The two guys above are very busy working on one of their most important undertakings together as GM and Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins, their very first NFL Draft. This would be the case for any new GM and Head Coach, but for these two and specifically for the Miami Dolphins, it’s exponentially more important due to the roster needs, and the cap restrictions former GM Chris Grier has left the Miami Dolphins with. Both are well aware that they will need to build this team back through the draft, so while this exercise is always important, both Sully and Haf know they need to hit on many of their picks because these players will be the foundation of the team.
I have to admit, that whenever I get to listed to either Jeff Hafley or Jon Eric Sullivan, I come away feeling positive and impressed, and very hopeful that they are up to the task ahead of them, and a huge task it is. Despite the fact that they will get a mulligan for this season, they are building a team in their image. What makes me so optimistic is hearing over and over and strenuously reinforced, that the two men tasked with this rebuild are completely in lockstep in doing this. Now this doesn’t mean that they make each other redundant, they might have differing opinions on certain things, but both completely respect each other and are completely willing to work together to accomplish their goal. When I hear HC Jeff Hafley talking to Mike Florio, and why he came here and took the job of Head Coach for the Miami Dolphins, he spoke of “Alignment”, and he meant alignment with new GM Jon Eric Sullivan, the opportunity to join him and the Miami Dolphins organization. This was once a proud NFL Franchise, and these two gentlemen seem hellbent on making that once again a reality in South Florida and the NFL.
As both Sully and Haf are at the NFL Combine right now, the underwear olympics are in full throttle with the DL and LB’ sand K’s already doing their part. Today, DL and LB’s will do their bench press while DB’s and TE’s will do their workouts such as 40’s and other drills. Lord knows we need players that will come in and not only compete for a starting job but be successful if they are drafted. We truly have so many holes you wouldn’t be wrong if you said the most important position is EDGE, CB, OL, S, TE. All of the above are important, and since the likelihood is that QB Tua Tagovailoa will either be traded or cut, you can add QB to the list, being we have only QB’s Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller on the roster, and once again, very little cap money to spend on a QB. Despite the persistent talk of QB Malik Willis to Miami, I just don’t buy any of it. Whether the salary rumors are completely accurate or not, Malik Willis can probably get paid NOW, and like most players, he will go where that can be done. I just don’t believe we’re in any position to once again dole out $25-30M annually at the QB position right now.
There were some impressive performances yesterday at the combine, a few EDGE players and LB’s ran very well to help themselves, notably EDGE Arvell Reese 4.46, EDGE David Bailey 4.50, and LB’s Sonny Styles 4.46 and Kaleb Elarms-Orr 4.47. All these players mentioned will be doing their bench press today, and that will further give a picture of just what kind of athlete these players are, besides of course the more important game tape they have accumulated during their college careers. That is first and foremost, though we all fall in love with the elite 40 times and 10 yard shuttles and broad jumps and vertical leaps. As Randy pointed just a day or so ago, 2022 2nd RD pick LB Channing Tindall. 4.47 40, 42″ vertical leap, 10’9 Broad Jump, all very impressive, equal to the best performers this year, but his play tape was so far below all the best of this year’s draft and even his own draft in 2022, and just think how important is was for us to make a strong selection in that draft when we had no 1st RD pick, and only 4 total picks, a 2, 4, and two 7’s. Randy reminded of us how great an athlete Tindall was, but how lost he was on the field. Listening to Hafley describe what a Miami Dolphins player will be, Tindall was the complete opposite. He wants players that played football, love football, and players that will last in any climate and all 4 quarters of the game. I can’t wait to see how we do!
Just a quick note to all our bloggers here, but specifically the Admins. I’d like to point out without calling anyone out that YES, I notice the absence of many of our Admins, and that I’m concerned. I know Twice has never been a full time participant, but Ken, Sonny, Herd and not one of the Admins but always a pretty strong participant here, Stanger, has also been long absent. If there’s an issue with my content here, or anything you’d like to change, I’d love to hear it. More importantly, I miss all of you and miss your presence here. If there’s anything you want to say and you don’t want to say it here, I believe you all have my number, so either shoot me a text or if you want it said out here in this forum, go right ahead and do so.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Foist?
