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 
New Age…. don’t spoil this…. puhleazzzzze. lol
Goodell was just sexually assaulted. (I think he liked it)
Spence
damn, that didn’t take long to get the fins pick in. Trade up… pick…. DECISIVE
ffr
If you’d only listen to me…just once. Lol
Take a break, wtf
Spence? Henry? Ragland? Alexander? Davis?
commercial…. ok y’all. put your pick in… you got one minute. 🙂
wow traded a 4th round pick. oh well not like the team is full of holes and needed all of their picks
Not my favorite
😦
Henry?
Alexander or Sean DAvis…come on!
Fins are thinking Kiko is gonna be o.k. So I’d have to say Spence at this point.
Every time LOL
Miami’s pic is in let’s go to commercial
Rhino says:
April 29, 2016 at 7:39 pm
commercial…. ok y’all. put your pick in… you got one minute.:)
they should draft tunsil again with their second round pick just so we can all hear randy tell us how he isnt worth a second round pick either.
We have up our 4th btw
Bullard, please. Lol.
Fins trade their 4th round pick since Jaylon Smith was gone anyway. lol
BUT…. where do we get a RB? move up 4 spots and lose a player. They must be nervous about losing a guaranteed starter. Which means DE
Bullard would be good!
Jax went up 2 spots with a 6th but it took a 4th for us to go up 4 spots
bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/wacotrib.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/e9/8e9291a5-86d0-523a-abe3-ed2b3ef0d428/53f07891e620b.image.jpg
are you fucking kidding me. ugh
Didn’t see Howard coming. Hope he can stay with some of the quicker WR’s
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/wacotrib.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/f1/ef122c34-d42d-5c51-bbc2-9b966cd3c5eb/5621d1410d9c0.image.jpg?resize=760%2C671
Head scratcher
Well
He is the big cb they like
I think they passed up a better talent in Alexander
Why did they have to trade up?
Huh? 2 picks for that kid? Wow, a little panic move there?
Just got back and Por Fador is on the stage, why did we have to trade up?
cool, and now no fourth rounder either. why in the world would any one expect more of the fins
we moved up for this:
I f****** hate the NFL I f****** hate them let’s go to commercial before their pic and let’s go to commercial after their pick so we don’t have to talk about them at all two sentences about their draft pick is all you will get now will be on to the next f****** pic just like they were talking about the last f****** pic when they came back from commercial
There’s your starter opposite Maxwell…good size CB that can track the ball well.
why did we have to give up our 4th to get him. He would have been there at 42.
I worry about his speed a little, but he is a physical dude
Not so fast, Lippett will have to be beaten out first.
I officially miss Hickey
OHHHHHH He can run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He just Don’t want to tackle!!!!!!!!
I was hoping Bullard, expecting Spence, and got a guy I really don’t care much for. I didn’t like his film at all
Well, loving this year’s draft lasted one round. 🙄
LMAO
It’s the style of bc we are looking for
I’m. It a fan of drafting like that
Buts that’s what it is
Why trade up though?
Fuck. Wasted a second and a fourth for him?
Howard’s a very good pick…don’t get your panties in a wad…I do hate trading picks away, but we had to make a move, that or hope some late round fodder surprises.
I suspect RB or DE is next…maybe Bullard
oops, strike that…Bullard will be gone.
They traded 4th AND 6th….?Wtf
Are you telling me we now have XH3?
Spence would have been nice. Oh well.
Grier showing his Ireland side, uggg
there’s Spence. I guess Fins think Dion Jordan is gonna be ok. ahhhhh. wtf
D
Where did you see 4th and 6th?
Who let Home in hear?
I’m not Home if ur referring to me.
D,
I thought they posted just a 4th.
I honestly dont understand moving up and losing a pick after 6-7 CBs went in the first round. I think the main push already happened? It’s like being really behind of the game and trying desperately to catch up. I just hope our DC is as good at training up these guys as he’s advertised.
we take a DB from a team that gives up 50+ pts a game. lol
Spence was never on my board!!!!!!!!!
Of course neither was Howard???????????
Have no problem with the pick but why did they trade up for him?
take the rest of our picks… move up as high as possible… so the rest of us don’t waste our weekend.
So much for teams thinking much of Ragland.
Brian in NY, good pick…he liked Xavien Howard too….we will now have a very physical CB unit & secondary with Jones & Isis too.
It s a 4th
Not a 4th and a 6th
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000656148/article/2016-nfl-draft-trade-tracker-details-of-all-the-moves
We can get that 4th back if we want with a player or our late picks pkg together
It’d possible
Things get a little more fluid as the draft moves along
Steve
I like Lippett. Apparently, VJ doesn’t, because no way do we trade up for Howard if Lippett is starting.
