TE – The position that has been a vacant hole for so many years. One oddity, if you weren’t aware, is that Tight End, besides Kicker and Punter is the only skill position that the Dolphins have NEVER invested in a 1st RD pick for. While I’m not advocating the Dolphins select a TE with the #11 pick, they better make it happen with either the #42 pick, or at the very least, the #73, but preferably the #42 pick. In the meantime, let’s take a look at who’s available at TE in free agency. Last week, we looked at WR, this week, it’s the big fellas, the TE’s.
Jimmy Graham 6’7 260 31YO
A TE can’t really replace Jarvis Landry, or can he? This year, in SEA, in his walk year of free agency, Graham’s stats more resembles Jarvis Landry’s than at any other point of his career. Graham reeled in 10 TD’s this year, his highest total since ’14 (He had 16 TD’s in ’13). Here’s where it even more closely resembles Landry, 57 receptions for 520 yards, for a 9.1 YPR average, the first time in Graham’s career below double digits. Is the big guy slowing down? Eh, probably a little bit, but SEA just didn’t have a great year this year, the run game was a colossal bust. FA Eddie Lacy was a huge disappointment, and the bevy of RB’s behind him were awful, so it all fell on Russell Wilson, who managed to have a phenomenal year, despite the run game woes.
Graham is 31, and will be going into his 9th season. He’s played most games every season, and isn’t really an injury prone player. He’s one of the biggest red zone threats in the game, and if you compare him to what we’ve had here the last decade or so, he’s ALL WORLD! Spotrac has Graham’s market value at $6.7M, and I’m going to say right now, I think they’re low on that. Think of it this way Dolphins fans, if we do lose Landry, which you all know I will hate, Graham would definitely help this team recover from that loss.
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Austin Seferian-Jenkins 6’6 262 25YO
ASJ had a resurrection of his career last season with the rival New York Jets. I know pretty well, I had to pick him up in FF in 2 leagues after I lost my TE to injury. After disappearing from the NFL landscape during 2 forgettable seasons with the Tampa Bay Bucs, the former 2nd RD pick was cut in the middle of his 3rd season after his 2nd DUI arrest since 2013. He got serious about his life, slimmed down 15 lbs, got his mind and body focused on football, and had a nice comeback season. It wasn’t outstanding, but 2 TD’s were overturned by replay, one against the Patriots (Of course!), and one against Seattle. ASJ finished with 50 catches for 357 yards and 3 TD’s. Not eye popping, but he showed a lot of promise after being out of football for a while. A highly touted prospect, ASJ seems to be on the right track, and I’d take a look at him for sure. Spotrac projects his market value at $4.1M, which is a bargain compared to Julius Thomas.
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Benjamin Watson 6’3 255 37YO
Yes, Watson is older than Gase. Not really, but it’s close. It would have to be a short contract, but joking aside, Watson has had 2 very productive seasons his last 2 years, one for the Ravens, the other 2 years ago with the Saints. Players don’t usually get better after 35, but Watson has had his 2 best years of his career. Watson caught 61 passes for 521 yards and 4 TD’s. He’s a smart veteran player with a good work ethic, and looks to be in fantastic physical shape. My thinking would be to sign Watson, but also draft a TE early, and let things happen as they will. At worst, if the rookie struggles, you have a veteran TE who can fill the spot, and also mentor the young TE. Seems logical, especially at the right price, which should be around $2M per.
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Virgil Green 6’3 248 29YO
Yeah, I know, it’s slim pickin’s out there folks. Sure, 7 years ago in the 2011 NFL Draft, both M13 and I were all about Virgil Green, but in 2018, after 7 seasons in the NFL, Green is not a savior. He’s more of a role player, and probably a 2nd TE, which is why I’ll be discussing Anthony Fasano shortly. back to Green, he started all 16 games last season for the Broncos, but had very little on his resume as such. Green finished with 14 receptions for 191 yards and 1 TD. That’s a nice 13.6 YPR, but it’s such a small body of work, it’s hard to get excited about it. He’s an athletic player, definitely undersized at 6’3, but part of the mystique of Green is he played college ball at Nevada, with a certain controversial QB. Ahhh, now you remember who Virgil Green is! Virgil excelled at the combine, running a 4.64, jumped out of the park with a 42.5″ vertical and a 130″ broad jump, a 6.90 cone and 11.63 60 YD shuttle all showed great athleticism and explosiveness, but it just hasn’t translated to the NFL. It happens.
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Anthony Fasano 6’4 255 33YO
We all know Anthony Fasano well, Gigi’s Italian Stallion who came back home last season after a 4 year hiatus. Always a fan favorite. Fasano has that old school grit, and will even make a nice catch here and there when called on. he’s a great in line blocker, but he’s a 2nd TE, not a #1 guy. This seems to be the theme in this year’s free agency, once you get past top 2 or 3. No reason to post his stats, but I will anyway, 12 catches for 107 yards and 1 TD. The stats don’t do Fasano justice, because he’s a great teammate, as I mentioned, a great blocker, and a fan favorite, so his 12 catches don’t portray his story fairly.
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Trey Burton 6’3 228 26YO
Burton is an undersized, very undersized TE. He’s one of those tweeners, who BTW, is benefiting hugely by by being on a SB winning team, and being the #2 to one of the best pass catching TE’s in football, Zach Ertz, along with the complete arsenal of weapons such as Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Torrey Smith, LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi, etc . . . Burton caught 23 passes for 248 yards and 5 TD’s. I don’t think any NFL team will be looking at Burton as their #1 starting TE, yet for some odd reason, Spotrac has him valued at $7M per season. Burton caught 23 passes for 248 yards and 5 TD’s. As far as I’m concerned, I’d take that $7M and give it to Landry to keep in aqua and orange, but that’s just me. he would have to be a complimentary player, like a slot receiving TE, so forget $7M, maybe at half that, I’d consider him, maybe.
