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 
Ken – Brandon Shell was solid for us. If we’re bringing in a vet, he’d be the guy I’d bring back.
Woohoo! Page turnin’
Meh. We need an upgrade. I will be very disappointed if that is the move. Essentially that means we keeping the same OL in place which is not good enough imo
There is Taylor Lewan, JaWuan James and George Fant who went on IR last year. That’s about it.
Taylor Lewan is who I want. When healthy he is a beast
Owe you a beer. lol
Err owe me a beer. lol
Fant like Shell can play both tackle positions.
Bleacher Report has come out with
their first mock of 2024,
but it can’t be right
because they have us picking in the first round.
We have a 1st and 2nd next year.
ummm
at the moment, that may be true
but, as long as
Grier still works here … …
Dolphins 2023 Undrafted Free Agent Signings/Reports
(as of 12:03 p.m. ET, 5/1/23)
All of these signings are “reported” and subject to change, as discussed above. The Dolphins will announce them once the contracts are officially signed and executed.
Aubrey Miller, LB, Jackson State – via Field Yates
James Blackman, QB, Arkansas State – via Tom Pelissero
Alama Uluave, OL, San Diego State – via Aaron Wilson
Brandon Pili, DL, USC – via Tom Pelissero
Bennett Williams, S, Oregon – via Barry Jackson
Chris Brooks, RB, BYU – via Barry Jackson
Ezekiel Vandenberg, LB, Illinois State – via Barry Jackson
Julian Hill, TE, Campbell – via Barry Jackson
Jarrett Horst, OT, Michigan State – via Simon Clancy
Anthony Montalvo, DT, UCF – via Simon Clancy
Randy Charlton, Edge, Mississippi State – via Simon Clancy
Daewood Davis, WR, Western Kentucky – via Barry Jackson
Ethan Bonner, CB, Stanford – via Simon Clancy
Mitchell Agude, Edge, Miami – via Field Yates
Garrett Nelson, Edge, Nebraska – via Vanguard Sports Group
Michael Turk, P, Oklahoma (nephew of former Dolphins punter Matt Turk) – via Aaron Wilson
DJ Scaife, OL, Miami – via Barry Jackson
Leonard Taylor, TE, Cincinnati – via Simon Clancy
Alex Jensen, OT, South Dakota – via Barry Jackson
Chris Coleman, WR, Cal Poly – via Barry Jackson
Keidron Smith, DB, Kentucky – via Chris Beasmore
James Tunstall, OT, Cincinnati – via Barry Jackson
Aidan Borguet, RB, Harvard (Minicamp invite)
Datrone Young, CB, Duke (Minicamp invite)
Eric Abojei, G, Wyoming (Minicamp invite) – via Aaron Wilson
Wow, that would put our roster at 93 players. Though the last 3 are just invites. So this puts us at 90 on the roster if all are signed.
More signings and releases to come.
Taylor Lewan said he will only play LT, why keep beating a dead horse?
I’ve never liked that guy’s attitude.
He’s a diva.
^
RE: Bleacher Report 2024 Mock:
The other error is that that they have us with the 21st pick.
pfffft
31st more like it
You wanna lose the SB?
I don’t want to, but that is my prediction.
Or do you want someone from our division to have to forfeit their 1st rounder🤪
I have seen 3 different mocks having us pick at #21, #25 and #32.
Grier still works here … …
———-
LOL
COMPETITION AT PUNTER?
Oklahoma punter Michael Turk, the nephew of former Dolphins punter Matt Turk, was the only specialist added. He likely will compete with former Patriots Pro Bowl punter Jake Bailey to determine which punter makes it onto the 53-man roster.
However, considering the Dolphins guaranteed all of Bailey’s $1.1 million contract, Turk likely will have to drastically outperform Bailey to unseat him.
Turk, who averaged 47.2 yards per punt during his college career, which had its time split between Arizona State and Oklahoma, was the only member of this undrafted rookie haul who was invited to the NFL combine.
Watching his highlights I didn’t see anything special, likely just a camp body, especially with the guarantee given to Bailey
The other mistake that Bleacher Report is making is us picking a Guard in Round 1.
Team Needs: IOL, LB, TE
If this past season taught the Miami Dolphins anything, it’s that they need to do everything they can to protect starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They have a good left tackle in Terron Armstead, but projected starters Connor Williams, Robert Hunt and Austin Jackson are heading into contract years.
The Dolphins might just go with the best offensive lineman available here. In that case, they’d take Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe.
Beebe likely would have been a high draft pick had he declared for this year’s cycle. Nearly every media outlet selected him as either a first- or second-team All-American this past season, and he hasn’t allowed a sack since 2020, per PFF.
With three-fifths of their starting offensive line potentially leaving next offseason, Beebe would be just what the doctor ordered for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins.
