The 2018 NFL Draft is just 2 days away! What better time to take a look at a position the Miami Dolphins have largely ignored or failed to adequately fill in over a decade! Nope, not QB, although I’m sure some of you feel that way, no it’s TE! If you just look at the names we’ve had in at TE it doesn’t seem nearly as bad, but trust me, we didn’t have that player when they were producing or healthy. Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, Dion Sims, Charles Clay, Anthony Fasano, David Martin and finally Randy McMichael. McMichael was our best TE out of this group, and David Martin was a nice #2 TE, but the rest, fughettaboutit! It’s time to change that, and this particular draft has pretty decent depth, and I’d feel pretty comfortable with at least 3 prospects, so we do have a chance of finally drafting a TE early that will help this offense and make a major impact as a receiver.
Mike Gesicki 6’5 247 Penn State
Mike Gesicki would be my first choice at TE. He’s not the best blocker at this point, in fact, he may be the player least likely to block, but I do think he may be the most dangerous receiver at TE. You can teach a player to block, but you can’t teach speed and athleticism, and Mike Gesicki has that in spades. At 6’5 247, with long 34″ arms, Gesicki ran the 40 in 4.54 seconds, put up 22 reps of 225, had an amazing 41.5″ vertical, a very fast 4.1 20 YD shuttle, and a 129″ broad jump. This kid screams explosiveness. Gesicki made his presence felt as a Junior at Penn State, and had his breakout season. He finished with 48 receptions for 679 yards and 5 TD’s, a very nice 14.5YPR. In his Senior season, Gesicki caught 57 passes for 563 yards and 9 TD’s. Mike Gesicki is the highest rated TE at NFL.com by a slight margin at 5.92. Besides the long arms, at the end of those long arms are some big mitts, 10 1/8″ mitts. I think Gesicki could be the missing piece that gets our offense going. Having that fast TE threatening the seam will open things for our running backs, and also our other receivers. We haven’t had a TE commanding any attention in far too long.
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Hayden Hurst 6’4 250 South Carolina
Hurst is also a very athletic TE prospect, He was actually in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as a pitcher, but left baseball and walked on at S. Carolina as a TE. Hurst finally got his big chance his Sophomore year, and he took advantage of that chance and finished the season with 48 catches for 616 yards and a TD. His Junior year was pretty consistent with his last season, 44 catches for 559 yards and 2 TD’s. The one negative about Hurst is he will be a relatively old rookie at 25 years old. Hurst did well at the combine as well, though not as good as Gesicki, running a 4.67 40, and a 31.5″ vertical. Hurst is a better blocker than Gesicki, and at least has blocked, unlike Gesicki who is mainly used as a receiver. Hurst has very good hands, registering only 1 drop against 100 receptions. Hurst is rated at 5.90, 2nd highest rated TE.
