Now that A-aron is coming to the Jets, there’s no reason to pick up players that won’t make an immediate impact for this team. We have a window to win, and we need to make sure whatever players we add in this draft can help our team right now. This could be a TE, and you all know which TE I want, but in case you don’t, it’s Georgia TE Darnell Washington. I think this kid is ready to play right now, he can block, and he’s an underrated receiver. A RB like Jahmyr Gibbs from Alabama could be an electric player who could see some immediate playing time and spark this offense. We could also look to solidify the O-line, because each and every one of us know that we need a healthy Tua to win. We can’t have a leaky O-line, and there are a couple of question marks on our line at the moment. To be fair, most NFL teams have the same situation, but we have one excellent LT with a a very real injury history, Terron Armstead. Armstead somehow played 13 games last season, but he was questionable every single week with injuries. Our LG might have the confidence of the FO and the coaches, but Liam Eichenberg does not have the full confidence of the Dolphins fanbase. The same goes for RT Austin Jackson, 2020 1st RD pick, who will be protecting Tua’s blind side.There’s a couple of OT’s that may be around our first pick, North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch and Ohio State’s Dawand Jones. If we’re looking to upgrade the interior line, there’s Minnesota’s John Michael Schmidt and TCU’s Steve Avila.
It seems obvious to me that we are playing within a 2 year window. Our QB is relatively inexpensive this year and next, our most dynamic player, WR Tyreek Hill has declared he will stop playing in 2025, and our roster is as set as it’s going to be, many players on short deals. Our time is now, and with Aaron Rodgers playing QB for the NY Jets, most likely for 2 years, their window matches our window. I think our defensive roster at the moment is the best, most talented defensive roster we’ve had in decades. Our defense is ready. Add in the fact that we have DC Vic Fangio calling the shots for our defense now, I feel like we could be special. We brought back the entire RB room from last year, not because they were great, they were effective, but not great. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if we looked to a young RB to spark this group. We know who we have at TE, and Tim can continue to stroke Durham Smythe, Eric Saubert and Tanner Conner, but realistically, this is a weak TE group. Smythe is a decent blocker, meh as a receiver. Saubert seems like he’s a blocking TE who is a blocking TE. Who knows what Conner can be, we haven’t taken off the wrapping paper yet. We may have to move up to get the RB, TE, or OL we want, but that shouldn’t stop us. Just get better, our roster is set as it’s going to be, whomever we add needs to be worthy!
Next year we can add some more depth players, but with limited picks in this draft, we need quality, not quantity. Our time is NOW! What I’m saying is I don’t want to see us trading back and picking up 2 more picks so we can draft guys who will struggle to make the roster, let alone see the field. That’s not where we’re at. I’m sure Chris Grier is well aware of this, so I wouldn’t bet on that happening. Usually I’m pumped up about the draft, but this one is not the same, armed with only a 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th RD picks. We’ve been trading away picks to get the players we wanted, so now we have to use the picks to do the same. I know we all have different ideas of what the right picks should be, Hulk may get angry if our first pick is a RB and not an OL. He may be right, but it sure does seem as if the coaching staff feels that Eich and Jackson are the guys going forward. We’ll see in a couple of days. Doubt we’ll be picking in RD 1, Stephen Ross made sure of that. I wouldn’t mind if we picked early in RD 2, earlier than #51, our current first pick.
GO DOLPHINS!!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Wyoming, you got your NT!
DT/NT Brandon Pili, USC, 6’3, 345 pounds. Apparently, the dolphins liked him so much they gave him $100,000 guaranteed money.
Sometimes all you need in your 3-4 base at NT is a big man hard to move. The same in other run defense situations. Let’s hope he can do that.
Tim Knight says:
April 29, 2023 at 11:46 pm
I’m excited to see how Achane fits in. Explosive player.
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Same here!
Brian, I think Fangio will know what Iggy is after TC and the PS. Not sure if he makes the team or not.
RB Keaton Mitchell to Ravens.
DT DJ Dale to the Bills.
Tim, I just saw we signed OLB Garrett Nelson from Nebraska. He is big and powerful.
Competition for depth on the Edge.
It’s nice to know none of the rookies we drafted will be depended on to hit the ground running
Bring them along at their own pace, let them make it on STs first
When they start playing more you know they’re earning it.
Son should recognize the QB we signed James Blackman. He was at FSU 4 years. Spent 6 years in college. Meh, he won’t beat out Skylar. Camp arm.
