Well, the Dolphins brass have made it clear, they wanted to improve the defense, and so far in the 2017 NFL Draft, the first 3 picks have gone to that side of the ball. In the 1st RD pick #22, The Dolphins took Mizzou DE Charles Harris (6’3″ 253)
In the 2nd RD, at pick #54, the Dolphins selected Ohio St. LB Raekwon McMillan (6’2″ 240). If I’m going to be honest, I didn’t really look closely at McMillan, there were other guys I was more interested in. McMillan could probably play any of the 3 LB spots, but maybe he’s our future MLB.
The Dolphins apparently weren’t done adding talent to the defense, because in the 3rd RD, the Dolphins took Clemson CB Cordrea Tankersley (6’1″ 199).
I hope the Dolphins will add some beef for the O-line, but that remains to be seen. Pitt OG Dorian Johnson is still available, as is Utah OG Isaac Asiata. In any case, Dolphins took care of business on the defensive side, and that’s a good thing
GO DOLPHINS! ZERO IN!
Finsmob Unleashed 
So how many future probowlers did we get this fifth round? Jones needs company. All three!? Wow, that’s fantastic.
Tyler Orlosky OC would be a kid I’d bring in as UDFA….also maybe Carroll Phillips.
Everybody’s a ball watcher & likes seeing a playmaker. 🙂
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/isaiah-ford?id=2558071
Overview
Even though Ford averaged 37 points a game as a high school basketball star, football called his name. Virginia Tech signed the Jacksonville native, and played him immediately as a freshman. Ford earned honorable mention All-ACC honors that year, leading the team in receptions (56), receiving yards (709), and receiving touchdowns (six). His sophomore year was even better, as the first-team all-conference pick set school records in each of the major categories (75-1,164, 11 scores). The production was maintained in a second-team All-ACC 2016 season, with 79 catches, 1,094 yards and seven scores.
Analysis
Strengths Superb athlete with good height. Able to shake press coverage with quick jab step and sudden burst. Feet look spring-loaded underneath. Features big acceleration out of his breaks and is able to create easy throwing windows on slants and crossing routes. Varies route speed to disguise his intentions. Chomps up cushion with his speed and stems defenders into off-balance transitions and false steps. Sustains vertical danger throughout his routes. Can get up and over cornerbacks without appearance of much effort. Tracks the deep ball and has ball skills to finish. Works back to underthrown passes and is able to contort in mid-air to make the catch.
Weaknesses Thin frame needs weight for greater functional strength. Can be redirected off route by force. Will sit and wait too long on throws. Needs to shield throws from defender. Can be late adjusting to off-target throws. Average hand strength as pass catcher. Has speed, but lacks elusiveness after the catch. Lacks instincts for the position. Gets open with speed and quickness rather than being route-savvy. Physicality and athleticism of NFL cornerbacks will take adjustment time. Positional run blocker who can be thrown out of the way by aggressive cornerbacks.
Draft Projection Round 4-5
D says:
April 29, 2017 at 4:13 pm
I dunno no she was a hot waitress, even if she did have no front teeth. Just can’t make her smile much and we will be fine
I spit beer into my keyboard you jerk! LOL
Nice highlight reel for ford. playmaker
We got lots of new blood on defense…
Getting Asiata (late 2nd-early 3rd round grade) in the 5th as our only OL pick sealed this as a pretty damn good draft imo.
McMillan is gonna give us lots of “ohhh’s and ahhh’s” when he tackles ’em hard…
Undrafted free agent signings so far…
Matt Haack, P, Arizona State
Malcom Lewis, WR, Miami
Cameron Malveaux, DE, Houston
Torry McTyer, DB, UNLV
Drew Morgan, WR, Arkansas
YOUNG STANGER: GLAD TO SEE you can join me for opening day. I’m sure we’ll have a blast! –The greatest home opening game I can remember was the 1994 classic 39-35 Miami come-from-behind victory when, on fourth down, Marino hit Irving Fryar with a 35 yard bomb to seal this mind-boggling victory! Dan’s 473 yards passing and FIVE touchdown passes were only slightly better than Drew Bledsoe’s eye-popping numbers. Me and Mrs. OD flew in from Columbus, Ohio, for this and a few more games that season. In my opinion, THIS was Marino’s GREATEST PERFORMANCE, given that it was his first start since his achilles surgery midway through the prior season.
Not a bad Draft, IMO. Not great, but pretty good, IMO.
What I didn’t like (let’s get that out of the way first and then end on a happy note!)…
1) A LOT of needed talent went off the board between the 4th and early 5th Rounds. I find it regrettable (as I did at this same time last year) that we traded away our 3rd and 4th Rounders of this year to trade up for Carroo last year. As such, we couldn’t get after either a G or DT (<– NEEDS!!!) until the late 5th Round this year.
2) I'm not high on Cordrea Tankersley. Yes, we got good value on him with our compensatory 3rd Rounder (he was projected 2nd-3rd), but he slipped that far for a reason. He doesn't seem to be able to jam nor can he tackle well… thus, his size matters not (early Seanathan Smith). Plus, he can barely get off the ground (29.5" VJ) for a DB. I feel we reached for a CB here before we selected again in the late 5th Round… over-prioritizing the position (or, over-drafting for a preconceived 'NEED'). He could be good, and I hope I'm absolutely WRONG on my assessment, here!
3) I HATE that we wouldn't/couldn't trade up into the early 5th Round what with having three 5th Rounders to barter with. We lost out on Jake Butt, George Kittle, Jordan Morgan, Blair Brown, Desmond King, Corn Elder, and Jeremy Sprinkle. Again, if we had our 4th Rounder of this year instead of trading it away for Carroo last year, we could have had one of these talents. At least we didn't settle for three 5th Rounders this year… we traded down from that instead (granted, after a trade up of a two mere positions with the Eagles… more on that in the GOOD!).
