We’ve talked about it for a long time, in fact, some of us started talking about it before we drafted last year, in the 2015 NFL draft. It never stops. The NFL Draft, the place where dreams are either realized, or crushed. There is always hope, always, because where else can you bring in new, young talent, and the potential to bring in 8 or more new faces to your team in one weekend. This only happens with the NFL, and then after the draft, even more excitement is generated by the signing of players who went undrafted. Sometimes, a player who was expected to be a mid round pick falls completely off the draft board, or in last year’s case, a possible top 10 pick, like La’el Collins, who due to bizarre circumstances with a murder case he had no part in yet was being questioned by police, had all 32 teams wipe him right off their draft boards.
Tomorrow will begin the madness that is the 2016 NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins currently hold 8 picks, starting from the #13 pick, #42, #73, #107, #147, #186, #227, and finally #231. There is no guarantee that the Dolphins will use all those picks to get 8 players, they may trade up early in the 1st RD and use 2 or 3 picks to accomplish that. They may trade back later in the into the 1st RD, and gain a couple of picks. There are so many angles from which to look at either strategy, and a case can be made for both, without either of them being necessarily wrong or right. For instance, supposedly, this draft plateaus from approximately pick #15 to pick #50, meaning the talent at #50 is nearly equal to the talent at #15. We pick at #13, right around that imaginary line, so would trading back to pick up a couple of extra players in that range be smart? Sure. If all the supposed blue chippers are in the top 10, does it not make sense to trade up and get a superior talent and a player with a greater chance of making a big impact on our team right now? Sure.
Whatever we do tomorrow, partly because of past failures, such as the Dion Jordan trade up to #3 in 2013, or just because of personal preferences, some of us will be angry at some of the selections we make, and yet others will be ecstatic. That’s how it is. I have to give all you guys/girls lots of credit for your dedication to the sport, and especially the entire draft process. I know many of you tirelessly watch college football to find potential for the Miami Dolphins, and others, like myself, who don’t watch college ball, scour as many scouting reports, watch highlight reels, record and watch the entire week of Senior Bowl practices and the game itself, the same with the NFL combine. The funny thing is, even the best of the best here, who really put in max effort, most likely don’t put in a fraction of the time our scouting staff put in, and our coaches and our GM put in. Granted, that’s their job, we do it for (fun?). Still, we should all probably just chill out with the negative feelings (I know I will have them), because these guys really did put in the effort to make the team better, and hopefully, it actually works.
I’m going to give you my picks for each round, without trade ups or trade downs, because those are just too hard to predict, it requires a lot of cooperation and desire from another team or two, and therefore, I’ll just do it straight up. This draft is not who I want for our team, it’s how I expect it to happen.
RD 1 – Pick #13 RB Ohio State – Ezekiel Elliott
First of all, let’s put that myth that if he’s elite, he’ll be gone by pick #10 nonsense, and if he’s not, he’ll be there. Great NFL players are chosen all over the place, and these selections are made by a few parameters, GRADE, NEED (at a certain position) and VALUE. Every team will have different metrics on those, and many teams obviously have different needs for both position, and the type of players they want to fill those positions. For example, while Vernon Hargreaves may be rated very high on most boards, a team that prefers bigger CB’s may not have him on their board early at all. So back to Elliott. He would most definitely be our best RB if he were to join our team.
Much has been made of Adam Gase’s use of a “running back by committee”. I think it’s only fair to look at each situation, and why that may have been. In Denver 2013, first off, Gase had Peyton Manning., who threw the ball 659 times for nearly 5500 yards. The Broncos drafted Montee Ball, and added him to a stable with Knowshown Moreno, Ronnie Hillman, and and CJ Anderson. Moreno carried the ball 241 times, more than double the carries Montee Ball got at 120 carries. Is that really a RB by committee? In 2014, again, Manning put up astronomical numbers, 597 pass attempts, over 4700 yards. With Knowshown Moreno out of the picture, and Montee ball fat and out of shape, and fumbling often, Gase had little choice to try and find the hot hand. CJ Anderson rushed 179 times, for 849 yards, and Ronnie Hillman 106 times, for 434. Keep in mind, Ronnie Hillman was the better 3rd down back, and most of his action was on 3rd down, but again, the RB by committee aspect doesn’t necessarily show up, because the talent just simply wasn’t there to earn the bulk of the carries.
