Taco Charlton 6’6” 277 DE Michigan
Taco is going to possibly be one of the DE’s who may be available at #22 in the first RD. He has prototypical size, with long arms (34 1/2”), and has production at a big school. While he didn’t blow up the combine, he ran a pedestrian 4.92 40 and put up 25 reps (with long arms!). Keep in mind that Terrell Suggs ran a 4.84, and he doesn’t “play” slow. Taco played all 4 years at DE for Michigan, and his senior year was his best with 40 tackles (20 solo), 13.5 TFL, and 10 sacks. It should be noted that Taco was basically a special teams player until his Junior year, where he saw more action at DE, but basically, Taco has one full year of starting experience.
NFL.com has Taco rated at 6.5. According to most scouts, the word inconsistent keeps popping up, but a lot of scouts feel if he is in the right program with the right coach, he has potential to be a quality player.
*************************************************
Derek Barnett 6’3” 259 DE Tennessee
Barnett was a 3 YR starter at DE for Tennessee.A consistent pass rusher from the get-go, he had 9 sacks his Freshman season, 10 in his Junior year, and then topped it off with 13 sacks his Senior year. He also added 56 tackles (40 solo), along with 19 TFL, 1 INT, 5 passes defensed, and 2 FF’s. Barnett features very good hand fighting techniques, and that’s his best attribute. Not particularly fast (4.88 40), he does have a quick first step. Not sure if he makes it all the way to #22, but I’d think he’d be given serious consideration if he did. NFL.com has Barnett rated at 6.21
****************************************************
Tim Williams 6’3” 244 LB/DE Alabama
Tim Williams played all 4 years at LB for Alabama, but was a strong pass rusher. A little undersized for a 4-3 DE, Williams may be a hybrid OLB/DE, or may find a home as a 3-4 OLB. Williams. Word is he struggled with different assignments in Alabama’s defense, but was most comfortable when just rushing the passer. Williams finished his Senior season with 31 tackles (22 solo), 16 TFL, 9 sacks, 2 passes defensed, and 2 FF’s. At the combine, Williams ran a 4.68 40, and chose not to participate in the bench press. Williams is a good player with talent, but where exactly he best fits will be up to the team that drafts him. I admit, if he were our pick at #22, I’d be disappointed, because I think he’d have to be more of a pass rush specialist, and not a starting DE, and IMO, that’s not a great value in the 1st RD. NFL.com has Williams rated at 6.04
****************************************************
Charles Harris 6’3” 253 DE Missouri
Harris is coming to play in the NFL after his Junior year at Missouri. Harris improved each year, and finished his Junior season with 61 tackles (35 solo), 12 TFL, 9 sacks, 2 passes defensed and 2 FF’s. Harris didn’t start playing football until his Junior year of HS, which is pretty late. Harris ran a 4.82 and put up 21 reps on the bench. He’s considered a good pass rusher, but not very strong against the run, and also has difficulty shedding blocks. NFL.com has Harris rated at 6.0
****************************************************
Takkarist McKinley 6’2” 250 DE UCLA
Takk is a very good athlete, and despite being a little short for a DE, he has long arms, and the speed and power to compete. Takk had his best year in college his final year at UCLA, where he put up 61 tackles, 18 TFL, 10 sacks, 6 passes defensed, and 3 FF’s. Great motor, and never stops. Takk recently had shoulder surgery, right before the combine, but he was able to particpate in all the drills, so I would imagine he’s going to be OK for the season. He’s another 3-4 OLB/4-3 DE prospect. Takk ran a 4.59 40 and put up 24 reps in the BP. He’s relatively raw as a pass rushing prospect, as evidenced by the jump from 3 sacks jis Junior year to 10 sacks in his Senior year. He will need to be taught, but the talent is there. NFL.com has Takk rated at 6.21
****************************************************
Carl Lawson 6’2” 261 DE Auburn
Lawson is a well built DE prospect. Very strong, putting up 35 reps on the BP. Pretty quick and athletic for his size too, running a 4.67 40 and and even more impressive 4.19 20 YD shuttle. Very good burst, and strong hands, 2 traits you look for in a DE. Lawson finished his Senior year with 30 tackles (16 solo), 14 TFL, 9.5 sacks and 1 FF. NFL.com has him rated at 5.75.
****************************************************
Jordan Willis 6’4” 255 DE Kansas State
Willis’ Head Coach Bill Snyder called Willis “The Epitome of Kansas State football”. Nuff said right there, that’s a pretty high compliment, especially from a Hall of Fame HC. Willis was Big 12 Player of the Year in 2016. Willis finished with 52 tackles (34 solo), 17,5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 3 FF’s and 1 FR. Pretty impressive. Willis has excellent speed, ran a 4.53 40, along with a DL best 39” vertical, which shows explosiveness, a 6.85 cone, and a 4.28 20 YD shuttle. Obviously, this kid is a great athlete. He also has a non stop motor, and always play to the whistle. Incidentally, the Dolphins have met with Willis a few times, according to our FU beat reporter D. NFL.com has Willis rated 5.72
****************************************************
Tanoh Kpassagnon 6’7” 289 DE Villanova
Excellent prototype size, with extraordinarily long arms (35 5/8”). Big enough to play either outside or inside. He does need to work on his lower body strength though. Very intelligent prospect, son of chemical scientist and economist. He currently has an internship with Price Waterhouse Coopers. Tanoh in his Senior season totaled 45 tackles (27 solo)along with 21.5 TFL, 11 sacks, 1 FF and 2 FR’s. He’s still a raw prospect, and needs to develop a repertoire of pass rushing moves. Definitely a player with upside, it seems scouts want to make sure he really loves football, as he appears to be on track in his business career. NFL.com compares him to Margus Hunt, and we know how that worked out. NFL.com has Tanoh rated at 5.59.