Here's the GOOD!!!
1) As I've stated previously, Charles Harris went off my radar after his pizz-poor Combine performance. 6'3", 253… and then a *yawn* 4.82 40-time and 33" VJ. Visions of Scooby Wright ran through my mind and I kicked him the fug out of my Draft. He showed and proved at his Pro Day and I've absolute CONFIDENCE we got this pick nailed now, upon further review. What does everybody say about 'Black Ice'? "QUICK FIRST STEP"… yes, his burst is INCREDIBLE. Quick-twitch DE with a 37.5" VJ. He'll learn how to set the edge in time, but until then he's going to wreak havoc on QBs on passing downs.
2) Raekwon McMillan… and this goes out to DBOLT. I can personally attest that Dbolt has been ALL ABOUT Raekwon for some time. I got too caught up with Blair Brown and the fact we already have Lawrence Timmons… thinking we didn't need Raekwon so early. SOLID pick in the 2nd Round… whether he be playing outside to begin with and then moving inside to eventually replace Timmons (my plans for Blair Brown, only later in the Draft to address other needs). GREAT PICK! Props to Dbolt for being on him!
3) Doubling-down on the DT position late when we have a CLEAR NEED there after Suh and Phillips on the current roster. Pray that Davon Godchaux (character flaws) isn't the next Anthony Johnson as a DT from LSU, but he's GOOD (just like Anthony Johnson). And Vincent Taylor looks to be a 'homerun' pick late, so as to challenge Godchaux. We REALLY needed to address the DT position to help out Suh and Phillips in the rotation.
4) Ahhh… Isaac Asiata! I should have had him on my "50 for the Phins"! NICE selection! He's got nice feet for his size and he's strong as an ox. I figure he's going to challenge for the RG position, but that's JMO. I think he's a road grater who is built to MAUL people, and that generally comes from the RG position, but never necessarily (see Dark Richie). HAPPY that a UTE is on our team… I wonder if David Canter is his agent (Canter LUVS the Utes — and Samoan clients — if ya didn't already know).
5) I'm happy that we addressed NEEDS in this Draft. We shored everything up via FA (ESPECIALLY in re-signing our own), in order to set it up this way. Aside from Tankersley (hope I'm wrong!!!), I think we did VERY well.
FINAL THOUGHT (in my Jerry Springer voice, LOL)…
Had Tannenbaum/Grier not gotten cute last year in the trade up for Carroo (<– 3 mere receptions all of last year), we could have (last year, and…) this year made some VERY significant, solid signings in the mid-rounds. "Trader Mike" is reaping the consequences of wanting to be a 'cute guy'.
My overall 2017 Draft grade: B+ (could/should have been an 'A' with a full Draft class). It was a GOOD Draft, regardless!
Oh enough with the trade last year. LOL
You don’t really lose out on anyone in the 5th rd, just your favorites. 🙂
I WILL remind you… both of Zach Thomas and Reshad Jones were 5th Rounders…
Yes, one in 1996 and one in 2010. It happens. Will we blame the 2016 trade next year too? LOL
Maybe!!! Only time will tell, my friend! 🙂
DrG must be so excited. Way to go Doc!
It’s a girl! It’s a girl!
I’m having a granddaughter!
What a great weekend.
God bless you one and all lol
Congrats to you and your family bro!
MF13
Tankersley was definitely my least favorite pick. Wasn’t a fan last year when everyone thought he was coming out!
I would have taken Langley. But he is from Lamar and I’m probably the only person here who has heard anything other than his scouting report!
Tankersley will be good in coverage, and may learn to like to tackle in the NFL.
Congrat’s Son!
How did John Lynch go from a color commentator to GM of the 49ers?
It’s who ya know and who ya blow.
DRG,
HAPPY to hear you’re having a grand daughter, my friend! Props to you and yours, buddy!
Sorry for confusion I was giving Drg props for us getting a ute.
Meanwhile we had my daughters gender reveal party today and she’s having a girl. And I’ll be having a granddaughter. And we had a great draft!!
Tim,
If you didn’t already know, my Sister Condoleeza Rice tried to become GM of the 49ers… she was denied by the York’s. She now sits on the NCAA CFB board.
Could be worse!
Jets WR Devin Smith out for season with torn ACL
Not far from Philadelphia and the 2017 NFL Draft, disaster has struck the New York Jets.
General manager Mike Maccagnan announced Saturday that wide receiver Devin Smith will miss the 2017 season after tearing his ACL prior to the start of organized team activities,
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000804981/article/jets-wr-devin-smith-out-for-season-with-torn-acl?campaign=tw-nf-sf74766921-sf74766921
We got damorea stringfellow in UDFA and deveon Smith, those are really nice signings
Chase Allen too an ilb we brought in for a visit
Francis owusu stanford WR 6’3 215
Drew Morgan is a hands receiver out of Arkansas rated as the best catch percentage of all receivers in the SEC
He also managed 800 yards and 3tds in an almost exclusively run based system.
They said we were going to sign 14 UDFA, I count 13 so far
The broncos got Orion Stewart, whom I really liked and hoped we got UDFA
Carrol Phillips to the jags
They also got cutrer which was a pretty good small school db prospect
Gmen got jessamen Dunker, jadar Johnson, jarron Jones, Travis Rudolph…. really nice UDFA haul there
Panters too. Boulware, Cox Jr, and Fred Ross
This whole grading the draft is BS. Well you have to wait 3 years…no one cares what anyone is graded, the casual fans don’t, the serious fans don’t, after 3 years they know how the draft went. Teams like the cheats always get high scores regardless.
So, my take from across the pond ……………
Everyone hates the two-faced Commish, but no one as much as the boo-bird Eagles.
Takk’s F-bomb was the highlight of the whole draft.
