RD 2 – Pick #51 CB Cam Smith 6’1 180 – South Carolina
With the Dolphins first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Dolphins selected CB Cam Smith from South Carolina. With Smith, the Dolphins add another DB who has a penchant for being around the football. Besides running fast, just as importantly, Smith processes fast. He follows the QB’s eyes well and gets to the ball very quickly. Another very important quality for a DB in the NFL is loose hips, and Smith turns very well, sinking his hips to remain low to the ground and remain balanced. I wasn’t expecting us to grab a CB with our first pick, but we definitely got a competitive one. The Jets now have Aaron Rodgers, so we will need to be solid in our secondary. With safety Brandon Jones coming back from injury, along with versatile DB Nik Needham also coming back from injury, Smith gives the Dolphins flexibility and depth if needed. Smith can play multiple positions, outside CB, inside CB as well as safety, and Vic Fangio likes versatility, which is precisely why we acquired Jalen Ramsey.
RD 3 – Pick #81 RB Devon Achane 5’8 188 – Texas A&M
I think all of us were hoping the Dolphins would add a young RB to their veteran stable. There were other running backs that had my interest, but Achane fits the bill quite nicely. Achane is an explosive offensive force. The Dolphins have added yet another home run threat to their arsenal. Pronounced Duh-vaughn A-Chain, Devon Achane will see early reps at PR/KR, giving him some guaranteed action immediately as a return man. Achane has true breakaway speed, running a 4.32, but he’s a very shifty, slippery runner as well, and he runs harder than his smallish stature infers. Like most of our RB’s, none of them are the physical, wear you down type of RB, they are all fast, quick, solid receiving running backs that given space can break off big runs. I would expect Achane to see some plays early on and eventually work himself into the RB rotation. He runs hard in between the tackles despite his smallish stature, and is always a threat to take on all the way, with quick, sharp cuts and shifty moves.
RD 6 – Pick #197 TE Elijah Higgins 6’3 235 – Stanford
Elijah Higgins has been a big slot receiver who has the potential to add some weight and potentially make the transition to TE. He’s a willing blocker, but at 6’3 and just 235, he’s not quite the ideal size. Higgins is a pretty good route runner, which gives the Dolphins something to work with,in the passing game, but he was available in RD 6 for a reason, his hands. He has suspect hands, and that has to improve if he’s going to be any kind of version of George Kittle. Still, he has upside who as I mentioned, is a very willing blocker, so throw out any notion of a slot receiving TE in the mold of former Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki. We have Tanner Conner in the fold, we’ll see what type of player Higgins can potentially become. First he has to make the roster, which will be difficult this year as our depth is excellent throughout the roster.
RD 7 – Pick #238 OT Ryan Hayes 6’6 298 – Michigan
With the Dolphins final pick in this year’s draft, Hulk must have been thrilled that we finally addressed the O-line, selecting OT Ryan Hayes from Michigan. Sorry Hulk, that was dripping with sarcasm. Despite being 6’6, Hayes 32.5″ arms are not the prototypical length to play OT in the NFL. However, the Miami Dolphins do have a successful OT in their history who also had short arms, one Mark Dixon who was 6’4 290, so who knows? Odds are though, Hayes would have to make the transition inside to OG. Hayes, a former HS TE and DE, Hayes is not a nimble or fluid athlete as his position versatility would suggest. Hayes does possess the much needed mean streak to play O-line in the NFL, and he’s a very motivated player. He was a very strong run blocker at Michigan, but he did struggle against speed rushers. Another reason he may move to move to OG. We currently have 10 offensive linemen on the roster, Armstead, Eichenberg, Williams, Hunt and Jackson are the starters, with Christian, Cotton, Feeney, Jones and Lamm as backups. I also feel there’s a good chance we might sign another vet OT as a backup, and Brandon Shell, who played very well in that role, would be ideal.
Here is a list of Undrafted Free Agents the Dolphins have brought in:
Miami Dolphins Undrafted Free Agents
- Anthony Montalvo, DL, UCF
- Aubrey Miller, LB, Jackson State
- Bennett Williams, S, Oregon
- Brandon Pili, DL, USC
- Chris Coleman, WR, Cal Poly
- Christopher Brooks, RB, BYU
- Daewood Davis, WR, Western Kentucky
- DJ Scaife Jr., OT, Miami (FL)
- Ethan Bonner, DB, Stanford
- Garrett Nelson, LB, Nebraska
- James Blackman, QB, Arkansas State
- Jarrett Horst, OL, Michigan State
- Julian Hill, TE, Campbell
- Mitchell Agude, EDGE, Miami (FL)
- Randy Charlton, DL, Mississippi State
- Zeke Vandenberg, LB, Illinois State
As always, there may be more players that have not been updated as of the creation of this list, apologies in advance for the accuracy of this list.