****************************************************
Next article will be a look at the LB’s, and then following that will be the safeties.
Finsmob Unleashed 
I am groot
Second
I see that we had a visit with T.J. McDonald yesterday. Unfortunately, he’s suspended for 8 games this season for DUI of drugs. I want to bring in a bigger safety to pair with Jones. I wonder if Obi is on our radar.
Another guy worth a look is Evans from Texas A&M
Nice job Mike.
Just wanted to add that Barnett was reportedly pretty sick at the combine and is probably a little more athletic than he tested.
Charles Harris who had a less than stellar combine bounced back w/ an excellent pro day where he increased his vertical by by 5″….37.5″ was his number in that which shows his explosive first step off the ball.
Thanks for the update. If you have any others, keep ’em coming!
Don’t have a ton as I haven’t followed as intently as in years past.
Although I’ve seen that Miami sent LBs coach Frank Bush to personally workout LB Tyus Bowser.
The Pork ranking of the guys Mike mentioned
1. Barnett
2. McKinley
3. Williams
4. Lawson
5. Harris
6. Taco
7. Willis
8. Tanoh
I like 7 and 8 BTW
I just don’t think they will be selected in the 1st round
I guess I am just not a huge Taco fan. I just don’t see the explosiveness I want from a edge guy
I think he will be a solid pro but I think he is a bit underwhelming as a pass rusher
This taco is a bit underwhelming too. It looks like a taco you’d get in South Florida.
Me thinks Mike’s assessment as Williams and McKinley as 3-4 OLB (to paraphrase) is correct
both smaller than what you want at 4-3 DE
but I still think they would be good picks for us
I don’t get carried away with these “good fit” distinctions when players have a lot of talent
Wake is only 262 pounds
These guys are young and will put on weight (just like the rest of us)
But I think if you draft a McKinley or a Williams you really have to invest in him bc he might not be ready to make an impact as a 4-3 DE in 2017. When you consider we have healthy Wake, re-signed Branch and traded for Hayes – that might work for us
Well that is my pork .02
see you guys
I like Willis. He’s already about the right size, and he’s fast and athletic, and will likely improve. We can also probably get him in the 2nd RD, and use the 1st RD pick somewhere else.
Yeah
I think the 2nd round is a good place for a pass rusher
and I agree with Willis being a good pick there
Maybe Lawson is there too
It really depends what is on the board for us
Good write up, Mike. And the DE/Edge rush guys continues. 🙂
LOL – I think it’s very different when a guy is rushing all the way from the outside standing up, as compared to his hand in the ground right by the OT. I think those smaller guys might just get swallowed up in closer quarters, although if we’re playing wide 9, I suppose that may give them a little more distance to get rolling.
Wake gets low in his stance and stays low going around the tackle, until of course he’s horse collared.
Wake is pretty special. Not many can do what he does. He’s so explosive, and he has amazing core strength, along with leg strength and upper body strength. That’s how he’s still doing this at 35
I see Taco as being least likely to be a bust, from this group. But may not have the most upside, so if you want to play it safe he’s your guy.
That’s how I see him too
I’m pretty sure he will be a solid pro
So are FA signings are our own, plus Larsen and Thomas that Gase previously coached. Telling.
Every team has a HC that brings in “his” guys. Ultimately, Gase is responsible for them playing well. I hope he’s right, but I’d still like to draft an OG early, whether he thinks Larsen walks on water or not.
I expect at least one more quality OG to be in camp.
Gase didn’t coach Larsen in CHI, he played last year for the Bears and the prior two in ARZ. But Gase has a connection with Fox who still ran some of the same stuff that Gase runs and he said as much recently about being able to see Larsen on those outside zone runs etc.
Thanks for the insight, just assumed he was there more than a year the way Gase was talking about him.
Yeah no problem. When we first signed him I thought the same thing.
Mike E. says:
March 30, 2017 at 11:45 am
Wake is pretty special. Not many can do what he does. He’s so explosive, and he has amazing core strength, along with leg strength and upper body strength. That’s how he’s still doing this at 35.
€£¥₩
Mike – I think you forgot jaw strength in listing which parts of Wake’s body are strong…
LOL – He has an impressive nostril flare as well. Works those babies hard!
Woo hoo….I get to pick my seats on Saturday!
Have you always lived in FLA, or did you recently move?
where are you picking them out of?
I was going to swing at Piggy’s hanging slider but I got a piece of dust in my eye and took the pitch instead. LOL
http://m.miamidolphins.com/s/30855/269?itemUri=837436073/0151243111320111415151215736
I grew up in Florida (5th generation), live in Virginia now. The company I started a few years ago just won a 5-year contract in Key West and since my brother is in Palm Beach, I decided it was time to have season seats again.
Piggy – I’m not sure. I put a deposit on field level, but I can choose from field, 300 level, or club. I’ll decide when I get there and see what is available. They bring you in for a dog and pony and then ley you choose your seats after they try to up-sell you.
I was thinking you would just respond “my nose”
😀
Mike E, nice write up. We do need some front 7 talent early on. One guy not on your list is Malik McDowell the Sparty, who could be a target for the Phins. He can play end & slide inside as a tackle as well. He’s very agile with a good get off burst for a big boy!
We’ve shown a lot of interest in him.
Thanks – Yeah, probably should have included him.
Malik is what we were hoping we would get out of Dion FF!
Different type of player though. This dude in 6-6 295 with 4.85 speed who can play inside and outside. I like him a lot and would not be surprised if he’s our pick.
