The Miami Dolphins had some major holes to fill in the draft the
last few days. They had to find players to defense to match up against the
tight end, get a play making tight end, and continue to add more depth at
certain positions. I think for the Dolphins mission accomplished this weekend.
Their first-round
pick Minkah Fitzpatrick was an excellent pick. He was considered the best
defensive back in this draft by a lot of draft experts and some mock drafts had
him going in the top 5, but with 4 quarterbacks going in the top 10 some
players were likely to slip, and Fitzpatrick fell to the Dolphins. The Dolphins
were looking at potentially looking at one of the 4 quarterbacks either moving
up or one fall to them, but neither happened instead the Dolphins went with
best player available. Safety wasn’t a huge need, but if you listen to coach
Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Matt Burke you could tell they were
disappointed in the safety combination of TJ McDonald and Reshad Jones. Both
are strong safeties and the Dolphins don’t have a true free safety that can
play center field. McDonald is big enough to play linebacker and perhaps that’s
where Miami could move him. Fitzpatrick doesn’t just play free safety, he can
cover the slot receiver and tight ends, blitz off the side, and play over the
top. He was the leader of the Alabama defense the last 3 years and started as a
freshman which is amazing considering he plays for Nick Saban, who is as tough
as they come, so he adds speed and versatility to the defense and speed was a
major problem for the defense. Think about it when was the last time the
Dolphins had a real free safety?? Probably Brock Marion. How all of the
safeties play that’s the coaches job, but it’s hard not to like this pick.
pick Minkah Fitzpatrick was an excellent pick. He was considered the best
defensive back in this draft by a lot of draft experts and some mock drafts had
him going in the top 5, but with 4 quarterbacks going in the top 10 some
players were likely to slip, and Fitzpatrick fell to the Dolphins. The Dolphins
were looking at potentially looking at one of the 4 quarterbacks either moving
up or one fall to them, but neither happened instead the Dolphins went with
best player available. Safety wasn’t a huge need, but if you listen to coach
Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Matt Burke you could tell they were
disappointed in the safety combination of TJ McDonald and Reshad Jones. Both
are strong safeties and the Dolphins don’t have a true free safety that can
play center field. McDonald is big enough to play linebacker and perhaps that’s
where Miami could move him. Fitzpatrick doesn’t just play free safety, he can
cover the slot receiver and tight ends, blitz off the side, and play over the
top. He was the leader of the Alabama defense the last 3 years and started as a
freshman which is amazing considering he plays for Nick Saban, who is as tough
as they come, so he adds speed and versatility to the defense and speed was a
major problem for the defense. Think about it when was the last time the
Dolphins had a real free safety?? Probably Brock Marion. How all of the
safeties play that’s the coaches job, but it’s hard not to like this pick.
The
second round pick the Dolphins finally addressed their tight end position by
taking Mike Gesicki. He is a big athletic tight end that Dolphins need. They
haven’t had a true threat at tight end since Randy McMichael let’s be honest
about that. I know he can’t block well, but neither does Jimmy Graham nobody
cares if he makes plays and if he develops his blocking it’s a bonus. The
Dolphins haven’t addressed the tight end position in the draft since 2014 with
Dion Sims. Yes, they drafted Thomas Duarte in 2016, but he hasn’t touched the
field. They tried free agents Jordan Cameron and Julius Thomas, but neither
worked out. Cameron had concussion issues and Thomas had lost a step. The
Dolphins have needed a tight end for years. It frustrated me last year they
didn’t draft a tight end when there were lots of good tight ends in the draft
and we passed. This should help open up the passing game more and make us more
efficient in the red zone.
second round pick the Dolphins finally addressed their tight end position by
taking Mike Gesicki. He is a big athletic tight end that Dolphins need. They
haven’t had a true threat at tight end since Randy McMichael let’s be honest
about that. I know he can’t block well, but neither does Jimmy Graham nobody
cares if he makes plays and if he develops his blocking it’s a bonus. The
Dolphins haven’t addressed the tight end position in the draft since 2014 with
Dion Sims. Yes, they drafted Thomas Duarte in 2016, but he hasn’t touched the
field. They tried free agents Jordan Cameron and Julius Thomas, but neither
worked out. Cameron had concussion issues and Thomas had lost a step. The
Dolphins have needed a tight end for years. It frustrated me last year they
didn’t draft a tight end when there were lots of good tight ends in the draft
and we passed. This should help open up the passing game more and make us more
efficient in the red zone.