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do
Two can be as bad as one. It’s the loneliest number after number one.
💯💥
Hey Mike E – I truly appreciate everything you do to keep this place running – I know you aren’t looking for accolades, but sincerely thank you for the time you put in. I think your articles are all great and I wouldn’t suggest changing anything with what you do.
Speaking for myself, it’s been increasingly difficult to get into the details of all things Dolphins as the organization has left me with dwindling belief over each succeeding year that things will get better. Could be true for others as well – I don’t know. But it certainly makes it tougher to follow them especially offseason.
Having said that, this is the only place I go to anymore for anything Dolphins related, as I trust what you and others here have to say, and appreciate how everyone dives into the important details much more than national or even local media do. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts here on football and Dolphins related things. I’d contribute more but sometimes I’m just not up to speed enough on the discussions to add anything.
From a tech standpoint, I know WordPress can be a PITA sometimes. Not too much I can do there as it isn’t open source, but if there’s anything with the layout of everything of that nature, I can change things up on that front if anyone has requests.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Thanks for the feedback, and definitely not looking for any flattery, just anything I can do to bring some folks back here. I know you’ve always been busy so I completely get that. What I can say about the Dolphins is that the steps they have made have been long overdue, and I am literally the most optimistic about this team than I have been in a long time. Hang in there Jeff, I see good things happening for this team. It’s going to take a while to see it translate in the standings, but the tandem of Sully and Haf look all the world like excellent hires.
Thanks – I know I’m not saying anything deep or profound with this next statement, but I guess the draft will be the first big indicator to me of if they finally ‘get it’. Like many others here, I feel they need to focus on the trenches and toughen up. Not going anywhere without those two things in place. It’s football – not tiddlywinks.
Thanks Mike!
NFL salary cap officially set at $301.2M
———-
That really sucks! They were projecting more. With our cap, not just every million matters but in our case every 100k matters. With the cap at this # we currently have about 880K in cap space.
Kenyon Sadiq measured in at only 6’3 241
You never hear Sadiq being called a small TE but hear it all the time when people talk about Eli Stowers. Stowers measured in taller than Sadiq at 6’4 and only 2 pounds lighter at 239. lol
TE Sam Roush 6’6 267 but T-Rex arms at 30 5/8″
Ponds with a 43 1/2 vertical jump. Impressive!!!
Beer to you
Hopefully CB Devin Moore 4.55 and CB Masses 4.56 run a little faster the second go around.
De’Angelo Ponds came in at 5’9 182 with a 43.5″ vertical though I guess he is not running today.
Moore with a 4.50 and Masses a 4.46
That’s much better
Not watching it, but looks like neither CB’s Delane or McCoy are running today. Anyone know if that’s the case?
Looks to be the case. Same with Ponds. Ponds only did the vertical.
They are completing the second round of running so no they are waiting until their pro days it would appear.
The small school CB I like in the 5th round Charles Demmings is crushing his combine.
BBMike – I guess when you know you’re coming off the board as the #1 and #2 CB’s, you’re in the catbird seat. You have a bad day and run a 4.6, it can only hurt you, so for them, the best thing to do is run at their pro day.
True
I just heard that Delane was excited to meet with Haf. Coach tried to recruit Delane while he was at BC.
It’s just nice to hear a top player excited to meet with the Dolphins. LOL
LOL! I’m sure they say about all the girls, uhh, coaches. lol
Wow! How about Kentucky DT David Gusta at 6’2 308 running a 4.88 40 and putting up 37 reps in the bench press?
Yeah, I had to look him up. Seems he has a poor tackling grade. His 2025 missed tackle rate was the highest it’s been his whole 4yr college career and he only played in 7 games.
