Am I right? No LBs or WRs drafted this year?

With all the LBs the Phins have signed, and the new WRs and signing Williams to a contract also, I am thinking the Phins may not draft a LB or a WR this year.

The Phins are working out R. Foster (who looked like a phenom at Bama, but had a drinking problem IIRC) and just re-upped B. Scarlett for a year. They have re-signed Roberts and Riley at LB also. While there is a CHANCE the Phins go after a MLB with the 3rd or 4th pick, I am thinking not.

Same with WR. You have Hill, Waddle, Wilson and now Williams, and Sherfield, Core, and Bowden.

I suspect Grier is going to have his board weighted in the weird manner we have seen him use. I assume it is based on some formula of need/scouting reports/projections.

I suspect Grier is thinking strictly DEPTH so he might go after the top rated O-linemen or get a depth CB maybe? A LB who drops my be there. And of course, the Phins could use an EDGE guy to rotate maybe open up some other rushers....

Still a ways to go, but Grier and Co have done a good job of plugging some holes. That should allow him some leeway in the draft to go after BPA. My guess is BPA at a position of need or lack of adequate depth though. And with only four picks, 3rd 4th, and two 7ths, that may be the best strategy in this draft.

I absolutely think WR and LB are possibilities - we have needs at both positions for sure (big fast WR, stud ILB, pass rushing OLB). I think all positions are on the table. The way the roster has been built, we have the luxury of drafting for BPA rather than need.

WR no but we still need the stud LB. They brought back the LB crew on small contracts but to me none are really irreplaceable.

Pass rushing OLB is probably where the draft value and need matchup the best for us.

I would not ignore the possibility of IOL(center or guard) either.

Part of me would be really intrigued with that super punter (Arizai?). A booming leg and he can tackle too? The Morstead signing is underwhelming... I cannot stand a bad kicking game and it could bite us in close games...

Yeah, I'd be mildly surprised if we don't draft a center. Then again, there are still a couple of good unsigned vets so we can go in that direction if we don't draft one.

We cleared some space. There's probably a reason why Tretter hasn't signed but if they do end up signing him, the pick in the draft could be anyones guess.

i absolutely think ILB is in play for the Phins 3rd round pick. and i think the Dolphins agree...

The Dolphins, who still need a long-term solution at inside linebacker alongside Jerome Baker, had a recent South Florida visit with one of the draft’s top 10 prospects at the position: Georgia’s Channing Tindall. Tindall met with Dolphins officials at team headquarters last week. On Georgia’s 2021 national championship team, Tindall was overshadowed, to an extent, by two Bulldogs linebackers who are projected to go in the first round: Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean.

Tindall, who is 6-2 and 230 pounds, had 67 tackles (including 7.5 for loss) and 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 15 games last season and was named second-team All-SEC.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article260254210.html

most projections i've seen for Tindall have him going in the late 2nd to mid-3rd range.

mercury22nathan wrote:i absolutely think ILB is in play for the Phins 3rd round pick.  and i think the Dolphins agree...

The Dolphins, who still need a long-term solution at inside linebacker alongside Jerome Baker, had a recent South Florida visit with one of the draft’s top 10 prospects at the position: Georgia’s Channing Tindall. Tindall met with Dolphins officials at team headquarters last week. On Georgia’s 2021 national championship team, Tindall was overshadowed, to an extent, by two Bulldogs linebackers who are projected to go in the first round: Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean.

Tindall, who is 6-2 and 230 pounds, had 67 tackles (including 7.5 for loss) and 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 15 games last season and was named second-team All-SEC.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article260254210.html

most projections i've seen for Tindall have him going in the late 2nd to mid-3rd range.  

Yep, Tindall is an easy selection if he's there. He probably goes earlier, and if so keep an eye on ILB Malcolm Rodriguez from Oklahoma State. He's a Zach Thomas type - undersized, but he's a strong, instinctive, sideline-to-sideline Energizer Bunny. He's a leader and is considered a very intelligent player. He's really hard not to like!