In summation, What I wanted to to get out of this draft was 2 players who have a legitimate chance to make an impact this season, and of course beyond. I believe we accomplished this, although I expected one of those players to be at the TE position, I obviously had different ideas than the triumvirate of Grier, McDaniel and Fangio. Regardless of my pre-draft feelings, Cam Smith will help our team this season, and hopefully he takes the sting out of the Iggy miss. A lot of different players saw action in our secondary due to injuries, so I would think Cam Smith will get plenty of opportunity to vie for playing time. There is no question in my mind that 3rd pick Devon Achane will contribute a lot to the special teams unit as a return man, and will quickly be incorporated into the run game as well. He’s a difference maker, and while we have veteran running backs on the roster that are capable, as I’ve said countless times, no RB on this roster is a bell cow back, and honestly, all of them fit better in a running back by committee effort, as durability is a concern for all of them, including our new draftee Devon Achane. The NFL is going in this direction anyway, there are fewer teams these day that rely heavily on one RB, those that do usually end up with injured RB’s and then are forced to change their philosophies, and thus their entire offense to adjust. We’re already there, so interchangeable parts are what we’re about right now.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
First
Thanks MikeE!
👍
That last article Steve posted said we signed UDFA Punter Michael Turk. If so, that would put the current roster at 84.
Not sure if the kicker competition will be an UDFA or a UFA.
Confirmed… he signed with us yesterday. He is the nephew of former Punter Matt Turk.
Mike E,
Thanks for the fresh article today!
You’re welcome!
I must admit, I think this was a rather good Draft for us. I like MINE better (LOL), but what we got was solid, IMO.
If we only had a 1st round Draft pick (thanks Steve Ross!), it could have been GREAT.
PFF pre-draft rankings had Cam Smith at #41 overall.
Lots of other solid sites had him ranked in top 50 as well, but I didn’t see a mock where he went in top 50. Pretty wild.
Gotta hand it to Chris Grier, he’s very good at evaluating DBs… minus Iggy, of course.
Watching the Knicks vs Heat playoff game. This woman announcer is so pro Heat, it’s difficult to watch.
Lol
Just ran my first 2024 mock Draft simulation. PFF has us picking @ 24… and I’m already getting screwed out of Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia… C’MON!!! LOL
* @ 21
LOL @ M lamenting next year’s mock draft
All we need our OL to do is
Make a crease.
Our RB will hit it and go.
Great summation, Mike E.
Thanks Naples
I think I found a female announcer more annoying than Suzyn Waldman
That’s quite an accomplishment in my book. 😂
Boring is the worst and she looka like a man
When she’s on its turn off the sound time, such a kiss ass
Thank you, Mike E! Amazing you pulled that out last night…..just wow.
Did it this morning, I was out last night. You’re welcome!
Aiight inside 5 mins Heat up by 8
Oh it’s not Boris, she isn’t bad
Rhino says:
April 30, 2023 at 2:31 pm (Edit)
PFF pre-draft rankings had Cam Smith at #41 overall.
Lots of other solid sites had him ranked in top 50 as well, but I didn’t see a mock where he went in top 50. Pretty
———————
He is a solid pick but doesn’t fit a need. I know that is not always how you draft but it just seems like we neglected a glaring need this offseason
You draft to make your team better period.
Did we do that yesterday, absolutely
Are the top 2 guys we picked more likely too make a contribution, than a TE in a mostly non pass catching TE O, and an OL not likely to crack the starting lineup? Most definitely
We do these mock drafts and think we have an idea of what the team needs, but we don’t know their vision
Heatin up
Heat Win
🔥🐖🔥🐖🔥🐖🔥🐖🔥🐖🔥🐖🔥🐖🔥🐖🔥🐖
I have no problem with any of the picks, now that I have an idea of why they were made
After week 10 or in 2024 no one is going to care who we picked this year, just what contribution s those on the 53 are making
Steve – it was Doris Burke
Ok, then she’s the worst
I had the sound off
So did I, and then when the Knicks unraveled in the 4th qtr, the picture went off too. lol
Officially cut the DirecTV cord. I had no idea the billing cycle was on the 24th of the month, which means we have it until May 24th, but then the DirecTV era is over!
Congrats! Lol. I’ve been canceling a lot of subscriptions. I get something like Hulu to watch one show and then it’s over and I still have the subscription going. Had several like that. 🙄
The woman I spoke to tried to keep me with DirecTV, I told her about 2007 when I asked them how much it would cost for a new HD dish when everything went to HD, and they told me $999.00. I told them new customers can get the HD dish for $199.00. They said nope, only for new customers. So basically, they had zero customer retention back then. I told the woman I wish they were as nice then as she was today. I still canceled though, felt good!
The best/worst thing is I’ve realized I can now rearrange my furniture. Since I moved, I’ve never liked where the tv was but that’s where the cable was. Now…..it can go anywhere! 😂
Awesome!!! Freeeeeeeedom!!
This means everything to some of these guys…awesome.
Good for Higgins.
Man, you know that guy will run through a wall for that coach.
