No puff piece, or rah-rah cheerleading in this post. If you want that, stop reading and find another fan site. It’s not that I think we had a poor draft, we didn’t. I suppose my expectations seem to always exceed what we eventually accomplish in the draft. We seem to always be set up for a huge and successful haul with a bevy of picks and somehow we manage to deflate that big balloon of happiness. Each pick of the first 4 were good picks, but I could easily say 3 of the 4 weren’t picked where they should have been picked. We set ourselves up to get a few different players at #6, but I’d be lying if I didn’t expect either Kyle Pitts, or much more likely Ja’Marr Chase to be available there. They weren’t. With WR a huge need in my opinion, and apparently the Dolphins braintrust as well, we selected Jaylen Waddle. Very nice player, who could have easily made it to 10 or even 12. The more I think about it though, he’s actually a great fit here, so instead of trying to replace DeVante Parker with Ja’Marr Chase, we got a player who can be like Albert Wilson was for us before his injury, a guy that can take any pass to the house. In addition, he’s a great return man with steady hands, so no more holding your breath with Grant on punt returns.
I knew we were taking Jaelan Phillips, and I do feel it was the right pick, right place. He could really help this defense, a guy that can potentially make everyone else better. He’s a true technician and much more than just a 40 time or a great vertical or a quick step. While he has all of those abilities, he knows how to play the game and is no one trick pony. Can’t wait to see him in our defense, Flores is gonna love this kid.
Jevon Holland was a bit of a surprise, I didn’t see that coming. If I were in charge, I would have made sure we got that first pick in RD 2 and secured Javonte Williams. I felt like Trevon Moehrig was universally considered the best S in the draft and yet here we were taking Holland really early, at #36. I think I like Piggy’s description best, “He’s Minkah without the Fuckface”. I can live with that. We may have missed with Iggy last season, or maybe he shows up big this year. We’ll see what happens with Holland, and see how much and where we use him. Hope he proves worthy of such a high pick.
Next pick just 6 picks later at #42 after trading up was Notre Dame LT Liam Eichenberg. Nice player, I kind of expected a center before an OT but see the need there as well. He will probably shift to RT and be in competition with veteran Jesse Davis. I hope he plays well and becomes a bookend with young Austin Jackson. Heck, I’m still concerned with relying so heavily and Matt Skura. I didn’t care for that signing and now at this point, we have to pray he’s better than he was with the Ravens. I respect the Ravens as an organization that runs a tight, buttoned down ship. If they make you walk the plank there, they probably made a wise decision. Maybe it was a wake up call he needed, or maybe they were right. Time will tell.
We took another OT at pick #231, Larnel Coleman. Our savior RB finally came in at pick 244, in Cincinnati RB Gerrid Doaks. Doaks is a big powerful runner, who fumbles. Not a great combination. We’ll see if this kid can make all the roster cuts. To me it’s a shame we waited so long to address this but such is the life of an NFL fan.
I don’t do draft grades. I think we greatly improved our WR corps, I think we gave our defense a huge boost in the pass rush department. We’ll see if Holland can make our secondary, which was already excellent, even better. Maybe we found our bookend tackle in Eichenberg. Once again, I expected to make a killing in this draft, I think we just got a graze shot. It was all anticlimactic for me after the Phillips pick. Decent picks, but nothing that pumped me up. I was expecting so much more, I really was. I know, this guy or that guy gave us an A+, great . . . I look at our RB’s and see two guys who are so similar they may as well be the same guy in Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. That’s not a bad thing, I like both of those guys, if they’re the 2 guys behind the stud. Well, no stud here friends, sorry, the draft was clean out out of top shelf talent by pick #35, because we let the Broncos jump us. With all that draft ammo, we should have been the aggressors and made it happen. Still smarting from that one.
Ultimately, a lot of our success, or failure lie in the hands of #1, QB Tua Tagovailoa. I think we got him a very nice player to work with in Jaylen Waddle. There’s synergy there already, and it’s good. He needs to have a guy he can rely on, a guy he has a rapport with and kind of understanding and unseen communication with. If DeVante Parker, Will Fuller and Preston Williams all are healthy this season, our passing game should be so much better. I’m still worried about the run game, with the 2 little guys (Gaskin and Ahmed) going down on contact every time. I know Malcolm Brown runs with more anger, but I he doesn’t impress me either. Maybe he will. Doaks is going to have to prove he can hold onto the football because if he’s running hard and fumbling easy he will be gone. Maybe Iggy Mahogany comes in this season better prepared and ready for prime time, and maybe Jevon Holland is the best safety in the draft and we look like geniuses.