Drew Pearson had some fun with the Iggle fans too
We couldn’t stop the run last year so we drafted a DE (black ice in Miami …….. really?!?) who can’t set the edge and a big CB who can’t tackle. To that we added a thumper at LB who is crap in coverage (Brady salivating already) a G who can’t pass block, two fat inconsistent bastards for the middle of the D Line to polish Suh’s jock and a WR who doesn’t like contact. What’s not to like?
Seriously though, my glass is always half full until the Dolphins drain it when they get on the field, but who knows, under Gase we may just have that coach who can use all the new goodies we acquired in FA and the draft and improve on last years play-off performance.
0-0 baby. Tied for first in the NFL. It’s ours to lose. Go Fins.
Off to see my home-town soccer team in their last game of the season now ……. outside chance of making the play-offs too 🙂
Interesting note. RB Damien Williams STILL has not signed his tender. He wants a multi-year deal. Regardless, if he doesn’t sign that tender, he’s not playing anywhere this season
I don’t see how we could have done much better in this draft. I am really happy with our draft picks. You can’t fill every need in one draft, but we sure as hell made some significant strides towards doing that.
Absolutely. Overall I really like this draft, if the 2 late round DTs pan out it will be an excellent haul.
Overall this was a draft that was used to improve physicality. Our front defensive 7 got a much needed dose of depth. Taylor & Godchaux will help a lot I believe. Taylor being a physical strong rotational player while I see Godchaux being a pass rush specialist at DT along w/ having the ability to play as an oversized DE…essential the reverse role of what we would’ve done if we drafted Wise.
Asiata is an aggressive player cut from the Incognito mold. Incognito was a faster guy, but Asiata may have an angrier on field temperament. When he plays with his head up he is an excellent player. He gets himself in trouble when he drops his head and goes for a bull charge at the second level….bad habit, but absolutely correctable.
I haven’t read one thing that Asiata is a dirty player though. Asiata just plays really aggressively and mean, but he doesn’t play dirty. There’s a difference. That doesn’t mean Richie was a bad player, he’s not, and I give him a lot of credit for his play the last couple of years.
No, not dirty, just his aggressive nature. And by nastier on field temperament I mean I’ve seen him in pass pro where after he takes care of his guy he’ll take off and layout another player who’s already engaged with another OL on the opposite side of the line. I like that nastiness. I believe Grier referred to him as a “nasty prick” during yesterday’s presser😂. Also love the fact he told Miami during his visit after they gave him a tough critique that he wanted to be a Miami Dolphin.
Thanks for the props M in regards to McMillan. I’m just happy that the My player comparison for him is what the FO thinks they got per Armando…David Harris.
@itscuyler: So the first two players to contact Godchaux welcoming him were no other than Ryan Tannehill and Suh. God I love this team. #Dolphins
I didn’t see a need for a WR, but Ford in round 7 was a crazy no brainer.
We definitely addressed our needs well in this draft. As long as the players we got to fill those needs ply well, we did good.
I totally agree Brian.
Am real happy with this draft. Most of all cause of the guys that did it. They set up so we had no true need at any true position. That let them pick to the strength of the draft as it ran. Wasn’t exactly BPA, but what draft really is. How it ended up is every pick hit a position area that made sense for us yet we still got value at every pick. Pretty cool.
I had every single guy we drafted on my board at the top of my list for their position / round.
Except The CB and WR because I refused to consider either position.
I did have Harris and Raekwon both at the top of my SECOND round, however, along with Jordan Willis. I wanted Reddick in the first of course.
Harris makes all the sense in the world for us given Wake’s age……and that comes from a guy who would have taken Reuban, but then didn’t know Raekwon would be the 2nd pick then either.
I had Asiata or Dorian Johnson or Feeney for us in the 3rd and I was worried our 97 pick was too late and we would miss all 3.
BOTH the pit bull puppies at DT said in interviews around the time of the combine that their role model was SUH!! This is the perfect thing for us and them and Suh.
Suh with our three DL draftees and a few UDFAs in training camp.
Suh ain’t nobody’s bitch
LOL — will be curious to see if these two young pups at least get him to come to the voluntary sessions though.
I refused to pick a WR, but damn the one we got averaged 37 points per game in basketball in high school so he must have extremely good hand-eye-feet coordination. And he is All ACC and the go to WR on his team drawing all the CB1 coverage and still set school records in yards, TDs, and catches by a WR. And V-Tech is a big time program.
I don’t even worry about 7th rounders anymore……my guess is they wanted him for the PS or maybe special teams or maybe just pure talent.
Typically yes, but we have a spot for these 2 DTs, so keep your eye on them.
I felt exactly the same way Naples. Watching game tape of Tankersley he showed up making a dynamic play, yet one of his listed weaknesses was not elusive after the catch.
Damien Williams better watch out
We signed a Big Bruiser Back from Michigan as a UDFA. 5’11 223
That’s the only type RB we needed so as to take some of the short yardage hits off Jay and also the hits on pass pro on the 3rd and very longs.
De’Veon Smith.
Damien is very good as a receiver out of the backfield, and he’s a dog, like Landry.
True both and I loved his effort and hands last year. I’m just saying he has not signed his tender with us, and the FO is well aware that he thinks he has more value elsewhere. So they signed a UDFA replacement for him as he was also a UDFA.
Exactly Naples, they seem to leave no stone unturned. Guys like Walker and Omar will ask, has the roster really improved, when it’s so far from what they should be asking. Has the team gotten better? Gase has said the team is better, because it’s the 2nd year in our system, only relevant, because it’s a good system.
Okay draft is over when does the season start? What do we do between now and then?
A LOT of FN work, all these guys need to be coached up. Other than making and staying on the roster, none of these draftees have any pressure to have to get it done this year. They seem to have the desire to get it done, to get on the field though.
Still think we bring in an interior lineman.
No I mean what the hell do I do between now and the start of the season?
