Who do you take at 22?

So let's say the Dolphins stay at 22. Who are your top 3 choices at that spot? Not just your favorite players in general, but based on who might realistically be available and who offers the most immediate benefit in your opinion.

I'm not sure if any of these guys will be there, but my top 3 are:

Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU

I've been on the Willis bandwagon for awhile now. I think he can develop into a top pass rusher, and he's already decent against the run - which is a big plus for DEs coming out of college.

These past couple of weeks I've really changed my view of McDowell. I didn't like him much at first, but the more I see, the more I think his potential is sky high. I do think he'll go top 15, but a lot of people project him much lower so I'm including him here. He looks like the total package, assuming he proves that he has the desire to be a top player. A creative coordinator (which we don't have) can use him at any position on the DL and in multiple fronts. Dude is an absolute beast when he wants to be.

White could be my favorite corner in this class. Has all the skills you want at the position, though I do wish he was an inch or two taller. I'd start him out as a slot corner as a rookie, and then kick him outside next season when Maxwell gets cut. A starting CB tandem of White and Howard could be pretty damn good, assuming Howard stays healthy.

For the record, Haason Reddick might be my second favorite player in the first round (behind OJ Howard), but I think he's gone before 22 and I don't think the Phins are looking for a first round LB.

1). Lamp

2) Jordan Willis

3). Tyus Bowser

Sucks being busy on draft week. Great job carrying the board JMP!

Interesting choices, and this is a fun exercise.

Here are my three:

1. Njoku
2. Cook
3. TreDavious White

I think Njoku could really become the next Julius Thomas in his prime, only better. I'm willing to wait a season, but I believe he would find himself on the field a lot this year when Gase realized the skill set he's got. Plus, Thomas ALWAYS gets injured so it's only a matter of time before our two tight end set becomes Fasano - Njoku anyways. We could even see Gase go with four tight ends on the roster, even if all 4 aren't active on game days. Yes, I want starting defensive ends, corners or safeties, but so many mock drafts have many of them gone long before us, and we're left looking at 2nd round prospects anyways. So take one of them in the second round and get a playmaker with our first round pick.

Cook is another intriguing prospect that will likely fall for a couple of reasons, mainly off field concerns and the fact he's a running back. Well, from what I've read he is just like DeVontae Freeman - only better in several aspects. I'm in for a player like that all day. We'd be three deep with Ajayi - Cook - Drake. Plus, Ajayi has that knee concern which could limit his career so why not get another good back in here. A 1-2 punch like this goes a long way towards protecting Tanny as he recovers from the knee injury, let's lean heavy on the ground game and go deep off of play action - a real strength for our QB and this offense. As far as how the draft is likely to fall I have the same thoughts I wrote above, very likely a run on defensive talent leaving offensive value on the board when we pick.

I agree with JMP on White, and I'll also add he's an excellent returner, giving us even more value from a corner with the talent to start right away. Being a nickel prototype is actually good for us, we need competition to either push or replace McCain, who I like but the jury is out on if he's good enough to lock down that spot long term.

Yes, I forgot to mention White's return skills. That's a huge bonus. I'd love to be able to dump Jakeem Grant instead of wasting a roster spot on a guy that does nothing but return kicks/punts.

Funny that you brought up Cook. I considered making a post about him: would you take him at 22, considering he could very well be considered the best player on the board? Off-field issues aside, I think you'd have to give him strong consideration.

For all the good Ajayi did last season, I am not convinced that he is the type of back Gase wants - plus, the knee has to be a concern long-term. Ajayi is very one-dimensional, and he's a real 'boom or bust' type runner. I think Gase wants a more complete back (with receiving skills) that can be more consistent...instead of 200 yards one week and 50 the next like Ajayi. I think you could argue that Cook is the ideal back for Gase's offense.

Personally, I probably wouldn't take Cook - but I can see the logic in it and I will never complain about adding a playmaker.

I agree with your points on Cook, and I think those reasons make it a real possibility.

A lot of dominoes have to fall to make it a reality, but it's not hard to imagine. There are a finite number of defensive guys we would be happy with at 22, and if they are gone, then open up the board because there's going to be great value elsewhere. I actually believe the BPA approach will make it starkly apparent that we should trade down or make the pick outside a need area for us. If it's not a trade down, a guy like Cook would not surprise me at all.

If pressed, I'd draft him and never look back. If he truly is a DeVontae Freeman caliber back, that would look really nice in the Gase offense.

Do we even move Ajayi and try and get a pick or player in return during the draft? Another interesting idea. With his pro-bowl breakout season, his value will never be higher.

white1 wrote:
Do we even move Ajayi and try and get a pick or player in return during the draft? Another interesting idea.  With his pro-bowl breakout season, his value will never be higher.

VERY interesting thought...and remember, Ajaysi was drafted before Gase got here, so the coach really has no ties to him.

How crazy would it be if we traded both Ajayi and Parker tonight or tomorrow??? Honestly, I'd be fine with trading either one or both - but I imagine a lot of Dolphin Nation would throw a fit! LOL

OMG that would really shake things up!

Honestly IMO I would barely blink but I'd be elated. Neither of them has a long term future on this squad, and trading out Ajayi for Cook would be a huge win. Drake is a much better fit for this offense with more question marks, Cook is a better talent all around so you'd have two backs that can play the same style.