GO DOLPHINS!!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
First
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Not too much whine Mike E 😉nice article
They didn’t give me enough beef to have whine with. lol
Mike 6th line down, BUT not BIt
Ja’Marr not Ja”marr
with WR a huge need (Comma)
10 or even (need a space)
ok, I am going to read the rest of the piece. (you should too. LOL)
Thanks, Maybe I should send you the article before I publish it. I really could use an editor, I just plop down and let it ramble. Would you be willing to do that for me? Seriously . . .
If he won’t, I will.
I knew were taking?
why is it always assumed that a guy who is an “adequate left tackle” will move to the right side? Perhaps they keep him at LT because he isn’t good enough to protect the blind side but good enough to protect the QB’s front side for a left hand thrower?
In this case, we already drafted a LT last year, and I don’t see him as bullish enough to be a RT. I think he’s more of a finesse guy, not a power player that you usually want on the right side.
Jaelan Phillips humble and happy to be drafted by Miami.
Good guy…..
Maybe!
I hope so!
Good write up Mike.
Passionate write Mike E, and a good one. And yeah we always want it to go perfect, least as far as we see perfect. But a whole lot of talent joined the team. My only worry is that not enough playing time there in some spots (S and TE).
Like the Eichenberg pick. He might ever be All-Pro but should be a dependable bookend in this League for many years. Should start opening day. And we needed a T like that….. so there was need.
Good write, Mike. Like I’ve been saying for weeks leading up to the draft all that matters is if the guys we drafted help make us a better team. That’s when the draft grades will mean something.
Thanks guys, appreciate it
LOL at thought of Rock as editor for the blog. First article will be entitled STAND THE FUCK UP
As the hours and days pass by, the more and more I’m liking this Draft class for us. Still wish we’d addressed RB far earlier and taken a Center at some point, but this Draft class looks to be pretty good at this moment in time… and time shall reveal.
Mike E, good write… you echoed many of my thoughts and we’re on the same page in essence, though I might have a more positive outlook than you. It’s all good, regardless!
Thanks. I’m not especially negative, I think I made it clear a lot has to do with my own high expectations. Armed with all those early picks I expected great things, got good ones instead
I’m RIGHT THERE with ya, Bro! I feel the exact same way.
No way to argue with what you wrote Mike. Spot on.
Thanks Naples, good to see you back!
Stanger, nice post on the last page, referencing “Deep Thoughts” by Jack Handey!!! 😀
“One thing vampire children have to be taught early on is, don’t run with wooden stakes.”
LMAO!!! 😀 😆
Stanger, that was Phil Hartman (RIP) who voiced Jack Handey, right?
He did it on his own for a while as brief interludes, but they eventually turned it into a skit. Not sure who it was….. was thinking Will Ferrel.
Nfl total access had articles on who the best fit was for the teams that drafted them. At WR they picked Waddle #1. And at edge they picked Phillips #1.
I concur! Like Mike E, my expectations were greater than what we got, but I still think we did a very good job.
Great to see ya, Naples!
The TE we picked led the entire FBS in catches.
Tape > college stats, but that is an interesting fact. I felt we reached on Hunter Long, but hopefully he’s going to be a standout for us.
Before the draft, Chris Simms picked Waddle as his #1 WR and Phillips as his #1edge rusher. He also said Phillips seems better against the run than he is against the pass.
I don’t mind that they didn’t pick a RB at all….maybe that makes me a little more accepting of this draft. Overall I think they did a good job of addressing some needs. The picks themselves don’t really wow me. We’ll see how they turn out in a couple years.
But we did pick a RB: Gerrid Doaks, Cincy.
Speaking of good to see ya. Haven’t heard from ER in a while. Hope he’s doing good.
Second. You never know why people aren’t seen. Only reason I couldn’t disappear into the night is a bunch of you have my contact info.
Does BC still throw the ball a ton? I’ve always kind of ignored BC players’ stats as far as passing because they seem to always throw the ball all over the place and have big numbers.