In 2030 we’ll need 3 new DL, and 2 new WRs…
I don’t get the future draft talk right after the current draft, too many variables
I guess whatever floats your boat
I agree.
I think it’s leftover momentum actually.
People put in a lot of work evaluating talent
and have some good ideas about
who are coming out next year,
so they just want to file that
while it’s fresh in their minds.
Naples, picking in the bottom 1/3 of the 1st round, I would take LG Cooper Beebe in a heart beat.
Wrong spot, obviously…
The Five Best and Worst NFL Draft Classes of 2023
There were some teams that separated themselves from the first round,
while the Dolphins failed to address any real roster concerns
across three days in Kansas City.
Matt Verderame
5 hours ago
2nd Worst Draft of 2023 … Miami Dolphins … Grade D+
The Dolphins had only four picks, and none are players who are likely to play major snaps in 2023. Miami spent its second-round choice on corner Cam Smith, who adds good value behind veteran stars Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard on the depth chart. Running back Devon Achane could get on the field with Raheem Mostert, perhaps providing Miami’s backfield with more juice.
Still, there’s little upside in the immediate future for the Dolphins, who are trying to compete with the Bills and Jets for the AFC East crown. It’s tough to see how this class gets more than a D+.
His opinion like assholes…
I never heard of this guy.
PFF gave us a B-
Draft network gave us a B- t00. They gave the Jills and Stejs a C+ and the Pets a C-
Naples, picking in the bottom 1/3 of the 1st round, I would take LG Cooper Beebe in a heart beat.
Beebe can play OT and OG. He was the Big 12 OL of the Year. He would have been the best OG in the draft this year had he come out. He’s a beast!
I was playing Madden last night and was getting really frustrated while playing Denver who’s overall rating is much lower than Miami’s (77 to 85 I think)
Wilson was killing me with high percentage quick passes. He kept hitting this #82 guy who I could not keep covered. It was pissing me off until the “announcer” said “Eric Saubert ” with ANOTHER first down! ” I thought to myself “WAIT! That’s the TE we just signed” and I wasn’t as pissed anymore. LOL
Bunch of pictures from yesterday’s practice
https://www.miamidolphins.com/photos/2023-miami-dolphins-offseason-workouts
Bobby Anderson looks like he was “Chosen” to be brillo pad to scrub pots.
Did he really change his name to Chosen? That screams DIVA to me!
yes, unfortunately he did.
You need too be a diva to play WR
No kidding…
I hope Jackson EARNS a new contract this year.
Rock – Saubert ONLY catches passes in Madden. Don’t get too happy. lol
LOL
Fucker was killing me! I know he only has 33 receptions in his entire career, but it seemed like he had that many against me last night!
Last year it was Wilson catching all the passes on EA Sports
I guess he could come in for the play-offs???????
That’s a weird suspension for a UDFA. He’s not likely to be playoff ready. LOL
DT Poona Ford is signing a one-year deal, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports, per a source. Pelissero adds that Ford, 27, turned down more money elsewhere in order to try and win a ring with Buffalo.
—————–
Shoulda took the money! lol
OT Mekhi Becton’s fifth-year option won’t be picked up by the Jets, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports, per a source.
Guys who can’t stay on the field don’t get optioned.
yep
Wish I were there.
We declined options on Iggie and Austin Jackson.
Lol…I think it’s a little late trying to build the OL through theee draft this year. Losing 3 vets leaves us with Hunt next year…maybe Connor Williams resigns. It’s a fucking need…lol
We can probably extend Williams now
Let’s get an OL at 32 in the draft next year as a plug and play rookie in complicated O….with that premise, who gives a shit who we pick at 32 and what our line like…lol
Well if we pick at 32 the Oline wasn’t a big problem now was it?
Kinda my point…lol
Give a man a fish….teach a man to fish….
Get an Oline coach……Teach the offensive line….
For years I have see starting Olinemen playing all across the league that had stops in Miami. Some that got big paydays in free agency after they developed elsewhere.
Could it be that we have had a different system every fucking year for the last decade?
Continuity has been a problem for a long time.
ROFLMAO
😆
From “The Book of Boba Fett”! 😀
Wild way to get a BJ while driving. LOL
Tim, all the way back to the patience brigade.
Yep and that’s why I always drafted OL in our mock drafts, build the friggin thing for the long haul already. LOL
I think the Lions Killed it this draft. Forget the order. They got Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, Hendon Hooker and Brodric Martin in three rounds.
Yessir. I agree that the Lions killed this Draft.
Not to beat a dead horse, but the Outside Blocking Scheme takes a specific type of player to man the O-Line. For one, you’ve got to be fleet of foot and move well. If not, one need not apply. Speed is a plus, but not a must… just be able to pull and attack moving targets while on the run.