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Ed Dickson 6’4 244 30YO
Dickson has had a decent career with both the Ravens and Panthers. This past season, when starter Greg Olsen went down with a broken leg, Dickson got more of a chance, yet still finished with pedestrian numbers, 30 receptions 437 yards and 1 TD. he had a nice 14.6 YPR, but 1 TD as a starter for 12 games is disappointing. Maybe it’s the QB in Carolina, who knows? (LOL!) Once again, Dickson is not going to be your #1 starting TE, he’s more of a 2nd string guy.
***********************************************************************************
So there’s your 6, oops SEVEN possibilities at TE for us in 2018. I obviously can’t count! I didn’t forget that Antonio Gates is out there, or Tyler Eifert for that matter. Gates should finish his career as a Charger, and I think he probably will. He’s maintained he doesn’t want to retire, he would like to win a SB. Tyler Eifert eerily reminds me of Jordan Cameron, and I don’t have to remind you how that went down, or how strongly I was against it. He’s a talented player, maybe better than Jordan Cameron, but believe it or not, not as durable. Eifert has managed one season with 15 games played, and then in 4 seasons after that, just 24 games. I wouldn’t even look in his direction, been there, done that. I would have loved to have included former CHI TE Zach Miller, but after that catastrophic leg injury, in which he dislocated his knee, and and actually severed his popliteal artery, and nearly had to have his leg amputated, he may never play football again. The 33 YO TE desires to play again in the NFL, but he has quite the uphill struggle ahead. If there’s any TE you feel was wrongly omitted, let me know.
Finsmob Unleashed 
First and Oink
Let’s draft a TE or 2
No FA TE s. Good TEs in the draft. Let’s go get them
Good write up Mike E
11: R1P11
G QUENTON NELSON
NOTRE DAME
42: R2P10
RB SONY MICHEL
GEORGIA
73: R3P9
TE HAYDEN HURST
SOUTH CAROLINA
113: R4P11
QB MIKE WHITE
WESTERN KENTUCKY
132: R4P30
LB SKAI MOORE
SOUTH CAROLINA
186: R6P9
LB SHAQUEM GRIFFIN
CENTRAL FLORIDA
223: R7P5
TE DEANDRE GOOLSBY
FLORIDA
229: R7P11
G BRADEN SMITH
AUBURN
I love this draft unless that’s too high for Mike White.
https://youtu.be/s9aCMUhAO04
He’s dreamy.
That’s my favorite TE prospect
I wanted Benjamin Watson when he left the Patriots years ago and Jimmy Graham in the draft, but don’t know if I’d want either one now. I really wish we’d target Marquis Gray more and use him more in the running game. Draft a stud and keep Fasano for another year or so.
I think we need a TE even if we do draft a TE this year. TE’s have historically started slow, even some of the best of them. It doesn’t have to be Jimmy Graham, but at least a starting quality TE.
This aught to put Pig’s in a conundrum!
11: R1P11 G QUENTON NELSON, NOTRE DAME
42: R2P10EDGE MARCUS DAVENPORT, UTSA
73: R3P9 TE MARK ANDREWS, OKLAHOMA
113: R4P11 QB KURT BENKERT, VIRGINIA
132: R4P30 S GODWIN IGWEBUIKE, NORTHWESTERN
186: R6P9 FB DIMITRI FLOWERS, OKLAHOMA
223: R7P5 LB DARIUS LEONARD, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
229: R7P11 P MICHAEL DICKSON, TEXAS
You and McShay both have us at Nelson right now…..and hard to argue with that.
This is a great draft except I’d like a quality RB somewhere in there.
“Think of it this way Dolphins fans, if we do lose Landry, which you all know I will hate, Graham would definitely help this team recover from that loss.”
Heck yeah if we don’t end up keeping Jarvis that would be a way to go, especially at the price. Even if it ends up being $8 mil for him, leaves you like $5 mil more for something else like a slot receiver. But based on the FA choices you put out and well……if not him, hoping we hit TE strong in the draft (Landry or not).
How’s everyone this morning? Testy as ever or cool like Santa Claus?
Here’s some advice for internet conversation, it’s worth what you paid for it:
Be like this guy:
+++
You want us to be like ducks?
What am I missing here
I am 🐖 not 🦆!
Don’t draft TE. Draft FB. In fact, go FB/FB in the first two rounds so we’re guaranteed to hit on one, and then we can convert the other one to H-Back. Some front office is going to be calling me any day now. 😛
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 11: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame (A)
Round 2 Pick 10: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State (B)
Round 3 Pick 9: Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State (A)
Round 4 Pick 11: Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State (A+)
Round 4 Pick 30: Jaylen Samuels, RB/WR, North Carolina State (A+)
Round 6 Pick 9: Brandon Facyson, CB, Virginia Tech (A+)
Round 7 Pick 5: Fred Warner, OLB, Brigham Young (A+)
Round 7 Pick 11: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State (C+)
I doubt ballage lasts to the 7th but it’s a steal if he does
Why did you draft a DT in the 3rd
I’m not sure we’re all in with Phillips, and he’s a FA after this season
Great draft all the way through. I’d be very happy with that draft.
Patrick Surtain, Jr. is the top rated high school CB. He’s going play for Bama. Guessing if Pat Sr. had played for Saban it would not be happening, or at least hoping on that.
I don’t know, whatever we thought of Saban as a Fins coach, he’s proven his worth at the college level, and has a really strong record of producing NFL players. I’m sure Sr. wants first and foremost for his kid to go to a school that maximizes his chances of being drafted, and there’s none better then Alabama on that front.
FTR, i hate Saban because I believed him when he said: “I’m not going to be the Alabama coach next year” and defended him on this blog (well, it was probably the ss blog back then) until he proved me a sucker.
