by D
Let me begin by saying that draft strategies are as varied as women’s underpants, and likewise, some are more appealing to others, especially given the variety of women that wear them. I have my particular views of what is a strong draft strategy but I do not, in the least, feel it is the one the Dolphins use, nor is it better than another. I do say this, however, to point out that my evaluation is based on how I think they did, and is partially based upon my own beliefs.
Let me describe then, my belief in drafting. I am not a pure BPA person; I also am not a vertical big board person. I like to combine a few aspects of BPA, horizontal big board and player specific targeting approaches. I feel it is a good strategy for getting guys you want, and yet having the flexibility for not over drafting and with preferences towards accumulating picks over sacrificing them unnecessarily.
Now that you have an understanding of my philosophy, let me begin the draft breakdown.
Round 1, pick 13: Mississippi OT Laremy Tunsil 6’5″ 310
Tunsil was my highest rate player and only one really close was Ramsey. Any other draft where QB wasn’t of such desperation would have landed him as the No. 1 overall selection. The pick to me, was BPA, it was a target player (if you lived in the land of make-believe where you really thought this was possible), it was a need position, and it was a gift from the football gods. I can’t see how this is anything other than A+, unless you are a worrier, then you might bump it down to A. Final assessment A+.
Round 2, pick 38: Baylor CB Xavien Howard 6’0″ 201
First let me set things straight, I like the guy we picked. There had been a few CB taken early so there was some sense of urgency in making this selection, though I do not agree that the urgency required a trade up. I can’t really argue if the guy would have been selected between the 4 picks we moved up to get him, because no one really knows, but I feel certain it would have been unlikely we would have been jumped by another team to take him. I also feel pretty certain that players like TJ Green, and Sean Davis offered equally rate CB prospects, same scheme fit, and Green in particular has better measurable like 40 time. I had them all pretty equally graded. Due to this I give the player selection a B+, but what we gave up to get him makes the pick a B- overall.
Round 3, pick 73: Alabama RB Kenyan Drake 6’1″ 210
Kenyan Drake is a beast. I know people think he is a scat back, or a 3rd down guy, but he is going to be a LOT more. He’s pretty comparable to Lamar Miller, but is a better receiver, statements about he cant run between the tackles is not accurate, he wasn’t use that way at Alabama but that’s because Alabama always had Henry and before that, Lacy. Drake was used as a change of pace guy there, but I don’t see that same thing for him in Gase’s system, which is a lot different from Saban’s. I think this is a perfect fit for us, and it was great talent at the right round. I think this is an A+ selection.
Round 3, pick 86: Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo 6’0″ 211
Ah, another trade up. So as I mentioned, not a big fan of giving up picks to get a play, unless it’s really justified. Player we picked is a great selection, so let’s analyze the trade. We gave up a 6th round pick, but more importantly a 3rd and a 4th rounder in 2017 to move up and take Caroo. I had Pharaoh Cooper ranked higher than Caroo, and to be honest with the way they play, there is a really strong comparison to one another. I also had Demarcus Robinson rated pretty close, though I do think Caroo gets the edge as far as play demeanor. Robinson can half ass plays sometimes, and doesn’t play aggressive. His physical skills are better but Caroo is probably the better fit. I give the pick a B+, but with what we gave up in the trade, im dropping the pick to a C+ grade.
Round 6 pick 186: Texas Tech WR/RB Jakeem Grant
Ok so I’m stuck between the nickname jitter bug and tater tot, for Grant, maybe jitter tot? At first glance you look at it and go, WTF 5’6 really but then you turn on the highlights and interviews and you go, wow this kid has spunk, he’s a baller. Quietly I have found myself loving this pick and the player. We did trade up once again to get this pick after previously trading back with NE. We swapped 6ths 196 for 186 and gave up an early 7th to move up to get him. Its hard to bag on late round trades as you are obviously maneuvering around to get a guy who probably adds special teams ability, and maybe if you are lucky becomes a backup/role player. In this guy we got a potential ST ace in the return game and a weapon on offense. Trading up to get a 1st year contributor, is an A+ move. Given the potential of this pick I see it as an A+ grade.
