disagree here. Alonso is an awful LB, always has been for us. Timmons should be easily replaced b/c the Sam spot is typically a 2 down, base position. On the other hand, we must find a competent Will that will be on the field for every defensive down who is capable of both pass and run defense. Alonso is neither, and is in fact a detriment in cases.

 

Eh, like I said, not a good year. But he was pretty OK last year. I think we just used him poorly and asked him to do too much with Raekwon out and then Timmons sucking. Get our (hopefully) stud MLB and upgrade the other side and Alonso will be acceptable. I wouldn't say to NOT upgrade, but we can get by with him and upgrade other spots. I think his play can rise more than others. We aren't increasing the value of Julius Thomas or Anthony Fasano for instance, they are who they are. Alonso can be better than he was.

 

I put Alonso in the same basket of those failed FA pickups. He's slow, very poor at the POA, and a detriment in pass coverage and the run game. He made a few splash plays last year and played quite poorly otherwise. Didn't matter if he played MLB in '16 or WLB for 17, Alonso needs to be replaced for this defense to take any further steps.

 

Alonso is fine as a mlb. He's not a wlb and played out of position due to injuries. Next year slide him back. We have rakewon. If he can cover then get him to play wlb. If he cant' try him at slb. Draft the open olb spot in the first three rounds.

 

Alonso at MLB is a main reason why we had such a horrid run defense in '16. He's a horrible cog in the middle and always out of position. And Raekown is a true Mike, there's no reason to move him anywhere else. The quicker we move on from Alonso, the faster we can get on track to fixing this defense.

 

There really is no 1 position of need. I interpreted the question as...if every pick was a bust except 1, what position would you hope wasn't a bust?

I think you could say practically anything and it'd make sense. I'd be happy if Miami drafted a *great* player anywhere because they are lacking difference-makers across the board.

The team has nothing at TE outside of Marquis Gray and it needs improvement at DE and LB and could really do with a true FS and a better option than Parker outside (or to cushion the blow of losing Landry who seems too expensive to keep). Oh yeah, and it's the Dolphins so Guard is a need, too, LOL. As always!

If Miami manages to cross any number of those things off the list of needs this year I'll be pleased.

We're not going to be perfect no matter how good the draft goes for us (too many areas that could improve) so it's really about how well the team can address the positions that do get some attention.

 

Exactly. Too much was put onto his plate. He's actually not too bad in coverage and he's a decent LB'er, but he can't cover for 15 seconds when there is no pass rush on the QB. I'd bet that maybe 2-3 LB'ers in the entire NFL would have played well in his position last season.

 

I guarantee if you sat down and actually scouted him on coaches tape you would have a vastly different opinion on Alonso's production and capabilities. He's a slug.

 

I'm no expert in scouting, but I've watched enough coaches tape on him to come to the conclusion I did. He's an average LB'er who does a couple of things really well. He was asked to do too much last year. And I still stand by my assertion that maybe 2-3 LB in the NFL would have played well in his position last year.

 

He's not a wait and react linebacker . He goes 100 miles an hour every play. His style of play is going to cause him to be out of position at times (not always out of position). But it will help him make turnovers and plays behind the line of scrimmage. Is he great no but if he becomes the weak spot of our lb crew we will have a pretty good lb crew

 

As for the original question:

I voted DB.

A hybrid CB or S would do wonders for this defense.

(That is if Burke starts to actually play some Dime and Dollar coverages like he's alluded to)

 

I'm not so sure we're talking about the same guy. The LB I see is often late to arrive at the play b/c his reads and angles are poor, and is too often engulfed by a blocker b/c his stack & shed ability is severely lacking. Alonso was never meant to be in a one gap defense.

Anyways, I don't wish to derail this thread any further, but my I stand firm in my assessment of Alonso being a detriment.

 

lol....It's funny how two people can see something completely different when watching the same thing.

For example, I think Kiko over ran about 75% of the running plays he was in on last year. lol...The only time he was late was when he was asked to cover a WR or TE for 15 seconds while the QB had all day to stand around in the pocket. The WR or TE would usually get past Kiko by that point and Kiko would have to catch up to him and tackle him after a 5-10 yard gain.