You are right Jahn. If you were a top notch high school player, why would you not want to play for Bama? Only reason could think of is cause you would not start, or maybe not soon enough. And as a Dad….there might be something about least Saban will keep my kid in check and focused. Even if you don’t like him.
Nice Job Mike E
I really don’t like any of those TEs. They brought AJ Derby over and played him right away, so I’m hoping he’ll be ok while the one they draft gets up to speed.
I’m not sure Derby is ready for prime time, and if not, then we’re relying on a rookie. I wouldn’t mind that strategy if they get one of the better prospects early, but if they wait to draft a TE, that scares the hell out of me.
We’ve had plug and play TEs before
Randy McDaniel
Ferrel Edmunds
I think clay started as a rookie
I think you can pull it off
When the patriots drafted Gronk they drafted Hernandez too
And those were 1-2 on Their depth chart
Ravens too with Dickson and some one else
It can be done
I kind of think no Saban is more of a figurehead at Alabama and is not so much a part of daily practice
Dan Graziano
Verified account
@DanGrazianoESPN
2h
2 hours ago
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Source says agent Bob LaMonte, who represents Josh McDaniels, Colts GM Chris Ballard and many other coaches/execs, is terminating his relationship with McDaniels. http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0752957927832162658-4 …
I bet he put so much work into that deal with the colts
And expected a commission – which went out the window when that brat changed his mind
I wonder if he sued him to get that commission
Fired by your agent? SMH He diserves it.
Adam Schefter
Verified account
@AdamSchefter
3h
3 hours ago
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Colts are expected to request permission for HC interviews with Eagles OC Frank Reich and Saints asst HC Dan Campbell, per sources.
https://twitter.com/NFL_Memes/status/961294862447456258
Derby already looked as good as Thomas. So it can’t get worse with him and a rookie. Lol
I can agree with that, I want better. I want TE to be a strength, not just eh. Like I said, if they get Goedert or Gesicki, and really get the kid prepared to be out there, I’m cool with it.
Piggy – Just wondering, what is it that makes you confident in Jordan Phillips? He’s been here 3 years, and he hans’t established himself yet, and hasn’t really done a whole lot period. I know DT’s don’t make a lot of tackles or get sacks, but when the guy next to you is taking on 2 blockers, you should have more than 10 tackles and 2 sacks in a 16 game season, don’t you think?
I wouldn’t say I’m confident
I just don’t think it’s an immediate need
We can see how he does in 2018 and go from there
And we have Godcheux
Stats aren’t everything, but Godchaux, who is a rookie, had 26 tackles and 14 assists, compared to Phillips 10 and 6. I think Phillips is a loafer.
Check out @SleeperAthletes’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/SleeperAthletes/status/961327305753812999?s=09
This is funny and sad at the same time
What a horrible mother
She was all in Alabama gear….Something happened there, but it is a once in a lifetime moment for her son, not for her…
He hat is tenneseee and her sweater is Alabama
Wtf!
MikeE
@NJ1Dolfan
25m25 minutes ago
Replying to @SleeperAthletes @JCope1era
She’ll be right by his side when he gets drafted though, bet on that! $$$$
Nate Jackson
@NathanSerious
1h
1 hour ago
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For context: Josh McDaniels was hired by the Broncos in 2009. I was on the roster & home for the off-season. My parents’ landline got a voice mail from the Broncos saying that I’d been cut. I called McDaniels for an explanation. His assistant said he’d call me back. He never did.
He didn’t even let the guy compete at TC?
Dan Campbell getting an interview with Indy…..good for him.
Yeah, good for him is right. He deserves it more than McDouchebag, that’s for sure.
Piggy
I guess anywhere but Florida! Lol.
Indy GM had great press conference today. Dan would be a great fit there judging by that guy’s press conference
Why do the Knicks make me hate them? This morning, I just said it will be nice to see Willy Hernangomez get some playing time, and the freaking Knicks trade him for two future 2nd RD picks, and I mean distant future too, like 2019 and 2020, or 2020 and 2021. WTF!! Asinine! If they played him this season, they could have possible traded him for a 1st RD pick if they really wanted him out.
PS – I know no one cares about the Knicks or this post, I just need to vent!
Lol
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article198869164.html
Jared Tokarz
@NFLDraftInsider
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Todd McShay said AGAIN today that he has had conversations with NFL Execs/Scouts that tell him they fear Josh Rosen compares closely to Jay Cutler. Talented guy who’s heart might just not be in it.
________________________
this is interesting
Trey Burton, huh? He’s a pretty one dimensional guy, not big enough to stay in line and block
Suh is on this list
And 2-5 are pretty close
But how good is Donald – wow
Jarvis Juice Landry
@God_Son80
7h7 hours ago
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You don’t have a plate at this table no more.. Groupie
PAT SURTAINl
@psurtain23
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Replying to @God_Son80
Watch your mouth!!!
LOL! This is getting heated
Mike E. says:
February 7, 2018 at 3:25 pm
I can agree with that, I want better. I want TE to be a strength, not just eh. Like I said, if they get Goedert or Gesicki, and really get the kid prepared to be out there, I’m cool with it.
_________________________________________
I may be setting myself for disappointment again, but if we don’t draft either Goedert or Gesicki I’m not going to be a happy Phin fan. Lol.
It’s past time they made the made that investment. The only problem I can see is they may have a different prospect that they think is the one.
Yea, I guess it’s the lack of investment in the position that they have shown in the last 7 or 8 years that has me disappointed.
In years past I wanted Eifert, Fleener, and then Ertz, after that I just started giving up hope. lol
…You can throw Mark Andrews in there too.
I am happy to see they have some interest Fumagalli.