In Chicago, 2015, Adam Gase had 30 YO Matt Forte, rookie Jeremy Langford, and 2nd YR RB Ka’Deem Carey. Just for some background, Forte has never really been a bellcow RB, the most carries he had in his career was his rookie season when had a high of 316 carries. He never broke 300 again, and has been slowly diminishing in carries the last few years, from 289 in ’13, to 266 in ’14, and last year 218. Langford carried 148 times, and Carey 43. Clearly, Forte was his best guy, but at 30 YO, he didn’t overwork him, and for the most part, Chicago’s offense was a disappointment, despite Jay Cutler playing at his most efficient, with 21 TD’s and only 11 INT’s. They sorely missed Brandon Marshall last season, and when Alshon Jeffery got hurt, that was it for this offense.
My point is, I don’t believe that Gase has a strategy to use his running backs nearly equally. I think he had to in Denver, out of necessity, and in Chicago, he didn’t want to burn out his 30 year old star in Matt Forte. Gase did say he wants a stable of RB’s, and I think that’s the responsible thing to do, considering what can happen if there’s a severe drop off in talent from your starter to your reserves. make no mistake, if we draft Ezekiel Elliott, he will clearly be our best RB, and we will use him as such. He will make a huge impact in our offense.
RD 2 – Pick #42 CB Houston – William Jackson III
We have a definite need at CB, no question about it, and we get the best we can in the 2nd RD. Jackson gives another 6 foot CB who can play both press and zone coverage. A good fit for what we’re looking for, Jackson will certainly be given every opportunity to start opposite Byron Maxwell.
RD 3 – Pick #73 OG Stanford – Joshua Garnett
As much as we need a CB, we need to shore up the interior OL. We get the powerful OG Garnett from Stanford. Garnett also will be given every opportunity to start somewhere on the OL, most likely LG, to compete with vet Jermon Bushrod. That will leave a battle royale at RG, with Billy Turner, Jamil Douglas, and Kraig Urbik .
RD 4 – Pick #107 OLB Akron – Jatavis Brown
Excellent athletic player, with wheels (4.47 40). Driven, team oriented player, lunch pail type of guy. A little undersized at 5’11” 227, but a great guy to bring into the mix at OLB.
RD 5 – Pick #147 S Miami – Deon Bush
Bush is a physical player who likes to hit, and when he does, forces fumbles. Bush forced 5 fumbles in 2014. He can also go up and get the ball with his 39 1/2″vertical. Bush has only 4 INT’s in 4 years, along with 13 passes defensed. Could be a good player down the line.
RD 6 – Pick #186 CB Virginia – Maurice Canady
Canady brings another CB with size to the team. Not a physical player, but a player with talent that perhaps VJ can bring out.
RD 7 – Pick #227 DE Baylor – Shawn Oakman
Oakman is probably worth a flier in the 7th RD. he could easily end up off the team before the season, but maybe, the light goes on, and he becomes a player. I’d take tht chance this late in the game.
RD 7 – Pick #231 WR Illinois – Geronimo Allison
OK, so I really just want to scream Genonimo!!!!!! Do I take a chance and try to sign him after the draft? No way!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
I honestly think Tunsil can have the same impact that Martin had on Dallas and Scherf had on Washington. Tunsil is a better prospect than both of those guys.
I hope so. Who plays the other OG spot?
I think Bushrod is the likely starter but I am still hoping that Turner continues to develop. He shows ability in the run game but his pass blocking needs help.
Wyo, nice remaining mock, that could cure a lot of ills…but would like to see OLB & DE addressed a round or two sooner if possible.