Another thing, the OBS isn’t something that can be learned ‘overnight’. It takes time to understand the concepts and how best to execute them in its system. No position on an OBS O-Line is going to be ‘plug-n-play’ from the college ranks unless having already come from that system and KILLING IT in college (RARE AF).
Ever notice how most OBS teams have a FB? There’s a reason for that: most OBS O-Linemen aren’t mauling, SMASHMOUTH players. So in short-yardage sits, the FB makes up for the lack of ‘sand in the pants’ of the fleet-footed O-Linemen.
It’s a movement speed offense which is the opposite of smash mouth. But I love that bubble screens are not a big part of the offense. 🙂
Tim Knight says:
May 2, 2023 at 7:31 pm
Continuity has been a problem for a long time.
————-
And that’s a BINGO, to be sure.
Post draft grades before these prospects even play with their teams are worse than mock drafts. Nobody knows. Teams don’t draft guys because they don’t see something in them. Everyone gets caught up with names on draft lists. If the name is not in your wheel house it’s a bad pick. UDFAs become hall of famers.
And so another draft is in the books. Haven’t seen a single college game or studied a single player, so nothing I could contribute, but there are so many divergent opinions on players, so many busts etc, that I pay it little heed at the time. It always makes me laugh at talking heads dishing grades out like alms to the poor when players haven’t played a single NFL snap. OK. Good luck with that.
I also admit to chuckling at BBM’s self-deprecating comment that he’d wasted the last couple of months of his life doing Mocks! I followed the draft on Twitter the following morning, after our 2nd and 3rd rounders had been picked, by going back to the previous evening and scrolling chronologically. My second chuckle came about 6 picks before our 2nd, and I’ve no idea what triggered this thought, but something made me speculate “I bet we draft a corner”, followed by “can’t wait to catch up with the blog to see the shit going down after that pick”.
And here we are with Mike’s excellent (as always) new blog up complete with picks and UDFAs.
Anyway, a few random relatively uneducated thoughts from this side of the pond (let’s face it, you all have forgotten more about football than I’ve ever known):
Cam pick – what were we missing last year (well – a few things I know but what stood out versus the season before)? For me, it was takeaways. Well guess what – “Cam is always around the ball”. It obviously doesn’t need mentioning that our secondary was a MASH unit by season’s end either.
I know everyone had a shopping list of TEs too and ranked them in order. I’m guessing Higgins was on no one’s list in the whole US? then I saw this.
He’s pretty quick. a decent catcher and I can see him being Gesicki 2.0 without the blemishes and a very good red zone target. Whether he is or not remains to be seen.
I know CK isn’t everyone’s cup of tea here either, but I found this thread very interesting. Read it all.
Piggy alluded to some of this recently and one thing that struck me, is that the “old way” of thinking, both in terms of prototypes and roles (a la Parcell) is not how this franchise is thinking with Coach CoolMac and Fangio at the helm. I know it’s a tired cliche from talking heads, but mismatches are definitely what this franchise is looking to create and one facet of this, as Tim amongst others has mentioned, is speed.
I like what they are trying to achieve. Aggressive D and fastest O on turf. I never take the cheese any more, but this season promises to at least be fun, even if we don’t make it to the promised land.
This can’t be real? I know there is a frighteningly long selection of coffees to choose from in Starbucks, but really? Is it that scary?
It is real….lol. Better safe than sorry!
So when someone asks me if I want an extra shot I should say no?
KNOW your audience….lol
Is this Rock out with his son?
LOL
I don’t have any children UK
Me neither – just made me laugh with Greer (wrong spelling) on the back of the jersey.
Couple of late ones on this
This made me laugh
Part of having a shitty OL is having shitty OCs that have been turned over every 2-3 years affecting philosophy, scheme, fits, needs. I get that. Winning is a formula to correct that. Protecting the QB is a formula for winning. The best teams do.
And I know quite a few of you like sharks and all things related to sharks (and stupidity) so enjoy the double dip
https://twitter.com/crazyclipsonly/status/1651262361238478848?s=20
Now there’s a case where the gene pool is weak. It’s probably best…lol.
That was a Nurse Shark. Probably one of the least aggressive. I would not be afraid of one if I came by it snorkeling. However, if there is food in the water, they are sharks.
This group seemed peckish …………. even though there wasn’t much meat on the bone!
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/a22113514/instagram-model-bitten-by-a-shark-as-she-posed-for-pictures/
I am sure those Nurse sharks are used to humans and probably been hand fed. I’m sure the shark though she looked tasty.
One thing to watch for with Devon Achane will be whether the Dolphins are cross-training him with the WRs during training camp.
Remember once upon a time Tyreek Hill was a RB at Oklahoma State and took 102 carries for 534 yards as the RB2 behind Desmond Roland.
——————————
I said the exact same thing after we drafted Achane.