Safety McNeil-Warren not having the greatest combine. Kilgore doing very well.
seems like a really good prospect
CB Malik Muhammad had a good day too from what I read
Looks like it
Dillon Theineman also had a good day
Not something I thought I would see but 4 of the 5 fastest DB’s today were safeties. I thought Stukes was a CB though. They have him in the safety group.
Kenyon Sadiq with a 4.40. Impressive!!!
It is!
He did come in smaller than I thought he would be.
His 10 yard split was not very good.
So, he’s fast but lacks in explosiveness/short area acceleration.
TE Sam Roush with a 4.70 forty at 6’6 267 is not bad with a 38.5 vertical.
I mentioned TE Matthew Hibner a while back. He measured 6’4 251 with a 4.57 forty and tied for 1st in the split at 1.56 sec.
TE Hibner is growing on me. This is one of my fav clips on him. He’s only about 2 yards ahead of 2 DB’s and outruns them for 70 yards on an 80 yard TD reception.
Never mind on Sadiq. Something must have went wrong on that first split because he crushed the second go around with a 1.54 which is now the fastest split time.
Nice write, Mike! Sully and Haf seem to understand the right way but they were handed a situation that forces them to do it the right way which could be a blessing in disguise. Sully said we have to build with youth as much as we can to create a new culture. Then add players in FA that add to that.
Sadiq with an official 4.39. BTW, he’s very similar in size to Vernon Davis, so I wouldn’t worry about that.
Whoever is the BPA on our board when we’re up if we don’t trade down I’m fine with. Need picks will happen along the way.
Dillon Thieneman made himself some $$$ today, while EMW may have lost a little $$$ today.
I’d be extremely happy to draft either guy.
It would be Downs #1, Thieneman as #2a, EMW as #2b, and Haulcy #3. I would be thrilled with any of those 4 or even Kilgore/Wheatley in the late 3rd.
Damn, Eli Stowers!!!!! …Vert 45.5 and long 11’3″!!!!
That’s Cam Wake-ish!!!
D’Angelo Ponds… I see a little bit of Brent Grimes to him with that 43.5″ VJ! I hope he chooses to run at his Indiana pro day. Just realized he’s a Miami native.
I’ve been starting to take him in the second round in most mocks if I don’t take Delane in the first.
I really like his Football IQ and he studies film a lot.
He’s definitely a STUD. Only thing I don’t like about him is his diminutive height (5’9″)… can’t see him playing on the boundary in the NFL… but they said the same thing about Brent Grimes @ 5’10”. Both cats can LEAP.
My bad… I thought Grimes was 5’10”. He was 5’9″ as well.
Something about Kenyon Sadiq? His drop rate in ’25 was 10.5%. That’s… abysmal.
For comparison’s sake, Eli Stower’s drop rate was middle of the road in ’25 with 6.1%.
And Dallen Bentley? Drop rate of 0% on 76 targets.
Sorry, I’m not nearly as high on Sadiq as others may be. He’s certainly a physical specimen, but he leaves a lot to be desired as a 1st round pick in terms of production and lack thereof.
Lorenzo Styles Jr. (Sonny’s brother) ran a 4.27 40. Wow.
That family has SPEED in their DNA. I see Lorenzo is a Safety.
Prospect Grade for Lorenzo Styles
5.67
Candidate For Bottom Of Roster Or Practice Squad
It just occurred to me that OSU has a very real chance of having FOUR players picked in the top 10. That’s insane
Insane indeed! Let’s hope we can get there at PSU now that Franklin is gone.
Reese, Styles, Downs and who else?
Tate?
I think Rueben Bain Jr. might be our pick at #11 if we stay there because he’ll fall because of short arms. He’s a relentless player who plays the run well and gets after the QB. Him and Chop on the edges with the rotation of Sieler and the young DTs in Grant, Phillips and Biggers inside is a good start for Haf.
Mike E
Your content sucks. I am just here waiting for you to start writing about all the victories and great players that are our Miami Dolphins!