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Dallas Goedert 6’5 255 South Dakota State
Dallas Goedert has a lot of receptions on his resume, and many of them one handed acrobatic grabs as he is pictured making above. He’s got talent, and although he’s Rock’s favorite, he worries me a bit. First off, he played at South Dakota St. where he was a man among boys. The guy covering him in that pic above looks smaller than me! This is what worries me, he hasn’t played against tough coverage, and bigger defenders, and he surely will in the NFL. An average LB in the NFL will likely be heads and shoulders better than anything he’s faced in college, so I think he has some challenges ahead of him. Goedert didn’t run the 40 at the combine or his pro day due to a hamstring injury, but he did some drills at his pro day. Dallas had a nice 35″ vertical and a 10.1′ broad jump. He also ran a nice 4.06 in the 20 YD shuttle, as well as a quick 6.87 in the 3 cone drill. Goedert’s best season was his Junior year where he caught 92 passes for 1293 yards and 11 TD’s. He’s rated as the 3rd best TE by NFL.com at 5.87
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Ian Thomas 6’4 259 Indiana
Thomas is one of the more well rounded TE’s in the draft. He’s a good receiver as well as a good blocker as an in line TE. He doesn’t have great speed, but he’s fast enough. He actually has a remarkable story as far his upbringing, after losing both his parents at 9 years, and being raised by siblings. He’s known as “Humble and focused” at Indiana, and scouts say he loves football. Thomas had his best season as a Senior after he transferred from community college a year earlier. He caught 25 passes for 376 yards and 5 TD’s. Although he didn’t perform the bench press at the combine or his pro day, Thomas is considered a powerful athlete. He has good run after the catch ability and is very physical separating from would be tacklers. Thomas does need coaching on route running and may have some more upside in that regard. Thomas is somewhat of an unfinished product having played only 2 seasons, really 1 full season of college ball. Thomas is rated at 5.82 at NFL.com
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Dalton Schultz 6’6 242 Stanford
Schultz is actually at the other end of the spectrum from what I want for the Dolphins, because his actually a better blocking TE than receiver. He may be one of the best blockers at TE in this draft. His receiving stats are relatively dismal, his Senior year totals were 22 catches for 212 yards and 3 TD’s. He wouldn’t be the guy I’d want as our 1st TE, but I wouldn’t mind him as our 2nd TE, with Gesicki spread out or in the slot. He was a big part of the run game at Stanford and relied heavily as a run blocker. He has the size, and I’m sure he’ll add even more weight once he hits a regular NFL lifting routine. He’s expected to go around the 3rd or 4th RD, and honestly I wouldn’t mind doubling up on TE’s, although MarQueis Gray isn’t bad as a 2nd TE as a blocker either. Schultz is rated at 5.70 at NFL.com
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I know some of you have your favorites later in the draft, but I think it’s crucial to our team’s success that we get one of the top TE prospects in this draft, meaning IMO either Gesicki, Hurst or Goedert. I feel if they pass on these guys, we’ll end with yet another JAG at the TE position, continuing the tradition here in MIA of ignoring the TE position.
PS – If you intend on attending this year’s Fest game, please vote on the poll on the right side underneath the 2018 schedule. This way we can choose a date early and get those reservations taken care of! Thanks, and happy voting!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Minkah has a good reputation in the lockeroom
That sounds weirder than I thought it would
You want to go white water rafting with him don’t you?
He was a pro in college.
I think Davenport offered them more than they could have gotten at 27 but they did give up a lot to move there
Fricken Raiders still get Edmunds??????????
Lol
Ireland strikes again on the Davenport hemorrhage.
Oh yeah – that’s Ireland
Ken: how ya feeling these days ? Better i hope
Raiders are going to walk away with Edmunds
Or not
Minkah is said to be a Pro’s pro. He’s a gentleman and acts/is the role. No surprise that Gase selected him.
Wtf Raiders
That’s shocking lol
Wtf?
My lord with these reaches at OT
KOLTON!!!
Wow. Never heard of this guy
Must be something wrong with Edmunds
Mack and Miller??????????????
WTF
He got his QB killed last year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah I don’t like him much
Did Edmunds rape his grandmother or something. What the fuck do we NOT know. Trade back up for him and our defense will be set. I’m so confused.
Oakland eschews D and goes for OL protection for the Franchise. Not a bad idea.
Don’t you dare get Fitzpatrick jersey Piggs I swear I’ll drown you in mustard if you do.
I was just trying to decide between Aqua and White
Maybe colorrush?
LMMFAO
Oh no
Bills are going t take one of my favorites 😟
Rhino,
YES… Tremaine Edmunds is clearly the “faller”, man. This surprises me!
Who the Bills after here ?? Ridley ? Edmunds??
D,
Two OT going much higher than they should have. There will probably be at least one more too. Lol
is Buffalo taking Edmunds??? please NO
Welp!
Man they don’t wanna pick tommorow at all lol
Do the Bills have any picks left yet?