But Alexander is a solid pick as is Jordan Howard, the forgotten Powerback on this blog.
Cat got your tongue?
Maybe the social welfare system of Switzerland makes people more peaceful?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Switzerland
they say only 25 percent of its citizens, so I guess according to article 75 percent are not citizens.
42: R2P11 DE KEVIN DODD, CLEMSON
73: R3P10 RB KENNETH DIXON, LOUISIANA TECH
gotta admit he’s entertaining and I’ll miss him in 6 months.
Ken
I promise I’m not doing this just to give you a hard time, but you realize Bushrod has never played OG either, and he only started 4 games last season for Gase. I’m optimistic that Tunsil will be a great LT for many years here, but how he fits in this year is a question mark, and whether Bushrod can not only find a starting job, but if he can handle playing OG, which he himself said will take a lot of getting used to.
That’s why I really think they were targeting Ifedi at the end of the first but the price to get there was too high.
and Ifedi was another OT in college who many said could be an OT or OG at the next level.
this is LIVE real time right now…
plenty of guys who played LT in college and projected inside because they couldn’t play LT at the next level. so, I doubt it will be a problem for an ELITE LT to kick inside for a bit.
Maybe, we’ll see. Many of the reasons those OT’s are moved inside is because they don’t have the quickness or feet to play outside, but they have the power to play inside. That’s not Tunsil’s situation at all. he’s a finesse blocker, not a power player.
Don’t understimate Tunsil’s strength. He is not just finesse.
The best RB available I believe is Henry and I thought he was the best back in this draft. 247 lbs who has the make up of a power back who proved he is worthy of getting the ball 300 plus carries in a season. He is smash mouth
Mike E:
I get it that we have 1 OG spot that is up in the air but between Bushrod, Urbik, Turner and Douglas I am guessing that we will be able to fill that spot. I think Bushrod is the likely starter even though he has been an OT but Gase is familiar with him having coached him in Chicago so I am guessing he is comfortable that Bushrod can play the position. But we have other possibilities and as Lou said we may be looking to double down in the draft.
Fair enough, but for now, as Larry David says . . . Curb Your Enthusiasm. lol
yikes, now Tunsil is with team doctors due to an alleged allergic reaction….that or he’s going through withdraw symptoms…lol
withdrawal^^^
Maybe we should hang onto Albert after all…smh LOL
They have to give him pain killers…oh wait a minute
http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/20909/page/nflfreeagency/myles-jack-reggie-ragland-among-day-2-fits-for-dolphins
Now reports saying Jack’s knee WILL NOT require microfracture surgery
http://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/04/myles-jack-does-not-need-microfracture-surgery
Problem is Jack said that he would and Jack would not have said that unless he was told by his doctors that he would.
it’s the doctor who examined him who just said he doesn’t need it.
Something doesn’t make sense if that is case. Jack would not have said that otherwise and 31 teams would not have passed on him
the timing of this is suspicious. Anyone notice how well the OL contracts are yearly instead of a couple coming up in 1 year. SF didn’t have this luxury when they built their great line several years ago.
Jack never said he needed microfracture surgery right now…LOL
He said that the condition of his may may require it at some point in his career, in 1 yr, 3yrs, 7yrs? Depends on how it hold up & the type of beating it takes.
^condition of his ^knee^ may require….
Not disputing that but that fact that he said he may need microfracture surgery is significant and indicative of a very serious problem in the knee.
I think we don’t know Jack . . .
Been trying to tell you guys that…admitting it is the first step to recovery…Kudos Mike. 🙂
Mike Mayock @MikeMayock · 2m2 minutes ago
Rankins and nkemdiche go- reed and Robinson don’t ..lee goes- Ragland doesn’t .. Pass1st nfl all about effecting the pass game !
Huh? Do we need a decoder ring?
LMAO!!!!!!!!!
Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero 27m27 minutes ago
The Dolphins say they’re trying to find out what exactly Laremy Tunsil had an allergic reaction to.