Well that one is obvious — settle the case that conflicts with the Fest date for pennies on the dollar. 🙂
Tankersley is being possibly mislabeled as a non tackler. Yes, when in pursuit he’ll let teammates make the tackle (coaches won’t let that fly in the NFL), but when the guy he’s covering catches the ball he’s not bad tackling.
Anyone notice a different approach to the draft this year? Reading the posts i dont feel we really understand whats going on. We’re used to drafting in the 8th, 12th, 15th range, and having a team full of holes, so we were always looking to draft guys to start right away.
I think we focused much more on need
And we could do that, and still have it be BPA, because we were looking for everything on D.
That’s not what this draft was about, it was about improving depth, so in a couple of years when the guys in front of them are making too much money or are getting old, these guys can step in. It’s what the cheats, Steelers, and other good teams do to stay on top.
Walker obviously has no clue what the draft was about. He’s concerned we didn’t draft a starter. I think that’s a good thing, I’d rather not depend on a rookie. It would be different, if we had a top 10 pick or we had lots of holes.
About Cordrea Tankersley.
As a Clemson grad myself, i have seen live every snap he played in college.
On TV I mean, and replayed over and over. Analyzed by hostile announcers.
I’m on board with the pick. I acknowledge his flaws, but 3rd rounders always have a flaw.
I did not have a single CB on my board,
but he is a suffocating cover guy. He had 9 INTs in 2 years.
We need a ballhawk @ CB. Safety is for run support.
He is 6’2 200, so he is not scrawny. Hundreds of DBs did not tackle Dalvin Cook, so I am not worried about that as much as some ppl. Neon Deion was not known for tackling either.
He ran a 4.4 40 at 6’2, which means he is very often able to obscure the throwing lane.
QBs had a 40-42 rating when throwing against him That’s QBR not completion percentage.
That’s a terrible QB rating.
The other “flaw” is that he is “too handsy” or “grabby” and in the pros that will draw flags.
Bullshit.
The Patriots and the Legion of Boom hold every WR every play, and that is how they get to the playoffs and the SB. Maxwell held Marshall so much last year that Stabby was almost in tears, but Maxwell won that matchup and we won that game.
I think actually we are building our own Legion here, as Xavien will also punch you in the face in press coverage anytime he gets a chance. and TJ Mac is a tough guy just like Reshad.
One last thing. It is smart in college football to grab a WR 35 yards downfield as the penalty is in the DB’s favor. Tankersley did that judiciously mostly, for a 20 yr old. He can quit that habit.
Reading this post reminded me of how non pros scout players, and I do it too. We take a first impression or a “What we want to see” and then look for things in the tape to back it up. You’ve done that here, but I appreciate the first hand info, things I didn’t know about him.
And I totally agree with the handsy comment, was thinking the same thing this morning.
Even if might not the result…..gonna be a good day. Going to catch the Pirates play the Marlins. Yeah with the Marte suspension not thinking the Bucs make the playoff, but nothing like a small ball game….certain feel and pace to it.
I spent 2 weeks every year during my high school summers going to Pirates games “We are family” lets go Bucs!
We are family song kinda reminds me of you guys. We are family, i got all my sisters with me😁
I only caught those days in NY at Shea Stadium……what a team that was.
Omar Moreno was my favorite, loved watching him steal bases.
Loved Omar, but how about Manny Sanguillen and that catcher’s stance…..and he bridged back to the ’71 team for me. Stargell too.
I’d liked them too, but Omar was exciting on the bases.
Just hit me eve if I got excited about Omar — “We are family song kinda reminds me of you guys.” Keep in mind that you are one of the guys.
It waa a joke😁
Was
I told you guys I’d come around to the draft picks. I’m starting to understand each pick. Harris is our pass rush replacement for Wake, taken now instead of creating a huge need in future. McMillan is the heir apparent to MLB, Tankersley is our Maxwell insurance.
McMillan I’m not so sure is going to make a good MLB, but the team seems to. I like his speed on the outside and the fact that he doesn’t have to worry so much about getting the right gap, he can play without thinking, which is the reason he’s slow to react, he thinks too much.
I think by end of season he will be starting at OLB
I think once Misi gets hurt, so week 2😁
Again Walker is clueless, will we pick up Juwaun’s 5th year option? Hasn’t he been paying attention? Of course they or they would’ve addressed it in the draft, that’s how they operate.
I guess words written, can come across different, than spoken words. His video sounds much better about the draft. The thing about not getting starters was more of a statement than a comment.
I havent looked at Asiata yet, what does he look like?
A big mountain
Lol at your literalness
If you are wondering how the bills feel about their draft
They fired their GM and all their scouts today the day after the draft
Holy crap
Watch Kiper come out say how much he loves their draft.
Yeah, but was it Rexes’ guys, so the move was planned and not draft result related?
I would have also. That sucked.
Not that uncommon. They made a coaching change so you get through the draft then you change the FO
They said it had nothing to do with the draft. Pig, come on man! That’s something Omar would write😉
Steve–
“Reading this post reminded me of how non pros scout players, and I do it too. We take a first impression or a “What we want to see” and then look for things in the tape to back it up. You’ve done that here, but I appreciate the first hand info, things I didn’t know about him.”
I know what you mean, but our scouts evidently liked him well enough to add him to a room with 3 young starters and a vet starter already on board. So they must like something about him. It’s not like our CB play stunk last year. It was our run D and injuries at DB that were the problem.
Just putting it in proper perspective, but it was a good informational post. Inside info by a homer, nothing wrong with.
KEN: Mrs. OD took one look at Taylor and said, “My God, we’ve drafted KING KONG!!!”
Seriously, if you can’t make the FEST, I HOPE you can make it for the home opener against the Bucs.