Edmunds is a victim of circumstance. James too. Both will go soon though
(and help push TEs to us)
ditto Ridley
called it.
fuck the Bills
Tremaine Edmunds????????
😡😡😡😡😡😡🐷
Fuck
Edmunds and Allen.
We never do shit like that
Fucking Bills they took 2 of the players I wanted most
Same here Ken lol
Well we get to play against two of our favorites. We get to see them twice a year Yay!
That Sucks!!!!!!!!!!
Allen and Edmunds!
The Bills are going to have one of the WORST O-Lines in the NFL this year!!!
lol… silver lining deliverd
Just calling it the way I see it, my man!
Do they have any picks left
I’ve never seen a team trade up 3 times!
I heard Dark Richie unretired himself.
It’s ok it’s ok … we just need to hang in there guys. Edmunds has way more bust chance than Minkah. No team gets to draft everybody they want.
Yeah don’t get me wrong I’m not disappointed in us choosing minkah over Edmunds
Not disagreeing. I love the Fitzpatrick pick I just hate that the Bills got 2?of my favorites
Damn,
He might hurt Tannehill.
Only if he scrambles!
Most Tide players, no matter how highly sought after coming out of high school, have to watch from the sidelines for their first year or two. Fitzpatrick got on the field right away in 2015, starting 10 times at the “star” position in 14 appearances and earning Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC notice (45 tackles, three for loss, 11 pass break-ups.) He used his sticky hands and speed to return both of his interceptions against Texas A&M that year for touchdowns and helped Alabama win a national title with two break-ups against Clemson in the championship game. Fitzpatrick played star early in 2016 and then moved to safety when senior Eddie Jackson was injured. The result? He led the team with six interceptions and 186 interception return yards, returning two more pick-sixes to set the school career record with four. He was named a first-team All-American by multiple outlets for his efforts (66 tackles, five TFL, seven pass break-ups). Fitzpatrick’s New Jersey family home was damaged by Hurricane Irene in 2011.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/minkah-fitzpatrick?id=32462018-0002-5599-4469-725ea4e0930c
It’s a gorgeous night out. Near full moon with view of the stars and I’m in front of my fire pit
JOHN GRUDEN takes behemoth OT Kolton Miller to protect HIS QB!! Some on this board may not know Miller. But he was the best O-Lineman I saw in the PAC-12 last season. We’ll get to see Miller and the Raiders in week #2 of this season.
We have 2 1st round OTs on our roster
Makes sense
DERWIN!!!
Here comes a Wyoming boy!
DT Taven Bryan
called that one too
He was BPA, a little shocking he dropped that far
Bryan would have been my pick too Wyoming
Well we knew the QB’s were going to screw this draft all up!
I don’t really know why, but I just think James has a chance to end up being a really, really good player.
Me too!
OK I’m out!
Happy Minkah dreams FM’rs
Overview
Fitzpatrick turns up the intensity level as high as it will go and and rips off the knob until the game is over. Fitzpatrick has experience as a slot cornerback, but will likely be targeted as a “do-everything” safety who can be deployed as a sub-package linebacker, a blitzer or in the slot against big receivers and move tight ends. Fitzpatrick has consistently shined since his freshman season on Alabama defenses that have been loaded with NFL talent. His versatility, football character and desire to succeed should make him an early starter.
naplesfan2010 says:
April 26, 2018 at 9:52 pm
It’s ok it’s ok … we just need to hang in there guys. Edmunds has way more bust chance than Minkah. No team gets to draft everybody they want.
BUT I WANTED HIM!!! WAAAAAA!
me too Rock, but Minkah is an immediate all pro candidate himself.
LB or TE in 2nd round??? My heart says TE, but my gut says LB. Always go with the gut.
We need a TE more than a LB.
I’m going to go ahead and say I expect a minimum of 5 picks over the next 2 years by Minkah on Allen and Darnold
… and if we play cleveland throw in one more 😉
hands and speed … lethal combo, plus he runs ’em back like a frickin’ kick returner.