I’ll keep waiting! 😂
Seriously. This is my one stop shop for the Phins. It’s because of you keeping the articles coming and the great thoughts and posts and links by everyone here. I hope all would agree that you are not running anyone off. Dolphins stink and people just lose interest in them.
4.27…..wow
let’s draft them both and call our defense “Miami Style”
nfl draft buzz haz Lorenzo styles ranked the 95th best db and a like UDFA….
My Draft Picks
11.
David BaileyEDGE Texas Tech
44.
Anthony Hill Jr.LB Texas
75.
Malik MuhammadCB Texas
87.
Olaivavega IoaneOG Penn State
91.
Ja’Kobi LaneWR USC
103.
Jalon KilgoreS South Carolina
111.
Eli RaridonTE Notre Dame
158.
Sawyer RobertsonQB Baylor
200.
Diego PoundsOT Ole Miss
221.
Xavier NwankpaS Iowa
Tim Knight
says:
February 27, 2026 at 9:48 pm
I think Rueben Bain Jr. might be our pick at #11 if we stay there because he’ll fall because of short arms. He’s a relentless player who plays the run well and gets after the QB. Him and Chop on the edges with the rotation of Sieler and the young DTs in Grant, Phillips and Biggers inside is a good start for Haf.
———–
I think that IF the Combine dramatically changes the minds of NFL GMs, they shouldn’t be NFL GMs. YES(!)… there’s a certain (x) amount from the Combine that needs to be digested. But at the end of the day, you draft a player for his results on the field… not in underwear. The Combine should serve to check the tape again.
We see it every year: underwhelming Combine performances where the tape does not lie about a stud player. Conversely, overwhelming Combine performances where the tape does not lie about a dud player.
T-Rex-sized arms and all, I’ll be SHOCKED if Rueben Bain doesn’t go top-10. And if he falls out of the top-10? I’d be alright with him to us @ R1P11!
Just remember, the Combine is merely another tool in the tool kit to go back to the tape. What’s more? Some of these kids today skip BOWL GAMES to train for the Combine, giving them ample time to ‘maximize’ their numbers outside of their natural playing weight, speed, and strength… that’s just not right, IMO.
And in some cases, it leaves one wondering what kind of supplements a player may be taking so as to KILL the Combine, yet suck ass on the gridiron… plenty of examples over the years.
Tim,
The only thing I don’t like about Bain? He was essentially silent in the first half of his ’25 campaign for the Hurricanes. For instance, I couldn’t believe he was initially mocked as a top-3 pick for so long.
He dropped a bit, but then he came on STRONG in the 2nd half of the season.
I can’t dip him for his T-Rex arms… but I question his motivation, motor, and consistency.
That was my thing with Bain. I don’t care about the short arms. He showed he can beat NFL caliber OT’s like Joe Alt. My thing has always been that I have seen him get gassed after just 2-3 series and disappear in games.
I do think Bain will be good because he is also very good vs the run. I think the only thing I am interested to see on him is his split time on his pro day. If he is around a 1.60 to 1.62, that’s all I need to see. Meaning he has that good burst off the snap. Couple that with his obvious power and he will be good.
I think he stays top 10, probably top 5 to the Titans. Saleh really likes him. Bailey to the Jets and Bain to the Titans or Commanders is my prediction.
BBMike – If Bain gets gassed easily, don’t bet on him being our pick if he’s available. Haf made it clear he wants players who will be strong in the 4th quarter, strong at the end of the season
That’s the thing though. He brings it hard at the beginning and kind of disappears then shows back up strong at the end of the game. Seen it almost every Miami game I watched. Only exception may have been the Texas A&M playoff game.
I am hard on Bain for disappearing in games and probably not fair after I looked into his snap counts this morning.
Chubb was our top edge player last year and in a 17 game season, he played 766 snaps in a 17 game season. Bain played 897 snaps in 16 games. Maybe if Miami given him more breathers, he would have stayed more dominant the whole game. I don’t really know.
Lastly, he does have a high career missed tackle rate at 20.3% that I worry about.
Two of my fav big TE’s did very well yesterday in Roush and Hibner. I have to wait for Royer’s pro day on him.