Fumagali is one of my man crushes
Don’t get your heart set on 2 guys
rgs – I’d take Fumagalli as our 2nd TE, hopefully not our 1st or only TE in the draft
I agree. I would put him in my tier 2 TEs. I’m just happy they at least understand we may need to invest more in the position then bringing in another Julius Thomas.
Fumagali is a top tier TE imo. He is a Travis Kelce clone
I guess I’m in the camp that would really like to draft 2 TEs this year. …kinda like NE did it with Gronk/Hernandez and Indy with Fleener/Allen.
totally agree … any 2 of these 6:
Goedert, Hurst, Gesicki, Andrews, Ian Thomas, Smythe. in order of preference
If we miss and only get one of these before they are all gone,
then go for Fumagalli, Goolsby, Breneman, Izzo, Herndon, Schultz from Stanford for the other one late.
That’s a good list and I like that thinking.
We badly need the combine 40 numbers on those TEs. I fear Fumagalli is too slow to bust a seam.
Don’t put too much stock in combine numbers. I watched Fumagali a lot he can is a real threat in the seam
I respect your opinion on that.
But if he runs a 4.85 or worse, we can’t use him that way.
I put a tremendous value on certain numbers for certain positions at the combine.
Because college programs fudge or assist 40 times of their fave guys.
And speed at CB, S, TE is crucial.
And really bad numbers can show a bad sign at WR, RB, and LB.
I hear you but every year you see these guys who fly up the draft board because of the combine numbers and they turn out not to be very good football players
Fumagali only has nine fingers.
Missing an index finger seems really bad for a WR, but he has never had one, so maybe he has adjusted. Plus I think he has a bit of a stub there, so it’s not like there’s this big gap between thumb and middle finger.
From what I can see, it doesn’t seem to affect him. He seems to have good hands.
Also ht and wt for front 7 DL and OL and ht for QB are often fudged to hide fat boys or smallish DTS and QBs. So we need the Combine for those numbers.
Very true. The Senior Bowl helped with some of the players’ measurements, but the combine is when it should all be revealed with both seniors and underclass men.
Fumagalli is a very bright lad and has good football genes as his dad and brother played ball also. however, he was only the 32nd TE coming out of HS by ESPN and was a walk-on at Wisconsin.
The rankings coming out of HS don’t mean anything. Look at guys like Wentz and Flacco
Falk (this year) is another good example of a guy who has overcome those rankings
Those of you that have met me know don’t quite have the hairline of a boy band lead singer, but this might show what happens when you use hair reduction surgery to cling on to the dream of that too long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHbjIFTyLws
son of a son of a shula says:
February 7, 2018 at 6:08 pm (Edit)
Fumagali only has nine fingers.
To be accurate I believe he only has 7. 😉
Lol
Thumbs are fingers too
Stanger – I don’t see any picture with your post at 6:33PM
Ah, never mind – I just refreshed the screen, and now I see it. It’s funny, I refreshed it about 5 times, nothing, and then POOF! There it is.
GOOD NEWS FROM THE OPERATING ROOM; Mrs. OD came through this afternoon’s lumbar surgery with flying colors!! – – We’ll have a meeting with the surgeon early tomorrow afternoon but, as of now, she’s a little sore but otherwise doing well. She let me cook dinner for her and she was quite pleased with the results.
Our thanks to Mike E. and everyone else who gave her best wishes. Hope to update all of you tomorrow night.
That’s great to hear Randy – Really good news. That Mrs. OD is one tough customer! Good for her!
Good news OD
Good to hear OD!
Son will be starting a new campaign . . . Thumbs matter!
Thumbs up for Thumbs
Thumbthing to talk about
Give the finger to thumb prejudice
I think a guy drafted in the first couple rounds is pretty much expected to be a first year contributor anymore….maybe not a full time starter but getting plenty of snaps. Given our current TE situation, I would hope a 1-2 round guy could come in and contribute right away.
I agree with that, but I watch all the new TE’s, even the 1st RD guys, and for most of them, they played as the 2nd TE. Examples of this would be last year’s #19 pick O.J. Howard, #29 pick David Njoku, #44 and #45 picks Gerald Everett and Adam Shaheen. In past years, 2016 pick #35 Hunter Henry, 2015 pick #55 Maxx Williams. It happens more than you think. It would be great if the guy that we draft can start and play well from day one, but I don’t know that you count on it, so you better have a good player there just in case.
Great news, OD!
Old Dolfan,
GREAT to hear that the Mrs. came through today’s surgery with flying colors! Wishing a very speedy recovery for her.
I saw a mock today that had us taking Harold Landry (DE) in the 1st and Malik Jefferson (LB) in the 2nd
Would you guys be mad if we went DE + LB for the 2nd year in a row?
I don’t think it’s a bad idea as those are 2 very good players
I think I would, because we didn’t address the O-line or TE
Yeah that is the real problem with it
FWIW they took a TE in the 4th in that mock (they took Kerryon Johnson the auburn RB in the 3rd)
And I do think he you can find TEs early in day 3
No OL in the draft
Which, unless we address it via FA – will be a problem forums in ‘18
If Nelson and Edwards were gone @11
No significantly upgraded O-Line=NO significant improvement in the TEAM! –So both me and MRS. OD would be pissed-off. And, believe me, this is NOT the time to piss-dff Mrs. OD!!! – – Thanks again, everybody, for your kind wishes. WE ARE OUT for tonight.
But I don’t think you do what teams like Minnesota or Jax did without a couple of years of defensive minded drafts
Everyone says look what the Jags did…..yeah….they pick top 5 every year!
Yeah but they were defensive drafts
Mike E,
Nice write, bud. I’m surprised you remember how much I liked Virgil Green coming out of Nevada… I’d nearly forgotten, that’s how bad he’s been! LOL
I think this FA class of TEs is bad for us, with the exception of re-signing Anthony Fasano to be our #2 TE. I’d be cool with drafting 2 this year like others have stated, in the event Fasano decides to retire.