Interesting stat on Higgins. Thanks UK!
If he can translate it to the NFL, he’s projected right up there with Kittle. It’s all up to him though.
👍
I think the ‘4 x 100’ relay package of plays could be a thing, lol…..
Has there ever been a team with 4-4.3 playmakers on the field at the same time? Two deep threats, one in the slot, and one out of the backfield….that seems scary. WTF do I know?
And if you add to that the ball is coming out in probably 2s +/- a heartbeat from Tua (of he’s going into the concussion protocol again 😉), then one mis-step from a defender and “pow” – it’s gone for 7. What MadMac is putting together is the equivalent of an offensive hydra. Whichever head you try to cut off, there’ll be another waiting to bite you.
Seems they grade the draft by what a team did with the picks they had
With that said, we had 4 picks and did what we could with those 4, so we mostly got a decent grade
Other teams in our division had lots of picks, didn’t seem to kill the individual picks, so their grades were lower, in the end however their draft classes brought significantly more talent to their teams
What I’m getting at is don’t confuse draft grade with how the draft improves a team
Which halfwit decided this would make good tv? Smh. The receipts people will have a field day.
Receipts people?
Don’t know what you’re trying to say, but I don’t pay much attention to these beauty pageant opinions
When Brady was winning his early SBs they were talking about how he couldn’t be compared to Montana
Look at X, his reputation got him a PB nod, even though he wasn’t close to as good as he was in his early years, before he made a PB
They call them talking heads for reason
There’s a group called “we kept Tuas’ reciepts” or something of that ilk and they keep screenshots and save everything which disses Tua waiting to ram it down the detractors’ throats. At season’s end lets see is their board still looks like that based on performance!
Most sports media will say Tua just needs to stay healthy, this guy seems to be a year behind
https://www.nfl.com/news/raheem-mostert-hc-mike-mcdaniel-apologetic-dolphins-didn-t-run-the-ball-enough-l
Achane might be what Edmonds was supposed to be last year, he looked good in PS, then fell off a cliff
Edmonds danced too much. Achane sticks foot in ground and ignites skinny through the crease. That’s what this offense is designed for.
He’s also a lot faster than Edmunds.
2023 NFL Draft: Why Georgia TE Darnell Washington fell to Steelers in the third round
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-why-georgia-te-darnell-washington-fell-to-steelers-in-the-third-round/
He fell right off my board due to stiffness.
I also mentioned that Washington reminds me of a classic Stealers* TE, upon switching my pick @ 51 to Luke Musgrave. I guess I wasn’t wrong! 🙂
Yep you were right.
I know what y’all mean, and others have called Elijah Gesicki 2.0 as well, but that’s cause you liked Gesicki. I did too.
But I guarantee that McDaniel doesn’t think of him that way. Because he never liked Gesicki’s game for this offense and only used him when forced to.
I think he has a vision for the new guy that will maximize his skillset as is depicted in the graph cited above.
I’ve never compared Elijah Higgins to Gesicki. I see some DOG in Higgins… something Gesicki never had.
Yep
And that’s not a diss to Gesicki, it’s just that some players have that DOG in them… Gesicki never showed that ‘grit-n-grind’ to ever be an in-line blocker.
Gesicki is what he is: another man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and he’s an elite seam threat and redzone TE.
Even though Gesicki always goes down on first contact! LOL
F1 Miami Grand Prix is this weekend if you wanted to take at a look at how the stadium is transfixed to accommodate the race. Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of how the construction is coming along for the big Tennis facility that we saw at the Fest.
Transformed. The stadium has always been transfixed 😝
Thank you Lou Grant
I don’t get it…. Who is Lou Grant? 🙄
The editor on Mary Tyler Moore played by Ed Asner
Who?
Michigan vs Michigan State in camp this year
Hayes vs Horst
Both Tackles looking for a spot
That should make for a healthy competition
Higgins is much more fluid than Gesicki. He can run more types of routes too. But as a 6th round hybrid he’s got work to do to find his role. It would be great if he pans out in the vision the coaches have for him.
Nah, I don’t agree with Higgins being much more ‘fluid’ than Gesicki, being Gesicki is one of the most fluid TEs in the NFL.
What’s your definition of fluid?
You can cut and stop and get up to speed to make moves, not like a baby horse. LOL
I think we agree on the same matter… but cutting, stopping, and COD aren’t what I would call “fluid” in motion. It’s semantics, nothing more.
Gesicki is clunky to me fluid means smooth.
A very wise person once told me that it’s not important to try to get the best people onto the bus; it’s more important to get the right people onto the bus.
According to what I’m reading, our FO went out and found men who will fit in and be our type of guy.
Achane and Higgins were certainly chosen for a niche their talent fills, but also for really being a guy who will mesh well in his room.
But apparently it extends to the FAs they brought in.