I think he drops a bit.
McNeil-Warren did not have a poor workout, but he fell victim to outstanding performances by other top safety prospects. With Jalon Kilgore, Genesis Smith and Thieneman displaying elite athleticism, McNeil-Warren’s 4.52 40, 35 1/2-inch vertical and 10-2 broad jump just didn’t stand out. His drill work was fine, too. He grabbed passes smoothly and moved relatively well for a player his size. However, “EMW” wasn’t flawless in his change of direction and was told by coaches on multiple occasions to finish drills through to the end.
I may stop taking him in the 2nd round only for that last sentence.
Igbinosun improved in coverage as a senior, helping the Buckeyes stifle offenses. He has the size teams want on the outside (measured 6-2 1/8 with 32 7/8-inch arms) but his 34-inch vertical and 1.58-second 10-yard split in the 40 won’t inspire confidence in his quickness. Igbinosun exhibited stilted movement, stiff hips and struggled to find/adjust to the ball when challenged.
——-
He is also very grabby and gets called for DPI a lot. He cleaned it up some last year but in 2024 he was penalized 16 times.
TE Max Klare – His ball skills, change of direction and suddenness in routes looked average during drills. In a deep tight end group, Klare failed to stand out as an athlete or pass-catcher in Indianapolis.
He will do his running and stuff at his pro day. He just ran routes at the combine.
I didn’t realize this. Sonny Styles brother, Lorenzo, who is 6’0 1/2″ 194, 4.27 forty, 1.49 split, was a WR at ND for 2 years then didn’t play in 2023. Transferred to Ohio State and switched to safety for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. They said he flashed good ball skills in the drills at the combine. As a freshman and sophomore at ND he had 54 rec for 684 yards and 2 TD’s.
Why did he ever switch positions? He should have kept developing at WR with that size/speed combo.
OSU has had elite WR talent for years. I’m sure when he switched, he realized he would be buried on the depth chart .
bless our troops and keep them safe
MF – 13
I You were calling it
I’m telling you guys…just wait until some nfl team slides Bain inside, and he becomes an Ed Oliver type DT.
a lot of people have suggested he be moved inside
If we drafted him, he can probably play outside on early downs and then move inside on 3rd downs
But I kind of wonder how we are going to use Seiler in this defense. I kind of think he can do the same
I also think Bain is going to go in the top 10
and I agree with M13 on the fact that if the combine just blows you away and gets a GM to dramatically change his mind, he probably wasnt putting in the work prior to the combine.
Bain was particularly good in the postseason and I think that’s hard to ignore. There’s also a stat floating around about very successful other short armed pass rushers
Im running to the podium if he’s there at 11…albeit there are a few prospects I like more than him, but I can’t believe the others are there if he falls to 11
kind of hard for me to believe between Styles, Bain, Downs, Bailey and Reese one of them doesn’t slip to 11
exactly on that last sentence. I hope someone tries to jump up to 11 for Ty Simpson
yes please
(Piggy snickers and presses his totters together like a villain)
give us your draft picks please….
also I have an elaborate plan of memes set up if we draft Bain, we play the Bills in a night game and he sacks Josh Allen
piggy,
I did not know that. I brought it up here months ago, and I was told that wasn’t going to happen.
I remember one of the commentators during the postseason talk about it
check out the summary section of this scouting report
https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Rueben-BainJr-DL-MiamiFL
You aren’t alone. A lot of people think that’s the move for him
I remember when you brought it up. I think he would do well with his power and quickness. He would be a solid on early downs vs the run on the edge and disruptive in a Ed Oliver role on pass downs.
Rockphin
says:
February 28, 2026 at 10:27 am
bless our troops and keep them safe
MF – 13
I You were calling it
———-
AMEN… bless our troops and keep them safe. And pray this doesn’t escalate into WW3. Keep your eyes on the Straight of Hormuz.
TE Hibner with 28 reps on bench. TE Roush with 25 reps. Sadiq 26 reps.
