Now that the 2018 NFL Draft is in the books it is time for us here at DolphinsTalk.com to grade the Miami Dolphins draft class. We know, we know it’s far to early to do such and we truly won’t know what this class is until at least after one full season. Yet it’s a rite of passage to grade a draft within a few days of the draft ending so here are the Miami Dolphins draft grades from DolphinsTalk.com staff members Tom Ernisse, Bret LaGasse, Mike Oliva, and Bobby Melendez.
All the posturing from the Dolphins claiming to be “interested in Baker
Mayfield” paid off, with Minkah Fitzpatrick falling to the Dolphins. Minkah is
a true leader and changes this defense, not just the secondary. He is the Swiss
Army knife that allows this team to adapt to different looks. He is my favorite
pick of this draft. Getting James Baker from Ohio State was a good move, as he
offers ability like first rounder Roquan Smith, but was had in the 3rdround.
The Dolphins doubled up on defense to address their coverage concerns, but they
also doubled up on tight end, which should pay dividends immediately. I didn’t
see Gesicki as a fit, due to his poor blocking, however, the Dolphins countered
that by drafting Durham Smythe. They give themselves flexibility at TE, much
like the Eagles had in Ertz and Celek. Lastly, Kalen Ballage was the perfect
running back to add to the Dolphins. He compliments Drake very well, offering
the same kind of ability out of the backfield. The only reason I give them an
A- for how they handled this draft, is because they did not grab a WR late in
the draft. I do like how they rounded out the draft with special team’s
additions.
Through the first 4 rounds of this draft I thought the Miami Dolphins hit a
grand slam. From Minkah Fitzpatrick to Mike Gesicki to Jerome Baker to Smythe
and Ballage I think the Dolphins added guys who in year one and game one will
contribute on the field right away in defined roles. Heading into the draft the
Dolphins needed to address linebacker and tight end and they doubled up on both
positions which was very wise. I believe both tight ends will see significant
playing time in 2018. While they aren’t Gronkowski/Hernandez for the Pats they
are both guys who will contribute immediately. Fitzpatrick is a jack
of all trades and I think will find his home at free safety in Miami. A leader,
a beast on special teams, and someone who can anchor the secondary for years to
come make that a home run pick in round 1. Some of the late round picks in this
draft do make you scratch your head. Cornell Armstrong wasn’t even viewed as a
draftable player by most “experts” and you can’t even find scouting info of him
online which is amazing because you know everything is on the internet. Quentin
Poling we don’t know how he will translate to the NFL coming out of Ohio (not
Ohio St, just Ohio) and then selecting a kicker in round 7 who was inconsistent
prevents me from giving this draft an A grade. Still overall a very solid draft
for the Dolphins.
draft for the Dolphins, not moving any picks and sticking to their board.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, a player who can do it all but most importantly is a leader
on the field and off of it, his character is without question his best trait.
When the Dolphins drafted Gesicki at 42, I sighed a bit to be honest because I
didn’t see him as a fit due to the fact he didn’t offer much as a blocker. As a
receiver, he’s on the top of this class – he can spread defenses and beat you
in the redzone but can offer nothing as a blocker. Miami fixed that in fourth
round by taking Durham Smyth, one of the top blocking tight ends in college
football. Gesicki and Smyth together are two of my favorite draft picks of this
class, they should make an immediate impact day one on Miami’s offense. Jerome
Baker with Poling gives Miami want they didn’t have before, speed linebackers
who can help in coverage assignments. I liked the Kalen Ballage pick for the
Dolphins, Ballage runs hard and fast, and is a very good receiver out of the
backfield – he reminds me a little of former Dolphins back Damien Williams.
This was a very solid draft for the Dolphins but the reason I gave them a B was
because of their final picks, CB Cornell Armstrong and Kicker Jason Sanders.