In the
third round the Dolphins added more depth at linebacker with Jerome Baker. Baker’s
specialty is his coverage and he can help against the run. He’s fast and athletic
but isn’t very big and like general manager Chris Grier said, “he’s the
new age linebacker” and he’s right. He can help in pass coverage and also
help on special teams. I don’t expect him to make the impact like Fitzpatrick
and Gesicki, but he adds depth at linebacker and more speed and athleticism.
third round the Dolphins added more depth at linebacker with Jerome Baker. Baker’s
specialty is his coverage and he can help against the run. He’s fast and athletic
but isn’t very big and like general manager Chris Grier said, “he’s the
new age linebacker” and he’s right. He can help in pass coverage and also
help on special teams. I don’t expect him to make the impact like Fitzpatrick
and Gesicki, but he adds depth at linebacker and more speed and athleticism.
The
Dolphins had 2 fourth round picks and they addressed more depth on offense on
selecting tight end Durham Smythe and running back Kalen Ballage. Smythe is the
opposite of Gesicki and is more of a blocker so he will be used on the line and
h-back. He can catch the ball when needed. Basically, he is Anthony Fasano and
I love that. Nowadays you both types of tight ends. Ballage adds depth at
running back and probably won’t play a lot on offense, but more on special
teams and work his way into the lineup. The guy scored 8 touchdowns in one
game. Can run between the tackles with power, however he was inconsistent with
that, has speed to return kicks, and can catch the ball out of the back field
good route runner so he’ll probably be liked when Kenyan Drake when he was
drafted.
Dolphins had 2 fourth round picks and they addressed more depth on offense on
selecting tight end Durham Smythe and running back Kalen Ballage. Smythe is the
opposite of Gesicki and is more of a blocker so he will be used on the line and
h-back. He can catch the ball when needed. Basically, he is Anthony Fasano and
I love that. Nowadays you both types of tight ends. Ballage adds depth at
running back and probably won’t play a lot on offense, but more on special
teams and work his way into the lineup. The guy scored 8 touchdowns in one
game. Can run between the tackles with power, however he was inconsistent with
that, has speed to return kicks, and can catch the ball out of the back field
good route runner so he’ll probably be liked when Kenyan Drake when he was
drafted.
The
sixth and 7th rounds to cap off the draft, the Dolphins continued to add speed,
athleticism, and versatility on defense with defensive back Corrnell
Armstrong and linebacker Quentin Poling. Both guys will compete and probably
have a chance on special teams. Remember the Dolphins took a couple of losses
on special teams with Terrance Fede and Michael Thomas so that will be huge if
those guys contribute on special teams. The Dolphins capped off the draft
taking kicker Jason Sanders. The Dolphins didn’t have a kicker on the roster so
well see how he goes drafting a kicker is a roll of the dice I’m sure they will
bring someone else in to compete with him.
sixth and 7th rounds to cap off the draft, the Dolphins continued to add speed,
athleticism, and versatility on defense with defensive back Corrnell
Armstrong and linebacker Quentin Poling. Both guys will compete and probably
have a chance on special teams. Remember the Dolphins took a couple of losses
on special teams with Terrance Fede and Michael Thomas so that will be huge if
those guys contribute on special teams. The Dolphins capped off the draft
taking kicker Jason Sanders. The Dolphins didn’t have a kicker on the roster so
well see how he goes drafting a kicker is a roll of the dice I’m sure they will
bring someone else in to compete with him.