Chad Muma and Troy Andersen are still my guys, but Rodriguez really DOES seem like Zach However IMO even the real Zach probably doesn't make an NFL roster today even being the same player since guys have gotten so much more athletic in the last 25 years.

Also, I'm not high on Tindall at all. He has bust written all over him. In five languages.

Yeah, Muma and Anderson are really strong prospects. I think both could go in the 2nd or 3rd.

The thing with Tindall is that he's hard to evaluate because he played behind one of the most dominant DLs we've seen in recent times. Is he good on his own, or is he good as a product of the players in front of him? That's what the scouts will have to diagnose.

Edge rusher looks deep, Dominique Robinson really intrigues me at 102 (I think he doesn't make it to 125) and there are good prospects to be had in later rounds even.

Cam Jurgens, Zach Tom (OT last two years but being projected to C) Cade Mays and Luke Fortner are among the C prospects who should be available to us.

Small school overlooked CBs to look at: Joshua Williams of Fayetteville State and Zyon McCollum of Sam Houston State.

Along those small school lines, James Houston IV was pretty impressive playing LB at Jackson State for Deion Sanders last year. He should be available in the late rounds.

Maybe Grier is just covering his bets and being able to adapt if the draft goes in a different direction then he is thinking... A big bruising MLB who has to be accounted for on every play would instantly make the Phins defense a whole level more dangerous, so maybe... But that has been the case for a couple of seasons now IMO.

I agree with Hal though, if there is a quality edge rusher there at #102, they would be mighty hard to pass up. Anyone have any thoughts about Nik Bonnito from Oklahoma?

LBs Muma and Anderson are gonna be gone by #102 IMO.

I have seen Leo Chenal and Tindall there at #102 a few times. I like Chenal, but I am sorta with DF316 on Tindall. I would prefer to have Walker but I doubt he drops that far.

And I agree about LB James Houston, though he seems to be rising.

What does everyone think of Darrian Beavers from Cincy? He seems to always be around the ball.

Also, Kentucky C Fortner has dramatically improved his rankings it seems. He was rated in the 290s once and now he is in the 140s IIRC!! Kentucky's Oline was the heart of their team the last couple of seasons IMO.

Jurgens is no longer there at #125. Empey must have stunk at his Pro Day cause he has dropped like a rock. I like Deaton but admit Wattenburg may have more upside.

I would not mind Jurgen or Fortner at Center. Either would give Dieter some stout competition in camp. Dieter would probably beat out Deaton or Wattenburg... initially is my feeling.

Hal, I like McCollum. I have not looked into Williams much but he is rising it seems. I have been picking Akaylab Evans in the mocks when I have traded for the right picks.

What are your feelings on Josh Jobe from Bama, Kalon Barnes from Baylor,
and Jaylen Watson from Wash State? These are 7th rounders or so PFN's mock ranking have them.

So the question is: Is Grier going to go for help for the Defense or for Oline depth with his first couple of picks. Or maybe a mix of both. The more I look at this, I suspect we are going to see the BPA thing rear it's head. Which is usually a good draft strategy... Usually.

Why do I always get the feeling every year that we actually do more work and know more about the prospects than the actual Fins' scouts? Judging from the drafts it sure does seem that way! I said it before and I'll say it again, I really do believe we as a forum would draft better than the actual Dolphins team. Far better.

On Nik Bonnito - insane mix of speed and athleticism, and he was productive for 3 years in a big program. He's undersized for an every-down DE and not sure he has the run-stopping strength/ability to be a true OLB - but as a pass rush specialist there's a ton of value there, and a lot of upside if he can get bigger and stronger.

JMP wrote:On Nik Bonnito - insane mix of speed and athleticism, and he was productive for 3 years in a big program.  He's undersized for an every-down DE and not sure he has the run-stopping strength/ability to be a true OLB - but as a pass rush specialist there's a ton of value there, and a lot of upside if he can get bigger and stronger.

I do not believe he will be there at #102, but every Mock I do where he is available, I draft him. He is ranked #77 best player available by PFN, so at #102 he is a draft value steal.

Now, whether he can make the jump to the Pros from college.... I like him better than I did Charles Harris for sure! And getting Bonnito in the 3rd rather than the first ameliorates the threat somewhat IMO.