Armstrong is a headscratcher for me, I believe better picks were left on the
board for Miami such as receiver Braxton Berrios or if they wanted to go
corner, FSU’s Tarvarus McFadden would have been the better option over
Armstrong. Another headscratcher was the Sanders selection, Eddy Pineiro was
still on the board and was the most dependable kicker in college football last
year and the Dolphins decided to go with the big leg but inaccurate Sanders out
of New Mexico. Again though, a very solid draft for Miami – I project three
starters from this group and three contributors in year one.
plan for this draft and stuck to it. The QB hype had everyone, including
myself, believing this would be the year the Dolphins started to look towards
the future. Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen was the talk out of
Miami for months leading up to the draft. Draft night comes, neither QB
was selected. While Rosen was there for the taking, Arizona snuck into 10 to
land him. I am starting to believe it was a smoke screen to make the
Bills and Cardinals panic and to move up to get their guy. It
worked. With Minkah Fitzpatrick in the fold, the Dolphins have a young
man who has excelled at the highest level and played for a coach, maybe the
greatest college coach of all time (and still an awful NFL coach who
left his team behind) that thinks of him highly. The selections
of Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe signal a much-needed change to the TE corp
that has lacked any such talent since Charles Clay. That says
something (he isn’t that great.) The Dolphins also filled
needs at OLB with Jerome Baker, who I believe is his job to lose in camp.
I love his tape. Kalen Ballage is the one to really watch in this
class. He can learn from Frank Gore and understand the work ethic to make
him be a solid contributor. Although it was in round 7, not selecting the
kicker from Florida was a head scratcher. Jason Sanders connected on only
71% of his kicks. Unless someone else comes along, this move may hinder
our special teams. All in all, I liked this draft. I still wish
they had addressed QB. Taking one every year until you get one right
should’ve been the approach. I believe there are 4 starters (Fitzpatrick,
Baker, Gesicki and Smythe) and solid contributions from Ballage.
The other guys will have to fight and claw to make an impact, but this
was a great draft to changing the culture, as well as the depth of the
franchise.
I gave them a B too. Failing to get a QB, DT, choosing Armstrong over McFadden and not drafting a single offensive linemen in a o-line heavy draft class is why.
But, they did get Fitzpatrick, they did get 2 very solid TEs an upgrade over Alonso and a 4th RB. I don't know how their offense is going to work with a weak o-line and of course if there is one injury on that d-line….I see 3 starters in 2018 from this class and 2 contibutors.
I'd even throw in the fact that they didn't even try to find a replacement for Parker.
4-12, here we come!
3 starters from any draft class is a good class. I do agree that there are 3 starters and 2 contributors. I think the first five picks are immediate contributors. I think Ballage is a key piece because he can play special teams and he can play on offense. Kind of takes over for the role Drake played.
As far as the OL goes. This class was not very heavy as far as tackles go. It was solid for interior OL. Here is the deal, the interior OL that were drafted, were not much better than the ones that one late and went undrafted.
The Dolphins did sign Sitton and traded for Kilgore. The OL is improved over last year with Sitton helping to anchor the left side. Connor Hilliard and David Steinmetz are good undrafted signings that can actually find a way onto the roster. Also, don't forget that the Dolphins still have Isaac Asiata who they red shirted because of his late season knee injury at Utah.
They did sign Jamiyus Pittman DT UCF and Anthony Moten DT Miami to battle for a spot on the interior DL. They have three good interior DTs and all three played very well last year. Moten and Pittman could battle for a spot. Pittman is one to watch as he was VERY productive in college, especially getting into the backfield.
" an A"
I did forget about Moten he is a solid pickup and I like Mike McCray better than Quentin Poling. Tackles I liked in the draft were McGlinchey, Rankin, Jamarco Jones, Campos and Spain. As far as previous drafts are concerned it really comes down to Grant, Carroo, Ford, Howard, Taylor. Asiata will be gone after this year. So, I would have felt better at least getting another guard and center because we don't know how Kilgore is going to be and Jesse Davis did play well but this next season he could be a different story. I would have liked some more insurance.
You do realize we are stacked with solid backups on the oline..Starters look like Tunsil,sitton,kilgore,davis and james. As backups we have Eric Smith, Ted Larson, Jake Brendal, Sam young, Isiac Asiati ,Zac Sterup who is 6'9" 315 lbs who we picked up late last year and A few more.. Looks pretty good to me.