We are almost here. Draft Weekend, one of my favorite weekends all
year. I love reading mock drafts and I love doing mock drafts. I did my first
mock draft in 1982 for an extra credit project. (I got an A++! Thank you, Mrs.
Frisko,!) Now that one was for the first round of the draft, now I just have
fun pontificating about our favorite team on the planet – the Fins. I
don’t predict any trades, just because it is too difficult (nobody thought that
Miami would move up to pick Dion Jordan, further no one thought they could move
up nine spaces for only a second-round pick.) So, let’s get to it!
The crux of the first round for the Fins is where they pick, #11.
I feel like the top ten players picked next Thursday night are (in no
particular order): Darnold, Allen, Chubb, Barkley, Mayfield, Rosen,
Nelson, Fitzpatrick, James, Edmunds, and Smith. So, in that scenario all
the first round QB’s are gone (except Lamar Jackson) and the 2 top linebackers
and top d backs are all gone, so now what? There are 4 names I keep coming back
to. Vita Vea, DT Washington, makes a ton of sense. I have had his name penciled
in for a while. However, I feel like this draft is deeper for defensive
tackles then other need positions, so reluctantly I cross him off. Denzel Ward,
CB Ohio State, may be the best pure corner in the draft, but again, not as much
of a need. Leighton Vander Esch, LB Boise State has become a hot name as
of late with the Fins. I thought it was hogwash until I read that super scout
Adam Engroff is supposedly in love with the guy. I must admit that when I read
that, it made me go back and take a harder look at him. I have read for years
at how much Engroff’s opinion has influenced many GM’s in Dolphins history. All
three picks would make sense, and as a Fin fan, I would be happy, but I always
like thinking a little outside the box soooooo. . .. The Miami Dolphins
select:
I feel like the top ten players picked next Thursday night are (in no
particular order): Darnold, Allen, Chubb, Barkley, Mayfield, Rosen,
Nelson, Fitzpatrick, James, Edmunds, and Smith. So, in that scenario all
the first round QB’s are gone (except Lamar Jackson) and the 2 top linebackers
and top d backs are all gone, so now what? There are 4 names I keep coming back
to. Vita Vea, DT Washington, makes a ton of sense. I have had his name penciled
in for a while. However, I feel like this draft is deeper for defensive
tackles then other need positions, so reluctantly I cross him off. Denzel Ward,
CB Ohio State, may be the best pure corner in the draft, but again, not as much
of a need. Leighton Vander Esch, LB Boise State has become a hot name as
of late with the Fins. I thought it was hogwash until I read that super scout
Adam Engroff is supposedly in love with the guy. I must admit that when I read
that, it made me go back and take a harder look at him. I have read for years
at how much Engroff’s opinion has influenced many GM’s in Dolphins history. All
three picks would make sense, and as a Fin fan, I would be happy, but I always
like thinking a little outside the box soooooo. . .. The Miami Dolphins
select:
Round 1, pick # 11: Rashaan
Evans, LB Alabama. He is a 3-down linebacker that can play multiple
positions. He played all 3 spots at Alabama. He can cover backs and tight ends.
He can rush the passer. His versatility makes him a day one starter.
Chris Grier has drafted more players out of the SEC than any other conference
since becoming GM, I don’t think that changes.
Evans, LB Alabama. He is a 3-down linebacker that can play multiple
positions. He played all 3 spots at Alabama. He can cover backs and tight ends.
He can rush the passer. His versatility makes him a day one starter.
Chris Grier has drafted more players out of the SEC than any other conference
since becoming GM, I don’t think that changes.
Round 2, pick #42: Tyrell
Crosby, OT Oregon. I realize that OT is not the need that defensive tackle or
tight end is, however the Fins stick to their board and get a replacement for
Ja’Wuan James at a much cheaper price. The PAC – 12 Offensive lineman of the
year is a big dude, with a nasty streak, that manned the left tackle position
for the Ducks the past 3 season. He is a better run blocker then pass blocker,
I think they flip him to the right side.