We both liked Virgil, he played with the Kaepersniffer. He was so good at Nevada, and he did so well at the combine, I thought he was going to be a very good NFL player. Didn’t happen
Not too shabby, Ryan…
Come on man, he sucks. Everyone knows that. Stats don’t matter. ummmm, what else?
Oh yeah, he will never be more than mediocre
naplesfan2010 says:
February 7, 2018 at 6:07 pm
We badly need the combine 40 numbers on those TEs. I fear Fumagalli is too slow to bust a seam.
The combine numbers don’t mean anything in the long run. Jarvis Landry was too slow to be a 2nd round WR. How fast do they play when the pads go on.
There are some here that will tell you that’s why his YPC average is so low, because he can’t get separation, and he can’t run a route past 15 yards because he’s too slow. I’m not one of them, but . . .
Wisconsin did not have much at QB for most of his time there. They are a run heavy team
I don’t personally care too much about speed at the TE position
In honor of Troy Fumagalli only having 9 fingers, I give you, Glenn Yarbrough…
Piggy:
I would not be upset if we went heavy on defense early in the draft. What I want the team to do is draft the best players available. We have multiple needs on both sides of the ball. I don’t think we can go wrong drafting at any position as long as we are getting the best players on the board.
What I have a hard time wrapping my head around is Chubb is by far the best DE prospect in the draft but there’s people who think we should take the kid from UTSA at #11. There’s a huge drop off between those two, not something that can be justified by just a few draft positions.
Right now the mocks are all over the place. You can’t read too much into any of them just yet
I would probably take Key or Landry before Davenport
MikeE,
I agree with ya. I’ve been right there with you hoping for a high quality TE for years. I think it can have a big impact on your offense.
I want a TE that can beat both LBers and Safties. A guy who has the size, speed and ball skills to be a mismatch against multiple defenders. A guy who can actually block too would be sweet but that’s hard to find.
100% Randy!
well then, you want Gus Flatuencia from Gaseous State
I kinda like to see a theme of the draft
Like you build that front 7, or you build a running game, or you build team speed
So I lean towards a draft where we take OL, a TE and a RB early
I tend to think where you take that RB/TE is interchangeable
To me it’s about the talent on the board
If we took Nelson in the 1st and a RB in the 2nd and still land a quality TE in the 3rd or 4th rounds I would be really happy with that draft
Like wise the DE/LB 1 – 2 combo is interesting
But I think you forfeit bringing a plug and play OL if you do that – not necessarily RB/TE/QB with the next three picks though
My theme is “build a team”. So you take the best players at whatever position they’re at. So, if Nelson is the best guy there at #11 and the players on the defensive side of the ball aren’t rated on your board nearly as high you take him.
In the 2nd rd if it happens to be a TE then it’s a TE. If it’s a CB then it’s a CB. You build a team by taking the best players rather than focusing on pieces to fill in holes on the roster. but, let’s say there’s another OG who’s rated the highest on your board then that’s the way you go. You build a team.
If it’s a LB you take him. DE you take him. you build a team.
We have a need for offensive line and TE and this draft looks to have some depth there. We can probably get at least one quality guy at each position. That’s part of building a team. But, if you’ve got a guy on defense rated that much higher than a TE in the first couple rounds do you take the TE or do you take the TE?
I take the guy on defense. You never pass on talent for need. That’s what got us to this point.
As far as rb is concerned, I hope we wait until at least the 4th rd when we have two picks to take one. JMHMFO
I agree with Lou. Always get the best talent available
If you wait u til the 4th round to take RB I don’t think you took BPA rounds 1-3
Take the 2013 Carolina draft as an example
In 2012 they were struggling to stop the run
So they drafted Lotulelei (1st) and Kawann Short (2nd)
And had a dramatic turnaround in 13
Of course it help they had great LBs playing behind them
But I love seeing teams go all in to address their biggest need like that
If you can do it. They were able to do it.
The draft fell that way for them
But I knew they would be taking A DT early
I didn’t know they would take 2
The Flying Pig says:
February 7, 2018 at 8:49 pm
I would probably take Key or Landry before Davenport
________________________________________________
Personally, I wouldn’t touch Key or Landry in the 1st round.
Why? Bc they are undersized? That seems to be what I hear about each of them
Size is one factor for Key, but he’s pretty raw. There are too many stretches where he’s not a factor. With his talent, he should have been dominant more consistently in college. He will take a lot of work, but does have a lot of potential. We need a 1st rounder that has a good chance to start from day 1. If Key was on the board in the 2nd, I would definitely consider it.
As for Landry, I guess it’s size and injury concerns, but I would feel more comfortable taking him over Key in the 1st. Again, if he was there in the 2nd, I would definitely consider him.
They both have a lot of talent, I just have more concerns with them over other guys in the 1st. DE is tough this year, with Chubb being the only guy I would say is definitely at top 15 pick. I really like Davenport as my #2 DE, but he has questions too.
I’ve seen Key get washed out by TEs before
It’s like he didn’t even make an effort
Super aggressive one one play, then washed out in the next
Still think he might be a good nfl player though
I don’t know how he will adjust to his hand on the ground as a 4-3 DE though
Landry though seems a lot more consistent
Plus I already have a Landry dolphins jersey 😛
Lol, on the Landry jersey. Yea, I would feel more comfortable taking Landry over Key. I would also feel more comfortable taking Landry on a trade down in the 1st.
lou,
I prefer to balance need with talent. It’s never just BPA all the time….or need. It doesn’t always have to be a 50/50 balance, but there’s more to a building strategy than just taking the best player on the board every single time. Boards are vertical and horizontal. Strength of position. Team need. Runs on positions. All kinds of factors come into play in the draft. I think BPA can be more valid in round 1, but that designation diminishes from there on, to me anyway.