Dbolt48 @Dbolt48 26m26 minutes ago
@ArmandoSalguero Probably occurred when the SS beat-off reporters came to the facility.
Had a reaction to Mando & Omar’s clashing colognes.
LOL @ Beat-off writers
LOL
Tunsil doesn’t have anything on Willie Nelson who just turned 83.
or I.
“Boulder said as he lights up his bowl of sativa.”
Dang, I need to move to Boulder CO if Fla doesn’t get with the program soon.
Boulder
You should be much happier than you normally are. lol
Maybe a little more paranoid though
He needs to take a hit off some Tannybud
I’m always happy during the draft. Its December that usually puts me in a bad mood 😉
Catch ya later- Closing time!
Tunsil is at the podium. A lot of canned answers. I feel bad for him. It seems like he’s been through a lot the last 24 hours. But he has a good attitude. I bet he’ll work hard because he has a chip on his shoulder.
Like no one else in that room smoked pot in college. Give me a break
gdp,
A lot of people are moving to CO. The real estate market is crazy here right now. Pot probably had something to do with it. And the drought in California.
Cool, I’m on my way….but it won’t turn me into one of them looney progressive liberal democrats that loves Hillary will it? 😆 jk/bb
Ryan making sure Tunsil knows he’s got his back👍
@GregLikens: Laremy Tunsil says Ryan Tannehill texted him yesterday. “Exciting to just know he has my back” #Dolphins
More like Tanny trying to score the kine bud from Laremy for Lauren…lol
Isn’t she pregnant?
BoulderPhinfan says:
April 29, 2016 at 5:03 pm
I’m always happy during the draft. Its December that usually puts me in a bad mood😉
lol. at least you get to dec mine starts after the first preseason snap.
…or when you wake up on that filthy old couch & realize the NLC was just another wet dream & Ken isn’t even there.
I was actually still optimistic last year in the pre season. We had beaten the hell out of carolina in practices 🙂 I was drinking the koolaid. Son kept saying Suh is here everything is different etc..
When the season started, everything went south pretty much after the first game.
gdp,
yea northern Colorado is pretty liberal. specially boulder. But Colorado springs is very conservative. That’s ted cruz country. how do you think he got all the colorado delegates without a single actual vote being counted?
Sheesh, guess I can go to CO Spgs & be the Trump man to kick all the deceived Scruz people in the butt. Wake em up. 🙂
I’ll go with
boulder,
i remember after the wash game everyone was still all excited saying it was the first game. and some here saying how they at least won the game. then it was after the jag game the shit hit the fan on here
I love the day after draft grades. Bills get an A for Shaq Lawson, Jets get an A for Darron Lee, and we take the best player in the draft and get a B. Mostly because Tunsil has off the field issues. How about Lee who has on the field issues, like he gets washed out of plays and misses tackles. take your grades and shove ’em in your pie hole!
Boulder – Yeah, I’m usually depressed in Decembrrrr too bud. I know whatcha mean. 🙂
Bout 90 min until we draft myles Jack
That would be pretty damn exciting, gotta admit
What time does the 2nd round start? I think we’d need to trade up to get him. I say stay put- there will be plenty of good players available.
7PM
Thanks. Headed to the pool for 45!
so there is enough technology to show a pic of a guy years ago smoking weed and put it all over social media but they still havent found out how to get a microphone on questions at press conference so all you get to hear is the answer.
You stealing my material ;P I’ve written that on here at least 4 times.
Chad Reuters NFL.com
Here are my evaluations on how each team utilized their assets during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft:
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Draft pick: Shaq Lawson (No. 19 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
The skinny: Lawson isn’t the physically-dominating player Mario Williams is, but he’s a good find here in a draft without a lot of top-rated pass rushers. He was also the best player available, so fans should be happy with the selection.
Miami Dolphins
Draft pick: Laremy Tunsil (No. 13 overall)
Day 1 grade: B
The skinny: Tunsil is the best pass protector in the draft, and Ryan Tannehill really needed help up front. Can’t give out an “A”, though, given the question marks surrounding his off-field character. Before the draft even began, Miami got two solid players from the Eagles in cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso for the price of just five draft slots — a nice deal.
