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 
Lol @ Jerry jones face.
I hope he’s right!!!!!!!
Chris Perkins @chrisperk 59s60 seconds ago
Zeke Elliott to Dallas = Vernon Hargreaves to #Dolphins?
Perkins is an idiot and Omar is just as idiotic
I think Elliot makes sense for the Cowboys. Romo can’t throw 40-45 times per game and take hits. They want to be a 60 rush/40 pass team and keep their defense off the field. Elliot and Morris keep pounding the rock.
son of a son of a shula says:
April 28, 2016 at 8:39 pm
Jax gonna run up there for Jalen. Damn
it is more a gator town but still it is a fla team and a real good fit. not like their fans would hate that pick
He’ll be with badass Telvin
I would not be surprised for Fins to take Ragland. This is not an opinion of preference, personally, it’s just a gut feeling. Fins need a can’t miss starter who can improve our run defense. It just seems like the ‘quickest fix’ in that regards.
Amen that’s what I came up with after 1000 Mock drafts!
Elliot goes off the bird and this dbag immeditly mentions Arian Foster
https://twitter.com/flasportsbuzz/status/725847449428971520
Darren McFadden to Miami?
Hasn’t to be Ramsey to the Jags, he’s close from college to pros.
Jaguars just hit the lottery sitting there at #5.
good pick for jax. doubt any of their fans will hate that pick
Now that is who I wanted!
Ramsey gets to stay in north florida as well. not too bad
Fuck you Jacksonville
May your stadium pools be filled with piss
Dallas could have fucken got Zeke at 13 and let us get Jalen at 4
Tunsil next?
Does Deon have fake teeth?
Lol
What no one giving me accolades for telling you all it would be Goff the day the Rams traded the farm to move up, despite early rumor from so called experts that it was Wentz.
I also brought you Tannehill, remember…Start listening to me people! 🙂
The only one that said Wentz was Randy, with his inside info, everyone said Goff.
Not how I remember it, but ok, no prob. All good.
what’s next nostrahomas?
Are you trying to be like one of those experts that does 13 mocks and says I told you so, when one of those hits?
Ramsey stays home too. Cool stuff for these young guys.
So who is picking 7
It’s Balt 6
The __ at 7
Then Browns
49ers
LOL @ Piggy wishing urine filled pools in Jax. What you actually thought Ramsey would slip to #13? 😉
No
But let a piggy dream
Jags and Ravens getting dream picks because of Rams/Eagles QB desperation and Cowboys, well, being the Cowboys.
dammit. and i had piggy as the first. ‘i told you so’ with the draft comments. no wonder i hate you getter 🙂
Glad to be hated.
Well, it’s going to be another hour before they let the Dolphins pick unless we trade up.
I do agree with Steve about Tunsil to Ravens.
Oh well it was LT.
49rs pick 7
Why
SF
We have to hope the 49ers don’t pick Jack
RONNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not surprising Stanley to the Ravens.
With Tunsil out there?
He’s considered a better run blocker with more upside. Tunsil/Stanley is like Goff vs. Wentz.
getterdone says:
April 28, 2016 at 8:52 pm
Glad to be hated.
lol so we have that in common too.
Video surfaced today of Tunsil taking bong hits
Stanley? Why I otta….
Stanley before Tunsil????
there’s another surprise. Everyone said Tunsil would go first
Well Black Birds still took a LT, they needed one or Flacco is toast.
so one more pick to know who the fins could of had before the trade.
49ers have so many holes. Their pick is the wild card in this top ten
So do the Ravens try to trade Okung now?
Take Lynch
Think 49ers might take Oregons Buckner
Chip Kelly connection
Great point, if not then we can trade him Jordan…lol
Titans will be looking to trade up very soon to get Tunsil.