They have not been a pass happy team for a while now
Armed with all those early picks I expected great things, got good ones instead
_________________________________________
Because we didn’t take Najee, this draft expectations went from great to good?
that’s because Najee has had more exposure than most of the drafted players along with Pitts and chase. you just see the flash and want it.
he didn’t fit the dolphins RB mold, to tall, easy target to locate.
i had no expectations, because you won’t know the end result of this draft for years.
when malcom brown starts ripping off 5 & 6 yard runs and puts Brisett in easy down and distance, we start having success,
you’ll forget all about Harris and throw away your Najee pajamas
LOL! 😆
MF13,
Damn, I forgot him already. Lol
LOL
The RB we drafted forced 25 missed tackles on just 144 carries. He also averaged 3.36 yds after contact. He had 17 out of 144 carries go more than 10 yards. He posted a 39,5 vertical.
In his highlights he made several fingertip or spinning pass rsmash out;
all of the above are really good signs for a 5.11 220 pound smashmouth.
Cincinnati had really good success while he was there.
**Pass receptions…thank you autocorrect
Our gap of 150 selections between picks is believed to be the greatest in a single draft.
Randy,
I’m sure you saw our guy Chauncey Golston go off the board 3 picks after we selected Hunter Long in the 3rd round. That sucked!
I think Jack Handey voiced his own ‘Deep Thoughts’ in the SNL skits.
He did. Was thinking they turned it into a longer skit for a while, but could be completely wrong and was just one with a character who spouted out similar.
But it was Phil Hartman who read the intro: “And now, Deep Thoughts… by Jack Handey”. THAT’S what I was thinking of! But yes, CavKong is right!
Randy
They changed coaches for 2020, but before that they had that old school rush heavy guy. In 2019 for example,, they rushed for 3540 yds on 658 attempts and passed for 2288 on 305 attempts.
So our new guy was used successfully as an inline blocker a lot.
Then they changed coaches to a more modern offense for 2020 and our new TE blossomed to lead the nation.
Can’t find any news on signed UDFA ….have we announced ANY ?
Middle Tennessee website reports we signed the OL who was stout in the senior bowl, Big Rob somebody, who was given a 4th round grade by some. Roadgrader type but no pass pro technique. We paid him 130000 I think to entice him to us after Detroit tried to sign him first. That’s a lot for a UDFA.
We think he’s coachable and we’ve already coached him.
Tanx.
CavalierKong says:
May 2, 2021 at 4:19 pm
I think Jack Handey voiced his own ‘Deep Thoughts’ in the SNL skits.
————
Ah! You are correct! I’m recalling the intro of, “And now, Deep Thoughts… by Jack Handey”, as being read by Phil Hartman.
Good job!
Here’s one for ya, CavKong (being it mentions part of your name)…
“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.” ~ Jack Handey
Sounds cold — but we do eat meat. PETA might worry about trees though. 🙂
LOL
Mike E,
Great article and I really appreciate the rare times we disagree. I think you focused too much on an elite RB even though I’d love to have gotten one. Two of the lowest paid positions were ignored so I’m ok with it.
We got potential starters in the first 4 so I’m happy. I think Waddle and Phillips will be a big reason if we get in the playoffs this year. I see great things so I’ll be the homer for this thread.
Thanks New Age – I thought we should have gotten one of the top 2 because I feel like there was a huge drop off after that. Obviously, the FO’s priorities were not the same as mine. It’s funny though how a very even keel team the Steelers prioritized the RB when they had one of the worst O-lines in the NFL last season. Things that make you go Hmmmm
Yes Mike E , very even keeled write.. and agree with ya that as Fans we had delusions of grandeur wanting the best of the best at all positions available, and a lot of us felt the potential to get an A Plus RB between 18 and 36 was wasted , or not properly utilized… I was surprised with the CB and TE picks , but cest la vie, FO has their plan.
Thanks Toba! Cest la vie!
Yup! That’s Phil Hartman on the intro!
Cam Newton post soon after he heard about the Pats taking Mac Jones. In case you find it hard to read: “It was always me vs. the world until I found out it’s me vs. me”
Welcome to the NFL Jones…. hope you weren’t looking for a mentor.
Can is a dick like Rodgers
Cam
A friend of mine who’s a big Packers fan also thinks Rodgers is a drama queen. My friend is also a gay man and thinks Rodgers is still in the closet and will come out once he’s done playing. I found that interesting.
Stanger and CavKong, here’s an entire playlist for “Deep Thoughts”… enjoy!
Awesome M13. He has a very unique mind.
BBL…
We might’ve gotten 6 starters in one draft.
That would be epic.
Waddle and Phillips will start.
Eichenberg will be given every chance to start at blindside (RT) forTua.