Terrorize them
Lot of good receivers on the board
Just saying…
Not really a great WR class this year
Weird pick
They badly needed a corner,
but i thought they knew Josh Jackson was right down the highway in Iowa.
No wrs or TEs yet
And only 1 RB
This could be Ridley
Jerry Jones drama on tv. lol
Who’s the blonde?
MANITOBA: GOOD LUCK to your Jets in the second round of the playoffs. Only the Predators had more points this season in the NHL than did the Jets. It ought to be one helluva series!!!
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MORE HOCKEY TALK here in Tampa Bay than there is Bucs draft talk. But that’s what happens when your pro football team has been so bad for so long.
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Prediction for the Bruins-Lightning series?? – – PAIN!!!!! Bruins say Tampa is “a finesse team.” I believe it will be THE BRUINS who will be spitting Chicklets during much of this series. And you know what “spitting chicklets” means, don’t you, Manitoba??? I’ll take the Lightning over the Bruins in six games.
I will be cheering for the Bolts Sir… Preds Jets is gonna be a BadAss series, if it goes Seven not sure theyd be able to ice teams for game 7 .. best of luck to Bolts
SAME to you and your team. BTW, the Jets hat you gave me still fits perfectly. I
ll wear it tomorrow night!
——
Gotta walk my doggies and get my ugly rest. Talk to y’all tomorrow.
no dez … ridley??
Bummer
So much for talk about a WR
LEIGHTON!!!
good pick for dallas
wow ok i guess Lee is hurt too much? same player
Look at that girls face …lol
I think I’ll have to attend the take over this year.
It’s early – week 2 I think
Cool. That’s a good time for me.
Yeah I just scrolled up
We should get a crew together this year
I’ll check when they start selling tickets
again hoping that means Ridz tempts somebody like Ravens to not take a TE.
Cue the OL woe is me posts.
The bengals might take one too
Wow I really think that was early. He is a good player but pre second round seems really early
I like Ragnow but this seems a little early
KILLS ME to see Ragnow go so early! But that kid IS a BEAST!!!
Beer to D
🍺
and also good for Detroit to take my man Frank. They also need a TE, right? That leaves Ravens and Philly, Jags and Seahags, right? Am i missing someone?
Fucking patriots
Pigs – Cool. Let me know on the tix. I’ll put the game on my calendar. Maybe come up Saturday, do the town Saturday night.
That sounds excellent
I’ll post the details when I find out (meaning when I make time to look into it)
Too tired to go through all the posts. Are you guys happy with Minkah? Sell me
You wanted to draft him didn’t you?
Nope, I wanted Mayfield, but also wanted Edmunds, Son of Ferrell. I thought we were going to take Edmunds.
Sold! Enjoy the Iron Islands. lol
By far BPA at 11. I was totally surprised he was still there
D,
It’s almost as if you don’t listen to me! Lol
No I listened lol I’m still pretty shocked
Night OD
And don’t be surprised if Baltimore goes OL too
Phelon – I’ll meet you for a pig roast in NYC, I mean hang out with Piggy.
Me too
Coolistic. It’s a date
ANother OL DOWN
And Price goes a touch early
or maybe not.
Maybe that’s how good these guys are, ya know? We saw it, so did the professionals.
Well FUNK ME. Billy Price, right after Frank Ragnow…
Yeah even the broken OL guys are flying off the board
Mike he has multiple position flexibility in the secondary. He is a solid tackler, he is a prep king, puts a lot towards his profession. Overall a pretty safe pick that gives us defensive flexibility and an instant contributor
Do you think that moves TJ to LB?
If not, how the hell do we sign TJ to a long term contract? Doesn’t make sense
I think he is in for the when we are in certain packages and possibly in other spots in other packages
Piggy – TBH, I’m kinda thrilled we didn’t take Vea, that would have killed me.