Round 6 pick 204: Penn State S/CB Jordan Lucas 6’0″ 201
I had to go back and watch some film on Lucas to be honest, since I didn’t remember being wow’d by him early on. He is aggressive as hell; he looks to lay a hit on people when they catch it. His zone skills are pretty solid, and I didn’t see him in press much, so kind of hard to say. Guys who play like that however usually are going to be solid press guys though. He played both S and CB, and I think for us he could wind up in either spot. He doesn’t really have elite ball-skills, but he fights through receptions, stripping a lot out and he puts hits on guys that jar’s the ball out. I give this pick a B+, because I like the upside and I think it’s a regime pick and fits our scheme solidly no matter which position he winds up at.
Round 7 pick 223: Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty 6’3″ 213
Is this a pick to threaten Tannehill? No not really. Should Tanny feel pressure to improve because of this pick, I think a little. I like the pick because he does represent someone who has shown in CUSA to be a standout player. He seems to have limitations however, that I don’t think you can think of him as a potential franchise guy, but I also wouldn’t count him out of the possibility. I think this selection signifies an approach by our team to always be looking to add talent at any position, even if its one that’s seemingly secure. I think as a 7th round selection the pick was a very solid one, accomplishing 2 things, an current upgrade to the backup QB spot, and an outside chance to develop a guy who eventually starts, either for us or traded to another team. Grade B.
Round 7 pick 231: UCLA TE Thomas Duarte 6’2″ 231
The pick of Duarte is a somewhat rarity in the 7th round. 7th rounders aren’t supposed to be guy who contribute right away, they are at best special-teamers that you kinda hope after a few years can be counted on as a backup, or small contributor. Most 7th rounders have little chance to make it on the team long term. Durate though I think is a guy we see make a contribution first year. It may not be gaudy numbers, but I think he comes in and gets exposure right off. I think there are things they can do with him on the field and packages they can unlock with him they couldn’t without him. I think he and Jitter Tot, are kind of in the same boat, sub package players, ST contributors and mismatch guys in different packages. I give this pick a A+ as well.
I think our draft was a really nice one, I don’t think it was as good as some of the other teams, but it was certainly better than most I think. Overall I give our draft a grade of B+, we filled a lot of holes, we got some talented players, and the only real complaint I have is the trades, which at times didn’t follow good draft strategy to me. The players we got were good talented guys I hope to see on the field next year, if this happen of course then the trades were great moves, so I hope to come back around at some point re-evaluating this draft and giving it a higher score.
Finsmob Unleashed 
Mike you’re like a troll.
Mike and Steve. LOL
Cameron suckssssssssssssssssss, Stills is a pussyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
hey cant even take a hit from koa misi
NFL rap
steveccnv says:
May 5, 2016 at 7:32 pm
Mike you’re like a troll.
woooaaaa steve, that is my line. i am the only one who gets to call out the trolls. and that is the last thing mike is
I was wondering if LB Mike Hull has a chance to make an impact this year? We talk about smaller LBs in today’s game, well he’s 6-0 237 and has good athletic ability and was a really good player in college. I know he has some durability issues and maybe he won’t be a starter, but could he play a role other than STs if he makes the team?
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/mike-hull?id=2552317
Did Dion Jordan make the off season pro bowl yet?
yep. ran 50 yds with a bowl of ice cream on his head.
Steve
Fuck off! Like I said, if you don’t like what I’m typing, don’t fucking read it. It’s easy as that.
Ouchy
Steve, Mike is not a troll and I’m not sure what’s going on here. He’s not a fan of a few of our players but likes Carroo and Duarte. So what?
It’s not like Mike is typing epic sized posts bashing one player over and over with all kinds of one-sided stats on a daily basis.
In honor of Year of the Monkey.
No fight. It’s done. I’m going to continue posting what I think as I see fit, and Steve can skip it all just by using his scroll button. If you need tips on how to do that, contact FFR, he’s a master!
lol @ mike.
….at least the Tannehill duels are on pause a bit do to Mike’s relentless draft trade tirades….LOL 🙂 jk/bb guys
^^^due^^^ to Mike’s…..