He hasn’t given up a sack in 2 YEARS.
Hunt would be a mauler inside next to Liam.
We need a captain and CF with ball skills in the defensive backfield.
You know Flores loves the new safety because he picked him over 2 excellent safeties,
So he is already penciled in to start.
If, no WHEN, we start games in run it down their throat mode, the new TE will start.
Does anybody think Mack Brown is an auto starter after starting 2 games in his career?
Gaskin probably starts, but he is by definition a change of pace guy.
And we WILL want to dominate TOP, and Gaskin goes down on contact.
See above stats on the new RB.
Voila, 6 starters in 1 draft.
EPIC.
I think it will be RB by committee. If one of them is really rolling that back will get more carries but it will change week to week.
Excuse me, Malcolm Brown
Nice take Naples, that does put thing in perspective. That means we had a lot of holes like Krishna said 🙂
That new safety did have 9 INTs in 2 seasons. Plus he loves to hit people. He plays safety like X plays corner. Deny them the ball. Run the route better than the receiver.
I said the same thing the other day “He plays safety like X plays corner”. Heads the route and has the hands to get the pick. I think his role will be much like what we wanted to do with Minkah, move him around for matchups and schemes.
Meant to say he reads the routes.
I find it refreshing that felt no need to have 10 picks it sign 15 UDFA.
It means we are stuffed with good plyers instead of desperately searching for acorns.
Another excellent point
I wanted one of the 3 top RBs also, but Saquon has not brought NY to the SB, nor Zeke nor Derrick Henry. Our castoff Damien Williams took KC to the SB.
I wouldn’t say Damien Williams took KC to the SB, I think there were some other players who played a bigger role than he did. 😉
Pretty sure that was my point.
Well you did say he took KC to the SB. That’s all I was going by.
Tim yes on the Minkah comp, but he’s a team first guy, or Flores would not have drafted him out of order like he did. We literally RAN the card up to make that pick.
Not sure he was drafted out of order, not all teams’ boards match what we’ve been reading from mocksters for months. We might have had a 1st round grade on him.
Again, that was exactly my point.
Okay, I guess your wording confuses me. LOL
Regarding gay in the closet, I’ve always thought that about Cam Newton.
I think that boy is monosexual. If he could fuck himself, I think he would! Pardon the vulgarity
You’re not the only one who thinks that. I’ve heard people say that quite a bit. My friend also told me he knows for a fact that Troy Aikman liked latino men. He’s an event planner and I’m talking top notch for celebrities and very wealthy people. So he’s seen some stuff.
cam is not gay, he has a new girlfriend he left his wife over, lol that confirms it
he also has several children, i dont think they came from romps at the gay bars
Tim yeah I find sarcasm hard to text sometimes. We need a new punctuation mark to denote “sarcasm here”
Mike E. Yeah, autosexual for sure. And Aikman has that more predatory type gay lip sneer thing like he wants some service first and then he’ll use you.
Pardon the vulgarity.
I’m not against gay people at all, but I do not like Troy or that type I think he might be. (And what’s up with lil Joe Buck?)
There are a lot of celebrity and wealthy people who are gay and in the closet because they think it will ruin their careers. Not sure that would be the case for a lot of them anymore, it’s more accepted now, but they still prefer to keep it hidden.
Please delete the above. I am not homophobic. I have gay friends I respect.
I don’t like arrogant straight people either.
You didn’t say anything inappropriate. I’m the one who brought it up because I just talked to my friend about it discussing the Packers draft. He then brought up this other stuff.
Have no problem with what you wrote, just don’t know how you can know. I’m a married guy too…. someone says I’m gay would be like WTF?
Ok I need to stick to football. I apologize to everyone. I have no right to doubt anyone’s preferences. I am open minded about it all anyway. Sorry.
Troy Aikman is married. Aaron Rodgers has dated a string of hot women (Danica Patrick and Olivia Munn included) and last heard was engaged to a Hollywood star. But hey — maybe they go both ways.
Or maybe they just go one way, and not the way they’re trying so hard to make you think they’re going. In the end, who cares? Nothing wrong with any of it. If they’re doing it to hide something that’s their prerogative. Maybe they just don’t want the drama that can ensue.
“IF” is the big part of that. Just don’t see why gay guys marry a women.
My friend mentioned those relationships Rodgers had as a ruse. Yes lots of people swing both ways. Not that there is anything wrong with that. LOL
But if he swings both ways how does he know Rodgers isn’t actually planning on marrying a woman? Seems a fake engagement doesn’t make sense. Could have stuck with the starlet beards.