Speaking of Charlie Harris... he just signed a two year deal for $13 mill with the Lions. He actually played fairly well for them last year.

Phins looking at another possible LB pick.

The Dolphins, on the lookout for developmental pass rushers, recently brought California’s Cameron Goode to team headquarters, according to a Golden Bears source.

Goode was highly productive in four years at Cal-Berkeley but is considered a potential late-round pick at 6-4 and 240 pounds.

He started 37 games during four seasons and had 172 tackles, including 36.5 for loss, 20.5 sacks, two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 13 quarterback hurries.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article260273520.html

finfanatic wrote:Speaking of Charlie Harris... he just signed a two year deal for $13 mill with the Lions. He actually played fairly well for them last year.

wait. what? the Dolphins overdrafted a player and then compounded the issue by failing to develop him with proper coaching? shocked!

mercury22nathan wrote:Phins looking at another possible LB pick.

The Dolphins, on the lookout for developmental pass rushers, recently brought California’s Cameron Goode to team headquarters, according to a Golden Bears source.

Goode was highly productive in four years at Cal-Berkeley but is considered a potential late-round pick at 6-4 and 240 pounds.

He started 37 games during four seasons and had 172 tackles, including 36.5 for loss, 20.5 sacks, two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 13 quarterback hurries.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article260273520.html

I don't know much about Goode, but love the size and production. Seems like he was considered a late round or undrafted FA, but then he kicked ass at his Pro Day and has generated some buzz. I think he played OLB in college...wonder if he can also play inside?

According to a Wake Forest source, the Dolphins are dispatching offensive line coach Lemuel Jeanpierre and offensive assistant Mike Person to Winston Salem, N.C., on Wednesday to give a private workout to draft-eligible left tackle Zach Tom.

“Center prospect who spent the last two seasons at left tackle. Tom was extremely impressive in pass protection at tackle despite a lack of desired size or length, but he’s likely headed back to center in the pros. He plays with technique and plus body control, but his aggression level is a little lacking in the run game and his mass is below average. Tom could be a priority for teams with leaky interior protection. He has Day 3 value as an above-average backup with eventual starting potential.”

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article259823070.html

and

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted, Miami has booked a private workout with Baylor receiver Tyquan Thornton, who ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine – which was the fastest among NFL receivers.

“There is a lot to like about Thornton’s game, including his instincts, long speed and ability to create separation on the move. He’s a vertical threat with the speed and poise to win deep and has an excellent feel for maintaining spacing when working against zone coverage. He’s skinny and linear, which is a bad combination in defeating strong press-man corners on the next level. “The poise and catch radius will work in his favor, but the success rate on contested catches will be lower than teams like, based upon his history and physical traits. Wideouts with his size profile have struggled mightily to succeed in the league, but Thornton’s speed and talent make him worthy of a shot on Day 3.” Thornton - who’s listed at 6-3 and 182 pounds - was second-team all-conference last season, catching 62 passes for 948 yards (a 15.3 average) and 10 touchdowns.

looks like if we are learning one thing, its that McDaniel values speed.

Zach Tom has impressed this offseason. He's definitely on my list.

I didn't know much about Thornton till I saw him at the Combine. That dude can move! I think McDaniel is going to focus on adding fast receivers that can block, as WR blocking is going to be key for this new running game. Hill and Waddle are in the same weight range as Thornton and they are both tough SOBs that can block effectively despite their small stature. But I'm not sure how Thornton is as a blocker?

finfanatic wrote:
What are your feelings on Josh Jobe from Bama, Kalon Barnes from Baylor,
and Jaylen Watson from Wash State? These are 7th rounders or so PFN's mock ranking have them.

Jobe's teammate is ranked several rounds above him; Barnes would be a value in the right round if he falls IMO; Watson I am not that familiar with. I like the small school ball hawks over these guys late if we go there.

With Zach Tom coming in for a visit, looks like he is definitely on the radar with stock rising. Like Mays and Strange he projects to multiple positions.