Our 7th round pick did not allow a single sack last season.
357 pass block plays … zero sacks
Yup, and Ryan Hayes has only gotten better over time…
2022 2021 2020
OVERALL GRADE
76.3
66.7
61.1
GAMES PLAYED 12 14 2
OFFENSE SNAPS 790 928 139
RUN BLOCK SNAPS 433 501 53
PASS BLOCK SNAPS 357 427 86
SACKS 0 3 0
HITS 3 5 0
HURRIES 8 19 1
Can’t ask much more from a 7th-round pick… he just might stick.
Achane and Waddle played AAU basketball together as young teenagers in Texas.
Cam Smith and Justin Bethel are from the same small town.
It has less than 5000 people.
It’s about 12 miles from a slightly larger town where my wife graduated high school.
Does anyone know Ryan Hayes was a 7th rounder?
Why does it seem sometimes that UDFAs are more likely to make it than 7th rounders?
I know it can’t be so, but it seems so sometimes.
If Hayes can become a quality back-up, that’s all you can ask of him.
Because you’re comparing one guy with 18
Before enrolling at Michigan, Hayes was a two-time all-state football player, conference basketball player of the year, and baseball pitcher of the year at Traverse City West High School.
That’s really athletic.
My wife’s first cousin still lives there, as her parents’ families are from that area.
Hayes was coached at Michigan by a guy who formerly coached Armstead at New Orleans. Hayes studied tons of tape of Terron.
I know I’m an optimist,
but I think because of several unique factors,
Elijah Higgins has a greater than usual chance of
making a meaningful contribution to our team.
For a 6th rounder, I mean.
I agree. If you listen to Grier on the phone with him he states that they are very particular about who they choose as he acknowledged that that they only had a few picks.
They make it look like BPA but it looks like they make precision strikes on guys they got to know and fit a role they foresee for them.
I thought our first 3 picks were downright genius.
Smith will allow Fangio to use Ramsey all over the D.
And he is a certified ballhawk.
Achane in McDaniel’s hands could be magical.
Have him leak out of the backfield in the flat or run hide and seek screens and then boom he outruns everybody.
And Higgins being used as a chain mover is brilliant.
He’s an honor roll kid with a perfect work ethic.
TE is a hard position to learn for rookies,
but this guy already knows how to run routes plus
he gets YAC and is a ferocious downfield blocker,
2 things McDaniel loves in his scheme.
I agree Naples
Tim mentioned that with Cam and Ramsey
Is it true that Cam Smith is/was roommates with Grier’s son?
My daughter said she heard that.
I read it in an article and posted it a day or so ago
CBS grades
51. Dolphins: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Grade: A-
This is a battle-tested, feisty, ballhawk who can man up on the perimeter. Athletic and strong. A bit surprised this was a CB given their depth there, but Smith is a stud.
Draft the best players and you can’t go wrong
T’was a very good Draft for us Phins, minus our 1st round pick.
Old Dolfan, I TRIED to get us an O-Lineman, no later than the 3rd round (Braeden Daniels), but to no avail.
I think the ‘State of our Union’ as Miami Dolphins is STRONG!
M13, don’t feel bad. A PFN 2024 mock draft has TE Brock Bowers going #5 overall. In the same mock they have the Pats picking at #9, hell yeah!
They have Rodgers playing more 65% of snaps so Jets lose their 1st to GB.
22) Miami Dolphins: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois (#22 boo)
Bills pick #28, hell no I say!
Empty net goal for the Panthers to tie it up and force OT in game 7.
Or an extra skater goal
lol, I always make that call backwards
Curt Popejoy, Managing Editor for Steelers Wire did a 2024 1st round mock draft.
He has the Dolphins picking at #32. 🙂
32. Miami Dolphins – EDGE Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Wasington
HIGH DRAMA IN BOSTON!!! Trailing 3-2, the underdog Florida Panthers pulled their goalie for an extra skater with about 2 minutes left in the final period of the 7th and deciding game of this series. With Bruin fans roaring, Florida’s Montour scored the TYING GOAL WITH 59 seconds left to send this game into Sudden Death overtime!! Groans came from everyone in the arena except for the few dozen Panther fans who flew up to witness this classic playoff game.
Boston won an all-time NHL record 65 games this season. Now they are fighting for their playoff lives!!
HOW MANY OVERTIME PERIODS WILL IT TAKE FOR THE WINNING GOAL TO BE SCORED???
1
My 2024 first 2 picks in honor of Ken. With not knowing much about next years players but a few.
1st OT Zion Nelson, Miami
2nd IOL Sedric Van Pran
I really like OT Joe Alt, ND but I have a feeling he will be OT#1 and a top 10 pick.
Woohooo!!! One of the best upsets in NHL history
Boston sucks!!!!!!!
THE “GREATEST TEAM IN NHL HISTORY,” the 2023 Boston Bruins, have been beaten in overtime by the upstart FLORIDA PANTHERS, WHO JUST SCORED THE WINNING GOAL IN SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME!!