I agree that it can diminish as you go thru the rounds. Look at what we did last year in choosing two DT’s. However, you’re not passing on talent in the earlier rounds for need. Our draft history SHOWS that is a big mistake with guys like Odrick, Misi and Will Davis.
Unless the player who is a need is close you’ve got to take the highest rated player on your board or you’re not getting any better. Grier always says “trust the process” and the second you go away from that you blow the process out of the water.
Well my 2 pennies!
If he’s your gut take him!
Hell Ted Ginn looks good now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this team is in a unique situation this year. It seems 2 of our biggest needs, OG and TE, are strengths in the draft. So unless someone really falls in the first 2 rounds, you can make a case that OG and TE will be right up there as BPA and major need for us. If we are seriously going to try and upgrade those positions, our FO needs to do it the first 2 days of the draft.
I totally agree with that. This is one year where BPA and need are a match when we are picking .
Piggy,
I don’t think RB is a huge need for us in this draft where we have to get one in the first 3 rds. Especially if we re-sign Williams. We have Drake as the feature back. We don’t need a starting rb. We need a complimentary guy to split carries. What they’re looking for in terms of complimentary could be a guy who’s smaller and shiftier than Drake or it could be a guy who’s bigger and who can pound the rock.
Personally, I don’t think Gase likes the bigger guy who can pound it. I think he likes versatile guys who can run the ball and who he can use out of the backfield as pass catchers or split out wide. I think we may be surprised to see what we end up with.
When you look at the offensive linemen and TE’s that will be available in the 2nd rd it’s hard to say a rb would be BPA and it definitely wouldn’t be a need over and OG or a TE at that point. Neither would it be in the 1st rd.
I agree Lou I don’t see RB as a huge need.
That said I would not be upset if we take one somewhere in the draft
I agree about the type of RB Gase is looking at. I think versatility is huge – but a few of those big backs are very versatile. I don’t think Gase is saying gimme thunder and lightning types
But I’m taken back at your other argument. On one hand I’m hearing the draft fell a certain way for a team like Carolina in terms of taking 2 DTs and on the other hand It’s okay to pass on a good RB bc we don’t need one as much as we need other positions
I’m not a fan of BPA across the board. But I do think you put a handful of needs down and try to get the BPA of those needs. And imo RB is one of those needs. I have (OL, RB, TE, LB, QB) as our needs and I know I can add DE to that but it’s a lesser need
It seems to me that you, as well as a lot informer peopl are arguing no that RB is an exception to the ordinary approach to the draft
And while it’s true – you can get quality RBs later, the 2nd and 3rd round have need real sweet spots for some of the better rbs in this league – guys that’s make an offense
It happens to be a deep RB draft. I think taking waiting until late day 3 to draft a RB is taking a big risk in passing a real dynamic guy that can make an offense.
I really need to see the board on draft day. But I am frankly surprised at the amount of people who won’t take a RB in the 2nd or 3rd rounds knowing the quality backsnin the nfl that have gone there and the quality of back in this draft that kind of had that area as a good mine.
Part of getting the best of the draft is working it strengths
I tend to think OG, TE and RB are strengths of the 2018 draft and I actually thinks RB is the deepest
I also differ from a few people on this issue: I think our roster as it stands has a lot of talent on it. I don’t think we have a lot of special players though. So I’m really looking for those special players and it kind of seems like RB may be the place to find it given what teams like Pitt does with Bellnor AZ with Johnson (both of whom I really liked when they were prospects)
The Flying Pig says:
February 7, 2018 at 9:17 pm
The draft fell that way for them
But I knew they would be taking A DT early
I didn’t know they would take 2
___________________________
You’re right, it did, and everyone knew they’d be taking a DT early. Point is the draft fell that way for them. They were able to take a need because it was there staring them in the face. If you’re picking #11 in the 2nd rd and you don’t have a guy who is a need at a position rated close to that on your draft board are you going to reach or trade down like we did with Odrick in ’10 just to get him or are you going to take the guy who is rated higher?
?
Interesting to me that two of the four guys doing the Mock Drafts on NFL.com have us taking QB’s.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/mock-drafts?icampaign=draft-sub_nav_bar-drafteventpage-mockdraft
Bucky Brooks for President!
OD, glad to hear all went well with Mrs. OD.
I think I might have found the Safety I want!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47QKLON7Rgo
Does anyone have any thoughts on Brennen the Mass TE?
What about Baugh the OSU TE? Looks like a good blocking TE to me
I agree that Gase may not be looking for a hammer RB but a group of backs that can all do the same things so whoever is in there, the offense doesn’t change. Gray can be that big body to use in short yardage. Sometimes he’ll run it and sometimes he’ll block it.
We need to target one of them there TEs y’all! That’s what this offense needs along with upgrades on the OL.
I think OL and TE are definitely higher priorities than RB. We do need a RB, but we’ll probably wait till day 3 for a RB. LB and DE I think are right behind OL and TE. We need to get younger on the edges.
We also need to see if we re-sign Williams which I’m sure Gase wants to do. He likes him.
Sign Williams, we still need good young players at DE
Well we have Harris, Branch isn’t old and the team really likes Malveaux. So I’d say one DE is all we need. We’re only going to keep 4-5 DEs.
Jimmy G just got 5 year $137M from 49ers.
RT17 looks better and better with each signing.
RT’s contract was never as big as some people made it out to be. His deal is now a year to year performance based deal. If he’s not living up to expectations the team can move on very easily.
Wow – the 49ers gave him the biggest deal ever…crazy
That’s what you get for trading for an about to enter his contract year I guess
They traded for him, he played well, they have the cap and he’s their franchise QB.
Yeah but I would call a player who start d a hand full of games “unproven”.