Piggs, it is Cinco de Mayo and I think that’s why he said he loves Hispanics. He was eating that to celebrate.
Despite the fact that it is a Mexican holiday…nonetheless…
I think Piggy but his point is that it was still a pathetic tweet
So Mike is like a troll. Does that make him a goblin?
He’s not known for goblin he’s a “hands” man.
Trolls have more hit dice and are vulnerable to fire. Goblins are just little runts. Okay so I was a D&D geek back in the day
Sounds like you still are lol
Never going to get the geek completely out of me
Man I must have missed something?
I know Mike E is a troll for more draft picks!
And Steve is a Hater from Utah who is unhappy with everything Fins!
Why is every bodies panties in a wad?
It’s the Year of the Monkey. Things be gettin funky.
i just dont think i will ever get the rules of basketball. how is a guy taking a shot that is never touched while taking the shot and it is called a foul. then even the announcers agree to it when they show you in the replay the guy is never touched.
‘Why is every bodies panties in a wad?’
i dont mean this as a comment to mike or steve. both of those guys are great in my book. i do love me some mike e he is truly one of the great ones here and have known steve for longer then the blogs going back to the ole ss chat room, but….
sometimes i think people forget this is all just a blog and it is always hard to read the emotion a comment is made in. sometimes others just get caught up in the emotion of the comment and forget they maybe reading into things wrong. i seriously doubt any in person discussion among any of us would end up as heated as some do on here
WOW, something intelligent…I’m duly impressed. 🙂
getterdone says:
May 5, 2016 at 10:45 pm
WOW, something intelligent…I’m duly impressed.:)
and now i am truly fulfilled i think my time on this planet can come to an end and i can go peacefully. which is way better then going piece fully 🙂
Rest In Piece Rob
getterdone says:
May 5, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Rest In Piece Rob
see now you are just being a jerk. if you cared you would of added an ‘a’ to that
I will after you’re no longer around talkin sheet….lol
Steve is from Nevada anyway Mr Wyoming who lives in Texas.
come on getter, you know you love me around here. you know you wouldnt know what to do without me
feelin the Bern?
talkin sheet……wouldnt that make make me a kkk member
getterdone says:
May 5, 2016 at 11:01 pm
feelin the Bern?
that is a way way way overrated steak house. so no
Nevada must be getting hot already…lol
I know a gal in AZ who tweeted a screenshot of the 100 degree temp there today….and she said, “and so it begins”.
getter,
i have been to az once. it was in june and it was hot. and yeah hot is hot. it was 105 and sitting by the pool it still was 105. but it felt just hot. i was way forewarned to make sure to drink lots of water cause you dont realize how hot it was. i was like it is 105 it is fucking hot. i get it.
but with that said it still wasnt as uncomfortable as fla at 95. i would take that heat over our heat here and the humidity it is like sitting in a steam bath.
LOL @ the year of the monkey
Monkey is a funny word to begin with and then humans not liking that we’re descendants of them makes it even funnier. 🙂
Human and chimp DNA is so similar because the two species are so closely related. Humans, chimps and bonobos descended from a single ancestor species that lived six or seven million years ago. As humans and chimps gradually evolved from a common ancestor, their DNA, passed from generation to generation, changed too. In fact, many of these DNA changes led to differences between human and chimp appearance and behavior.
Humans and chimps share a surprising 98.8 percent of their DNA.
Until we all accept this we’ll always have a fucked up view of who we are.
lol @ tim trying to explain away his hatred of squirrels
I love them so it’s actually the opposite. I have watched little squirrels be born and replace their elders for a few years now. 🙂
‘ I have watched little squirrels be born and replace their elders for a few years now.:)’
yeah and we all know why, just wanting more target practice
ok enough of this god awful night. it has been a shitty year so one more night only adds on. i think time for me to just go to bed. night all. have a good even all
Tim hanging out with his great great grandfather
getterdone says:
May 5, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Nevada must be getting hot already…lol
I know a gal in AZ who tweeted a screenshot of the 100 degree temp there today….and she said, “and so it begins”.
________________________________________________
Sounds like LOTR.
Sorry Mike, I was out of line yesterday.