THIS HAS GOT TO RANK AMONG THE GREATEST PLAYOFF UPSETS IN NHL HISTORY!!
To match the cheats undefeated season, and don’t forget the Billie Buckner debacle for red sox
I’d just like to see him contribute this year
Saubert is way ahead of him, but has a lower ceiling
Sky is the limit for Higgins
Agree
A good way to draft well is to use a scheme others aren’t using much
We can draft RBs, TEs, and OL in later rounds and they can still be very good in the system
We can use the top picks for WR, DEs, CBs or any other position if a great player falls
No more reaching for 1st pick STs players
Lakers, Panthers, Heat all advance from 7th or 8th seeds, playoffs have been great so far
NOW ALL WE NEED IS FOR THE KRAKEN to upset the heavily favored Colorado Avalanche in game 7 and this “upsetting night” will be complete!!
Good start
2-0 now
As a WR 6th round pick your chances of sticking are a Longshot
Getting picked by Fins and told you’re going be a TE in general means we have a plan for you, so chances of sticking at least on the PS are almost a lock
Higgins gets emotional before he knows he’s in the plans
I love the pick, we have a plan I’m thinking like cheats did with Edelman
That’s awesome!
KRAKEN DEFEAT AVALANCHE 2-1 TO COMPLETE THE MOST “UPSETTING” NIGHT IN RECENT STANLEY CUP HISTORY!!
The race for the Stanley Cup is officially wide open NOW!! The favorites in the East, Boston, and the favorites in the West, Colorado, both have been eliminated in Round One. Can’t remember the last time this happened!!
Oilers are the favorites in the west
Colorado has been shorthanded all year with Kadri moving on to Flames and Landeskog out with a knee
This Colorado team was just a shell of the team they had last year, you win and people want to get paid
When you only have 4 picks you can put more time into each pick, they mean more, so no BS
The 6th and 7th rd picks, both will be moving to New positions, so WIP, but if they make it, it’s a steal
If you can find the guys, that fit your system, then develop them you’ve got something
We always hear it’s a collaborative effort, which is so true all the way up from the scouting dept
The GM is just the guy flipping the switch, the HC creates the blueprint for the type of guys he’s looking for, and the position coaches and coordinators develop them
It’s funny what happens when you have 4 picks in the draft. Some folks on Dolphins twitter have us drafting Ty Law (Cam Smith), Barry Sanders (Achane), and Deebo Samuel (Higgins). On our last pick, some Dolphins fans are showing a clip of Ryan Hayes getting knocked on his ass at the Senior Bowl during drills, and others saying he didn’t give up a sack in 20,000 snaps. lol It’s pretty funny.
The optimist sees and hopes there’s a vision, the pessimist, woe’s me, expects everything to go wrong that can, just human nature
We have OD and Ken, that can’t get over the fact, that we don’t have the best OL in the league, then we have Naples and Tim, that see what the possibilities are and have the eternal hope
I generally look for the positives with each draft pick and trust that the staff will make it work
The year Raekwon McMillan was selected I hated the pick, because of what I saw pre-draft, but afterwards I had hope the staff knew what they were doing
https://nypost.com/2023/05/01/woman-has-full-body-orgasm-during-la-philharmonic-concert/
Something like this happens, and there’s no Karens around to ruin it, then it’s reported as a beautiful thing, as it should be
In Rosarito back in the late 80s, my ex-wife and I were at a beachclub, they had a dj and dancing, just before dark a good looking couple were sitting on a stool on the dance floor (woman on top), then she leaned back, so he could enter her…there were about 10 other couples besides us dancing, and watching this in disbelief, but most of the couples started making out, it was one of the most romantic things I’d ever seen
After she got off him security came around as a formality with no intent on doing anything
Another similar incident happened in the water about 50 yards offshore in Costa Rica, 1 sex couple and about 6 others that got aroused by it, with no one around to ruin it
This one happened about 15 minutes after we were snorkeling and saw 3 9′ barracudas eyeing us, needless to say we headed right back in
Lol, You can’t coach a guy to be this much of an asshole. It has to come from within.
For Son, no Cam wasn’t roommates with Grier’s son, on the same team
Although Smith and Dolphins GM Chris Grier didn’t officially meet until their formal interview at the NFL combine, Smith was teammates with Grier’s son, Landon, at South Carolina. The two of them weren’t particularly close, but Smith said he was able to pick the younger Grier’s brain about the ins and outs of the league while they were in Columbia.
For what it’s worth… a couple observations …
Higgins is same height and 8 pounds heavier than Tanner Conner.
Austin Jackson has 3 yrs exp at age 23 (the same age as a lot of Rookies)… kind of reminds me of b-ball players who choose to “develop” in the NBA rather than in their college program. Sometimes the leap can cause regression rather than development.
Either way, this is it for Jackson. 6’5″, 325 he’s got the size ….