The team does not want to be run on like that again. See Timmons and Hayes. Now add some young guys who can help with that.
There are so many variables that could play into improved run defense. Jones back in the lineup, Howard healthy – he’s a good tackler on the corner, Kiko more comfortable in the same system and the additions of new personnel. I’m sure it will be a focus in all the camps.
I hope he plays better than whomever did his “HighLigh” video edits.
Doesn’t he have a bad rep of not caring?
Phelon
That’s awesome. That sounds like a great situation, both with your company, and being able to go to games again. You might want to make that a 20 year contract!
Phish, I guess you’re moving to the Keys?
He’s going to take a Haitian canoe back and forth from VA.
LMAO!!! Down there that would be awesome except for the gators and sharks. 🙂
McDowell is 20 years old and doesn’t know what it’s like to be a pro yet. Put him in our DL room and watch that change real fast. Basically all scouts think he has all-pro talent.
Some of the book on him is he plays too wild and lets the play beat him. But again, he’s 20.
He could become a Muhammad Wilkerson type player in a couple of years.
Tim – No My company is based out of Virginia. As much as I would like to move to the Keys, it won’t happen.
Gotcha! But sometimes you gotta go see what’s going on. 😉
Often. About 8 times a year. Four of those during football season.
I guess you’ll be doing a lot of weekend trips then, huh?
Fly down Saturday or Sunday morning, Go down to the keys after the game, work a few days, fly home
You’ll sell or give the rest to family and friends?
Did I say at least four? I meant at least 8 during season.). Seriously, I plan on making most of the games and those I don’t, I’ll probably let my brother give to his buddies. He’s a cop, so ….
Phish, hopefully it won’t be during the London game week so you don’t lose a game.
Hmmmm…what an excuse to go to London….
LOL, there you go!
We’re hosting the Saints in London so schedule around that date.
Alright, time to start the grill. Later.
Do you guys know Timmons had 12 career interceptions (in a 10 year career)?
They are really spread out over his career to – no more than 3 in one year
those are pretty good numbers
Everyone thinks of him as a great run defender
but he is pretty versatile
If you are wondering
the LB with the most interceptions over his career in NFL history is Don Shinnish (Colts) with 37. His last season was 1969
In the modern era
guys like Ray Lewis (31) and Derrick Brooks (25) are the only guys that jump out with really big INT #s
12 is a pretty good number
I don’t know how much longer he plays but he might conceivably finish with 15+ interceptions
My best friend Scott is a Steelers fan, he’s very sorry to see Timmons go.
Timmons has always just been an active LB in his career. Not great, but a very good player. He’s in Miami for this next season and to set a standard for young LBs. He brings a lot of knowledge, comes from a great franchise, has won and played in many big games. That can trickle down.
also he caused 13 forced fumbles in his career
that’s 23 turnovers over his career
If he forces 2-3 turnovers this year he will be a big asset (in addition to his presence vs the run)
How bout them pork chops!
Zach Thomas had 17 INT’s, Urlacher had 22
I remember Zach being pretty active
17 is a lot for a LB imo
Luke Kuechly already has 12 INT’s. If he plays 10 years, he may well get 30 +
He’s the LB of this generation
Officially the most fucked up ranking I have seen on Fanspeak
Tim Williams in the 5th round….lol
22: R1P22
S JABRILL PEPPERS
MICHIGAN
54: R2P22
EDGE CARL LAWSON
AUBURN
97: R3P33
LB DUKE RILEY
LOUISIANA STATE
166: R5P22
EDGE TIM WILLIAMS
ALABAMA
178: R5P34
LB ANTHONY WALKER
NORTHWESTERN
184: R5P40
G DAMIEN MAMA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
223: R7P5
C KYLE FULLER
BAYLOR
Not happening
I don’t rank LBs based on INTs. Toughness and tackling is the biggest thing for me. Range is always good. And like Gase said, all our LBs will play Will and Mike at some point, we play a lot of box LB in the traditional 4-3.
They definitely look like boxes. All our players do. lol
You may not rank LBs by Ints, but we want play makers, if Kiko doesn’t make the int against SD last year, we probably don’t go to the playoffs, so don’t count me in on LBs not being ranked by ints. I agree it’s not the first thing you look for, but without making plays his ranking will drop.
Well yeah, but 2-3 INT per season which is really good, out of maybe 800 to a 1,000 snaps per is pretty small. Tackles!!!
It only takes a few plays a year to turn a season around. Look at NEs last 4 SBs, they were all won on a big play, 2 by the Giants and 2 by the Cheats. We had a lot of big plays last year to close out games during the hot streak. In years past not so much, so you keep thinking Ints or a couple of plays don’t matter.
Think Channing Crowder Tim, he had lots of tackles, but couldn’t make a big play to save his ass. The great ones are great, because they make the big play. One of the reasons I like Jabril, among 100s of other reasons.
Yeah, McDowell is pretty good, wouldn’t mind taking him in the first.
Nobody we draft on the DL is starting this year. Just remember that. We have too much of a vet group. They will play a role and develop. It’s about talent but they’re not always ready right away.
That’s the general thought, and no one really expects a rookie to start, but you draft Malik McDowell and if you don’t think there’s a chance he starts over Phillips at some time during the season, then your crystal ball is better than everyone else’s or flawed.
Let’s see what Phillips is this year. He could be a monster. He’s a rare specimen.
I’m just looking at options and why. Not locking in on anything.
Lol Tim!
Not locking in on anything.
Nobody we draft on the DL is starting this year.
PFF’s big board is as bad as everything else they do.