They can trade with us
Was hoping so, it’s only a 2 slot drop, maybe gain a 4th & 6th.
oh shit. maybe Tunsil drops to Fins. LOL bong hits are the norm in south florida
Bosa high as fuck
Stanley is considered a better run blocker with more upside than Tunsil. Tunsil/Stanley is like Goff vs. Wentz.
Elliot going to make that Dallas team even better. Jones didn’t want to pay high dollar for an older RB but he won’t mind crushing teams with Elliot on the cheap(somewhat).
“better” ahem, they picked 4th!!!!
Went to the playoffs the year before. Now they can take off pressure on Romo again. Back to playoffs here they go.
LMAO @ the Tunsil Twitter photo
WOW someone sabotaged Tunsil maybe it was the Dophins “analytic” team who hacked his account? LOL
Jax is looking really good right now. Got the best at #5.
Zeke will be big in fantasy with that Dallas OL.
Yep!
https://twitter.com/nflbestofs/status/725850355582525440
lol just switch to espn during the commercial. my gosh gruden is an idiot. so glad the fins didnt go there for a coach. i would so switch to a hater with him.
$9’ers still on the phone…lol
but it was probably an ex-girlfriend who knew his passwords and had the video. LOL
good call Piggy
LOL Chip Kelly is such a whore
There goes 1 OT
and 1-DE
good luck sf. we all know how good those oregon players are.
Next OT?
folks, there is gonna be one fine ass Linebacker available for us at 13.
CB
Chip Kelly really predicable
Is
trade watch it be us
Phins should have some good players dropping to them. VH3, Lawson, Conklin, Jack
oh shit. Tennessee trades up.
hey rock,
there you go a team trading down and back up. see even i can get something right once in a while
Uh Ohh, is tit the Phins trading with the Browns or Tenn?
Cleveland racking up picks…
Like 15 by now…lol
Clev traded the pick
To who?
FN Titans getting the same guy at 8 they were going to take at #1
Yeah, pretty fucking awesome GM work there.
The Titans
They probably want Tunsil
They got their man and a bunch of picks….lol
Tunsil will be the pick for TN.
ok here is the team i hate. bet the bucs take Hargreaves
2nd OT
wow. that’s a long way to go up for Conklin. Tunsil might lose a fortune from one tweet
I’ll take Tunsil
Titans GM is pretty good. The coach…well, he sucks.
Conklin over Tunsil insane in the membrane
Wtf
So Tunsil likes weed
WOW, Conklin….damn, I was really kinda secretly wanting him.
all those picks for Cleveland just means more opportunities to fuck up lol
4 picks before us
Tunsil
Jack
Hargreaves
Lawson
Are On the board
Tunsil will go the Giants, which will give us a Playa.
Hope you’re right
Tunsil had baggage thrown on him the last few weeks and days. Really good prospect dropping.
He’s one of the best players in this draft
One of the elite ones
I mean Tunsil is great
I don’t think the 2 OTs before him are close to him
Okay there is a little of field stuff
So what
Stanley is on par but noyConklin
CHI on the clock?
DE
Bucs will screw us with either VH3 or Shaq
I want Jack anyway
Bears seemed to really want Lawson
bears after lawson?
New trade
Who did the Giants want so bad that the Bears had to get in front of them?
This is were I hear we Shouldn’t have traded down BS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know
Could have had Jack now
Bears – Lawson
Giants – Floyd
TB – Hargreaves ???
I can’t believe that Jack will last but we will see
Smart trade by Bucs. I know FFR is secretly excited…
SAints – Rankins
Fins – Myles Jack
we shouldnt never have traded down.
(just wanted to make wyoming happy)
These next few picks are going to be painful for me
Bucky Brooks thinks it’s Flloyd
New Age says:
April 28, 2016 at 9:12 pm
Smart trade by Bucs. I know FFR is secretly excited…
i hate you now. lol
Lol, had to do it. You’re so funny.
The Jack slide is real. He would have gone top 5 or right around there.
Good pick for a 3-4 team Floyd
Wow, he flew up.
Did the Bears need to move up for that pick?