…. …. oops, just saw the story of Jackson to IR and Fins sign Fisher. nvm.
damn!! I need some coffee. That was story from 5 months ago. ugh. lol🤗
Congrats on your Dubs win. As a Kings fan, it went down about the way I expected in game 7, lol.
I was so nervous at halftime I decided to watch while on stationary bike … 24 miles in 2nd half LOL. That 4 pt play to close out the 3rd qtr really took the wind out of the arena. I kept saying if it gets beyond a 15 pt lead the Kings will start making bad shot selections (which is what happened). If they keep it to 10, they are capable of an explosive run at any time. Steph was awesome, but most Dubs fans say “Looney’s 3rd qtr rebounding” completely swung the game and gave Dubs an extra 13 shot attempts in the qtr. I thought Looney simply played with more heart than Sabonis. Outside of Sabonis refusing to shake hands after, Kings (with Mike Brown) are a classy group with a shit-ton of talent. Dubs had to pay their dues to get through Spurs and Clippers 10 yrs ago. As long as FO doesn’t panic, Kings are in the mix for several years. I think Dubs are looking forward to a slower paced Lakers team. On missed shots, Kings transition game is so FAST. Warriors were gassed by the 4th qtr of game 6.
The Looney rebounding definitely was the deciding factor in my mind. It stopped that transition game, kept your guys from getting worn out. Sabonis was a real disappointment in this series. Fox was unbelievable. After he broke his finger I figured we were done. The game 6 win was a real surprise, but your boys have 4 rings in 8 years for a reason. I was nervous going into the 3rd quarter because I knew that was when the Dubs were going to make their real push and how we handled it would determine whether it went down to the wire or not. I just wanted a chance at the end.
Still, this Kings team came out of nowhere in the regular season and took the defending champs to game 7, so I’ll take it.
Congrats. I hope the Lakers whip you guys lol.
not that it matters,
but the Dolphins official roster has Tanner Connor at 232
and Higgins at 228.
Both at 6 foot 3.
They both have a lot to learn, and we need them to learn it fast.
Higgins was 235 at the combine, he’ll put on some weight
Concerning Rock’s post above about 3 of our 4 draft picks being in the highest levels of RAS …
That’s great,
but the funny thing is the only one of our picks
NOT in that highest athleticism ranking
is a certified world class sprinter
with one of the fastest times at his position ever recorded.
I’d say that’s a very athletic group.
TE coach Embree needs to get with Higgins and Tanner Connor and the playbook and show them the plan for them either busting seams or moving chains.
We could have a quality TE room this year if those pups can learn what to do.
NFL.com still has us at #10 in their post draft power rankings … no change.
“thanks to their yacht shenanigans”
However … the New York Post has us at
20. Miami Dolphins
Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland make for a Dynamic Duo in the secondary. HC Mike McDaniel knows how to scheme for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. But can Tua Tagovailoa avoid concussions?
Sportsnaut has up from 9 to 7:
If Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy, the Miami Dolphins can win a Super Bowl. Already armed with one of the highest-scoring offenses, Miami landed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and then provided him with Jalen Ramsey and David Long Jr. A top-five offense, top-five defense and a phenomenal coaching staff, all Tagovailoa needs to do is stay on the field.
Was wondering since it was mentioned we traded a 1st round pick from this year to acquire Chubb last season. Do you think we would have done that if we had known we were going to lose the other one we had at the time?
Great question.
Probably not.
Or
maybe!
I think McDaniel had his eye on Fangio as soon as McDaniel got his feet set in his first summer before Training Camp and realized that Fangio would be available.
Chubb played his best in Fangio’s D.
Getting Chubb might’ve been partly to help convince Fangio to come to Miami.
Good question but probably because Grier likes to acquire good players that are available however they’re available.
Fansided has us at
#5 !!!!
This past season, the Dolphins were back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016 but still haven’t won a postseason game since 2000. The club wound up forfeiting its first-round selection and finished the three-day process with an NFL-low four picks. Of course, Chris Grier did orchestrate a trade for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Rams). The biggest question is whether Tua Tagovailoa can stay on the field.
Pro Football Network
8) Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are in a weird spot. They’re likely one of the best 10 teams in the NFL, yet they’re likely also the third-best team in their own division.
But maybe Miami’s offense is so efficient that it doesn’t matter.
Maybe Vic Fangio can get this defense up to a more respectable level, because they sure have spent the offseason addressing it.
However, the Jets already had a talented offense and one of the league’s best defenses, and they added Aaron Rodgers to make it so the QB position was not the Achilles heel of the team.
We ain’t 3rd best in the afc East….lol
Clutch points has us at
6. Miami Dolphins (+6)
The Miami Dolphins trade for Jalen Ramsey was exactly what their defense needed – but he wasn’t the biggest addition to that side of the ball this offseason. That goes to new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Bradley Chubb should be able to do great things in Fangio’s defense, and an improved defense is exactly what Tua Tagovailoa and the offense need to be successful.