 

Not all that different. His poor reads and bad angles causing him to be late to the play can also be a result of originally overrunning it. Though usually he's being blocked 5 yards further downfield with an inability to disengage.

 

I am not sure if this is the appropriate place to put in a request, but seeing a lot of comments are LB related, I'd like to see a writeup of Roquan Smith. I know he's a bit undersized, but he's a player.

 

Sign me up for Smith and plug him in as a day one starter at Will next to McMillan.

 

I can’t really debate that too much, cause I think those holes are real, especially at outside linebacker, we haven’t had one of those in like, forever, but man, the trickle down affect solidifying this oline could have is very tempting to just go full metal jacket on it..

However, maybe we spend our money this year on oline in the free agency market, and go Defensive heavy, tight end in the draft..

 

Agree, don’t move Raekwon anywhere, this is a true mike player, from instincts to body composition.

 

I have been beating this drum hard man. Get 1-2 high end OL from free agency, then just draft defense and add a TE/QB in there somewhere.

Question for people saying safety - is Jones and McDonald not up to snuff for you? Why not? Do you feel we are best served moving one of them to LB? Or are we talking about having 3 safeties on the field in most situations in some kind of nickel package.

Minkah Fitzpatrick is a baller, I wouldn't mind picking him up.

 

Not to speak for other people, but safety might very well be best player on the board when our turn comes up, so its more of picking best player available vs. passing on BPA because of areas of other need.

 

Based on the poll results, I say we draft nothing but quarterbacks.

SMH

 

Cover 2 is quite ideal for pass coverage and you can feature two SS as long as you remain in that shell, but our problems arise when we struggle to stop the run with the front 7 and have to bring in an 8th man into the box. Now you've reduced one SS and are forced to play with another prototypical Strong as the Free who doesn't have the needed S2S range from the MOF (middle of field).

We can then alleviate some of that pressure on the SS who is now in the MOF by playing the CB's off and using Cover 3, but our defensive philosophy is playing press to minimize quick passes to the outside, which in turn helps the pass rush. Having a true FS also helps in blitz packaging b/c you can confidently call plays w/ a single high safety.

 

We have a qb who works really well in the play action game, is lethal on the move, left, or right, looks real good when he has time to throw, we have a running back who if he has good blocking maybe something special, we have a defense that could benefit with less time on the field, we have an offense that lacks a physical nature, for all these reasons maybe prioritizing oline this year is the way to go..even if some sacrifices are made.

 

Prioritize line, sure. Spend the 11th pick on it, no.

Like you and others have said, build it through FA and then draft lower round guys to be backups and learn from he vets.

 

Ok, duly noted..good thing is free agency comes before the draft..

 

LB and OG.

 

Our biggest value at 11 would probably be Quenton Nelson or Minkah Fitzpatrick should they be there. The biggest value after that would probably be a defensive end. The biggest value after a moderate trade down would probably be Roquan Smith. The biggest value after a big trade down would be the draft's premier TE or something else.

That's where I'm at now. I don't really care if they go BPA at 11, even if it doesn't fit a need. For instance, I wouldn't be upset if they picked someone like Calvin Ridley IF they had a plan in place to get resources back should Parker or Carroo not be in the future plans (unlikely and unpopular, I know).

 

There's a lot to like about his teammate, Lorenzo Carter, too. More of a mid-round consideration though. Watch his game vs. Notre Dame.

 

You're correct. After watching his 31 games on the Fins roster I have a formed a solid opinion on Alonso as a below average LB. And while effort may be a strength, his effectiveness is a glaring weakness on an every down basis.

 

New linebacker coach? That seems to be the going trend this year...I'm amazed some want Kiko as MLB. I can't beliieve he's not butter.

 

Ideally I would love to trade/rid of Suh’s contract and just draft young talent on the defensive line, a DT/DE being our 1st pick.

Since we all know that isn’t happening... We need two OLB more than we need 2 of any other position maybe besides Guard so naturally went with LB.

Need quick linebackers that can cover TE’s. Liking Edmunds over R. Smith mostly because his size, R. Smith might have a tough time covering Gronk being undersized.