————–
FINALLY, Mike Lupica announced today that next Sunday will be the FINAL INSTALLMENT of the “SPORTS REPORTERS.” Seems like ESPN wants more fluff to attract airheads and less thoughtful content. Now I’m NOT going to say that “SR” was always an example of stellar broadcasting. But it usually was head and shoulders above what has passed for sports journalism at “The Mother Ship” in Bristol ANY network that has, in the past, promoted Steven A. Smith and his buddy Skip Bayless, must have their judgment questioned! Truth is, ESPN is too often a purveyor of trash and lies to be taken seriously. And their collapsing ratings prove that.
Or ESPN is having money issues and purging staff.
SON-OF-A _SON: Congrats on the impending grand daughter! –I STILL remember the day my first grand kid was born. It was totally awesome! AND THAT was 31 years ago!!! Give Mrs. Son-of-A-Son a hug for us.
Thanks OD
Miami Dolphins
Draft picks: Charles Harris (No. 22 overall), Raekwon McMillan (No. 54 overall), Cordrea Tankersley (No. 97 overall), Isaac Asiata (No. 164 overall), Davon Godchaux (No. 178 overall), Vincent Taylor (No. 194 overall), Isaiah Ford (No. 237 overall)
Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: Miami definitely needed to get younger in its pass rush, so seeing Harris on the board was a godsend. He’ll need to improve against the rush to be an all-around player on the edge, but the pick will still be very good if he can make an impact attacking the quarterback sooner than later. Finding a linebacker of Raekwon McMillan’s stature in the second round was a steal. Clemson’s Cordrea Tankersley has a chance to start in Year Two for the Dolphins, as well — he was an excellent pick. With Laremy Tunsil moving outside in 2017, the Dolphins found an immediate starting guard in Isaac Asiata in the fifth round. Godchaux bolstered the defensive line depth on Day 3.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000804541/article/2017-nfl-draft-quicksnap-grades-for-all-32-teams
I didn’t necessarily like the individual picks, but overall I think the team accomplished what they wanted to, filling all their secondary/future (not defensive secondary) needs. I like the overall draft, but time will tell, if these guys are the hard workers they’ve been portrayed to be.
Bills got a better draft grade than we did!
The owner must have told them to go get me an F-N QB and he didn’t?
They took Peterman didn’t they?
Must not have been what the owner ordered?
22. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri: B+ Grade
There was some speculation that Charles Harris could be chosen in the top 15. I wasn’t quite sure even though I slotted him to the Colts because he tested poorly at the combine. Harris had great tape, however, and the Dolphins are getting a great talent at defensive end. Miami has some aging players there and needed some young blood at the position. Harris could be a double-digit sack artist for Miami over the next decade.
54. Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State: B Grade
Some thought the Dolphins would select Jarrad Davis in the first round. They never got a chance to do so because the Lions plucked him off the board, but he’s a solid choice in the second round. He fits the range and fills a big need, as Miami absolutely had to address its poor linebacker situation. McMillan will be able to help a lot in run support, though he can’t be counted on much in coverage.
97. Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson: A Grade
The Dolphins kick off the compensatory portion of the third round with a great selection. I had Tankersley slotted to the Dolphins in the second round of my mock draft, so I obviously love this value. Miami had to find another cornerback, and Tankersley was one of the best prospects still on the board. He didn’t test well, but he was very productive at Clemson.
164. Isaac Asiata, G, Utah: A- Grade
Isaac Asiata is a powerful run blocker who probably would’ve been chosen earlier than this if he weren’t turning 25 at some point during the season. Asiata is a solid prospect, however, and he’ll be able to open big running lanes for Jay Ajayi.
178. Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU: C- Grade
I’m not too sure about this pick. It potentially fills a need, but Davon Godchaux is a low-effort player who was arrested for assaulting a woman last summer. The charges were dropped, but Godchaux is too much of a risk with not enough payoff.
194. Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State: B+ Grade
I had Vincent Taylor going off the board 24 picks earlier than this. Taylor is a pass-rushing specialist, as he notched seven sacks in 2016 – a solid number for a player at his position. Taylor needs to improve in run support, but he’ll be a rotational player in the meantime.
237. Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech: B Grade
Isaiah Ford has speed concerns – he ran a 4.6 at the combine – but I’m still shocked he lasted this long. I had him in the fourth round, so I love this pick. Ford battled injuries in college, but he makes the most difficult catches look easy. He’s talented and has lots of potential.
http://walterfootball.com/offseason2017mia.php
THANKS for the info, WYOMING.
I agree with Steve about grading the draft, but it also goes further than just having to wait 3 years to know. You can grade things in there here and now and then go back and grade them 3 years later and both be accurate, but the real problem is that any grading they are doing is completely subjective to the graders opinion on a ton of different things and none of those things are quantifiable by anyone but the people who selected the picks. I am pretty sure with that being said that every team got an A+ grade lol. So take the grades and throw them out, pick your own grade for how you think we did and go with that, because it’s as good as anyone else’s grade.
Every team by their own admission didn’t get an A+, today they’re saying, if I had only done this or that, I should’ve… but yeah to each is own.
https://twitter.com/phinsiderradio/status/858698141637496832
Check out this ranking of drafts
Looks great, but it’s done by a homer, so take it for what its worth.
It’s a consensus ranking so being a homer doesn’t come into play. Each individual ranking isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on though, so still take it for what it’s worth, lol.
Go figure then, the year I don’t like the individual picks everyone else does. I guess I need to be more pessimistic about our draft picks in the future 😛
Pete Prisco gave us a good grade
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins did a nice job with their draft, landing pass rusher Charles Harris in the first round. He fills a need, and he’s a productive player. Linebacker Raekwon McMillan brings some speed to a group that needs it. Adding corner Cordrea Tankersley in the third round and guard Isaac Asiata are also good picks and fill needs. It was a good draft.
Grade: B+
Asiata gets good push in the run game, is a surprisingly good puller for his size and if he doesn’t have someone to block initially you don’t want to be that guy the center is blocking, because he’s putting a late double team on you’re getting knocked on your ass. He’s the guy we’ll be running behind in short yardage/goal line. Not sure he’ll be ready to start right away, but by the time our schedule gets tough he should be on the field.