This is so cool.
It’s been so long since we had this much positive opinion in the national press.
Yeah, but we also say they’re idiots and don’t know what they’re talking about sooooo….
When they’re being positive they sound more intelligent
Ha! Excellent point. 😂
LOL!!! soooo funny and soooo true
If memory serves, didn’t our loss of pick get announced well before we traded for Chubb?
I have no idea….I guess I should have checked that before I asked.
Yes, I believe so
Yeah it was we traded for Chubb around the deadline.
The Rams signed 24 UDFA. Talk about reboot.
Bills sign veteran Latavius Murray to one-year deal after passing on RBs in draft
UCF
The case for Cam
https://www.thephinsider.com/2023/5/1/23705438/nfl-football-cam-smith-was-not-luxury-pick-for-the-miami-dolphins-corner-back-xavien-howard-kohou
Once we got Chubb we were out of the first round
So the answer was yes. 😂
Yes
Right
Yes
Herd, we the fine was announced in August 22 and we traded in November 22
Yes you were right, (as usual?) lol
Actually I think I was wrong, but I’ll not argue the point. 😂
I always do a penis check before answering. “Yup, still there. I guess I’m still wrong”
You guys on twitter should follow these guys. They live up to their handle
https://thechive.com/lifestyle/mind-blowing/well-thats-interesting-as-fck-25-photos/
@interestingsAsF
BBM,
I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned Olu Fashanu in all of your OL talk for next year!
Still need OL
Yes we do, and one of the keys to him staying healthy.
Man, If Tua can stay healthy and play as well as he has this offense is explosive. I we don’t score 34+ points per game this year I will be very disappointed.
IF we don’t
Lewan and Shell are in the Rolodex
Let it play out nothing we can do about it anyway
Ramsey himself equals two linemen lol
Hell yes to Lewan. Shell meh
Ramsey is one of the best Safeties in the league but he just happens to be a better Corner. If all our guys make it back plus Cam Smith added they’re free to let Ramsey do all the new fangled coverages Fangio discovered on his Sabbatical last year.
Ramsey plays on the line too. Chubb is in his comfort zone. Long running everything else down. It’s a beautiful thing.
Plus this little feller ☃️
If we can make it happen after June 1st (that’s when Byron Jones comes off the books), should we trade for Dalvin Cook? If so, what should we trade for him?
It would be good to unload Wilson’s contract but I don’t think he adds any value or incentive. It pains me to say they could consider getting value for Brandon Jones if he’s healthy. I love him but Ramsey reshapes everything. I hope I’m wrong because I think he’s one of the best box safeties in the league that’s the ying and yang of it.
Otherwise you go into next years draft if you feel like you really want him. He’d have interesting intel on Rogers.
I think Wilson would be an upgrade to the Vike’s current slot WR KJ Osborn. There may be a little bit of value there, but not a whole lot. Add in our 4th of next year and it may happen… we’ll see.
No. Achane is the guy. Plus we have Mostert and Wilson
That’s what I think but there’s no question about what Cook does for us.
Hill is to Wilson
As Cook would be to most of our backs
So you never know
If we’re IN IT TO WIN IT NOW, I think you’ve gotta explore a trade for Dalvin Cook.
Achane is the future, Cook is NOW.
Lots of wear and tear on Cook. Achane is young and can in theory do what Cook can
Brian in NY says:
May 1, 2023 at 7:39 pm
BBM,
I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned Olu Fashanu in all of your OL talk for next year!
—————–
Wow, was thinking off the top of my head which doesn’t produce much. LOL
I really forgot about him and retract my statement. Fashanu will likely be OT#1 with Alt a close #2. These 2 will definitely be gone in top 10 though.
Isn’t Minnesota trying to move Harrison Smith, didn’t I hear that?
Incidentally, me bringing up Jones as any part of trade should let us know for sure if “they” read us lol
Yes, I do believe the Vikes are trying to move Harrison Smith.
There’s gonna be snaps for Achane no matter who else is on the team. I think.
Totally agreed.
Rookie RBs can usually make an immediate impact. I expect Achene to play right away.
It depends on if the rookie is already familiar with our scheme. I should know this though I’m not sure: did A&M run an outside-zone scheme last season?
McDaniel creamed his jeans this kids playing
LOL, no doubt Coach McDaniel creamed his jeans. But Achane may need to learn the OZBS (Outside-Zone Blocking Scheme) before he’s an every-down back.
Oh, he’ll STILL see time as a rook, but he may need to learn before being on the field on a regular basis.
Achane will definitely be a part of this offense. No reason he shouldn’t be
5 things to know about Dolphins new WR/TE Elijah Higgins
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James Trefry
May 1, 2023 7:52 pm ET
The Miami Dolphins have added another skill player to their depth chart in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Elijah Higgins joins an offense looking to take a major step up this season.