I think taking a guy like Malik MacDowell is taking another Jordan Phillips. A guy with talent who may not really care enough to be great
I have to agree with Steve on the INT’s. That’s what playmaker is, it’s not just tackles, but making big plays, and when a LB gets an INT, those can be big plays. That’s kind of what we have been missing here for quite some time. It’s what makes Reshad special. He does both, tackle and make big plays
It was about LBs, not DBs like Jones.
Zach was great don’t get me wrong, he can play on my team any day. But 17 INTs over 13 seasons means what? It’s always great to have LBs who can get picks, but it’s not that easy anymore with the quick passes in space.
I want toughness and tackling more than anything at LB. Kiko has 7 picks in 3 seasons by the way. 🙂
Nice job Mike E
Draft McDowell and think about all the packages he could be a part of. Playing inside on 3rd down, outside on early downs or on short yardage/goal line situations. He’s a Belicheat type of player. I could see Peppers all over the place too, mixing and moving around opposite of Jones. Both these guys are more exciting to have than Lamp, even though I won’t complain about Lamp.
GMTA 🙂
Give Me Trump Anytime too!
Tim, catching back up on here….yesss, good commentary on MM….that’s what I’m saying.
He’s 20, just growing into a man. A Gase run locker room with a guy like Wake & Suh could be a perfect environment for a frisky lad like Malik McDowell….also in regards to Jordan Phillips who is much heavier and slower….M&M can play end on the early downs & move inside spelling JP on most 3rd n long type passing downs….mix it up though, and this gives big JP a much needed breather at times.
The versatility and ceiling for this freak will be hard to pass @ #22….he could go earlier as well….he’s not under the radar anymore. Maybe Tunsil should loan him his mask….lol 😉
Also lowers the risk that Phillips presents.
GMTA = great minds think alike Steve….I agree on Malik. …but yeah, Go Trump too….lol (thumbs up)
pheloniusphish says:
March 30, 2017 at 6:26 pm
I hope he plays better than whomever did his “HighLigh” video edits.
Reply
PP, good point….try this one on for size….much more detailed. Enjoy! 🙂
Episode #22….we pick 22nd….coincidence? I think not. 🙂
That’s about where he’s ranked so…
Ya gotta luv this kids rang and non stop motor….being just 20, good NFL coaching could teach this guy to learn to play within himself, diagnosis better and then look out…..PLAYMAKER HAYMAKER on SportsCenter every week!
BTW Guys, Brett Kollmann is refreshing, he brings some real good content and scouting opinions with other prospects too.
Here’s his take on Peppers since many here are talking about him a lot.
No draft is perfect, but this one is pretty damn close:
ProfessorLOU @ProfessorLou1 35s
35 seconds ago
More
RD 1. Forrest Lamp, RD 2 Pat Elflien, RD 3 Carroll Phillips RD 4 Duwane Smoot RD 5 Adam Pankey RD 6 Dante Barnett RD 7 Randall Goforth
I understand we don’t have a 4th or 6th rd pick at this time. Easy enough to fix
I won’t waiver from this list. It’s just too good. Lamp & Elflien help us fix our o-line problems and Elflien can take over for Pouncey down the road. Phillips at OLB and added pass rush on 3rd downs. Smoot is the quick twitch defensive end who can also be effective against the run. Pankey who can play both T and G and is a beast on the field and then round it out with two of the best safety prospects in the draft who people are missing the boat on and it’s all good for me.
Tim
I know it was about LB, I said it was. I was just using Reshad as an example of a guy who can tackle and make plays. Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone else like that at LB to point out!. For all intents and purposes, Reshad is like a 3rd (nickel or dime) or 4th (4-3) LB as it is, especially in previous years.
Lou
Something can be said for consistency. Nothing wrong with sticking to your guns. If we take more than 1 of your guys though, consider yours a job well done.
Those Brett Kollman scouting reports are awesome
Thanks GDP
Do you think we would play McDowell at 4-3 DE primarily
Would be interesting – move him inside on passing downs
Maybe take at OLB in the 2nd that can play DE on 3rd down
I would. In fact I’d have him playing DE on a lot of 1st downs, them move him inside on 3rd down and distance. I’d also list him as a DE, so teams don’t go pass heavy when he’s playing DE.
With enough good DL you can keep everyone fresh, without losing quality of play. I think that’s what he’d bring to our team.
Of course everything changes, if Phillips doesn’t get it done.
Steve
You keep harping on Phillips as not getting it done, but you want to draft a guy with the same bad rep. Can’t say I comprehend that
I don’t agree with McDowell’S assessment, I don’t see lazy when I watch him play. He gets tired sometimes and checks himself out of play, but not the same thing. I could care less what they say about him. I don’t expect Phillips to be anything, but a beast this year, sure he’ll need to take a break, but…
We are signing S T.J. McDonald. Read Armando’s tweets for intel.
https://twitter.com/ArmandoSalguero/with_replies
I can dig that! He was one of the guys I wanted us to sign. He’ll miss the first 8 games, but he’ll give us a fresh body for the 2nd half, a BIG body too, which I prefer
he better be cheap
Armando SalgueroVerified account @ArmandoSalguero 22m22 minutes ago
The Dolphins are signing safety T.J. McDonald to a one-year minimum salary contract. McDonald must serve 8 game suspension.
Armando SalgueroVerified account @ArmandoSalguero 11m11 minutes ago
T.J. McDonald signed a one year contract but Dolphins view it as a “one-day contract.” He screws up one day, he’s gone.