This draft had a different feel to it. We hit on positions of need at every pick, but didn’t seem to reach like we would have in the past, which speaks volumes about our offseason leading up to the draft as well as our preparation. I’m excited to see year 2 of the Gase and Co regime.
We had so many depth needs on D, that they could stick to the board and just take BPA at those positions. Everything seemed to come together, would’ve sucked, if this draft class (all players in the draft) was offense heavy.
That’s a good point, Steve. Literally any position taken on that side of the ball would have filled a need. Taken in that context, we were very lucky it was a defense heavy draft, and it probably did make it easier to just stick to our board.
It was also nice to see The Baumer didn’t trade away any of next year’s picks.
Have we ever had 4 CBs this good before, assuming Tankersley can at least plat close to the level he did in college? We’ve had 3 guys better in the past, but not 4.
My opinion on the grades was:
Charles Harris A. Guy they loved. Fit a position we had to get an infusion of young talent in. Reflects the play style of one of our current leaders. Second highest rated pass rush specialist in the draft. They got him without having to give up draft equity.
Raekwon McMillan B Guy they loved. Fit a position we had to get an infusion of young talent in, fits the style of LB they want to add to our scheme. They only thing I could think f that knocks this down some is that he was rated a round lower than we took him and I believe that there were other prospects who filled the position as well and we’re better overall prospects. Again this is my opinion and my grade, they obviously felt different.
Cordrea Tankersly A- Guy they loved. Fit a position we wanted to add talent to. Seeing a pattern here? Great player for our defensive scheme. Likely competes for starting role this year even as a 3rd round pick. I liked a few players better but they were not available so he also checked off the best available box and we got him a round later than he was projected.
Isaac Asiata A. Guy they loved. Fit a position we had to get an infusion of young talent in. Will bring the nasty back to our OL, which we need, perfect scheme fit, will challenge for a starting job immediately. Got him 2 rounds lower than rated.
Davon Godchaux B. A guy they met with, but not sure if they were as smitten as with the previous guys, but this guy had been rated as high as a potential first rounder as one point, but remained day two potential for the rest of the predraft time. We got good value and a guy who give really good pressure from the inside of the DL.
Vincent Taylor B. I will give this a B because I just don’t know anything about the guy to give it better or worse. What little I have seen is both good and bad, but his stats suggest there has been a good bit more good than bad. He seems to have a lot of upside and with a 6th round selection it’s got little risk.
Isaiah Ford B. Again I don’t have a lot of background on this kid. What I have seen since he was drafted seems solid. Good stuff to go with not so good. Scout reports I have read though make me think he was a value pick at the very least and that he has a lot of upside as long as he works out some of his weaknesses.
I’d give us a B+ overall. I think we accomplished what we needed to with some great selections for doing that.
We could’ve drafted better individually, but not sure we could’ve done much better overall. Our depth has increased bigly.
Grant better be working in the offseason or his job is going to be in jeopardy, Ford can play. There’s so much depth in the draft from year to year late that you can find some good talent in the 7th.
They picked up some really good WRs with their UDFA pickups too. He definitely needs to come correct so does caroo
I think the early part of the draft is notable for who we passed (Foster and lamp for Harris and cunningham for McMillan)
But we drafted good players
It wasn’t exactly Eddie Moore territory
Just preferences
But these guys know the guys they want so their preferences are what matters
I really liked the tankersly and Asiata picks
Would you have drafted Lamp in the 1st, if you knew Asiata was going to be there in the 5th?
Someone must’ve spooked us in the 5th for the trade up 2 spots, or they really felt they were going to take the same guys they did later with the swapped picks.
I didn’t want Lamp over a pass rusher irrespective of what happened with Asita
I wanted defense
But nonetheless it’s notable that we passed a starter for a rotational guy
I don’t have regrets about it
I think some do though
https://twitter.com/asiatafive4/status/858478905820274688
Just realized 2nd year in a row
We did a pick switch with Philadephia
Last year we got Kiko and Maxwell instead of a a trade up
But there appears to be a relationship there
Grading the draft before any of these guys putting on pads none the less playing in a game is a pointless exercise imo. I remember plenty of times teams with high draft grades turned out with a draft full of busts and vice versa
I know Foster is highly regarded for his play, but he checks all 3 types of red flag boxes: temper tantrum, drugs, and still needs surgery on a bad injury.
If he had had just one of those …
or if he weren’t trying to lie and cover up the drug thing …
or if he was in rehab, but he hasn’t even had the surgery yet, the SECOND one…
I mean he got sent home from the COMBINE!!! like a little school child … like a spoiled brat …and this was his big job interview and he came off as unprofessional and immature and self-entitled as it is possible to be.
I hear you
But he has the potential to be special
So does Harris.
I see Harris as kind of a steady pick Tim
Whereas Foster is boom or bust
Probably a better idea to go steady in the 1st
Fosters flags Are definately a concern
But talent wise he was top 5 in this draft
A lot of the WRs we signed or a targeting as UDFAs are most likely as camp guys because we only had 6 WRs on the roster. You need more than that for TC. Ford was drafted and seems to be a guy many think was great value in the 7th. We probably want 11-12 WRs for camp with the hope that someone is a sleeper and really shines out of that group pushing the bottom end of the depth chart.
so true … you need that many to get the reps in and field punts and be gunners on ST and all that stuff you need to do for installs and so the coaches can see how various new plans work on a real field without burning out your top guys.
Same as most positions of course, but we only had a handful of WRs and needed double that exactly as you say.
Lot of defense
Woop woop
Piggy, all DL are rotational. Starter doesn’t mean much, it’s about quality snaps and I think Harris will provide pass rush depth throughout the season as he develops his entire game. You can’t have enough of them as they say.