The Dolphins entered the offseason with a need for a tight end following the departures of Mike Gesicki to New England and Hunter Long, who was sent to the Rams in the Jalen Ramsey trade. Higgins is a multi-purposed player who’s shown the ability to play both receiver and tight end.
There’s reason to believe Mike McDaniel intends to use Higgins in the offense as soon as this season. Before his skills are put to use, here are a few things Miami fans should know about the talented young rookie.
Good Size and Speed
At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Higgins has the size and skillset to be a versatile threat on offense. He also has good speed, running a 4.54-second 40 time.
Stanford Football on Twitter: “In case you didn’t know… the big man can MOVE 🔥 #NFLCombine March 2-5 on @NFLNetwork #GoStanford | @ejhiggz https://t.co/6ReRJGLiJR” / Twitter
He’s shown the ability to do damage lining up in the slot during his college career.
Addresses Team Need
Going into the offseason it was obvious the tight end position was maybe the biggest hole the Dolphins needed to fill. Gesicki caught five touchdown passes a season ago which was the third most on the team behind Jaylen Waddle (eight) and Tyreek Hill (seven).
Stanford lists him as a receiver, but it’s well-known he’s a highly capable tight end. Currently, he’ll compete for snaps with Durham Smythe, Eric Saubert and Tanner Conner.
It’s likely that Smythe will hold the top spot on the depth chart to start training camp since he was active in 16 games last season.
It’s imperative that one of these tight ends makes a quick impact for the Dolphins if the offense is to excel.
Prospect Grade
NFL.com graded Elijah Higgins as a 6.20 out of a possible 8.00. This grade projects Higgins to “eventually be an average starter.”
It’s not easy to judge a player on what he’ll do on the field based off pre-draft numbers, but taking a guy in the sixth round who’s projected to be a starter is a safe and strategic move for a player who fits the scheme.
Miami must have put serious thought into taking Higgins, considering they only had four picks to work with in the draft.
Complements the offense
The Dolphins have created an offense around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa featuring players with unique skill sets. It’s obvious that McDaniel is invested making Tua’s job easier.
Tagovailoa battled concussions all season in 2022, rendering him unavailable for the Wild Card game against Buffalo. His health is critical for Miami’s success in 2023 and it starts with him taking less hits.
Higgins will give Tagovailoa a reliable slot target when the pocket collapses with no receivers open.
Higgins’ ability to play in the slot will also allow him to get open considering the deep threat trio of Hill, Waddle and Chosen Anderson.
The rookie showed the ability to make many types of plays while at Stanford such as jump balls, catching in traffic, running after catch and field awareness.
Grateful to be a Dolphin
Waiting to get drafted can be a long process for players especially when they wait until the final rounds to get the call.
Higgins was overcome with emotion when he received the call from general manager Chris Grier and McDaniel.
“Y’all going to get the best from me, I appreciate it,” said Higgins.
Miami Dolphins on Twitter: “All the feels. 🥺 This is how much that call meant to @ejhiggz. https://t.co/2jdQ1AcQmH” / Twitter
It’ll be exciting to see how McDaniel uses Higgins in an offense featuring supreme talent.
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We targeted him and hoped he’d be there when we were ready to take him.
Achene said people think because I’m a smaller guy with speed I just run outside but ran mainly inside. He’s got that vision and cut ability to follow the flow and go.
Here’s a list of the Miami Dolphins’ newly assigned jersey numbers.
#0 – Wide Receiver, Braxton Berrios
#3 – Wide Receiver, Chosen Anderson
#4 – Cornerback, Kader Kohou
#5 – Cornerback, Jalen Ramsey
#14 – Quarterback, Mike White
#16 – Punter, Jake Bailey
#21 – Safety, DeShon Elliott
#37 – Running Back, Myles Gaskin
#47 – EDGE, Malik Reed
#51 – Linebacker, David Long Jr.
#67 – Offensive Lineman, Dan Feeney
#77 – Offensive Lineman, Kion Smith
I like 0 for Berrios.
He should change his name to Cheerios if he’s gonna be a 0
I thought the same thing that’s why I like 0 for him. LOL
Eric Abojei G 6’5 330 WYOMING
Invited to Fins Rookie Mini Camp
Keep taking a look at OL.
We know Armstead, Williams and Hunt are starters. Finding the best LG and RT and at least two backups ready to step in is what we need. Not many teams are deep beyond 7 on the OL. You hope your other 2 can hang in there if called on.
RIP Gordon Lightfoot. One of the few true masters of the craft. So many great songs he wrote and performed that it’s mind bending when you think of it.
Oh man I love him. RIP Gordon another songbird. 😦
Yeah this is a rough one for me. Having a shot or two in his honor.
Cheers to a great one!
Robert Jones has shown some upside too. Jackson, Eichenberg, Feeney, Lamm and Jones are top five competing for spots and the rest to make the roster. Hopefully a sleeper. Maybe a June 1st cut addition.