I just remember him having a good accurate long ball but not so much on the shorter stuff. Have no idea how he did at Arkansas State.
Definitely a camp arm.
Higgins and Conner will compete for what they call the F TE position. Meaning more receiver than blocker. It’s a sneaky position with less known talents.
One runs 4.37 and the other 4.54. Speed and more speed.
McDaniel believes in creating space and having speed to take advantage of it. That’s why he likes Tua, he sees it and delivers it fast accurately. Year two in the offense for a lot of players to help others rather than all learning at the same time. The Lions are building the same type of speed offense their way.
That might be the Super Bowl. LOL
Devon Achane reminds me of a mix of Leonard Fournette and Warrick Dunn. Don’t get caught up with the size. It’s the burst when it’s time to hit the hole and Achane is faster than both. He has that patient style then boom!!!
Has there ever been a 5’8″ RB that has succeeded in the NFL? That’s my size….lol.
I can’t imagine the concussive forces he will experience. Yikes.
College is one thing, the NFL will break you…lol
Here’s hoping he never has a “head-on” collision. And, inevitably he will.
Barry Sanders is 5’8
He was great! Loved that guy. Was he really?
Yes. There’s a lot of shorter RBs
Darren Sproles, Maurice-Jones Drew, Ray Rice, Dave Meggett
Don’t you remember mark Higgs for us
I’m not a detailed stat guy like that. The NFL overall is getting bigger and faster. How do these type survive and succeed today? I hope he does.
Yesteryear is nothing like today’s game.
Nfl LBs are smaller now than they have ever been
They have to cover
A short RB is not an issue. It’s never been an issue. Low center of gravity
Devin Singltsry with the bills
Clyde Edward Hellaire, KC
Michael Carter, Jets
There’s a few out there playing today
So as Naples said, we have a “track” team…lol.
So, maybe the vision is to put out the 4 x 100 relay of Hill, Waddle, Berrios, and Achane? Hmmm…..maybe not so bad.
….4 x 100 relay team…
….maybe they will have a few 4 x 100 plays with YAC seam threat TE…..lol, I think I’m dreaming…lol
Yesteryear lessons….you still have to protect your most valuable player on the field.
He needs to protect himself
Tannehill went years without getting hurt, even though he was sacked a lot
I watched all of his sacks one offseason, the common thread was he kind of gave up on the play and braced for the sack
I’m not advocating for Tua to do that, just pointing out some of getting hurt can be on the QB
Every QB gets hit, for some it doesn’t have much effect, Tua needs to lean in that direction
Hey Krishna… Jahmyr Gibbs taken by the Lions in the 1st is 5’9″ and 199lbs. Devon Achane is 5’81/2″and 188lbs. There is not much difference there. Both are fast and leave defenders behind. I’m happy with pick.
Krishna,
I agree with protecting Tua, but 2/3 of his concussions (yes to the naysayers, he suffered a concussion against the Bills), we not due to lack of protection. Milano took a cheap shot on him to cause the first one, and the second against the Bengals was really on his lack of situational awareness. He was out of the pocket, should have run to the left for a modest gain, but doubled back into the pocket and that’s where the second concussion occurred. Still can’t believe that wasn’t a penalty. That said, I do think that we need to upgrade the OL.
FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR the Dolphins COMPLETELY IGNORED THEIR SHORTCOMINGS IN THE OFFENSIVE LINE!! – – UNBELIEVABLE!!
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At least one person on this board claims he’s NOT WORRIED AT ALL about this lousy offensive line. Bet he WOULD BE WORRIED if he had to play behind this well below average group!!
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ALL OF US SHOULD SAY A PRAYER FOR TUA’S future health and well being. I truly believed that at least ONE O-Lineman prospect would be taken in this draft. But NO!!! Ross’s front office people seem to think it’a not that big a deal. Well, it IS A BIG DEAL if Tua misses several games due to injury!!
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And don’t tell me we can fix the O-Line problem with a combination of free agents and players cut by other teams. We’ve been down that road way too often. And we’ve found out that these guys have been cut, released, or not signed up FOR A REASON!
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Wyoming, you got your NT!
DT/NT Brandon Pili, USC, 6’3, 345 pounds. Apparently, the dolphins liked him so much they gave him $100,000 guaranteed money.
———————————————————–
I was going to say Viva Samoa!
But he’s from Alaska?????