Parker could be easily replaced by increased targets to the tight ends, or a player found later or the emergence of Carroo. #3 receiver just isn't a big concern for me, and I'm sure not for the Fins either. Plus Stills will definitely get more targets anyways now that Gase knows what he can do.

If we get a draft pick of good value or a player (like a G or S) in return? THAT would make a positive impact far greater than what we'd be giving up.

Now that we've had this discussion, I'll actually be pissed if we don't trade Ajayi and Parker!

LOL!

Well, if it makes you feel any better Ajayi definitely doesn't go if we don't get Cook (Fournette and McCaffery will be long gone) in the first round. And even that is a slim possibility because he's probably enough of a playmaker he doesn't last that long. Plus, ALL the defensive guys we like have to be gone too, and no one oustide our front office knows how the Fins have their board set right now.

With Parker, honestly I'm not sure how much value the league places on him, so his value here may well outweigh anything we could get from another team in trade. There is still a chance he realizes his potential, and he has the tools to be an excellent receiver. For that reason, I'd say the probability is extremely low that he gets traded.

Now HERE's a dream scenario. Christian McCaffrey falls to number 10-15 or so, and we trade our #22 overall pick plus Ajayi AND Parker to go get him. The other team not only gets two starting caliber players (one of whom is a probowl back with 3 two hundred yard games to his credit), but in return for dropping just 7-12 spots in the first round. We get the extremely dynamic McCaffrey, a perfect fit for the Gase offense.

JMP wrote:

white1 wrote:
Do we even move Ajayi and try and get a pick or player in return during the draft? Another interesting idea.  With his pro-bowl breakout season, his value will never be higher.

VERY interesting thought...and remember, Ajaysi was drafted before Gase got here, so the coach really has no ties to him.

How crazy would it be if we traded both Ajayi and Parker tonight or tomorrow??? Honestly, I'd be fine with trading either one or both - but I imagine a lot of Dolphin Nation would throw a fit! LOL

I'd get a Mike Tannemballs tattoo if this were to transpire.

white1 wrote:Now HERE's a dream scenario. Christian McCaffrey falls to number 10-15 or so, and we trade our #22 overall pick plus Ajayi AND Parker to go get him. The other team not only gets two starting caliber players (one of whom is a probowl back with 3 two hundred yard games to his credit), but in return for dropping just 7-12 spots in the first round. We get the extremely dynamic McCaffrey, a perfect fit for the Gase offense.

You guys need to stop teasing me.

Birdmond wrote:

white1 wrote:Now HERE's a dream scenario.  Christian McCaffrey falls to number 10-15 or so, and we trade our #22 overall pick plus Ajayi AND Parker to go get him.  The other team not only gets two starting caliber players (one of whom is a probowl back with 3 two hundred yard games to his credit), but in return for dropping just 7-12 spots in the first round.  We get the extremely dynamic McCaffrey, a perfect fit for the Gase offense.

You guys need to stop teasing me.

Better to have some fun now, because chances are Tannebaum will have us crying (and not tears of joy) by the end of the night! LOL

Yeah he'll trade up to #12 and we'll all gasp, then he'll select Malik McDowell or some other bust we could have gotten by standing pat with our 2nd round pick. Then I'll start throwing beer bottles at the TV.

Well I have a sleep study tonight so I won't be able to watch the first round

Interesting points especially about trading Ajayi and Parker. I think we have a really decent backfield. As terrible as our G situation was, Ajayi still had a 3 200 yard games.

I wouldn't be open to it unless someone or something drastic happens. If the Fins soldify the G situation. Ajayi's style of ground and pound could get us the grind it out wins we need.

Parker and Carroo can go. Malachi Dupre could be a sleeper in the later rounds. Stacey Coley is one of those guys who could be better in the right system. I don't think Carroo will see the light of day. With Fasano and Thomas the TE's I would guess a lot of Jumbo, Heavy Sets, and Playaction out of those sets. If Njoku is selected than all the more reason Carroo is essentially on the practice squad or cut.

Birdmond wrote:I'd get a Mike Tannemballs tattoo if this were to transpire.

And then you'll be morally obligated to show us the pic. Or at least me

I'm now officially rooting for this to happen

rightchea wrote:Well I have a sleep study tonight so I won't be able to watch the first round

I'll be hitting the sack in an hour or two myself, had a really busy day and now I'm wiped. I'll probably wake up at 3-4 AM and find out just how badly Tannenbaum screwed up then.

Should be 5 minutes in between picks. Just sucks. I'm going to try and make it.

Texans got the best QB in this draft. They should finally be set at the QB position after all the screw-ups.

Really falling well for us with ten picks to go; lots of offense going in front of us.

I get this funny feeling that njoku and Howard will be here at 22

This turned out to be a very favorable situation for miami

Umix10 wrote:This turned out to be a very favorable situation for miami

It's playing out like a dream.

Birdmond wrote:

Umix10 wrote:This turned out to be a very favorable situation for miami

It's playing out like a dream.  

I'm assuming you meant nightmare, right?

This team HAS to be drafting horribly on purpose. There can be no other explanation. It's like somebody seeing a $100 bill just lying on the ground, and walking right by it.