That’s quite a risk
I guess they saw enough. They won 5 of their last 6 games with him at QB. The team looked totally different with him in there. The buzz around the league was Jimmy G is the real deal.
https://twitter.com/PhinsComNews/status/961668339159437312
Wade is coming back to the 🔥
Weeeeeee
Isn’t like 40 years old? LOL
He’s up there
He point being he should retire a member of the heat….in a few years…lol
Wow – Those were the most lucrative 6 games any player has ever played! #JimmyG
FIVE, make that FIVE
Oh right he didn’t play much in the SEA game but he also played well when he started for the Pats. I heard pundits saying that he was worth a lot more than a 2nd rd pick.
We’ll see if he lives up to it. I think he’s really good.
He looked awesome in that one game vs us in 16
It’s crazy that Jimmy G contract no matter what you think his upside is
What if his downside is that he only can play really well for 5 games…lol
I’m sorry I need to see a little more from a player to make him the highest paid player in the. Do
But whatever, it doesn’t matter, he will only be the highest paid player until cousins signs with some one and then cousins highest paid contract will be surpassed shortly after that
The nfl has gone crazy with QB contracts
Might be far fetched but I would love to see a team invest a lot in everything else but an and win
I think I would take a top 5 OL + too 5 defense together before a top 5 QB and the defense and OL would probably cost less
This coming from a guy who wants to pay Landry $14.5M per for 63 YPG and an average of 5.5 TD per season. 😉
Yes the QB contracts are crazy. So are the WR contracts, IMO.
It’s not even in the same stratosphere Tim
Garrapolos contrext is almost 28m a year
The top salaries in the nfl are all qbs
Landry isn’t even asking to be the highest paid wr in the NFL
I think Jimmy G looks good, very good. He has a quick release, and he has a nice live arm, and is very accurate. That said, it would be difficult to give a player with so small a resume the highest contract ever.
Tim – Landry goes beyond just stats. Jimmy G’s stats this year weren’t great, 7 TD’s 5 INT, but he’s a player. So is Landry. I’d be willing to bet you that if Landry goes to another team, his YPC average, and yards per game will both go up. You willing to take that bet?
Remember, Landry played well from GO. No waiting,. developing, none of that. That means something.
You can get 2 Landry’s for the price of one Garrapolo
I gave the wink eye on my Landry comment. Calm down peeps. I don’t think we have to continue to tell each other what Landry is. We all watch the games.
That said, the fact that our offense goes through him is part of the problem, IMO. In 2016 when we passed a little less and relied on Ajayi rushing more, we were a better team. Landry also had his highest YPCA 12.1 and his highest 20+ catches that season with 16. I think Landry is a great piece in the passing arsenal but going to him as often as we do reminds me too much of when we did that with Bess. Too many 0- 5 yard routes. Understand that I hate that approach so it’s not personal against Landry. We need to get away from that, utilize our backs more, get more production from the TEs and more vertical from our WRs. That’s what I feel we need to do to get better.
I liked this argument better when Lou made it.
Okay I didn’t see his. I’ve been saying this for a few years now though. LOL
I can agree that we need to stop throwing too many short passes, but that’s not on Landry. He’s doing his job. I think he can do a lot more, with less targets.
But we’ve been doing that under Philbin and Gase. Maybe that’s how they both viewed him as being his best asset. I really don’t know if he can do a lot more or not.
Wow. Jimmy G a big winner. Get’s that big contract to go along with the $51,000 he got for the Pats losing the SB. It’s his year.
Piggy,
sorry but I’m not in agreement with running back. I’m not trying to be my usually douchebaggy self, I just don’t see it as one of the top needs and I don’t believe you need to take a rb that high to get a good one.
Webb is a perfect example. He looks like he’d fit into our offense nicely and he’s probably mid to late rd.
If we’re in need of a dynamic anything it’s at TE. We’ve got nothing other than Gray at this point. You can throw Derby in there if you want but I wouldn’t be thrilled going into the season with those two as our only TE’s and I like Gray.
This is the way I look at the draft:
1st rd: Best player on the board
2nd rd: BPA with the possibility of need match but can’t pass on BPA
3rd rd: BPA and need match but lean towards need
4th rd on: start looking to fill remaining needs.
Derby has a chance to be one of the TEs on our roster. if he plays really well great. If he’s just a JAG, okay he provides depth.
We need that go-to-TE.
I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be an idiot but I read the first sentence and thought “duh”. lol
Yeah, if he shows he can get it done, sure he has a chance. I’ve just never been high on him and I don’t see it happening. The way this team operates though is they could end up keeping him just to fill a hole at a cheap price.
We could use a Zach Ertz type. He’s not the greatest TE but he’s good.
It looks like we’re also trying to corner the market on QB’s converted to TE.
Besides Gray who?
Derby played qb for Iowa and transferred to Arkansas as a QB in his junior year. He only played 1 yr of TE
actually, “played” is a strong word. he was on both Iowa and Arkansas as a qb on their rosters. didn’t see much time at the position at either school
Lou, you don’t have to type everything you think. 🙂
My point was I could see Derby being one of the 4 TEs we keep on the 53. Rook(that guy), Vet, Gray and Derby.
We had better TE’s in camp that we waived.
And Derby isn’t going to get that shot. We’re converting Misi to TE. Pencil him in.
From yesterday:
OD, great to hear your wife came through surgery well. Best wishes to her and you (caregiving is hard work!) in her continued recovery.
Cheers!
Didn’t know that about Derby. So he’s a developmental guy. Belichick drafted him and he’s done that before. Denver took a look at him. Now us. TE is probably the most interesting position for me this year, to see how it pans out.
I’d like to see us take one early and then take a shot at this guy later:
He looks like the good Julius Thomas.
Saw some good blocking too.
You guys and your hate for the RB position!