ILB Josiah Trotter with 27 reps on bench.
powerful trotters!
🐖💨
This is one of my potential UDFA OL I would like to get. Memphis RT Travis Burke, 6’9 315. He gets a little upright at times and has stuff to work on. I just think he has a good game to work with, heavy punch and someone with a decent ceiling. Plays mean and to the whistle. Kind of a guy you can put on the PS and develop.
He’s tall but I don’t think really 6’9. I will see what he really is on his pro day.
Actually, I think he is at the combine as he has 4 formal interviews set, none with Dolphins. Maybe he doesn’t make it to being a UDFA.
Jeremiyah Love: 4.36 40-time!
The big back I like this draft Seth McGowan is having a good combine. He’s 6′ 223, 4.49, 1.60 split, 42.5 vertical, 10’11 broad. He’s a fumbler though.
Great Combine results… too bad he’s a fumbler. Just say NO to fumblers.
NO to Igbinosun – Sounds way too much like Noah Igbinoghene
LOL
You should have typed…
No, ah, Igbinosun sounds too much like Noah Igbinoghene. 😀
piggy,
thanks for the info. My days of diving deep into a draft are past me. All I know about Bain is what I’ve seen when he plays. He strikes me as a guy you can use in the 2-5 slots. My guess is he slimmed down for the combine because he knows where the money is, but I think he can easily play at 285.
I do see by some of the comments we’re engaging in the “short arm” debate again. Classic. 🙂
@NewsGramHQ
#Breaking | The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, is dead; his body has been found: Senior Israeli official to Reuters
It’s far from over.
About time. Been a long time coming.
^^^
A 7th WR I like Jeff Caldwell came in at 6’5, 216 with a 42″ vert and 11’2 broad. I am waiting to see if he runs close to a 4.5 and what he does in the split.
7th round
@kayleighmcenany
@TreyYingst
bailbondmike
says:
February 28, 2026 at 3:15 pm
It’s far from over.
———–
EXACTLY! It’s VERY far from over.
This is just the beginning…
Not watching the combine, but NO WAY! Did Jeff Caldwell just run a 4.32 forty at 6’5, 216???
and a 1.53 split??
No way he lasts to the 7th round.
Chris Brazzell came in 6’4 198 with a 4.37 and 1.54 split.
Malachi Fields runs a 4.62. Give me Caldwell over him all day.
BBM,
I really like both Brazzell and Caldwell.
Caldwell now shows a 4.31 forty and a 1.48 split. Crazy!
QB Taylen Green with a 4.36 forty.
QB Haynes King with a 4.46 forty. I’d rather have Haynes King who knows more how to play the position and more accurate a passer.
This Star Wars AI story dropped two days ago and I watched it: OUTSTANDING! And when I watched it two days ago, I felt the timing of it all was timely… knowing we were about to go to war with Iran.
This takes place shortly after Revenge of the Sith, with flashbacks of Obi-Wan trying to tell Anakin that war is not all about conquest, glory, and sunshine. War is HELL, and once gone to war, nobody knows when it will end… that the consequences are long-lasting and the toll in life is devastating.
Star Wars: Anakin Skywalker Never Stopped Needing Obi-Wan
QB Sawyer Robertson with some good #’s today. Checked in at 6’4, 216, 4.65 forty, 1.59 split, 37.5″ vert, and 10’3 broad. From Senior Bowl practices:
I don’t like Carson Beck’s face
👍
Yeah, Carson Beck seems to be missing something on his face. I think it was Manitoba who stated that he looks like a serial killer, and I said he looks high as a kite all the time.
I think it’s his cloudy eyes and general lack of facial expressions/looks of ‘IDGAF’.
Can’t hold it against him, but NO… I’m not interested in drafting Carson Beck in the least. He hasn’t the arm, he hasn’t the talent, and IMO, he hasn’t the drive to make him a solid QB in the NFL.
LMAO!!! YUP!!!
would be pretty cool to draft a serial killer
we haven’t been through that controversy yet….