LOL, didn’t know that either.
He wasn’t a stud and has a long way to go, IMO. Though the team liked him enough to give him guaranteed money.
The Dolphins were 10th in least sacked in 2022.
^
And our average per carry was not bad for Mostert, Wilson and Ahmed. We just didn’t do it enough.
Yeah but…our OL wasn’t the best in the NFL therefore it needs to be overhauled🤔
Only because of Tua’s quick release. Skylar and Teddy B took their share of sacks
You’re full of excuses
And facts
You and facts don’t see eye to eye
Funny coming from you
13 of our 34 sacks were Teddy B and Skylar
Wyoming, was it you that brought up OLB Garrett Nelson a few months ago? Someone did. We got him as an UDFA.
Wasn’t me
I commented on Ryan Hayes after we drafted him yesterday saying, he needed to add some strength to fight off the bull rush, but that was while playing LT
Also compared him to our Jackson, again as an LT
His arms are short, so LT might not be in his future as a place he can excel
I see him as an LG, Eichenberg beware, his run blocking is very good, he’s a mauler
Seems odd he gets bull rushed in pass pro, but mauls in the running game, think due to being off balance and poor technique
He’ll be a WIP, but if he bites we may have something, and playing next to Armstead, 2 maulers, could change our running game bigly
Another OT prospect we signed
Jarrett Horst, OL
Strengths: Arkansas State transfer who spent the majority of his college career at left tackle. Sets with a wide base, bends his knees, and sinks his butt. Quickly sets up in pass protection, displays good range off the edge, and keeps his feet moving. Stays square, effectively places his hands into opponents, and knocks pass rushers from their angles of attack. Keeps his head on a swivel and works well with linemates.
Weaknesses: Lacks strength at the point. Tends to hold onto opponents for dear life. Gets pushed around.
The UDFA we signed need to be head strong and bring that relentless attitude to the field every practice and PS game, what their strengths and weaknesses are kind of take a backseat at this stage
I don’t think Grier was wrong when he said he’s not as worried as media or fans
Year after year I’ve seen the team we saw the team waste picks on reaches on the OL
When guys like Austin and Eichenberg don’t work out no one takes back that they were banging the table for the team to draft OL
If you have a top pick – you can find OL that an make immediate impacts
Other than that, it’s hard to be successful at picking OL, some times you are going to hit but many times you aren’t bc it’s a big unit and the good ones usually are among the earliest picks
When you reach for an OL you better have the patience to develop him
The reality is the OL is one of the biggest units in your team and you are always going to need help on the OL – it’s a never ending need IMO
If we aren’t drafting at the top though, I just prefer we bring in OL via free agency like we did last off-season
Anyone we drafted on OL this off-season probably would not have been a better option than Eichenberg or Austin
We’ve also seen a very good afc team in the Bengals virtually ignore the OL on the draft and focus on skill players and go to 2 straight afc championships
This off-season is the first year I can remember them acting like they care about the OL at all. The bengals has a horrible OL in 2020 and they were also a bad team. They had a shot at Penai Sewell and they drafted jamar chase instead. They haven’t had a good OL recently and finally spent some $ this off-season on the OL
I suspect the team signs 1-2 vets in the next couple months to compete on the OL with our prior draftees – and if our OL isn’t where we want it to be this year, I think it’s will probably be the focus of where we spend free agent $ in 2024
Right now I see 3 solid starters in armstead, Williams and hunt
And then 2 big question marks
If anything I think we had a shot at drafting a center early this year and then plugging that center in and moving Williams to guard – but I’m not so sure that’s not as good as letting our own guys compete at guard
But not addressing the OL is also not the answer
Making the best out of the assets you have is always the answer
And reaching for OL just so people can throw up their hands and say replace that guy in 2024 is crazy
The team needs to focus on bringing in as much talent as possible , I don’t want to waste draft picks on OL who probably aren’t ready to play at the level people are demanding
The problem with drafting OL and TE is, it’s a big jump from a blocking standpoint from college, so 99% of them are a WIP, and our OL coaches haven’t developed them
I hate when people say we should’ve drafted this guy or that guy 2 years after the draft, after the player succeeded for his current team
The situation, scheme, and how they use the player has to be a good fit, changing teams doesn’t guarantee the same type of success before or after
Even for vets, look at Wilson
Ken