I give up! Let the spirit of Walter Payton curse all of you!
It’s not Hate!!! It’s more of a loathing. lol
Tim
Is wink eye like pink eye but more masculine?
Uhhhhh… I was thinking more JK/BB. LOL
I work in what’s called a community space
It’s a a big office (3 floors) dwelling subdivided into little spaces for a lot of companies. Kind of popular in nyc these days and really good for new business like mine (2 years new anyway)
Anyway my point is last week I moved from a 1 person space to a 2 person socreith the intent of hiring some one ….weeeeeeeee
But the real reason I brought it up is just to vent. The office next to me has 2 guys who have been arguing for the better part of an hour now. Some one did something wrong. Not sure about the dynamic there and who is the boss – but I would have fired the employee by now…just me?
Some of the other startups here are….um… less than business savvy
Lot of millennialis who do things that would not fly in the corporate world
Hipsters?
Yep some of them
I knew it!
I’ll put this one out there for MF
I’m sure most here would agree, I would like to see us match BPA to OL, TE and even QB early before RB. This draft seems to have depth at RB. Drake is the guy for now and I see no problem with that. See what happens in FA with Williams and/or someone else too.
Lots of talent at rb:
Great name. Roc Thomas with another 1st down.
Piggy
You should go in and settle it for them.
Just start blowing pig farts through the vents.
That might actually work!
I think someone above made a very good point.
We need a star at TE. A playmaker. A difference-maker.
3rd round at the latest
and then only if the draft pushes a steal down to us because we have a low number.
Anything after that is just a second stringer and we have those.
Would love to land a TE by day 2.
You mean this? LOL
TE – The position that has been a vacant hole for so many years. One oddity, if you weren’t aware, is that Tight End, besides Kicker and Punter is the only skill position that the Dolphins have NEVER invested in a 1st RD pick for. While I’m not advocating the Dolphins select a TE with the #11 pick, they better make it happen with either the #42 pick, or at the very least, the #73, but preferably the #42 pick
Yes!
As far as RB goes, some years it’s a good year for OL or WR or whatever, and this year is really deep with quality at RB. So let’s get us a tandem like the Saints had this year or the Dolphins in ’72!
So ok take Penny in the 4th only if we need to get 4 other positions first. (And we very well might.) But we mustn’t let a high quality year pass us by.
That is not the only reason why we need to draft a high quality RB..
It would be risking a disaster to go into a season with Drake and 3 boxes of popcorn.
Williams is a UDFA, although a good one, and he got so badly hurt last year he was done early. Behind him we have … nobody.
What if Drake gets hurt?
Oink and agreed 🐷
That’s why I say wait until after FA. We could re-sign Williams and sign another back who plays STs but can run and catch an fits what we want to do – an upgrade over Perry. Then you head into the draft knowing your not void at RB and you can be patient landing one when the time is right.
Or you can do something similar like we did with Isaiah Ford. He fell to the 7th when we had a 4-5th rd grade on him. He got hurt and we didn’t see much of him, but you can’t control that.
RB is also a position where you can find solid RBs as UDFAs. Happens all the time. If Gase wants to use a committee anyway and he has said he does, at least a 1-2 punch and a 3rd for depth, we’re not going to be dead if Drake gets hurt. The other backs will be on the team because we chose them. Right now the RBs on our roster are Drake, Perry, Radcliff and Smith. We’ll see if Radcliff or Smith show something in 2018. We kind of know Perry is a JAG who has some skill but is mostly STs.
We’ll draft a RB at some point and probably sign a couple as UDFAs regardless of what we do in FA.
Or we can draft a RB in the 2nd or 3rd round and have a true NFL caliber tandem in 2018
Imagine not going into the 2018 season hoping some one will unseat Damien Williams as the #2…
Frankly I am tired of drafting second stringers.
We have lots of good subs at many positions (not all though).
I think rounds 5-7 are for depth.
Certain positions can win games for a team.
We need a Gronkowski or an Ezekiel Elliot THIS YEAR and they are there.
Plus we must stop dreaming about our OL guys and fix the OG problem.
They are there this year too. But some mocks have us wasting picks on CB and stuff.
That won’t help us win games.
Don’t worry about mocks.
Jeremiah Briscoe 6’3 225 Sam Houston State
Big arm, boy can sling it
Piggy, I’m not concerned about RB at this time. You don’t know they are yet until after FA. Then you add to it and let them compete and come out with the best 3 game day and maybe that 4th inactive depth guy. Think of Drake getting half the workload at the least – say average 15rush/3rec range. You can find good backs to fill in the rest of the production. If the BPA is a RB in the 2nd or 3rd so be it. But that’s why I prefer going into the draft not needing one. That goes for most positions.
We don’t have much money to spend on a FA RB.
It seems some folks are spending the same $10M on several different guys.
More guys than it can pay I mean.
So you say get a FA OG and a FA DE and a FA ILB and a FA TE.
Then we still need a FA RB and a FA QB and a FA FS.
and a FA WR if Jarvis walks.
I don’t think we don’t have that cap space. But I am not an expert on capology.
Williams at least should be fairly cheap. He was playing on a $1.8 mil FA contract year. He might have moved up to get more than that, but he both is coming off an injury and did have much of a chance to show a lot in the co-starter role because of the injury.
I’m not talking about a big signing at RB. Even a guy who has a body of work for a few years and plays STs. Maybe a 1-2 year deal at low end money. Sometimes you can find the Robert Turbin’s or Mike Tolbert’s of the world that play a valuable role. You add a guy like that, re-sign Williams and maybe find a Kamara type in the draft. Add that to Drake and off you go.
I keep reading Drake comments like he’s meh and what if he gets hurt. What if a your highly drafted RB goes down in the PS? You don’t build a team worrying about injuries. You can’t.