Just patriots and ravens do …
And the Panthers.
Rae Carruth.
And if we’re talking about ‘cereal killers’, Doug Flutie is public enemy #1 with his ‘Flutie Flakes’.
This is Drew Allar’s combine throws.
he’s got all the tools and can make all the throws. I bet someone takes him fourth round or sooner.
Garrett Nussmeier
does anyone thing that there is a chance we take Ty Simpson if he’s there at 11? He had a really good combine.
Not sure. I think he could go anywhere from 11 to the Rams second 1st round pick at 29.
That’s my thinking- becuase if we definitely don’t want him, then maybe someone will want to trade up with us for him.
Bri – I’d rather take Allar in the 3rd than take Simpson in the 1st
Agreed Mike E
We have three 3rd RD picks, using one on a potential franchise QB doesn’t seem too costly to me. You can say the same about Simpson in the 1st too, but you damn well better be right with the 1st RD, especially with how many needs we have on this team for plug-n-play starters and some better than average ones at that
I think somebody will take a chance on Allar. He’s a big QB with a strong arm. I just don’t think he has the basis of a high end QB. His mechanics are just bad. He doesn’t move well. I’ve watched him make a lot of just dumb plays, and he’s got a lot of reps. I just see no reason a kid in his position isn’t better by now.
I can see the thought process behind thinking he can improve on all that stuff, but why hasn’t he by now? He looks like a guy who needs a lot of help in both coaching and guys around him.
I’d take Ty Simpson over Allar every day. To me, Simpson is a more sure prospect that probably doesn’t have the highest ceiling. Ages long debate, of course.
On that same token Randy, why did it take Sam Darnold 7 seasons in the NFL to become a good QB? These guys are unfinished products and they need to have the right coach and the right situation. Baker Mayfield too. If you can identify what they’re doing wrong and the QB is capable of changing and learning, then you just might have a superstar, or close to one
MikeE,
I really don’t want to draft a QB this year anyway, so I’m the wrong person to ask. Lol
If it’s me, I take Ioane at #11. From there, I just take BPA at pretty much any position but RB/QB. Focusing on LOS
I find some QB competition in FA and go into it assuming Ewers shows enough to be our future backup while we go after our QB in the draft. If Ewers just balls out then maybe that changes…but probably not.
sorry…I meant you go into this season with Ewers and go after your QB in the next draft.
I’m 100% in on going with Ewers this season, I’ve said that many times. I’m saying if they’re going to draft a QB this season, Allar is the guy I want, and I don’t mind spending a 3rd on him if they like him. If they don’t like him, obviously he’s off the board.
@flasportsbuzz
As widely expected, the Tua release, in the coming days, with a post June 1 designation is now the likely outcome, as ESPN noted today. (Barring a miraculous trade that hasn’t materialized)
Is Flores still the DC there? No shot he goes there if Flores is there.
@JFowlerESPN
Kyler Murray and Geno Smith are strong considerations for Vikings at QB, with Tua Tagovailoa and Kirk Cousins on the radar as well. That and much much in our Scouting Combine notebook. With
@DanGrazianoESPN
: https://espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48045815/2026-nfl-combine-latest-buzz-news-rumors-free-agency-draft-qbs-trades-offseason
Randy,
Allar had three OCs during his time at Penn St. I also don’t think Franklin and his staff did a good job of developing him. McSorley was their best QB, and that was mostly because of moxie and the gunslinger attitude. My biggest concern with Allar isn’t his mechanics (a good QB coach can fix that), but I haven’t seen that killer instinct in him and that “it” factor. That said, I’d absolutely deft him in the 3rd if he’s there. We are years away, and that would give us time to develop him and see what he has.
100% agreed on lack of killer instinct and lack of “IT”. As for me, I’d take him in the 4th round if he’s still there.
Brian in NY
says:
March 1, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Is Flores still the DC there? No shot he goes there if Flores is there.
———-
Yes… and I don’t think Jeremy Fowler or Dan Graziano even thought about that fact.