The following from dolphins.com
is about Jerome Baker and him talking about the new LB.
The 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee Baker has the sixth-most career tackles of any player in the 2018 NFL Draft class and has started 70 games since entering the league.
Baker is getting excited about seeing a new face in linebacker David Long Jr. at practice and in meetings every day.
“Man, he fits right in,” Baker said. “His personality, everything he does, he just fits right. I’m excited. He came in and he just strictly wanted to work and just get each other better. And man, he’s been doing that. Communication has been on point.”
It’s evident the players not only enjoy the work they put in, but who they’re working with as well.
About working with Fangio:
… under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. For Baker, the early returns suggest a system that will bring out the best in his game.
“It gives me some freedom to just go out there and just play ball,” Baker said. “Sometimes I ask ‘what’s the rule on this?’ And he kind of gives me like, ‘it’s not really a rule, it’s kind of a go play ball.’ So things like that for a player, just to have that freedom, I’ve been playing ball for a long time. So it’s one of those things of, I know what I’m doing. It’s kind of he gives me the freedom to make a play and I’m excited for that.”
sound like they are not being coached when I read this from Baker and others too.
They’re not being coached?
“just go play” Not, well, if this guy is leaning this way then you know, blah, blah. You know…Coaching
You guys watch Will Trent on CBS? I like it. Good show. Just watched season one finale
Who?
Detective series. Guy is dyslexic and can’t read, but has learned how to fake it and uses his other heightened mental abilities to solve crimes. (but he’s a tweeky dickhead some times.)
mf13ss says:
May 3, 2023 at 4:03 pm
I also mentioned that Washington reminds me of a classic Stealers* TE, upon switching my pick @ 51 to Luke Musgrave. I guess I wasn’t wrong! 🙂
****
If you mean some one like Heath Miller – that’s sort of exactly what I wa shooing to draft
Yup, and same here!
This is a fascinating clip to study.
Wilkins tried a looping stunt but the center and RB double teamed him and then the LG came over to help out just as Wilkins bounced off the initial double and tried to set his feet to go again.
Tunsil neutralized Sieler, although Sieler then jumped up into the throwing lane, forcing the QB to pull his arm back and try to reload.
Baker beat the RG on a speed rush inside, then smacked the QB while he was looking at Sieler jumping up. The ball came out into the arms of the RG.
Chubb beat the RT a little too late for a sack but was in position to help Sieler tackle the RG before he could take two steps.
Phillips came sailing up from shallow coverage unblocked with a bead on the ball carrier.
Man, that’s a helluva lot of DL talent right there.
I see a lot a people salty about Elijah Higgins because there were so many TE’s available. Could be they use him as a swiss army knife / weapon? I hate to make a Deebo Samuel comparison, because, frankly it’s thin soup, but they could see a multi kind of guy there. Who knows? It’s nice to think of casually while waiting for the season to start anyway.
not sure he’ll be running end arounds like Deebo, but yeah you nailed it.
The LB philosophy of life:
See ball, hit ball.
See ball fast, hit ball hard.
PS: We don’t need no other f”n rules.
We got a fast quick “weapon” and a big strong “weapon”
But the FN 49rs took my kicker.
Rock – there are so many ways to look at Higgins, and the fact that we didn’t take Darnell Washington or a different TE early. They took a chance on a 6th RD pick. Hopefully he gives them the run after catch that Kittle gave the Niners, but he’s been a very inconsistent pass catcher and not known to have good hands. While he’s a willing blocker, he doesn’t have the size, or the arm length and blocking ability Washington has. I think Higgins has potential though so I’m excited to see what he can do.
He’s more of a Darren Waller type than a traditional TE.
There ya go.
Not to be too silly about it, but the 9ers prototype for Elijah Higgins is Jauan Jennings. He is also 6 ft. 3 and a solid 212, but our guy is faster and already weighs 230, and he can put on 15 pounds easy.
A 245 pound slot receiver is a deadly missile against DBs.
Jennings was a 7th round pick when McDaniel was there that made the team and contributed right away.
Here are some of the comments to his highlight reel:
>>>
He done turned into MR.Firstdown‼️
WR group next year gonna be fun to watch…wish we coulda kept scherfield as well….
He could be a running back he can break tackles and catch wow hes very much like deebo we will probably use jet sweeps with him since Deebo doesn’t want to run the ball
love this dude he is an amazing player… I call him Mr CLUTCH
>>>
Watch how McDaniel used him.
Sheer genius of a playbook so the players that the defense would naturally assign to cover that slot receiver position would have a lousy chance of success with that player.
McDaniel already has these plays in his I Pad, ready to teach them to a very smart kid.
What this new TE reminds me of is when we had David Martin.
That guy was smooth as silk going down the seams, just cruising,
too fast for LBs to stay tight to his route
but a nightmare for DBs both to cover that height and tackle that weight.