Tim Knight says:
May 1, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Yeah it was we traded for Chubb around the deadline.
We lost the 1st rd pick Aug 2022, so 3 months or so before the Chubb trade. I heard it first while at training camp
Yes we traded for Chubb in season and we already knew we lost the pick. So the answer to the question is yes Grier would have still done it because he did. LOL
Say what you want about Grier and how he builds a team, we have a really good roster. Next step is at least win a playoff game.
Son, I agree with you on Ramsey as more than a corner. He’s got “rover” ability and I see Fangio utilizing those skills. The more quality corners we have the more we can use him like that.
He’s a premium defender.
I just caught up on the past week on the blog.
Son – my deepest condolences to you and your family.
Good stuff and yeah Ramsey will only play corner. LOL
https://www.miamidolphins.com/video/ryan-hayes-april-29-press-conference
Wrong link but meet Ryan Hayes. Maybe a swing G/T like a Jesse Davis as a rookie.
Damn, RIP Gordon Lightfoot
Not much to glean, but interesting, I guess…lol.
4 things to know about new Dolphins OT Ryan Hayes
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Mike Masala follow
May 2, 2023 8:00 am ET
With their final pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Hayes.
Hayes joins a Dolphins offensive line unit that really should have two positions open for competition – left guard and right tackle. However, general manager Chris Grier has stated that he expects Austin Jackson to be protecting Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side.
Before Hayes steps on the field at Hard Rock Stadium, here are a few things that Dolphins fans should know about their new offensive tackle:
Collegiate recognitions
During his two years as the starting left tackle for the Wolverines, Hayes was twice named to the All-Big Ten second team. Michigan’s offensive line also won the Joe Moore Award for best offensive line unit in college football the last two seasons.
Michigan also posted a 25-3 record since the start of the 2021 campaign, making it to the College Football Playoff in both 2021 and 2022.
Possible move
When offensive tackles transition to the NFL game from the collegiate level, scouts and coaches typically prefer those with longer arms (at least 34 inches).
Hayes, unfortunately, doesn’t have that arm length, as his arms are 32.5 inches.
That could be an indicator that he could move inside and play guard at the next level, a move that Hayes has said he’s willing to accept.
“I don’t know a ton about what they want me to do yet, but I’m definitely – I’ll play anywhere,” Hayes said. “I can play tackle. Played tackle – both tackles a little bit in college – mostly left, but I’d be open to moving inside, wherever gets me on the field and helps the team win. So I’m open.”
Sports in the DNA
Hayes’ parents, Mike and Sue, were both athletes at Central Michigan. His mother was a Hall of Fame basketball player for the university, while his father played football.
With that type of lineage, he was destined to play some type of sport.
During his high school days, Hayes didn’t stick to just football, as he competed in basketball and baseball for Traverse City West High School in Michigan.
Senior Bowl practices led to mixed results
After the completion of his final game with the Wolverines, Hayes attended the Reese’s Senior Bowl and practiced at both left and right tackle throughout the week.
Clips surfaced of his practice reps, and some were great while others were forgettable.
There goes one decent UFA OT.
OL Billy Turner is signing a one-year deal worth up to $3.15 million with the Jets, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per a source.
We already had Billy Turner here
We can do better than that.
I hope.
He has turned into a pretty good OT
We had pretty good RT play last year, Turner is no better than that
Does Turner even fit the outside zone scheme, I think he’s not a good fit, going off of memory, from a few years back when he played for GB
Now on jets, back with Rodgers, so he wasn’t someone we were going to be able to sign
With the addition of Cam, it gives us another option at outside CB, which will allow us to gameplan Ramsey in different spots from game to game, series to series, play to play, as needed
Opponents with a great WR, we may see Ramsey stick on him or use X and let Ramsey roam, or change it up play to play based on situation, with Ramsey in the box on early downs
Fangio will be making adjustments all game long
With Ramsey, X, 8, and Cam we’ve got ballhawks galore, put them in a zone and watch the TOs come in bunches
This D can be scary good, and a nightmare to play against
I should’ve known this was Omar…currently we have under 3m on the cap and that’s before we sign the rookies (net cap hit is 300k according to Spotrac’s projected figures)
https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-get-pitch-from-veteran-offensive-lineman
Higgins has been reported as a smart guy, hope it translates to will pick up the O quick
Looking at next year, I really think we look at drafting an OL in the first. Though, I think DT, LB or TE could still be a possibility. Where we will be picking most likely toward the end of the 1st we will miss out on the top 3 OT’s and TE Bowers. Some players I think will be available in bottom 1/3 of the first round who I am going to keep an eye on this year are:
LT JC Latham, Alabama
RT Zion Nelson, Miami
OT Blake Fisher, ND
OT Amariuus Mims, Georgia
LG Cooper Bebee, Kansas State
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
DT Maason Smith, LSU
DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
2024 draft looks to be rather promising with OL talent. I like the OT prospects and I left the top 3 off the list.