It’s just one man’s opinion based on some reasons why he thinks that. We didn’t spend a lot of time talking about it. He happened to bring it up. Lots of people who are married still swing the other way. Some swingers don’t just swap spouses, they all do each other.
Fair enough. Only man in the country can say doesn’t do other dudes me.
It’s not my thing either, but I have been proposed. A simple no thanks was always my response.
This is the most up to date UDFA signing site I’ve come across.
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-udfa-tracker-2021-undrafted-free-agent-signings-following-2021-nfl-draft/
Not too many for us. I did recognize one of the names for the Jets, Hamelcar Rashed. It reminded me of Melissa Stark. LOL
LOL
Why is it that it seems the same people that bitch about trading up to take Eichenberg also bitch about missing out on Williams?
These same people bitch about taking Waddle at 6, because we could’ve gotten him at 12455 6th
If Waddle is our version of Tyreek Hill will anyone care that we took him at #6? I say no.
Exactly
Since ColonPokey hasn’t arrived with his Cowboys helmet yet, I’ll cover for him? I was amazed by Aikman’s ability to put the ball exactly in the right place but now I’m not?
On another note, what’s the thoughts on Rodgers? Is he going to push himself out or play? Will hr just retire? Someone on another blog stated he has a ton of saved money, a fiancée on the west coast, and possibly a job there as well. Does he need football now?
LOL
I don’t think he needs football unless the passion to play is still there.
Rodgers can retire or not retire. Gives him leverage. And not like he wants more money. Could do a Brady.
From what I read it is about money.
I read is about conflict with the FO, but guess both could be true.
I must’ve missed the melissa stark thing . I don’t get it.
She was wearing a pant suit at the draft where certain body parts were standing out.
You’ll have to prove that with close up video evidence. “sarcasm alert”
Re: A-Rod…
I’m hearing it’s possible he has personal beef with the Packers’ GM. There’s a rumor going around that if the Packers don’t fire their GM, A-Rod will retire.
Again, this is but a rumor, not yet confirmed as a fact.
Might be rumor, but still all over the news.
I’ve had 2 business colleagues whose husbands came out gay and divorced the women (my colleagues), one with 2 kids and the other with 3.
I have real issues with that usually. If you had an idea you didn’t like women in that way, why bring kids into a messy situation? It’s pretty irresponsible especially once you go past 1 kid.
Whats up brother. Doing great . Hope all us well with you 💪
Could be a keeper . Iiked what i saw at the senioir bowl practices.
👀👀👀👀
“I don’t like him. I love him. In two years, we’ll be talking about a Pro Bowl tight end.”
– NFL Network analyst former Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli on Hunter Long 🐬🔥
No way!!! NJ in the house!!! Hope all is well, man.
As far as what you said, nope! He wasn’t on my board. LOL
What’s up tim knight my brother. I’m doing great. Hope all is well with you 💪
Maybe… just maybe the coaches like these guys. 😉
Jacked !
“Miami’s first five picks over the course of three rounds were all guys who I had ranked in my top 60. It was a masterful Thursday and Friday for general manager Chris Grier.”
– ESPN’s Todd McShay
“The Dolphins came away with four players that could’ve been first round picks.”
– NFL Network’s Charlie Casserly
Hey NJ!
How you been?
Whats up brother. Doing great . Hope all us well with you 💪
^ fan boy! 🤣
Sorry . Is well !!
Maurice Jones-Drew says Jevon Holland is the best defensive player in the draft 👀
NJ!!!
Welcome back, Bro!!! How the heck are ya, man?!!
Thanks brother. Hope all is well !💪
Welcome back NJ!!!!!
Thanks ken !
Counting down to the season starts.
NJ saw you the other day, nice to see you.
Wow, NJ Phin Fan. It’s been a minute. Welcome back.
Thanks 💪
#6 We drafted an explosive playmaking WR who can also do jet sweeps and returns. Remember ludicrous speed. 😉
#18 Prototype edge rusher that fits our scheme.
#36 DB who is versatile and a ballhawk.
#42 OT who has played both sides.
#81 Prototype TE with a well rounded game.
#231 Another OL prospect.
#244 RB with some size and skill.
I love it!!! Yessir, I think we did a damn good job.
LMAO!!!
LOL
Classic 🤣
Wyoming, thanks for the clip on Robert Jones. Handled that rusher like it was an easy day at the office. I remember him being mentioned in a draft diamond article a couple months ago about small school prospects.