Overall,
I love what the Dolphins did they added more speed and athleticism on defense
and they addressed their need to defend the tight end. The Dolphins have gotten
crushed over the years by the opposing teams tight ends and they desperately
needed to address that. On offense tight end was the biggest need on offense
and doubling down on tight end was great. Would it have been nice to get a
quarterback? Yes, they need to develop someone, but if you look at the draft
after the first round there was no run on quarterbacks until the sixth round. Yes,
there was one in the 3rd and 4th, but for a draft class considered a very good
class it surprised me wasn’t a lot of QBs between round 2-5. Heck the New
England Patriots didn’t take one until the 7th round. It also would have been
nice to add more to the offensive line, but really the Dolphins did a nice job
in free agency. I really like the direction the team is going and am excited to
see how things work out in training camp and in the preseason. I really feel
good about our offense and defense now let’s start putting it together on the
field.
I love what the Dolphins did they added more speed and athleticism on defense
and they addressed their need to defend the tight end. The Dolphins have gotten
crushed over the years by the opposing teams tight ends and they desperately
needed to address that. On offense tight end was the biggest need on offense
and doubling down on tight end was great. Would it have been nice to get a
quarterback? Yes, they need to develop someone, but if you look at the draft
after the first round there was no run on quarterbacks until the sixth round. Yes,
there was one in the 3rd and 4th, but for a draft class considered a very good
class it surprised me wasn’t a lot of QBs between round 2-5. Heck the New
England Patriots didn’t take one until the 7th round. It also would have been
nice to add more to the offensive line, but really the Dolphins did a nice job
in free agency. I really like the direction the team is going and am excited to
see how things work out in training camp and in the preseason. I really feel
good about our offense and defense now let’s start putting it together on the
field.
"Grier said, "he's the new age linebacker" and he's right."
— He's kind of right. I mean their are plenty of examples of 250 lb linebackers who are hall of famers…. so that is how he was also kind of wrong. Junior Seau, Ray Lewis… and some SAM's like LT and Kevin Greene, etc…
Last off-season, Burke talked about these 3 interchangeable linebackers in Timmons, Raekwon, and Kiko who could play any position. We basically had 3 middle linebackers, which is not ok. They have never been interchangeable like that.
You can usually stick an MLB at Strongside linebacker(SAM), where they have more tackle responsibilities and less pass coverage responsibilities. The Sam is typically a big guy.
The Weakside linebacker, or Will, has more pass coverage responsibilities. This was Alonso who doesn't have the skillset to cover receivers. He played out of position the entire year, and stunk up the joint. Alonso belongs at MLB or SAM, where he doesn't have to cover as much.
A Will is this light weight "new age" linebacker who can cover the pass. This is exactly what Baker is. Previous examples of "will's" were Jelani Jenkins, Morlon Greenwood… we've had tons of speedy linebackers in the past… it's nothing new, but fills a gaping hole we had last season.
Go figure, burke was wrong last year when he talked about interchangeable linebackers. A Sam is different from a Will. Who knew?
You gotta play with the cards you are dealt. Agree with your overall point, but Kiko concerns me anywhere on the field. Great hussle, poor instincts. If he's out there I'd find a way to get him isolated in coverage as well.
Hopefully Raekwon stays healthy and with Baker they've got a young core developing. This year, given Suh is gone, I expect teams will attack Miami up the middle and test the young DT's and LB's. We'll find out soon enough if they are up to it. Feel a lot better about the secondary and offense though.
I like most of the dolphins picks but I would have taken RJ Mcintosh over RB Kalen Ballage. I just feel the DT position was more of a need you lost your best player in Suh. Not to mention everytime he out of the game last year the DT's struggled against the run. For me RJ Mcintosh should have been the pick but I hope Kalen Ballage is a great player. As the roster is right now I believe DT and LB are our weakness everywhere else we have talent all around.
"everywhere else we have talent all around."
— Our corners will need to improve. Part of the problem is the secondary coach… he's no Mel Philips. PFF ranks Howard and Tankersley at #92 and #93 corners in the league. I mean there are about 30 #1 corners, 30 #2 corners, and 30 Nickel Corners that start in the league… it doesn't seem good for these guys to rank worse than all 90 of those guys. Part of it has to be the coaching and not the talent.
Lucky for us, we have a new db coach, with Lou Anarumo out, and Tony Oden in.
Anarumo came under Philbin, 5 years ago… it seems like our corners have underperformed since, and played better after they left.