Crosby, OT Oregon. I realize that OT is not the need that defensive tackle or
tight end is, however the Fins stick to their board and get a replacement for
Ja’Wuan James at a much cheaper price. The PAC – 12 Offensive lineman of the
year is a big dude, with a nasty streak, that manned the left tackle position
for the Ducks the past 3 season. He is a better run blocker then pass blocker,
I think they flip him to the right side.
Round 3, pick #73: Chris
Herndon, TE Miami. At 6-4 and 250lbs, the former Hurricane becomes an instant red
zone target. He put up good numbers before getting hurt, 40 receptions – 477
yards – 4 touchdowns, last November. He was leader on the Hurricanes squad,
that was on the John Mackey watch list to start the season. Good but not great
as a blocker, the words often used to describe Herndon are “talented &
raw”.
Herndon, TE Miami. At 6-4 and 250lbs, the former Hurricane becomes an instant red
zone target. He put up good numbers before getting hurt, 40 receptions – 477
yards – 4 touchdowns, last November. He was leader on the Hurricanes squad,
that was on the John Mackey watch list to start the season. Good but not great
as a blocker, the words often used to describe Herndon are “talented &
raw”.
Round 4, pick #123: Justin
Jones, DT NC State. Productive player that often gets overlooked due to playing
alongside Bradley Chubb & B.J. Hill (both who will be drafted well before
him) But his numbers at least deserve some recognition. 34 tackles, 8.5 tackles
for loss & 2.5 sacks from a DT position aint too shabby!
Jones, DT NC State. Productive player that often gets overlooked due to playing
alongside Bradley Chubb & B.J. Hill (both who will be drafted well before
him) But his numbers at least deserve some recognition. 34 tackles, 8.5 tackles
for loss & 2.5 sacks from a DT position aint too shabby!
Round 4, pick #131, Luke Falk
QB, Washington State. Gase finally gets his QB to groom. He is big, stands tall in the
pocket, and is incredibly accurate. There are only 6 QB’s in NCAA history
that have thrown for more yards. Most “experts” believe that is due to Cougars
coach Mike Leach’s system. Who knows. Gase feels like he can work with
that.
QB, Washington State. Gase finally gets his QB to groom. He is big, stands tall in the
pocket, and is incredibly accurate. There are only 6 QB’s in NCAA history
that have thrown for more yards. Most “experts” believe that is due to Cougars
coach Mike Leach’s system. Who knows. Gase feels like he can work with
that.
Round 6, pick #209: Eddy
Pinero, K Florida. We need a kicker, right? Most accurate kicker in Florida
History. What else can you say, he’s a kicker.
Pinero, K Florida. We need a kicker, right? Most accurate kicker in Florida
History. What else can you say, he’s a kicker.
Round 7, pick #227, Christian
LaCouture, DT LSU. Fins double up on defensive tackles 2 drafts in a row. He wore the
honored #18 jersey for the Tigers last season – voted on by his teammates – it
represents Leadership, and what it is to be a Tiger, both on and off the field.
LaCouture, DT LSU. Fins double up on defensive tackles 2 drafts in a row. He wore the
honored #18 jersey for the Tigers last season – voted on by his teammates – it
represents Leadership, and what it is to be a Tiger, both on and off the field.
Round 7, pick # 229, Javon
Wims, WR GA. Tall receiver. Stands 6-4. Local kid from Miami Florida. We have
enough receivers under 5’10’’ tall.
Wims, WR GA. Tall receiver. Stands 6-4. Local kid from Miami Florida. We have
enough receivers under 5’10’’ tall.
Everyone enjoy the day, the weekend and the Draft! Go Fins!!!
@carlccrowley
Nice job. Your picks target need positions (LB, TE, DT) as well as value with OT Crosby. There may also be room to add picks with a round 1 trade down as well as a possible trade of OT James to Denver for a 3rd as was reported by the press.
Trade back and draft Lamar Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice draft, you have 12 players listed with Barkley listed twice so even subtracting him once that leaves one of those 11 names. Most likely would be Mayfield, Rosen or Edmunds. If a QB slides I think the Cardinals or Saints would be hot to get north of the Bills and with that extra 2 I think safety maybe Ried
I like Evans, Pinneiro, Wims.