I think drafting a 2 down player that early is probably a bad idea especially given how much are planning to rotate
Fitzpatrick can do a little of everything
He a solid player
I wanted Edmunds but I can’t say Minkah is not a better pick
We might have a pair of really good safeties and that’s exciting to me
I hear that, you’re doing a good job of cheering me up. I was so frustrated not being able to discuss the draft or watch it.
The Jags and Pats have me most worried with taking a TE tonight.
Mike E
Strengths for Minkah
Loves ball, lives ball
Extremely competitive play demeanor with a history of showing up big in the biggest games
Versatile chess piece with experience all over the field
Can step right in and cover the slot, play high safety or handle nickel linebacker responsibilities
Good feet with ability to transition backward and forward smoothly around the field
Gets to top chase speed quickly
Can become rangy safety
Able to stick a foot in ground and drive to the ball
Plays with “ball-man” vision of an off-ball defender in basketball
Has awareness from zone to make loads of plays
Has nine career interceptions and four pick-sixes
Has downhill mindset as a hitter
Plays off of blocks and into tackling position
Dangerous blitzer off the edge
Attacks line of scrimmage from high safety look in run support and welcomes physical challenges
Special teams ace with 22 career coverage tackles
Shoot the Titans got one of my guys.
I don’t think we are taking OL in this draft win Ragnow and Price off the board
But let’s see where Hernandez goes
What about James Daniels?
I’m expecting him to go off the board now
I thought the bengals might take him and they took price
(Piggy shrugs)
Ken, I think Tremaine Edmunds was rated quite bit higher than Minkah
No Minkah was a top 10 prospect. Several mocksters had him going to Browns at 4 others at Tampa at 7
I only had 3 players rated higher than Fitzpatrick. …Barkley, Nelson, and Chubb.
…so I’m really happy with the pick.
same here
F’in NE next.
cheaterz on the clock … hope they screw it up
Ridley, Gesicki, Hearst, Guice, Michel, Chubb, DJ Moore
Good impact players on the board
Gesicki has to be a Dolphin!
I don’t quit understand the thought behind moving McDonald to nickel LB. He’s not all that good in coverage. Sure, he’s better than any LB we have, but is he really the guy we want covering TEs and RBs a lot?
what I was thinking only smarter. We are LB poor right now. 2nd round LB is critical imo.
well then put Minkah there.
Overview
Fitzpatrick turns up the intensity level as high as it will go and and rips off the knob until the game is over. Fitzpatrick has experience as a slot cornerback, but will likely be targeted as a “do-everything” safety who can be deployed as a sub-package linebacker, a blitzer or in the slot against big receivers and move tight ends. Fitzpatrick has consistently shined since his freshman season on Alabama defenses that have been loaded with NFL talent. His versatility, football character and desire to succeed should make him an early starter.
I’m not sure I understand signing TJ long term without a plan in place, but there may be one we’re not aware of. I’m just not sure he can be in enough to validate the contract he just signed.
Patriots take… Tom Brady.
what? you can’t redraft him at a younger age. No fair!!
Bryan
Or Ridley
Mike E
Overview
Fitzpatrick turns up the intensity level as high as it will go and and rips off the knob until the game is over. Fitzpatrick has experience as a slot cornerback, but will likely be targeted as a “do-everything” safety who can be deployed as a sub-package linebacker, a blitzer or in the slot against big receivers and move tight ends. Fitzpatrick has consistently shined since his freshman season on Alabama defenses that have been loaded with NFL talent. His versatility, football character and desire to succeed should make him an early starter.
Thanks Naples – I hope the kid works out here. We need an impact player in the worst way
Rhino – 2nd RD is TE round for us. LB will have to wait!
my gut says the opposite. and this is a RECENT gut feeling.. like the last few weeks.
btw, the next Gronk is NOT in this draft. Neither is the next Graham…. cuz Brady and Brees don’t play for the Phins. 😉