Min salary
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
22: R1P22
DL MALIK MCDOWELL
MICHIGAN STATE
54: R2P22
EDGE TAKKARIST MCKINLEY
UCLA
97: R3P33
C ETHAN POCIC
LSU
166: R5P22
LB ELIJAH LEE
KANSAS STATE
178: R5P34
CB JEREMY CUTRER
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
184: R5P40
S JOSH HARVEY-CLEMONS
LOUISVILLE
223: R7P5
G AVIANTE COLLINS
TCU
****************************
Okay
I took McDowell to see if I can work something beneficial
It just so happened that Tak dropped to me in the 2nd
So in this scenario you play Tak at OLB on early downs
But you move McDowell inside on 3rd down and play Tak at DE
….course the vets might have something to say about that….lol
Elijah Lee is a solid in coverage for a LB
oh….I managed a few OL in Pocic and Collins, so settled down beef lovers
Yeah any rookie DL or pass rusher types will be in a rotation. I doubt they’re replacing Suh, Phillips, Wake and Branch.
Oh…you don’t think they replace Suh with a draftee?….
😀
Just in case you were wondering. 😉
Geez guys, relax with Malik McDowell. lol
okay…
on this Michigan State recliner
McDowell has one just like it!
I hear he sits in it while he’s playing
Mike E — thanks for the great write and helping me learn the names and where they might fit in.
Takk is the one who caught my eye the most, but that is only cause of where I figure we will go. DE is a future need with the thought of what happens after Wake is doing car dealership commercials. So figure it would have to be an edge threat given who else we have now…..So an athletic guy who are they wondering 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE seems the best bet.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see us pass on DE the first two days and double down on raw freaks in the 5th though. Those guys could do STs while they are trained.
Is McDonald any good? If we make the playoffs the suspension won’t mean anything, except maybe a lower seeding.
He’s been solid in his 4 years in the league. He’s a big safety at 6-2 215. Aggressive and physical.
His father is former NFL safety Tim McDonald.
Sounds like a good addition, even for 8 games.
And he signed at the vet minimum (even if only playing eight games means double that). He’s more a FS-type as well. So fit is there and the price is cheap.
Steve, no doubt he’s on a prove it deal 2nd half of the season and we’ll see where he goes from there.
Are we ok at safety now? I’m only talking about 2017. Seems we have enough to get thru 8 games.
For this season, we should be OK, with Jones, Allen, Aikens and Lucas and then McDonald after game 8. I’d still like a big safety like McDonald, but if we want to audition him before we draft his replacement, that’s a good plan.
Thomas also.
We are at least well enough off that we don’t have to take one in the first three rounds. A big plus in signing your studs and mid-level FAs is that the draft is wide open. What do we have to get for next season other than a G? And we could fill in with those after.
I wouldn’t say OK at safety, they have 0 clue if McDonald works out, and have made it so he is curbable if he breathes wrong. I think its just a move that puts us in a better place to feel more confidant that we don’t have to push or reach for any player in any round, i really dont think it alters any draft plans.
Think they will be drafting for the 2018-2021 team. We might look down on “stop-gaps” but that also means you need less of them down the road.
When you have a Reshad Jones and a few other solid safeties I think you’re okay. There will definitely be competition and options – Allen, Thomas, Aikens, Hendy, McDonald and maybe Lucas. Not sure if he’s a safety or corner for us.
I dont think that makes me take a guy like Peppers or Obi Melifonwu off the board. Im still taking them if they are the BPA when i get to my pick.
Agreed but I don’t think they will be.
D
That’s an interesting take. I actually want to draft a safety, but I could see how this signing might keep us from taking one early.
Im just the opposite, i cant see how it could stop us. If that player is BPA, i bet we take them.
I don’t think it shifted our draft board at all.
I think we’re going corner over safety. We didn’t add any in FA and Gase has said he wants more.
If the CB is higher ranked than the safety prospect maybe, but i dont think that move did anything to change that, they either were already ranked higher or they werent and still arent.
CB is an early round value pick as would be DE. BPA rules.
Tim
Yeah, I forgot Thomas
I completely missed that we signed Nate Allen
He’s a solid safety
between Allen and McDonald I would call safety less of a concern
So maybe we focus on DL, OL and LB in the draft
We have one stud in the secondary but lots of depth too. They might add another stud, but it won’t be because of need.
D – I’m not saying it doesn’t make sense, I think it does (hope it does). We just have numbers at S right now, that’s why I was thinking that.
D, not saying the signing of McDonald changes anything, but we do have enough options opposite Reshad, at least for this year. If Gase wants more corners and we didn’t add any, I think it’s an easy call. Unless like you said it’s a BPA scenario. But that goes for other positions as well.
Did you guys know Isa was forced to retire due to his injury?
You might be able to take a Desmond King type player in the 2nd who can play S or CB
Very possible. He’s thought to be a nickel/slot DB too.
King, Peppers or McDowell…versatile payers like that might be good fits
(Piggy sits back in his recliner to watch the smoke out of Mike E’s ears after mentioning McDowell)
We should draft Malcolm McDowell
LOL — much as he loves signing in the rain, he might not be a fan of the Saban Bubble.
Tell me if you are lining up your draft board how adding a guy who you signed at vet minimum, without guarantees and who wont start at all for you in first 8 games, and dependent on him keeping himself out of trouble in South Beach for that time depends on if he helps you the last 8, how you go, well obviously i can move these two guys down some…. That just doesn’t add up to me.
the fact that you signed Allen and MacDonald give you some room to prioritze safety a little less
it doesn’t make the prospects any worse though
Im not as high on the TJ signing i guess, i just do not see him as a factor in any sort of decision moving forward. Allen is what we thought Isa would be, which is a guy good for a year or two, until we got a better player to put opposite Jones. Jones getting hurt made us know we need a depth player capable of starting and despite us liking Thomas and Aikens, we see them as ST contributors because we had nothing in way of a true starting replacement for Jones once he was down. Allen is a short term guy, McDonald may be a never is person for us, but if he pans out, then we have another guy to battle for a starting spot next to Jones, but they would extremely stupid to be putting any eggs in that basket. I dont care what round it is, if we would have drafted a safety there, that is still going to happen, McDonald changes nothing.