Thornton looks skinny as a rail.

Zach Tom has MOVED WAY UP the draft boards at PFN.

I have been perusing some of the other Draft Ratings websites and there is a (Lord) Humongous amount of difference in the rankings this year.

I have been engaged in a (raging) discussion about the advisability of trading up... into the lower 2nd or higher in the 3rd to get a player the Phins covet. I keep hearing one very good player beats two or three backups.

My initial thoughts were yep, do it. Trade away all the 2022 picks for one player, but after looking at the players that are going to be available in the low 2nd round and upper 3rd round, I have changed my mind to thinking that securing some quality depth and competition at a couple of positions makes more sense.

To really get up into the rarified position where an impact player is available would require using next year's picks. I REALLY hope Grier does not do that, but... He takes a shine to someone, we may see another boneheaded move!

I have been playing with the mocks, and so far, I have not found any trade up scenarios that work (for me anyway... Grier may feel differently.

The trade down for more picks seems to work out favorably, or stand pat and get four really solid players that provide depth and competition.

Stand Pat Mock
102. Cole Strange OG Chattanooga - Note he is usually gone by #102, so we lucked out on this one
125. Dominique Robinson EDGE Miami-Oh
224. Logan Bruss OT Wisconsin
247. Clarence Hicks LB UTSA

Trade Down Mock
102. Darian Kinnard OT Kentucky - Can play Guard or OT
134. Luke Fortner OC Kentucky
195. Vincent Gray CB Michigan
214. James Houston IV LB Jackson State
224. Zach VanValkenburg EDGE Iowa
247. Luke Tenuta OT Virginia Tech
260. Derrick Deese Jr. TE San Jose State

I guess if we knew who the Phins wanted to trade up for... and how high...But I think standing pat or trading down is the way to go as things look now.

Great job on both, FF, particularly IMO the stand pat draft. Bruss is another one I usually take late if he's there. Many feel he's an eventual starter in this league. Love the Strange and Robinson picks too. Two guys who I think would really help us, for sure by 2023.

I'm more of a trade down advocate this year, particularly when you have few picks this year. Either bolster next year's holdings or get an extra swing or two late this year.

Here is who PFN thinks the Fins will pick (full mock).

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/miami-dolphins-7-round-2022-nfl-mock-draft/

So I decided to try two run-throughs.

First one:  Myjai Sanders is actually there at 102.  Mixed reports on him but interestingly no trade offers.  I go ahead, he's the consensus BPA.  
125: Robinson still there--two EDGE rushers right away?  Again no trade offers.  Wan'Dale Robinson, Zach Tom also there.  I take Tom, even though I really like Robinson's upside.
At 224, Volson and Barnes are the top 2 choices.  I take the speedy Barnes though I'd be happy with either.
247: Zander Horvath is still there.  BPA according to NFL.com is Dai'Jean Dixon, WR.  Dixon's upside is intriguing, but I think Horvath is the better fit for us.

So my stand pat:  Sanders, Tom, Barnes, Horvath.

Now let's make some trades.

Chenal and Jurgens there at 102 on this one.  NE is offering 127 and next year's 4th to move up and they also want 247.  I counter with next year's 7th instead, to keep 4 picks this year and move up 3 rounds next year.  They accept.

I take Robinson at 125.  Buffalo is making an offer but I decline 130 and 168 for 125 and next year's 6th from CHI.

at 127 the LA Rams offer 142, 175 and 211 to move up.  I ask them for next year's 5th instead of 175 and they accept.  So we now have an extra pick added each year now.

Jacksonville offers 157 and 198 to move up to 142.  i ask them for next year's 6th instead and they accept.

Tyquan Thornton is there at 157.  Why not?

At 211 I reach a little and take Logan Bruss, OT.

CB Barnes at 224.

OC Dawson Deaton at 247.

So next year we have 2 1sts, a 2nd, 2 3rds, a 4th, 2 5ths, 2 6ths.  10 picks in all next year, two more to work with. We end up with Robinson, Thornton, Bruss, Barnes and Deaton this year, addressing needs at IOL, OT, CB, WR and EDGE.