It would be awesome if Higgins could get as good as David Martin was.
That’s a good comparison, I forgot about David Martin.
PS:
Jennings ran a 4.72 40,
whereas Higgins ran a 4.54.
So he should be able to get open just as well on those same patterns.
Deebo ran a 4.48.
That is a very different speed there.
Overview
While teams might see him as a big possession receiver with limitations, he appears to have the necessary tools to become a dynamic F tight end with the ability to work all three levels of the field. Higgins has average ball skills but can run a more robust route tree than most tight ends. Also, he has the frame and technique to be an adequate run blocker in space. He might never be more than a backup at receiver but could blossom for an offense ready to plug him into two tight end sets.
Strengths
Big slot receiver with potential to become a pass-catching tight end.
Will rough up crowding coverage at the top of the route.
Runs routes with rhythmic feet and well-timed breaks.
Breaks out patterns with crisp cuts and tight angles.
Consistently creates room to throw for quarterbacks.
Has speed to attack the seam with success.
Elusive after the catch with a runner’s field vision.
Gets into blocks with strong grasp and balanced base.
btw
David Martin was from
University of Tennessee, same as Jauan Jennings.
David Martin was also drafted in the 6th round (Packers).
He was 6’4 and about 260 though, so he was a bigger player.
He’s the TE coach at Maryville College now at age 44.
But Higgins ran a 4.54. That is pretty fast for a TE.
Martin only ran a 4.76 when he was young and only 242 pounds.
I think Higgins might be a much better receiver than Darnell Washington
But my whole point of view pre-draft was we didn’t need an additional receiver and instead wanted to help the OL via a blocking type of TE
So I guess I was wrong
That’s a first
😉
Anyway I’m not complaining, I just enjoy trying to predict these things
Some day I’ll be right….
Ok first ok
Those five or six runningbacks that are selling insurance now never happened lol
You laugh but the people at geicko are very happy I sent them lache seastrunks resume
Changing a players position takes time and has more of a chance to bust, and shouldn’t be done with an early pick unless there’s something elite there
Higgins taken in the 6th, moving to TE has huge upside, not much risk
Iggy switching positions is fine, just don’t use a 1st
Very little risk taking a TE in RD 6. I just hope the lack of talent at that position doesn’t bite us in the ass. I don’t love what we have right now with Smythe, Saubert, Conner and Higgins. Someone there is going to have to step up big time. Hope it happens.
Higgins speed is the same as Tannehill.
May the 4th be with you
“8 athletes made at least $100 million in total earnings over past 12 months…”
Top 3 are ⚽️ players, a few 🏀 players, and 2 🏌️♂️’s from blood money….interesting, I thought.
Tim Knight says:
May 3, 2023 at 9:11 pm
He’s more of a Darren Waller type than a traditional TE.
Maybe receiving (wishful thinking, but yeah that mold), but Waller is no blocker
For Ken:
The Dolphins brought veteran offensive lineman Cam Fleming in for a visit the week before the draft, and have had exploratory conversations with the agents for a number of veteran offensive linemen, and that includes Pugh.
THE POSITIVES OF A POTENTIAL PUGH PURSUIT
Pugh, who will turn 33 in August, has spent most of his career playing guard. He spent the past four seasons playing left guard specifically, which is a position of concern considering Liam Eichenberg’s struggles last season. But Pugh began his NFL career as a right tackle with the New York Giants.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/veteran-o-lineman-makes-pitch-to-join-miami-dolphins/ar-AA1aBvaP?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=960ae1c0373b4be796853a49fe2c9c94&ei=11
He is coming off an ACL injury suffered in week 5 though.
I heard the comparisons with Higgins and Jauan Jennings after the draft, watching the highlight reel above Naples posted I don’t see it at all, except their height
More wishful thinking by whoever made the comparison
For those who think CB wasn’t a need. We are in cap hell next year with our top 6 players on the books for over 154 mil (Tyreek over 30 mil). Two CB’s in Ramsey and X are on the books for 53.1 mil.
With the post June 1 cut on Byron Jones, we have another 10 mil in dead cap on him in 2024.
We do have an out clause in X’s contract after the 2023 season. Which, post June 1 would clear 14.5 mil but have a 15.7 mil dead cap hit in 2025.
A no brainer is Cedric Wilson. If he is not traded by the trade deadline, we can save 7.3 mil with only 1 mil dead cap in 2024. Doesn’t matter if it were pre or post June 1.
We also have an out clause with Ogbah after 2023 where we would save 13.8 mil with 4 mil dead cap in 2024 pre June 1 or save 15.8 mil with 2 mil dead cap in 2024 and 2025.
I think Ogbah and Wilson could be on the chopping block next year.