I call it a “kill Tom Brady pick”
And I think that needs to be our focus, so I don’t have gripes with it
Yep! We can’t always rely on just a couple of guys to get to the QB.
OK so this is who all we’ve got. Say we make no more changes …
Are we a better team than last year?
Is Timmons better than Paysinger? Anybody would say yes.
Is Raekwon better than that guy we had last year who was he Donald Butler? uhhh YEP!
Is Julius Thomas an improvement on Jordan Cameron and Fasano better than Dion Sims? That is almost certain … depending on injuries and flameouts.
Is Asiata Tunsil better than Tunsil Albert? Probably… or certainly no worse.
Is Harris a better situational edge than the mentally exhausted Mario Williams? I betcha so.
Is William Hayes a better run-stopper than Jason Jones was? History says so. Stats say so.
Same with TJ Mac better than Quddus … all past factors considered … yessir he is.
Are two young and hungry bullpups better than the nameless journeymen we had at back-up DT last year? Why would they not be?
not having BOTH kickers be rookies? Cool. … Not starting with a broke-down RB1? check.
Will Gase be a better coach his 2nd year? Hell he was better the 2nd HALF of last year!
Tannehill with his WRs in his 2nd year in the Gase attack? see above.
Even Grier looks better in year 2 of being a GM.
Fins UP!
Pretty solid argument.
Valid points but Nate Allen is likely going to be the other starting S to start the season unless he struggles and we look to Thomas again, or maybe someone else.
It was reported none of the teams were really worried about the dilute test, Foster drop was because of his shoulder needing another surgery to correct meaning he likely sits out at least half the season.
Throwing the bitch fit he did didn’t help I’m sure
Yeah that was the consensus by most people, the shoulder being the biggest issue. At the end of the day he wasn’t a very clean prospect.
I heard conclusions too
Concussions…lol
We will keep 6 WRs I would bet, but I don’t see the UDFAs as just camp bodies, I think they are there for having the deepest depth possible. I think it’s every bit as possible that a guy like Caroo or Grant could lose their spot to an UDFA so I think they better show up thinking they might not stick.
It’s true, having that many invited does mean a good number of them will be but Grant and Caroo, and he’ll even Ford might be the camp bodies by time it’s all done. I don’t think they invite anyone they are certain they will cut later, all of them are guys they hope show up and earn a spot.
true that … several are very intriguing prospects, draftable quality players
That’s valid too, but we needed more bodies at the position regardless. There are too many reps in TC for just 6 or 7 guys. We know who are big 3 are so it will come down to who fills out the next 3. But like Gase has said, it wasn’t exactly easy for the other WRs to get much playing time behind the top 3. Let’s hope the competition is fierce and may the best win out.
Francis Owusu, Stanford, 6-2, 223, 4.37 40
Steve
You’re exactly right about Tankersley. He’s just not a run support guy, but he can bring down the guy he’s covering. Just don’t look for him to go one on one with Legarrette Blount, or Mike Gillislee for that matter. lol
Right!
I’m not sure Tunsil/Asiata is better than Albert/Tunsil. I actually think that’s a little crazy, considering the fact we don’t even know if Asiata can win the job, and Tunsil is going to play a different position than he did last season. I think a healthy Albert/Tunsil would be a lot better than Tunsil/Asiata. Let’s keep it real now.
Norm Evans and Larry Little would be even better
Gotta move forward
Our draft has been well liked by most of the pundits. Nothing amazing just solid value and hitting primary needs.
This draft didn’t have much amazing.
Son
I’m not belittling what we have at all, but to anoint Asiata and Tunsil as better than a former All Pro T and a young OL who is moving to LT after playing well at LG with Albert next to him is just day after draft euphoria talking. I know Naples knows his shit big time, I think it was just a little over the top IMO. No biggie, I can understand the happiness, I’m digging it too, we got our guy, and that’s a good thing. With the draft, it’s very hard to target a guy, and not only get him, but get him in the later RD’s at a great value. Job well done. Let’s see what the kid can do first though before we go crazy about him.
We could use a 5th rd gem on the OL after two failed 3rd’s and a 4th attempt 3 straight years. They’re not even on the team anymore. 😦
On paper we look pretty good
We look deep
Yep — they were picking for the future, and with that came much better depth.
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Bills not alone. Colts releasing director of college scouting T.J. McCreight and others from scouting department, per league sources.
We got deeper with upside now and/or the future based on projections. We already had a starting defense before the draft.
DL Wake, Suh, Phillips, Branch
LB Alonso, Timmons, Misi/Hewitt
DB Maxwell, Howard, Jones, Allen
The competition for playing time has changed in every phase of the defense with our additions.
10 third-day picks who can make an immediate impact
10. Isaac Asiata, guard, Miami Dolphins (Utah):
At first glance, Asiata is a huge man with serious power (35 bench press reps at the combine). Dolphins head coach Adam Gase showed up a year ago and proved he wasn’t afraid to mix up the offensive line if anyone was playing soft. Would he hesitate to do it again if a 6-3, 323-pound behemoth showed up and started throwing down with Ndamukong Suh?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000804993/article/10-thirdday-picks-who-can-make-an-immediate-impact
I think what happened is Turner, Thomas and Douglas made Gase throw up. Like get these guys out of here, are you f’n kidding me? Asiata isn’t the typical athletic zone type of guy, but he does have solid footwork along with power and I think we see him as a guy who can man up better inside than what we’ve had. Again you always wonder why a guy falls to the 5th when hoping for a starter.
I’m gonna call these three positions stacked.
DE — Wake, Branch, Hayes, Harris.
CB — Maxwell, Howard, Lippett, Mccain, Tankersley
WR — Landry, Parker, Stills, Carroo
I think you left some out based on what you consider stacked. I could say DT, LB, QB and RB just as easily. TE might be better than everyone thinks right now too. 🙂
I was really going to places where he had a bunch of legit starters. QB I’ll give. RB not really, least not yet. LB only if Misi is healthy. And at DT not counting a 5th and 6th, but hopefully will down the road.