New England Patriots
Draft pick: None
Day 1 grade: Incomplete
The skinny: The Patriots forfeited their first-round selection after the NFL determined that their deflating of footballs violated league policies upholding the integrity of the game.
New York Jets
Draft pick: Darron Lee (No. 20 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
The skinny: In five years, Lee has a chance to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL. This is really good value.
***********************************************
Is this not comical?
I saw that. Who cares what this guy thinks. If tunsil gets his shit together he’s the steal of this draft.
Mike E. says:
April 29, 2016 at 5:53 pm
I love the day after draft grades.
not just the day after but after only one round. that is just stupid
Tunsil is getting cloned on facebook here in Mississippi.
I have a feeling we might trade back.
I’d be ok with that, but I don’t know what they’re targeting? They provided great insurance for OL injuries and a future replacement at LT in the first, not sure if they’re thinking the same thing in the second for the DL.
I hate generalizations like off field issues
Dude has a shittystep dad
But let’s blame him
I’m embarrassed at some of the media personalities
Are you kidding? He’s got the greatest stepdad EVER!
Urban Myer talking about Tunsil as if he needs to get his life straight…. Come the fuck on Urban and your crew of druggies you are parading around showing how good you are at developing talent. Talk about hypocrisy
At it’s finest
They are reporting we are some if the teams looking to trade up in the second
Linked as one of a few teams talking with the browns before the draft
The ESPN beat writers did a thumbs up or thumbs down on the first round picks, and of course agenda driven walker (no respect any longer he gets a little “w”) is one of 3 that says thumbs down, the other 2 traded up when they could’ve stayed at home and got the same guy in all likelihood. Even the Bears with the ridiculous trade up 2 spots and the team that traded up 1 spot got thumbs up.
Told ya man that homo is a full on pats fan
He’s as sackless as them come. We should call him marbles.
I’m about tired of hearing about the fucking buckeyes.
Bottom lines is there isn’t one of us that would’ve rather had another legit scenario happen instead of getting Tunsil. Marino falls we get a steal, Rogers falls GB gets a steal and wins a championship, same for Tampa with Sapp.
We’ll trade up for the Browns #32 and take a 335lb DT.
well no matter how well tunsil turns out as a player at least with this draft the fins are getting the majority of the coverage.
Less than 25 minutes to go
steveccnv says:
April 29, 2016 at 6:36 pm
You stealing my material ;P I’ve written that on here at least 4 times.
how would i know. not like i read anyth…..oh wait it is you steve. sorry i thought you were mike for a second.
Did you hear me say how much I liked the pick yesterday, then today bitch about the other OG spot 😛
steveccnv says:
April 29, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Did you hear me say how much I liked the pick yesterday, then today bitch about the other OG spot😛
ok now just cause you arent mike e doesnt mean i read everything you post.
is it wrong to see urban lair on the nfl network and hope while he is on camera he has a massive heart attack and his chest explodes right on tv.
No
But you should not wish for him to mess up maycocks suit
Man I hate having this site blocked at work now….. not much time, but here’s my guesses:
Jack
Ragland
Alexander
Dodd
Spence
Ogbah
Bullard
THREE of these will still be available when we pick at 42 (process of elimination for those ahead of us with Jags and Giants being wild cards).
I prefer defense in Round Two. If we can’t get Jack or Dodd, I’d lean toward Alexander as a tremendous value at 42. Bama RB’s rarely look as great in NFL as they did in college. Not saying the suck, just not dominant like people had expected them to be.
Round Three: I can only hope CJ Prosise drops to us a bit. At least this is the neighborhood for his value. Lack of experience at the position, but previous WR experience FITS how Gase will want to use RB’s. Dude is flat out dangerous after a screen pass… that’s where he got the chunk yards running after the catch.
If he’s gone, wait until the 4th for an RB. Use 3rd for someone like LSU’s Mills (something about CB from that school, ya know).