Rhino
I was thinking the same thing
Baylor has a shitty defense
One of the worst
Yea, Mayock didn’t like his inconsistent tape.
Sorry Mike
I think Rex reads our blog. Which one of you guys like feet? Is it FFR?
That was a good pick. I really like Sheppard
The good news
No RBs taken yet
So last night our board did the talking and then turn around and panic for “need” tonight. Chris Ireland.
Randy twisting the knife. I guess Ragland’s aorta issue is legit.
Fuck the Bills
Retarded bills fan
Mike, C’mon man…I’m sure VJ really likes Lippett, but how can he walk into the building and go, yeah, you’re our starting CB when the kid had limited snaps coming in from being a WR???
Lippett will be good too. We’re getting a solid secondary built now.
Well someone liked Ragland….lol great timing
And there he goes. REGGIE!! REGGIE!! REGGIE!!
Fuckin run against Ragland 2 times a year!
screen pass to Prosise and Ragland will never sniff a tackle. 🙂
damn-i thought we were moving up to take d.henry.
Me too
We trade up for Howard
Right after Smith
Jack
And right before spence and ragland
Oh yeah this is going to go over well
A druggie extra Tackle and a Corner who can’t cover and the Bills get Shaq and Ragland.
Truth
Reggie gets to jack us up twice a year. 😦
That pick of Howard I just don’t like it with Miller, Davis, canaday, etc
Meanwhile we lose out on Spence likely Bullard, and several other pass rushers and linebackers
MikeE,
Not at all. I think Ragland is a good player…just not a high end guy like some did. It’s just always interesting to see how the actual teams value guys.
Ajayi will run right past Ragland….lol
So now we have DT3 and XH2.
I would love to say Howard is a good pick
But based on my experience as a Dolfan by 2018 Jack, Smith, Ragland and spence will all make the probowls
And we will be talking about how we haven’t given up on Howard
I see we got a 6th from Balt.
Thanks, that makes sense
Rather have the 4th round pick back and another player.
I really hate how Tannebaum drafts. He likes wheeling and dealing too much. Howard would have been there easily.
GDP
You c’mon. We traded up for Howard because he thinks we need him to start. If he was confident he had 2 starters, we don’t make that trade. Simple as that
Not
I don’t know if drafting Howard is an indictment of Lippet. I think there will be competition at the position as there should be on every unit. I don’t know much about Xavien but I like Lippet and think he has potential, but Taylor had potential too…..Let the younguns scrap it out and hopefully with a DC who is a back’s coach will get the unit coached up and playing well.
It’s surely an indictment on Taylor
Ragland’s another Bama Bust @ LB & their RB’s too
… And the Kicker comes next
Wooo fucking Hooo
Lol
There goes your guy Lou
Piggy,
I just don’t get giving up 2 picks for Howard.
We got the 6th
He would have been there
Wtf
Mike, Howard is a good CB prospect, doesn’t mean that Lippett isn’t too. It’s a passing league…need pass rushers & solid DB’s….we’re getting there!
GDP, bamas lbs and rbs do fine you need to research a little better and stop listening to M13
We do need DB depth but didn’t need to move up for him did we? That’s what gets me.
No we didn’t there were too many other options to have felt the need to make that trade
Good young player
Ill be back in a while. We don’t have a pick for a while and I really dont want to hear about a bunch of good players going somewhere else lol.
Honestly I’ve always wanted to draft a guy named Xavier
We didn’t it’s Xavien
That’s Czonka’s blood pressure medicine
LOL
Best available
Anyone?
Nobody knows what sort of CB Lippett will be. He’s still learning to play the position. I doubt the coaches were relying on him to play significant snaps this year.
Ifo and lippett are going to start at cb in 2016
Lol
Brian in NY says:
April 29, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Xavian Howard may be the pick for us too. He’s a big corner
Reply
You bastard
Wow look at you, good job
pick 44 and still no other CBs taken. Who were we afraid of taking Howard that we needed to lose a 4th round pick. smh
Oh shit
I gotta get my mom flowers
I would have like to have paired Jihad with Isa. Could have been terrors on defense.
Lol!
I think there would be way to many bombs on the field
You guys are gonna grow to really like Howard…he’s a safety in a CB’s body…he won’t take no shit. We’ll be aggressive in 2016.
He played in a very pass heavy conference…he’s developed quickly and under VJ should come into his own!
saw this guy play regularly as I live in Big 12 country. I just don’t see “football smarts” in that body.
I guess taking Tunsil at 13 truly does not require genius. Round 2 shows what we have to look forward to. 😦
Jeff Grier
Chris Ireland
with all the maneuvering to obtain a rb this offseason the pick doesn’t make sense with henry sitting there.