I love stuff like this. Destroy the backfield, bro!!!!
https://fb.watch/5faeVcAX-Z/
https://www.miamidolphins.com/video/rb-gerrid-doaks-talks-about-being-selected-at-no-244-press-conference
https://www.miamidolphins.com/video/te-hunter-long-talks-about-being-selected-at-no-81-press-conference
ck out apprx 10:00 mark, good film study on Jevon Holland
thanks for the vid, cant wait to see our draft picks in the regular season, AND playoff games
i do find it funny that some AMericans are deathly afraid of socialism and liberalism, like its gonna kill em off or something, lol
but to be honest, we live in an ultra liberal nation, extreme liberal socialism/capitalism mix
just a short list
Most AMericans are pro choice
Most dont have a gun
Most have received 3 stimulous checks from the government
Food stamps
Unemployment,
Obamacare
subsidies for working mothers and child care
liberal president, with record amount of votes
liberal controlled senate
liberal controlled house
thats enough for now, but think on this, IF you are terrified of socialism, then are You planning to leave the nation for Your own safety? trust Me, socialism is not the scary monster the conservatives spin it out to be, its just another word for representation for taxpayers, the reason we left england and call ourselves AMerican
embrace it, and if You dont agree, ill take Your stim checks off your hands to help You out, lol
Being pro choice, favoring common sense gun reform and stimulus checks doesn’t make one a socialist. This is not a socialist system of government have demonstrated that socialism should be on the scrap heap of history as a system of both government and economics that didn’t work. Socialist don’t use Bitcoin
no it doesnt, but it means the nation has MANY MANY liberal policies, people in charge, etc
we cant say that the AMericans dont like liberalism they revel in it
but some deny it until that check is in their hand, then its the hell with conservatism, i need the money, lol
socialists love bitcoin, not sure why you would say that
if they dont love it, they sure are buying it for some reason
Busting stones about Bitcoin but my point is in a socialist system there is no day trading and there would be no stock market. Liberalism is one thing David socialism is another. Don’t confuse them as the same thing . That is a way too simplistic analysis
fair enough, i was just disagreeing with your statement that socialists dont use bitcoin, i know the world buys the crap out of it , lol
and agreed those things might not make one a socialist, but they definitely are liberal policies, no question of that
You can have my stimulus checks, but you also have to pay my taxes, when they go up and compensate me for the inflation caused by the extended lockdowns and the trillions added to the debt from the endless printing of money
i have asked 2 of my conservative friends to give me their stim checks since they believe its wrong
but, none did, they deposited them in the bank with a smile, proving that even conservatives are extremely liberal when it benefits them, and instead of afraid, they were happy
Or they were going to use it to offset the damage they’ve caused
i dont really care about the labels one way or the other, i just dont like to see fellow Americans living in fear, because some asshole spin doctor told them to be very afraid of venezuela 24/7
i figure if you bury your unjustified fears, then You wont have any
many think bitcoin is losing its queen of the coins status within a year , ethereum will catch up to it
and RIP Jackson Palmer, the co creator of Dogecoin passed away saturday night
doge coin has made many people very wealthy, that had no shot at being wealthy without it.
its the great wealth equalizer for all
does Gurley still have tread on his tires? i havent watched him lately, but it looks like Miami was willing to give him an opportunity
Hulk always been big Gurley man … I mean fan. Hulk like idea of Gurley in a rotating backfield
is he still as good as he used to be? he got injured awhile back
No he is not what he used to be but he was still effective with Atlanta last year
Our RB room lacks an every down elite back, that’s not Gurley, just say no
We got a top 5 draft grade taken from the average of 18 analysts.
Fans in general weren’t as impressed, but use a different standard to determine a good draft.
Believe the analysts just go by the players taken on a team level and not by individual slot.
Fans want to squeeze every bit of value out, that they can.
Maybe in the 60’s or 70’s we had better drafts, but after Marino was drafted I’d bet this one has brought the most quality players.
5 guys that bring a lot of talent is an exceptional draft, plus a future 1st
And future 4th
NJ Serving up the Koolaid last night I see.
I love reading positive things about my Dolphins even if it is from random people like Maurice Jones-Drew
3 biggest needs on D from Crabbs
What were those three primary needs?