Watching the OL run, Freeling with a very good 10 yd split at 1.72.
Fano too with a very good 10 yd split.
Iheanchor with a 1.74 split, Fano with 1.73.
Fano with a 1.72 on 2nd attempt.
Brian,
My understanding is that Allar has had personal QB coaching for many years. On top of college coaching. Maybe it’s all bad coaching….or maybe it’s just him?
I’m not gonna be bothered if they draft the kid. I just wouldn’t. We have a lot of needs. A 3rd is a little rich for me but I could live with it.
Excluding Mendoza, Simpson and Cole Payton would be the only other QBs I would take before day 3…with Payton being a late 3rd round pick.
I don’t think MN would be interested in Tua, but they MIGHT be interested in trading up to go after Simpson. Simpson seems like a perfect QB fit with MN coaching. It might be a little too rich for them though.
Nobody is trading for Tua. They all know he’s getting released. It sucks, but gotta swallow it and move on.
Yeah, I agree.
Gennings Dunker looked very good in his drills so far.
Same with Spencer Fano.
Monroe Freeling is looking really solid as well. Possible short trade-down candidate.
Gennings Dunker is making $$$ in these drills.
Lots of good OL in this first group. Especially Fano, Freeling, and Iheanchor at tackle, along with Bisontis at OG. I think Dunker has looked pretty good too.
Yes, Iheanachor has looked pretty good as well.
Would be great to have a long time Anchor on the OL
I saw what ya did there! 🙂
Perhaps it’s just me, but it’s seems as though all of the best RT candidates lack ideal measurements or have warts. Several of them have shorter arms, for example, and project to move inside.
Crownover just doesn’t move good enough for our OZB system, IMO.
I don’t think anybody actually thought he’d move well enough for our OZB, just reiterating that those with healthy/ideal measurements at RT have warts.
Fano’s arms are 32″ and some change. Not ideal for a RT.
Dunker rocks, but even he is projected to move inside at the NFL level… though he played Tackle in college.
Iheanachor is a late bloomer, not really an established football player. He could possibly be a project, though he’s testing very well.
Max Freeling looks good, but he won’t last to the second round… and he’s too early to take @ R1P11, IMO.
Fano has very good feet, but if he doesn’t work out at RT, he could move to guard or even center.
Fano was just interviewed, and he said he would play anywhere a team would want him to. He just wants to be great. I really like the kid.
rich0322
says:
March 1, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Fano has very good feet, but if he doesn’t work out at RT, he could move to guard or even center.
———
That’s definitely a huge upside for Fano: positional versatility. But would one begin a rebuild with a horse with no definitive home?
I’ve been higher in past years regarding Quentin Nelson and Zack Martin: LOVED ’em! But they didn’t help the Colts or Cowboys get very far. So even if Fano moves permanently to Guard, would he be worth it @ R1P11? I’d have to say no. JMO
Guys like Bisontis, Rutledge, Pregnon, and Dunker would be my targets at OG on day 2…
ABSOLUTELY! That’s my thinking as well, my guy.
And I can’t say enough good about the names you mentioned above.
Rich,
YUP! Fano is an outstanding interview! He’s got a great sense of humor about him!
Perhaps we keep Austin Jackson after all?
That will depend on him.
There’s my guy, Keagen Trost!
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind drafting 2 OGs on day 2, keeping Jackson another year, and trying to re-sign Borom if the price allows.
I’m finding myself drafting 2 O-Line on day two more consistently. I think your plan would be a good one.
I’m thinking somehow, some way, we will pick up another day 2 pick. Either by trading down, trading a player, or a combination of the two that gets a day 3 pick moved up to day 2. It’s just a feeling…
I believe you are correct… and it will probably come in the form of trading Minkah.
After all 32 teams convened in Indy for the Combine, we’ve heard PLENTY of possibilities in terms of trades, cuts, and obviously the Draft. I’ve yet to hear Austin Jackson’s name being floated around in any way.
Just an observation.