Do you think a guy you draft at safety, outside of the first round is starting the first 8 games or at all the first year? If you look at the McDonald signing as a 3rd round pick, it would change your draft board. I’d think he’d be less of a risk, than a 3rd, because you know he can play.
I didnt know he was forced to retire, no. I also do know what you are saying about CB’s, i have been saying the whole time that CB is in play at 22 even when i was laughed at for it lol. Im not saying CB isnt up there, im saying it was always up there, and signing McDonald, which everyone is talking abotu making a difference in our draft strategy, didnt push any of the CB prospects above the S prospects, everyone is right where they were. That signing was not a significant one.
I said McDonald changes nothing. Nate Allen did a little bit though and the team likes Thomas more than the fans do. We’re just not thin at safety anymore.
Not disagreeing with you at corner early either. It wouldn’t surprise me at all. In fact I think we probably will take one in the 2nd before the run dries out. Happens all the time. Our 3rd is #97, might want to go corner by #54.
No More Tom Brady highlights!!!!
LOL @ the clockwork images.
long term, safety is still a need so it makes since to leave the position as an option for BPA. that’s what teams in our position should be doing. filling in holes with reasonably priced free agents and allowing the draft board to remain flexible. it’s what killed us in the past, with one decent inaugural season from the HC then going for broke in year two thinking we were closer than we were.
we have 3 5th rounders
and that may be a good place to take developmental DBs
a month ago after the Abdul injury I thought safety was a glaring hole
so it changes my POV
I don’t think safety will be the BPA at #22 or at #54. Just a hunch. 🙂
Budda Baker is a guy who might go between 22 -54
Oh sure, I’m saying who will be the team’s BPAs. I see us valuing DL and CB over every other position. I think we’ll match the grade to the priority want and those two positions should be there in the first two rounds.
Obi Meli Fonwu!
Help us Obi Meli Fonwu! You’re our only hope!
McDonald is worth the low $ risk for a potentially longer term benefit. heck, he may even buy in to the loyalty angle the Fins are selling. 🙂
It’s all on him if he stays clean and plays well when he has the chance.
I think the TJ signing solidifies safety as not a need. Allen by himself didn’t, but together the 2 remove the need. If we do take a safety, it will be BPA. Peppers falling to us would be BPA. Malik getting closer to being the pick at 22.
I don’t think it keeps us from getting a safety for the future. Allen is a stopgap, and T.J. is gamble, and in any case, he’s only signed for 1 YR. Even if T.J. plays great, he can go anywhere he wants after this season.
Nothing to stop us at all, but big move at S was locking Reshad down. Yeah and Allen and TJ add depth….but would be a different world if they were thinking about the future at two spots instead of one.
So you draft a safety, that you don’t have immediate plans for, what do you do with him? We keep say 5 safeties, I believe during the suspension TJ doesn’t count against the 53, what do you do with him after the 8th week? Both Thomas and Aikens are balling on STs.
But we have our top safety in Reshad for the next 5 years. We can’t upgrade the DL, LB, CB and OG with youth and get that great safety too. We can only do so much with the draft picks we have. I do not think safety will be at the top of the list. Some also want a good TE too because Fasano is getting up there and in case Thomas falls apart. LOL
If you had the choice with all being even at positions, where would you go top 3 rounds no particular order?
And we still have Lucas, not sure he’ll ever amount to anything, but if they like him all the more reason not to draft a safety.
They will still take one for the future if they see it though. And even if he might not be the coverage guy, still would love to see Peppers at #22. He could play LB in the nickle (even just back-up Timmons and Kiko in it). Would least take away from the need for a third all down LB.
Steve
I let the best safety opposite Reshad play. Why would you do any differently? We don’t have to play Allen, he could be depth behind the rookie if he beats him out. When T.J. is back after week 8, if we have to, we could cut Allen
Of course you let the best guy play, but you cant assume it will be the rookie. What do you do with the rookie, assuming he’s not going to have an impact in 2017? Why would we waste a draft pick just to cut Allen? Coming from a guy that hates losing draft picks.
I’m not drafting a guy to cut Allen, I’m drafting a guy to be BETTER than Allen.
Tim, with the top 3 picks I’m going DT, DE, and OG. I’m hoping either Pocic or Elflein are there in the 3rd, that would make a great draft after taking Malik at 22.
I think we’ll take McDowell if he’s there.
Tim
It doesn’t have to be the 1st RD, it might be the 3rd or even later.
That’s even worse, we’ve got enough development type safeties.
Did you read the story about Reshad Jones? We knew he had 1st or 2nd RD talent, but we also knew he wouldn’t go that early. That could happen again
Now you’re talking about needle in a haystack kind of picks, of course if they think they’ve found one of those types of guys they’re picking him, but you can’t use a < 1% chance of something happening as a reason for picking at a position.
It’s possible I just doubt we make safety a priority that early. Maybe in the 5th we take one. We can look at “the other safety” again next year too. We don’t have to nor can we add top guys at all the areas we’d like to.
It’s just my feeling but I think the team wants to continue to address the front 7 and CB early. I could see us doubling up on the OL in the 5th – a G and a G/T, then add some UDFAs to compete with the others we have.
Outside of Peppers we aren’t drafting a safety.
You mean in the first? Come 3rd day anything is possible.
At some point you have to say ok we’re good enough at a position, and fill another more pressing need.