Middle linebacker
Designated pass rusher
Nickel cornerback
With the majority of free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft behind us, Miami’s biggest chance to address such needs have come and one. And one thing that has to make Miami fans feel good is just how much the team did to take care of these defensive soft spots.
The inside linebacker role not only saw the Dolphins bring back Elandon Roberts, but the team also traded for ILB Benardrick McKinney to man the middle. His presence as a big body in the middle capable of filling gaps with authority will go a long way to ensure that Miami has the interior group on defense to be stout up the middle.
The pass rusher role was filled most effectively through the draft with the addition of this year’s best pass rusher, Jaelan Phillips. Phillips doesn’t have the cleanest resume as it pertains to healthy and durability, but he was fully healthy in 2020 and the end result was a masterful season as a disruptive presence for the Hurricanes. The challenge Miami faces is hoping that Phillips can be an impact player right away for them. But if he is, the defense will reap the benefits.
And at nickel cornerback, Miami went “all-in” to find a new presence. The team did bring back RFA Nik Needham but also signed free agent Justin Coleman and drafted Oregon safety Jevon Holland to play a role all over the secondary as well. One of his frequent alignments in college? You guessed it.
In the slot.
It seems as though Miami felt similarly with their roster assessment at the end of the season. And, thankfully, the team acted confidently to move and fill those needs ahead of the 2021 season.
Agree with these 3 needs, and that they’ve been filled. Let’s see howbquick they can get up to speed
Mike, I just noticed your reply to my “Editing Posts” Yes, I would be honored to proof read your articles before you post them. You have my Cell number. I’ll text you my E-mail address. Now I don’t read my e-mail every day so if you send one to be proof read, shoot me a text to let me know.
You guys are killin me🤪
Mike with his faux sarcasm and Rock giving the business right back
How have the Dolphins addressed their primary offensive needs?
Crabbs
Back at the beginning of the 2021 offseason, we profiled what we felt were the Miami Dolphins’ three biggest needs on each side of the football were. Offensively, the punch list for the Dolphins was painfully obvious down the stretch. But given the way the Dolphins attacked their rebuild during the 2020 offseason (with a heavy focus on defense), that wasn’t necessarily a surprise. But the time for upgrade opportunities is wearing thin. How have the Dolphins done?
Here were our three primary needs on offense:
Wide receiver
Running back
Interior line
The biggest area of improvement falls with the wide receivers. Miami tabbed two speedsters in Will Fuller (free agency) and Jaylen Waddle (NFL Draft) to help bolster the skill group and we have a feeling creating after the catch will be a little easier for Dolphins receivers this year as as result. Too many times we saw the Dolphins struggle to break big plays due to the presence of bigger receivers — that problem is alleviated to some degree with the addition of these two burners.
And the offensive line appears to be improved as well. Ereck Flowers’ departure is addition by subtraction and the free agent signing of DJ Fluker should not be overlooked. But Miami also exchanged Ted Karras for Matt Skura at center (a push?) and added Liam Eichenberg with a trade-up in the 2nd-round. Regardless of where Eichenberg plays, Miami can re-shuffle the deck and find improved play at a guard spot with him in the mix.
The running back position didn’t get the glow up that many fans wanted this season. It also didn’t get the investment attention that the other two needs on offense did. But the Dolphins did add Malcolm Brown in free agency and Gerrid Doaks in the 7th-round to bring more size and physicality to the group.
Miami’s investments, much like on defense, aligned with our assessment of the roster at the end of the 2020 season. Now comes the fun part: finding out who can fill what voids for the 2021 season and beyond.
WR drastically improved
RB moderately improved
IOL G check, C still an issue
Just getting to the article now
I suppose my expectations seem to always exceed what we eventually accomplish in the draft.
That happens to all of us, because as fans we want that perfect draft, but once reality sets in and I realize it’s not going to happen, I adjust my evaluation and look at the players we took
To say 3 of the 4 weren’t picked where they should’ve been to me means you didn’t understand our needs.
Biggest issue on D last year was covering the slot.
We were all surprised by the Holland pick, but after watching tape on him and realized he’s a safety, that specialized in the slot, it changed my view from WTF to great pick.
There were no reaches from the first 4 picks IMO, maybe we could’ve gotten the same guys later maybe not, but when you try to have that perfect draft you usually wind up with your dick in your hand, so I’m good with where these guys were taken.
Maybe a better way of saying it would be the positional priority.
RT is a lot more important, than having an upgrade at C, we can roll with Skura.
Same goes for RB, it’s not as important as having a Swiss army knife and nickel DB
Great article Mike!