Mike,
Personally, I already consider Tunsil/ Asiata better if Asiata wins the job. BA was always hurt in one way or another. Only played 35 out of 48 game for us. One full season in a 9 year career and he’s causing issues in Jax. Can’t move on fast enough from that dude. Pouncey’s another broken toy but at least he’s had two full seasons so far. Let’s see how he does. There was a reason Omar rightly called them unicorns. Just like McMillan, I hope this is a step towards guys who can stay healthy enough to contribute the entire year instead of parts of it.
Heading into 2017 don’t just think about this year’s draft but last year’s taking the next step along with some 3 and 4 year guys. Everyone wants to build through the draft, this team is doing that with 17 draft picks still in the mix since 2014 (post-Ireland) and not counting this year’s lucky 7. LOL
A 2nd season under the new regime with no change in terminology and philosophy. Based on that alone we should be better. Let the talent work itself out. We have quite a bit of it including 3 1st rd OL since 2011 – Pouncey (11 #15), James (14 #19) and Tunsil (16 #13). It’s not like we haven’t been trying to fix the problem. 🙂
And we added a new FA class with Timmons, Allen, McDonald (8 games), Larsen, re-signed Stills, Alonso, Jones, Bushrod, traded low end for Hayes and Thomas but both could be major contributors.
It’s not going to be the same team but there will be more chemistry this year than last year. Add that all up and you should expect a better team.
Tim
I think McMillan is NFL ready and will challenge to start on day 1
Agreed, I think Alonso, Timmons, Misi, Hewitt and McMillan will all play until they can’t. LOL
There is a big line at the comedy club around the corner from my apt
Just realized Seinfeld is performing
Stanger, Suh and Phillips entering his 3rd year could be one of the most formidable pair we’ve had in a long time. Alonso and Timmons is a 2 year pairing as box LBs. Misi can play both inside and outside but until he’s cleared I get it. That’s why we added McMillan to the group. Hewitt is 24 years old and has made an impact since he was a rookie as an OLB. Why do we write him off? Lippett or McCain are no more of a sure thing than he is as corners.
Don’t be surprised when you see our wide 9 have Wake on the TE’s outside shoulder, Suh in inside the RT and RG, Phillips on the nose, Hayes inside the LG and LT, Branch/Harris off the edge of the LT maybe standing up as an OLB, with Alonso and Timmons as the inside backers with the typical 4 secondary. Most likely a cover 3, Jones as a box safety, Allen as the deep safety and press on the corners. Obviously the formations change against more spread 3-4 WR groupings.
It would be great if Phillips could go to the next level
I’m excited to see the 2 new DTs and whether they can fit in the rotation
Phillips is a big Q for me….all the talent in the world though.
Tim — more than happy with our starters at both DT and LB. We’ll see about the rest, including Hewitt and Misi’s health. Think both McCain and Lippett have shown more than him though.
And yeah think they will do some crazy stuff with their new toys.
What I like about Asiata is he actually played OG at Utah instead of ring projected to be an OG bc he has short arms
https://twitter.com/mcluvphin/status/858796606816227329
Two of them have great names. 🙂
I’m rooting for Haack and Stringfellow
MIKE SAYS “A healthy Albert/Tunsil would be better than Tunsil/Asiata. Let’s keep it real.”
OK, my friend, Mike. I’ll keep it real. Albert WILL NEVER AGAIN be fully healthy. Keep track of Albert’s absences from any OTA’s or some early summer practices. BEST SCENARIO is he plays 12-14 games this season (at LESS than 100 per cent). More reasonably, he plays 6-12 games and sits for the others. Is a banged-up, less than 100 per cent Albert better than a younger and stronger Asiata? Probably not, especially when you factor in Albert’s huge salary vs. Asiata’s 5th round rookie salary. And, regarding Tunsil, I expect he’ll be better this season than he was last season. And THAT’S KEEPING IT REAL.
———————
However, if, at the time of the FEST, ALBERT/TUNSIL are clearly outplaying this year’s TUNSIL/ASIATA, I’ll buy you a beer. On second thought, I’ll buy you a beer ANYWAY!!!
New Age
Totally hear you on Albert’s ability to stay on the field. It’s something that has frustrated and worried me for years. When he was healthy though, he was a very good player, but it just wasn’t often enough. My biggest point from all that is they’re not just going to hand Asiata the job, he’s going to have play well enough. It would be ideal if he did, because to get a quality starter in the 5th RD is huge. Still, you have to into account Tunsil is moving to LT full time, so there will be bumps in the road, and Asiata isn’t necessarily a ZBS fit. Hopefully he can get the job done
Tim
While it wasn’t amazing, I’m really excited to see the new guys perform. I can’t wait to see Harris and Raekwon, and I’d love to see Asiata get off to a good start. It also look forward to Tankersley showing his better than average coverage ability.
I think with Tankserly we can afford to be patient
I have Howard and Maxwell pencilled in as starters with Lippett as 3
I do hope Tankersly can play nickel though
If he can and isn’t permiter he can make an impact this year
Tim, Bri
The Mets season once again turned to shit. Thor injured, and we were right in the game, and then we gave up those 3rd quarter TD’s, and the Nats buried us. lol
Mike E: Your Mets have been through an unbelievable run of injuries. It looks like nobody is going to stop the Nats in the NL East. But it’s STILL VERY EARLY.
Comparing Albert/Tunsil to Tunsil/Asiata straight up is obviously one-sided, but that isn’t the whole situation, you also have to consider the contracts Albert vs Asiata. The team decided to use the money they saved from Albert in Other areas.
Honestly i think the biggest factor on our OL this year will be whether Pouncey can be healthy and play all 16 games
Yeah