Finsmob Unleashed

As Naples was able to convey so clearly, this roster is basically set. There are only a couple of spots on the roster in which anyone drafted in this 2023 NFL Draft can make even the slightest impact on this season, and beyond. With that in mind, let’s once again look at those spots and the players that could have a chance to make that impact. To me, Tight End is the easiest. We have two blocking TE’s, Durham Smythe and Eric Saubert, and then we have a tweener, Tanner Conner, who was a former college WR converted to a TE. Realistically though, Conner is at best what we hoped former Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki, a dangerous receiver. Neither Smythe or Saubert has proven that they can be reliable receivers, but Conner has elite speed for the position (4.37 40) and hops as well with a nearly 40″ vertical. I’ve already illustrated that neither TE is a true receiving threat between Smythe and Saubert, they have a total of 121 receptions, 88 for Smythe over 5 seasons, and 33 over 6 seasons for Saubert, 3 TD’s for Smythe, 2 for Saubert. Those career totals don’t add up to one season for Niners TE George Kittle, who HC Mike McDaniel had the services of in SF as the Offensive Coordinator.

This brings us to Darnell Washington, who already has established that he’s a solid in-line blocking TE, with the size to get bigger, and he’s already shredded. His pass catching is more on potential than actual production, or he’d likely be the first TE off the board. Taking into account that TE is probably one spot where someone could potentially slide into early on, I wouldn’t be upset if we traded up to get him, and it looks that might be a necessity to guarantee he’s on our roster. If your roster is already mostly set, and you only have 4 picks, none of them on day one, and two of them on day 3, I see nothing wrong with acquiring one impact player in exchange for one of our 3 other picks. I think Washington has the size and speed to become a good receiver, and the fact that he could line up now and block on the line and downfield just as easily makes him an easy choice.

Another position where I think a player could help us right away is RB. Let’s face it, we have a RB room that screams “Running Back by Committee!!” There’s not one feature back on our roster, and one half of our RB room is signed through ’24, the other half on year contracts. Adding a versatile RB like Jamhyr Gibbs would be an easy pick. Gibbs increased his carries and receptions each year, and was a big part of the Alabama offense. He has a similar skillset to Mostert, Ahmed and Gaskin, in that he’s a very good receiver out of the backfield, can run either between the tackles, and has the speed to break a big run at any time with 4.36 speed. Mostert had career highs in carries (181) and yards (891) in his 8 year career. Wilson also had career highs last season, splitting the season between the Niners and Dolphins, finishing with 176 carries and 860 yards. None of our backs have played an entire season as a lead back getting the lions share of carries. Adding some young talent to the pool makes sense. Improve the depth, and very likely, one of either Ahmed or Gaskin would be either released or traded.

To me, it sure seems like the Dolphins staff is committed to developing OG Liam Eichenberg. If it were up to Ken, we’d have already moved on from Eich, but even Ken knows we invested an early 2nd RD pick, in order to do so we traded up from #50 and traded an additional 2022 3rd pick to get to #42 to take the Notre Dame OL. It’s sensible to get something back on your investment if you truly see the potential there. He absolutely has not realized that potential as of yet, and RT Austin Jackson is certainly on his last chance, being 2024 would be the fifth year option for Jackson, a $14M + decision, in which Jackson would need a standout year to have the Dolphins pick up that 5th year option. To think the Dolphins may spend another 2nd RD pick on an OL is not folly. I don’t think anyone here would be disappointed if we went that direction. Once again, there are a couple of interior OL that could give Eich a run for his money in this draft. TCU OG Steve Avila is a massive lineman, 6’3.5, 332 lbs., who is very light on his feet for such a big guy. He’s also a team captain, leader of men, and could potentially be a day one starter. Many here feel we need to upgrade the O-line, Avila could remedy that. Another OL I’ve mentioned is OL John Michael Schmitz. He is widely considered to be the top interior lineman, specifically OC prospect. I know some people get bent out of shape when you say we could move C Connor Williams to OG, (where he played 4 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys) and have Schmitz at C. Williams is a very solid player who played every-single-snap last season at C. He struggled some with high snaps, but otherwise it was hard to criticize his play. Schmitz is a true C that could step in day one, and moving Connor Williams to LG gives us a strong left side, with Armstead at LT and Williams at LG.

There’s always different ways to look at things, and we may just end up being patient, see who falls to our spot at each draft pick, and end up with 4 players, or we might get aggressive and package a pick or two to get a player. I’d prefer the latter, as I feel if we’re going to draft players in the 2nd RD and 3rd RD, these players better be roster worthy and at least in my estimation, should have some impact, even in their rookie season. Keep in mind we drafted LB Channing Tindall last season who made zero impact last season, but we’ve also seen Grier trade up for players he wants as he did with OG Liam Eichenberg. Whatever they do, I just hope these players we draft make our team better not only in the future, but this year as well.

GO DOLPHINS!!!