Mike, yes that was Grier who said that to him and he’s our GM. Think 5th rd again. LOL
Yep. That was pretty cool
What about LINEBACKERS!
That’s a real need, let’s get off of safety and onto a real position of need.
D says:
March 31, 2017 at 3:45 pm
Im not as high on the TJ signing i guess, i just do not see him as a factor in any sort of decision moving forward. Allen is what we thought Isa would be, which is a guy good for a year or two, until we got a better player to put opposite Jones. Jones getting hurt made us know we need a depth player capable of starting and despite us liking Thomas and Aikens, we see them as ST contributors because we had nothing in way of a true starting replacement for Jones once he was down. Allen is a short term guy, McDonald may be a never is person for us, but if he pans out, then we have another guy to battle for a starting spot next to Jones, but they would extremely stupid to be putting any eggs in that basket. I dont care what round it is, if we would have drafted a safety there, that is still going to happen, McDonald changes nothing.
You assume that, but what they’ve done is bought themselves a year at vet min, so they don’t have to address it this year.
I also wanted to clear up some BPA vs. need confusion that always seems to go on. It’s not that you don’t draft for need, you don’t reach for need. There’s a difference. Unless a prospect is special, you’re not adding to an area you’re already content with. When you have 4-5 positions you could use more talent at, it shouldn’t be that hard to match BPA to need.
difference between teams that win championships and those who don’t are the one’s who win championships are never content.
I said unless a prospect is special. So why keep adding to an area you feel good about in a particular season and ignore a position that could use some help?
and offensive line is a definite position of need. there’s NO debating that. Yes, we need LB’s but I don’t think anyone can say we need them any more than we need o-line.
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Dion Jordan is being waived failed physical by he Dolphins today. Been expected for long time.
Failed physical? Maybe something lingering, but best guess is he just gave up.
And there you have it. So that’s what $3.2M more in cap space. That’s the money we want to use on Zach Brown but he’s not ready to settle for that.
its 3.2 million more they can add to whatever that he didnt want to accept before….it might allow them to up the ante to the range he does sign.
Steve, did you feel that way about the safety position before news of the TJ signing, or did you come to that decision after? If you felt like that before, completely understand it, you didnt put S as a big need area, but if you think TJ changed that, then i really dont see that at all. That is not a we got a guy to count on for years pickup. That would not preclude drafting a safety day 1 or 2. TJ McDonald is not equivalent to a rookie 3rd round pick, because the future with him is completely uncertain and likely isnt there at all.
with safety prospects like Dante Barnett & Randall Goforth available later there’s absolutely no reason to go safety early
Because we’re content at safety? 😉
no, because there’s good talent at safety that enables you to wait to take one in a later round. Barnett & Goforth have fallen for some reason; people miss on prospects all the time, including in early rounds (Dion Jordan?) and these two guys have the talent to play the position as well as anyone out there.
JMO, but I’ve seen worse from guys projected to go higher.
Leon McQuay III of USC is another late rd prospect as well.
No, with the TJ signing it removed safety from being a need. 1 + 0 doesn’t = 0. You can’t add a guy with that much talent and say it means nothing. Like I said above, they bought a year at safety. We can get by at safety for 8 games without him, just like a rookie isn’t going to make a difference at safety 1st 8 games.
Far as the 2017 on-the-field roster goes, these are my needs.
Compete G
3rd DT
2-down LB (and even not that if Misi healthy)
4th DE
And that doesn’t even include if they have their eye on some young buck already on the roster. All could also be handled after the draft as well.
Steve as far as McDowell is concerned if ya check back a month or so ago you can see where i was saying pretty smilar things to what you did, he’s a possibility at DE, and someone they could slide inside on pass rush downs and bring in another DE or move a LB up on the line, to create a numbers game mismatch from internal pass rushers. I have him on my board for sure, but there are players i completely expect to be there that id take over him.
Such as
Lou im not saying to go safety early, im saying we could if thats BPA and i wouldnt push it back any just because of McDonald signing. My argument is as it was purposed before, do you think McDonald makes Safety not necessary… my answer is it didnt change a thing,
Im not arguing where or when to draft one, because i don’t know who will be there and in what round, neither does anyone. The only thing we know that might have changed the dolphins big board, and therefore who is BPA at any selection point, is that McDonald signing, and i dont see anything changing because of that signing. No “oh we can wait until the 5th now”, no “oh we can get a guy as an UDFA or 7th round, none of that has changed, we either thought it before the signing or we arent thinking it now….
That’s just your opinion D, again 1 + 0 doesn’t = 0. Why sign TJ at all, if you have no hope he’s going to work out? You take a low risk approach and buy a year. If he does work out what do you do with the guy you drafted? If it’s Peppers, you let TJ go next year (bought a year).
Total career stats for Dion Jordan with the Phins…….26 games played with 46 tackles, 3 sacks and 3 passes defended.
And one really awesome blocked punt.
True Dat….not sure if that sign of what was in there makes it better though. 🙂
I like the Steelhammer kid out of AirForce as a later round S too. Plenty of talent spread out in the draft, they will find the right match for what they want and what round they get them in.
D, not saying tit for tat on Jordan’s cap for Brown, I agree with you that it frees up the ante.
Lou, all I was saying is I don’t see safety as a priority but also said maybe in the 5th. It was in response to your being content reply. No biggie. Just having some fun.
Lou this happens draft time all the time, players “drop” by draft gurus, i don’t know that they really drop at all with the teams and their personally assessments, and obviously there has to be some truth to that because there are plenty of players who drop by draft gurus and then draft day, they go right where they were slotted to go in the first place.