Tua took 21 sacks is 13 games which is about 1.6 a game
Bridegewter took 7 in 5 games which is about 1.4 per game
And skyler took 6 sacks in 7 games which is less than 1.2 per game
Er actually gave up more sacks with Tua – which isn’t a surprise since he was looking downfield more often
Our sack numbers are in the top 3rd of the league
The percentage of snaps played is significantly less than Tua’s. Bridgewater and Skylar played several partial games which get counted as full games for the purposes of the analysis you posted above. Tua probably played 75% of snaps and had significantly more drop backs than either Teddy or Skylar
These are good points, even if it was based on dropbacks it still wouldn’t tell the whole story
I think the eye test is more important, which shows Skylar to be far superior, than Tua or Teddy
And none of their numbers combined are bad
Are we building this team for Mike white and skyler Thompson to be out QB or for Tua
Everyone offensive stat is worse when Tua isn’t our QB
Facts don’t matter to Veruca Salt, she wants it and now😜
Says the conspiracy theorist 🤣
Based on what you believe and what they tell you to believe
Let’s put this in facts that are easy to understand:
Skylar: 6 sacks in 111 drop backs
Tedd: 7 sacks in 86 drop backs
Tua 21 sacks in 421 drop backs
So then you are saying that the personel at OL was not the issue , it was who was under the center
Bc I completely agree with that
If you aren’t saying that – that please make it make sense to me bc it doesn’t
Why are we desperate to improve the OL if the personnel at QB and Not OL was the difference?
The opposite. Tua’s quick release made the OL look better than it really was
That puts Tua as the best, but again Skylar gets out of more tough situations, than the other 2
The common thread is none of the 3 were sacked that much, even though Teddy was pretty much a statue and reacted slowly to the rush
7 sacks in 86 drop backs is horrible
Tua made the whole offense look better
So does Mahomes
So does Allen
So do all the good QBs in this league
Marino made our OL look better for decades for the same reason
It’s no reason to sell out on OL every year
But Tua is injury prone and the other guys are not. You need to protect Tua more
You’re neglecting the fact that Tua wasn’t concussed last year at the fault of the OL
If Tua is injury prone he can’t be our QB
No team goes anywhere with an injury prone QB
Tua gets rid of it quickly, so that helps the OLs stats, Skylar’s legs get him out of a jam that helps the OLs stat, and Teddy had poor pocket presence that hurts the OLs stats
What does that tell us about stats?
Does anyone else think between Berrios and Achane our return game is going to be night and day from last year?
I hope so. I didn’t see the returners as much of the problem as the blockers, or lack thereof.
What Piggy said! On all posts.
UDFA WR Chris Coleman, Cal Poly
Sticky hands catcher with good RAC and return ability.
Interesting: I just read that Swift requested a trade after the Gibbs selection, and the Dolphins were involved in some discussions, but Philly was really aggressive and got him.
We won both games Jackson play in. Eichenberg missed 7 games most of them during the losing streak. Line issues had more to do with the amount of injuries and using guys to start that were on the street the week before.
Feeney seems to be forgotten and is a good player who might take a starting spot so it’s not like we did nothing. I trust the coaches going into year two that say they like the players they have and believe they can improve them. The picks have been spent and we have to know where certain guys are. I don’t see doom and gloom I see confidence and potential. I know I didn’t see any linemen in round 2 or 3 was going to come in and take a spot, if you think you did I think it’s more wishful thinking than reality.
^^
Not that I know anything about any of this but I agree. Lol. Add to what you just said with your post yesterday, we also got Ramsey and Chubb with 2 of our picks we would have had this year. Not sure Chubb has lived up to that yet, but I’ll be patient. You know what you have with them, unlike these players in the draft, you never know who is going to be a bust.
I’ll leave it to the people who do this for a living and watch it play out. Not like there’s a choice anyway. 😂
✌️❤️ 🐬
That’s all. If they got it right we’re in for a really fun season.
Gotta believe!
TE Julian Hill, Campbell University, 6’3, 252 Pounds
Strengths
Excellent feel for attacking zone coverage.
Avoids route traffic to maintain timing of the pattern.
Makes improvisational route extensions when needed.
Above-average toughness as a point-of-attack blocker.
Dips and explodes hips into contact.
Gives good effort to sustain block with grit and hand strength.
Weaknesses
Smaller than desired as an in-line blocker.
Needs to maintain patience and control when blocking.
Will be average in challenging man coverage down the seam.
Average success rate as a hands-catcher.