I’ve mentioned in the past teams don’t always draft for the current year, with our salary cap issues, this could be exactly the reason Cam was drafted
Could be secondary too, no pun intended, to what Fangio asked for
Either way BPA brings us a good football player
From Brady to Mahomes: OT Donovan Smith signing 1-year deal with Chiefs worth up to $9M
—————
There goes another good UFA tackle.
And, look at the QBs he’s protecting….some teams care.
Do we have 9m to spend?
It’s not like we’re the only team looking for OL help and just because another team signed him doesn’t mean we could’ve
duh….and you missed the point. Oh well.
Nice!
Just as we hate hearing about Brady, Jackson, Watson and every other qb that’s been rumored to us, we also hate hearing about the OL
2 years ago the OL was a disaster, last year it was middle of the pack even with the injuries, a huge improvement
We really haven’t done much this year directly with the OL, but we have indirectly
Building a top D will allow the offense to play more ball control, so we should see more rushing attempts, which will help alleviate some of the pressure on Tua
Adding slot wrs like Berrios and Chosen, will help move the chains
The TE additions of Higgins and Saubert will help with run blocking and disguising pass vs run
Last year we didn’t use the run enough, our D couldn’t get off the field, Gesicki, all of this put undue pressure on the OL and unmasked their shortcomings
This year the plan is to help the OL by stop putting them in bad situations
LOL…. I “hate”…3 and outs and 3rd and longs…
If you can’t stay on the field and protect your QB, that’s an issue! Keep ignoring the OL due to your hate of hearing about it….lol.
I will say, coaching certainly helped the OL last year, so did scheme, yet all 3 of our QBs got clobbered last year and our rookie QB was representing in the playoffs and HE was hurt, too. I know the argument…..it’s ALL the QBs’ fault for not knowing how to fall properly….hate away…lol.
Another cool one
👍
National Fan recognition
Just some rando, but it’s still nice to see. LOL
That’s exactly where we should be – 3
The most debateable part of ranking is 3 is whether we should be 4 ir not behind the bills 1 but given the bills history of choking, our productive off-season and the final playoff game bc the bills – I think we deserve to be ranked above them
Where did this dipshit go to school
How the hell would any of us know that
So I had a Dolphins in the SB dream last night. We were leading most of the game but fell behind 23-17 with 1:30 on the clock. We get the ball deep in our territory after a bad kick return. Tua throw deep to Mark Duper (it was a dream ok) results in a PI call and we are in business. We eventually get a first and goal. On 4th down at the Tua is picked in the end zone and I wake up in a cold sweat
Don’t eat the cheese. Physically and metaphorically. 😉
But I love cheese 🧀
Then you have to embrace 4th down game-losing picks in the SB. No one said life was fair 🤣
Here’s a product of our no consequences world
https://www.distractify.com/p/french-man-tub-orbeez
May the 4th be you!!!
*May the 4th be with you!!!
Nice and they have good cheese
Darth Maul? 😉
https://twitter.com/buitengebieden/status/1654146877841874947
LOL, NICE!
https://dolphinnation.com/2023/05/03/former-dolphins-defender-asked-peyton-manning-to-tell-nfl-to-lower-his-fine-after-breaking-his-jaw/
Seemed clean
Mr Bill strikes again😜
https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/05/04/bill-belichick-patriots-steelers-trade-just-to-f-the-jets
Too bad Judge Sluggo (Goodell) generally rules in favor of Mr. Bill.
Krishna,
Allow me to be clearer than most. We have roughly just under $2.8M in cap space left to spend at the moment. Until Byron Jones’ $10M comes off the books on June 1st, we really don’t have the money to sign a legit O-Lineman.
As of June 1st, we’ll have roughly $12.8M to spend.
And remember, there will be surprise cuts coming in the future. Right now is the time to be patient (we have no choice) to see what falls off the trees.
Again, missing my point….but that’s ok. You can be as a clear as you want about a topic I’m not even addressing….lol…only the two of you–seems like one of those, look over there arguments.
Not a Vader fan
https://twitter.com/buitengebieden/status/1654208089434775553
3 takeaways from the Dolphins’ 2023 draft class
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James Trefry
May 4, 2023 8:00 am ET
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The 2023 NFL draft has concluded after seven rounds and 259 players selected. The Miami Dolphins had four picks this year, selecting three players on offense and one on defense.
With a limited number of picks, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel had to be precise on who they chose to draft. Deciding who to draft often comes down to whether or not a team views themselves as a contender.
Miami has made it no secret their goal is to win now, and it appears they did a good job selecting players for the near future.
Here are three main takeaways from the Dolphins’ 2023 draft class:
Addressing team needs
The Dolphins had needs at tight end and offensive line going into the offseason. Miami signed tight end Eric Saubert and interior offensive lineman Dan Feeney as free agents, but it was obvious they still needed depth.