Here’s my selfish hopes:
2nd: best defender of those listed above
3rd: Prosise
4th: Jaylon Smith (that’s right!!! two golden domers back to back, bitches) lol
5th, 6th, 7th BPA … what evuh
Another two starters needed tonight!!!!
We can only hope!
That means getting quality RB in 3rd, I think… after one of the stud defenders still left on the board for the 2nd.
Here we go! Let’s get some great players!
so if we used our two picks tonight for Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith… who would lose their shit? lol
We’re not taking both, but we might take one. I’d say odds are slim we get either though
Czonka and Warfield on the stage
Rhino says:
April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm
so if we used our two picks tonight for Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith… who would lose their shit? lol
man i hate when that happens. then i have to spend all night going around the house looking for my shit. just ruins the night.
when you lose it… just look in the trunk. That’s where most people last saw it. 🙂
so the best the browns could do for a HOF to announce their pick is have the ‘he aint no mark clayton’ dolphin do it
Ogbah gone:(
OK, I’m OK with that. I like Ogbah, but won’t cry over it
Ogbah. hmmm. I didn’t know the Big 12 played defense. 😉
every war room thinks they freaking nailed it…. lol
Great Pick…my boy is gone
Come on down Ragland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WR for Titans, right?
Probably a pass rusher
I hope Dallas takes a QB … that would really open things up for us.
this booing the commish every time is just classless. i hope the nfl never goes back to chi with the draft
what’s with the constant booing. Their feelings have been made evident. Get over it
Now Dodd is gone
😦
Damn. Thats the one I really wanted.
DE’s are flying off the board
Dodd…my other crush…oh noooo. DE’s disappearing for Miami.
That early CB run is now gonna set off a pass rusher ‘run’. (huh?) If Cowboys do it too, we might be screwed.
Wow!!!
SSSMITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW, oh fucking WOW. Happy for Jaylon. Still embarassed for Jerry Jones.
Rhino sheds a
crocodileRhino tearlook at the relief in that family. it’s still a great ‘draft moment’
Jaylon Smith….wow Bust Boom gamble by Cowboys
Crazy pick
Not Realy!
When Lee goes down Smith steps in!!!!!
read an article last week about the cowboys doctor who did the surgery who was very optimistic
Rhino says:
April 29, 2016 at 7:24 pm
look at the relief in that family. it’s still a great ‘draft moment’
its a great draft moment cause it is watching the cowboys fuck up again
SD must go OL
Almost – TE – Oh Henry!
7 picks from now….
Jaylon goes to his brother’s team. pretty cool. Had he not been injured, I doubt Fins would have traded back.
Love that Mando is giving picks faster than NFL.com. Bye Jack. Shed Rhino tear.
Spoiler???
Yep gave away about 4 minutes ago. Same with Henry for chargers.
damn, I thought there’d be at least 3 offensive picks by now.
Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack… oh my
Bye Bye Jack Meoff
OK, Jack gone, now time for us to get a LB that actually jacks people up! Reggie! Reggie!! Reggie!!!
Ramsey and Jack
That’s not right
They’ve been drafting well for a few years now, they should start making some noise.
holding out for Spence now. We need some freak athletes
I don’t think Tunsil is elite. He has very nimble feet for a guy his size. That’s about his only elite athletic characteristic. Luckily for him, that’s a very valuable attribute at LT. He has the chance to be a very good LT, but he doesn’t compare to guys like Ogden or Pace. People are getting crazy on this elite stuff again. Lol
Stuck on yesterday!
Ragland is dropping for a reason….screw him!
I think chiefs take Ragland
Too much D so far for my tastes.
Trade up???????/
Trade up
Dolphins trade up to #38!! Who is it???
did they just say Dolphins just traded up to 38?
Abramson said we just traded up.
Good player.
wow randy doesnt think a linemen is elite. i am shocked i tell you…….shocked
Cook?
Alexander or Spence… TB, Bears, Giants all could take those guys.