Needs to give greater effort working back to the throw.
LB Zeke Vandenberg, Illinois State, 6’3, 233 pounds
Strengths
High-octane motor that pushes him around the field with zero quit.
Posted 21 tackles for loss, including 14 sacks, in 2022.
Heavy, skilled hands to take on blockers at the point of attack.
Above-average upper-body power to toss tight ends aside.
Drops pad level and drives through tackle’s outside edge as a rusher.
Changes edges and angles to disorient pass protection.
Weaknesses
Short-strider getting up the field to run the arc.
Burst to close out quarterbacks is below average.
Pass-rush production doesn’t look translatable to the pros.
Lower-body tightness prevents fluid open-field change of direction.
Lacks length and quickness to the sideline as run defender.
I just hope this year Tua can take a normal shove and fall to the ground without getting injured.
Sometimes the defense actually covers the receivers and the QB has to scramble to make a play. The QB often takes a hit on that kind of play. No matter how good your oline, the QB is going to take some hits. I’m more worried about Tua’s ability to withstand those kinds of hits than anything else.
And if Tua does get injured on a play of that sort, I have no doubt some fans will blame it on the oline, which is their prerogative, but the truth of the matter may be that Tua is just too fragile for the NFL.
Yeah, I’m actually worried about that. If he can’t make it through this year without being concussed, he’s done playing in the NFL.
RB Christopher Brooks, BYU (Cal transfer), 6’0, 232 Pounds
Strengths
Well-built running back with excellent size.
Above-average explosiveness at his pro day.
Runs through arm tackles with relative ease.
Adequate vision to get what is blocked on inside/outside zone.
Displayed some talent as a receiver out of the backfield at Cal in 2021.
Weaknesses
Below-average short-area foot quickness to stop and start.
Doesn’t play to his size.
Rarely accelerates through contact and continues driving his feet.
Had issues with focus drops at times.
Pass protection will need more technique work and grit.
All of these guys can play in the NFL, if they will might be determined by heart and drive, unless some coach sees something and gives em a chance
The drafted 1st or 2nd round pick knows he’s going to make the team, based on what he’s already done, UDFAs have to show more day after day
S Bennett Williams, Oregon, 6’0, 205 pounds
Strengths: Run-defending safety who watched his game take off last season. Instinctive, quickly diagnoses the action, and fires upfield to defend screen throws or stop the run. Wraps up tackling and brings opponents down in the open field. Quickly picks up and stays with coverage assignments.
Weaknesses: Must improve his backpedal and fundamentals in coverage. Plays to one speed and cannot recover.
Overall: Williams is an intelligent zone safety prospect who comes with a special teams mentality. He has enough ability to make it as a fourth safety and coverage unit player.
We talked about finding the next Kittle, he’s not out there, you have to find someone with the measurables and intangibles you want, then develop him
Can Higgins be that guy? Only if they can unleash his inner beast
Taking a TE high only to try to turn him into something he may not have in him is risky, could be their reasoning for taking Higgins late
Steve
I’m thinking McDaniel isn’t use the SF model for this team
We seems to be built much different that the 49ers
The emphasis of speed on this team is unique to the Dolphins
If we drafted a Kittle – I’m not sure how we get the ball to him
I think McDaniel built this offenses around Tua’s strengths
We had too many 3rd down situations late last year where Hill and Waddle were taken away and we struggled
Higgins can be that guy with a wide catch radius, that moves the Chains
Without a lot invested we won’t have feel the need to force the ball to him
A couple of 3rd down conversions a game could be the difference in winning 12, instead of 9
Let’s go Heat!
That game isn’t watchable, between Boris Dirk kissing everyone’s ass to the partner hyping up the Knicks
I could turn the sound off, but still NBA games are really only watchable the last 5 minutes, if the outcome hasn’t already been decided
I’m done. lol We signed a total of 15 UDFA’s from what I can find which is what I expected. Drafted 4. That puts the roster at 83.
They will be adding a kicker and punter (that’s what they said anyway). That will put us at 85.
We will have about 5 spots to fill with UFA vets. OL depth/competition. Maybe a DT. Likely won’t find out who until after June 1.
PBPs opinion of our 5 best UDFAs
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/04/30/miami-dolphins-undrafted-signings-include-5-potential-impact-players/70167715007/
Just saw a video that said our UDFA Horst was the 1st player selected in the USFL draft
Saw that also.
NEW BLOG UP!!!!