Didn’t know of Doaks’ fumbling issues, will have to check it out
331 carries and 4 fumbles over 3 years. It’s a concern, that I’m sure will need to be taken care of, but it’s not really that worrisome yet.
Would need to see the fumbles and why they happened, but not at this time for a 7th rder
On Doaks, is 4 fumbles in 367 touches a lot? 1% I’m not trying to steer an answer here, am really interested in the responses. Is fumbing 1% of the time “bad”
I know ANY fumble is “Bad” but is that a bad rate?
AP fumbled 5 times one year on probably 350 carries and it seemed like a major issue.
2 times on 144 carries last year, not that big of a deal depending on when they happened.
Sammy Smith fumbled for us twice in a short period of time at the goal line and Shula shipped him out.
Someone will need to work with him on it, but its not a huge red flag, maybe defcon 4
I have been looking this morning at different web-sites depth charts for the Dolphins and my one takeaway is this:
NOONE (probably not even our coaches) know where each o-Lineman is going to play. LOL
You can find every combination of every player it seems like.
The plan is, from left to right, Jackson, Kindley, Skura, Hunt, Eichenberg from what I can tell, but its a work in progress, if someone isn’t getting it done in camp they’ll be replaced.
There’s plenty of time and the competition will be fierce, but if Eichenberg is ready no reason he doesn’t start
Just out of curiosity because I realize you do not have a crystal ball or NFL tealeaves, why do you assume that Eichenberg will swap sides and not Jackson? They both played LT in college.
The biggest surprise for me on the line last year was them putting Hunt out there protecting Tua’s blind side.
steveccnv says:
May 3, 2021 at 11:16 am
You guys are killin me🤪
Thing is Steve, we are both sincere and there is no sarcasm involved.
Lol
Miami Dolphins guarantee UDFA Robert Jones 130K to sign with them
He can play anywhere on the OL, but has weak feet, and will likely be on the PS this year.
I don’t get why they’d guarantee this type of project money
Unless of course the clueless Brian Miller that wrote the article is just that
I didn’t see weak feet in that video Wyoming put up. Of course, that was one practice snap.
Lol, that’s what I’m talking about, consider the source.
That’s how articles are these days, someone writes an opinion on someone, the next doesn’t check it and passes it as fact.
Just like Mike in his article says, Doaks has fumbling issues, because that’s one of his weaknesses as reported by a scouting report☺
Today is deadline for 5th year options. It’s a good reminder that not all picks work out. So far, 6 players did not get the 5th year option. Five more are still in limbo. They could still get a new contract later but this is a wake up call to at least 20% of the 2018 first round.
Stinkah draft
Rock
Fwiw
This scouting report projects Eichenberg as a RT
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/liam-eichenberg-nfl-draft-player-profile-2021/
I really just sort of assumed he would be RT bc it’s easier to covert one guy to RT than to covert 2 guys to a position. They didn’t replay last year. So leave Jackson at LT seems ideal
Gets messy with Tua’s blindside coming into it. At that point RT is really LT. And don’t forget they put Jackson in as LT when the plan was Fitz at QB.
If you look at it unit by unit, Dolphins will be a better team opening day than were last year.
Is there one place they are worse? Only thing can come up with is at QB with Fitz not there. DBs, LBs, WRs, TEs all better. OL and DL at least a push.
Plus all the youngsters are a year older and we have like no players on the decline. That’s improvement you don’t have to put in a draft card for.
Worse possibly at C, but we’ll see, for sure better at RB, WR, TE,
Was looking at OL as a unit. But if that’s only place worse when looking at each starting player all the better.
Let’s say we traded down to 11 and both Waddle and Smith were gone, so we took Parsons, then at 18 we took Najee, at 36 we took the Dickerson, 50 Tutu Atwell
Would you guys have felt better about the draft?
Anyone that had a problem with our draft do a post draft mock draft and we’ll grade you
Nah — then we would have hit our needs but not gotten the talent at wide out everyone wanted. Xtra 1st for the trade down would have been loved only in passing. 🙂
Both guys we took in the 2nd I think are being under valued here, both will be big contributors
Long may take a while to get going
Kiper loves our 7a pick
Brings us back to the Pitts convos, but Mike Gesicki ain’t normally a TE.
621 snaps (2021);
365 slot (58.8%),
133 wide (21.4%),
122 in-line (19.6%)
Might be part of the answer as to why Hunter Long.