Where do you have Goforth going? Im thinking he is a 5th or 6th rounder, but i have seen him as UDFA on several sites. I know i use to see him early on slotted in the 4th-6th ranges so i bet once all is said and done, that’s probably about where he goes.
I’ve not seen Goforth going anywhere in those ranges you mentioned. Highest I saw him was 7th rd .
although I do have to say I’d seriously consider him in the 5th with one of our picks. Barnett as well. Personally, I think they both probably go higher; especially Barnett. I really don’t see him lasting beyond the 4th and maybe even the 3rd but he’s a guy I haven’t seen going that high either.
I like both for us and think either one of them would be a huge improvement to what we’ve got there in Thomas and Aikens.
Because the gurus are buying the shit the teams are selling them.
D, as of right now McDonald is viewed as nothing more than a late season addition like Bacarri Rambo. But he’s already in the hopper. It’s not an injury situation, it’s an addiction issue he needs to work on. He has plenty of time to work on it and still be engaged with the team until he’s eligible to be activated. It’s more forward thinking by our FO will no risk. We’re working smart and I like it. 🙂
And he’s got a little more talent than Rambo.
Reminds me more of the Chris Culliver signing.
Culliver was hurt, I don’t see the similarity.
You sign T.J. because you think Allen might not be that good, and because you really have no depth behind him. It’s a minimal gamble, vet minimum salary, and a fresh body in the middle of the season.
Then why did we sign Allen? You sign TJ, because it reduces the risk of Allen. Here’s how to tell, if TJ signing makes sense, if you could sign 11 other guys for league min. with the same risk and ability would you? I say 100%.
He’s a stopgap, and insurance. Maybe they like a safety in this draft, but there’s no guarantee that we get him, so you sign Allen to hold the place.
You sign TJ, because if someone goes down you already have your backup plan instead of having to grab a street FA. He isnt available until game 8 so by game 8 if you have an injury, boom, there ya go, you got a guy, he has had a chance to read the play book, sit in on meetings, etc. He is your street vet that can hit the ground running.
He also is easily expendable if you get to game 8 and don’t need him.
steveccnv says:
March 31, 2017 at 4:31 pm
That’s just your opinion D, again 1 + 0 doesn’t = 0. Why sign TJ at all, if you have no hope he’s going to work out? You take a low risk approach and buy a year. If he does work out what do you do with the guy you drafted? If it’s Peppers, you let TJ go next year (bought a year).
—————————————————–
Why signing him to a non guaranteed, vet minimum contract and have a comment that if he steps out of line he is gone if you think he is in your future for years? So what you are saying is that because we signed him we don’t need safety anymore, but we need them just the same amount because as you said, we are just renting at a low rate, so why would that make us shift safety at all in terms of prioirty? If you were going to draft a guy, you still need to draft him because McDonald isnt in your long term plans, if you werent going to prioritize drafting a guy and you got TJ as your depth vet, then you still dont plan on prioritizing… what has change…nothing.
Even with your belief on why we signed him, we still dont have a guy that changes our draft strategy. If we had signed him to a contract more like Allen’s, tha i couls see how you make that call that he is probably in a short term plan and we dont need to draft a safety because of it, but McDonald’s contract doesnt come close to saying any of that. Tim is more on par with what the TJ signing is, he is a break in case of emergency signing like we did with Rambo last year. Again though, not a guy that changes anything about your draft strat.
I don’t believe in any of these low risk contracts because, to me, they’re just a waste of time. Again, I compare this to the Culliver situation even though Culliver had an injury.
You bring in a guy with an issue like McDonald and sign him to a vet min contract and he says all the right things & when & if he gets a chance to play what’s he going to do out there knowing he’s signed for that little bit of money. Shit the bed.
These guys are all the same. They don’t want to play lights out for that little bit of money. He won’t do it. Guaranteed. If he even makes it thru camp to begin with.
Culliver was coming off of a bad knee injury and couldn’t run. McDonald is healthy but needs to stop getting high. Not the same situation. More like Ricky Williams just not the same level of player.
Steve
We also signed Allen to a 1 YR contract, so after this season, both he and T.J. are free agents. It’s not like we signed Allen to a 3 YR contract. We definitely might be drafting a safety.
A one year contract is just a rental, it’s a way of avoiding risk. It’s less risk to give a longterm contract to Stills and Branch, then another teams FAs, same thing here, let’s see what they do in our system, before committing. Most deals would be done this way, if up to the team.
First things first, you buy a year on your need, if it works he’s your future, if not you address it next year. The stepping out of line comes from Mando. How do you know TJ isn’t in the long term plans? I think he is, but at low risk, the situation is like Tunsils.
That’s just as much speculation as I’m making thinking we like a safety in this draft. We’ll find out in a few weeks!
There’s more risk in drafting, than getting TJ the way we did. If draft picks had no value, then it would be about the same.
I think McDonald won’t play a down of football for this team this year. Be lucky to make it beyond training camp.
Speculation, I object 😉
Shitstained. I mean, sustained.
Isn’t McDonald a SS? Don’t we need a FS? McDonald doesn’t seem like the guy you’d want playing the deep middle. Isn’t he more of a in the box thumper? I really haven’t paid much attention to him.
He says he plays both.
He’s a FS, but not the CF type. He’s more of a hitter
If you have 3 needs this year and one additional one next year, only have 3 draft picks, but they are consecutive say picks 22,23, 24 and you graded 4 players exactly the same what 3 players are you taking?
that’s easy. Moe, Larry and Curly.
Maybe you havent heard, Sparano, Ireland, and Hickey are no longer with the organization.
you mean Philbin.
I’d package the three picks, trade up, get a low-2nd back and take OJ Howard.
Just like I thought, ask a logic question and no one can back up their opinion of taking a safety in this draft.