The last two picks of the draft were used on tight end Elijah Higgins in the sixth round and offensive tackle Ryan Hayes in the seventh.
Higgins could play a role in the offense this season as a receiving tight end. He’s a highly-capable playmaker who can do damage anywhere on the field. If he can acclimate himself to the pro game, he’ll be a valuable option out of the slot for Tua Tagovailoa.
Hayes has played most of his career at the tackle position while the Dolphins currently have a need at guard, but he’s expressed a willingness to transition if necessary.
Regardless of where the Dolphins decide to play Hayes, offensive line depth will be a factor in how this season plays out.
Strategic decision-making
When the Dolphins finally had a chance to be on the clock at No. 51, they selected cornerback Cam Smith out of South Carolina. This left some fans puzzled since the Dolphins already addressed their secondary this offseason with the Jalen Ramsey trade.
Smith’s abilities are enticing for the NFL game. He’s an elite athlete who allowed a 37% completion percentage a season ago. The only concern would be his weight (180 pounds), as he could be too small for physical receivers and running backs.
Smith will be coached by experienced defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The fundamentals Smith needs work on to become an elite pro will surely be a focal point as the season approaches.
It was unlikely Smith would have fallen to the Dolphins next pick, so they had to take him 51st overall. This was Miami’s first pick of the draft and probably most important for the upcoming season. Smith is someone the Dolphins view as a player they can develop into a starter.
Good value
The Dolphins were able to select players who arguably could have been taken earlier in the draft.
Smith at pick No. 51 is an athletic cornerback coming into a league where teams run three or more wide receivers consistently. Teams often find themselves reaching for corners in the early rounds.
A player who’s been widely regarded as a steal is the speedy running back, Devon Achane. The Dolphins selected Achane in the third round at pick No. 84. Achane ran for a career-high 1,102 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry at Texas A&M last year.
Achane also made some noise on special teams as a kick returner, as he returned 20 kicks for the Aggies over the last two seasons, totaling 613 yards, 30.7 yards per return. Two of his returns were taken to the end zone. Special teams could be the quickest way Achane sees the field in 2023.
Achame ran a 4.32-second 40-time which was the fastest of any offensive players at this year’s combine. The Dolphins’ offense is shaping up to be one of the fastest the league has ever seen.
Follow the Dolphins at Dolphins Wire, and the best local South Florida news, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to The Palm Beach Post.
I love the last sentence in this article… lol…holy shit!
“Follow the Dolphins at Dolphins Wire, and the best local South Florida news, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to The Palm Beach Post.”
This sentence? What’s to love? 😂🤪
In the article…you know better…lol
I agree with most of this article, and most of you…lol
Lol…let’s try a different approach.
Asset protection, asset security, asset worth.
Sometimes, lol, you buy insurance or structure an environment that protects your investment. Sometimes you don’t.
Risk is a multi-faceted measurement/assessment/analysis.
In football, if we don’t protect our most valuable asset, we increase our risk of loss of that asset. In football, the risk of losing your most valuable asset without protection means you’re ‘playing with fire.’
Or, since if you’re not risk adverse and you believe in your system, then plug and play any QB you see fit.
Can’t wait to see how we open the season. Lot’s of work to do, imo, and hopefully, we get it done.
I must be mis-remembering….
Brady always seemed to be at tea party when passing…
Mahomes lost a Super Bowl with OL battered and starters missing, and then somehow won when his OL was complete the next year..
…I hate that realization…lol!
I feel like as every DL signs an extension, it’s going to cost more for Wilkins.
He’s my favorite it! LOL
Big boy shoes…lol
#Maddenfuckthisgame
I keep putting up facts/history about the importance of OL and get less than crickets…lmao
Instead, I get “hate” and condescending bullshit….ok.
STFU…lol
The blog can be a lonely place sometimes
For me personally I’m fine with whatever Coach sees fit to go with, second year in the system with talented players and coaches. And SPEED so much speed. I like our chances of a very successful season.
There you go…
The wife and I are enjoying a nice round of covid. Not the worst sick I’ve ever been, not even close, but I have been suffering an odd symptom. My entire torso is hypersensitive, as if it were covered in bruises. Any light touch on my chest or back hurts. Makes laying in bed uncomfortable, or even sitting on a couch, which is the sum total of all I’ve been doing for the last few days, lol.
Hope you recover quickly
Oh no, sorry to hear that. I hope you both are back to normal soon. I did think it was the worst. My taste still isn’t back all the way. I didn’t even know that was still a thing, so 2020, but I couldn’t taste a thing for weeks.
Thanks, guys. 🙂
I’m not lonely, for sure….lol. And, I do trust what McD sees. And, I’m patient, for sure, until I’m not…lol. Protect your QB.
I hope Grier is on it…