Thursday April 24: Whats Next for the Dolphins?

The Dolphins have made their pick and its Jake Long. The pick puts the Phins one player away from having a very solid and potentially very good Offensive Line. It also gives them flexibility for the rest of the draft. Rumors abound that Chad Henne is next on the list, and while the Dolphins were straight forward on the Jake Long pick, this rumor could easily be a ploy. But hey, none of us can know for sure. What I do know is that this draft is deeper than I originally thought. Not counting Chris Long or Vernon Gholston, there are 14 solid prospects that fit the 34 Outside Linebacker mold. Ten Receivers could be drafted on the first day, none of which have first round grades. This might be the deepest Running Back class in history. Solid Cornerback prospects are evenly distributed throughout the entire draft. And last but not least there is starting quality at Guard up until about the fifth round.PICK #32ILB-Connor, Dan Penn State 6/32314.67Late FirstQB-Brohm, Brian Louisville 6/32304.81Late FirstOT-Cherilus, Gosder Boston College 6/73145.14Late FirstQB-Henne, Chad Michigan 6/32304.92Late FirstTE-Keller, Dustin Purdue 6/22424.53Late FirstQB-Flacco, Joe Delaware 6/72364.84Late FirstCB-Cason, Antoine Arizona 6/11914.45Late FirstOLB-Groves, Quentin Auburn 6/32594.53Early SecondWR-Hardy, *James Indiana 6/62174.45Early SecondDE-Campbell, *Calais Miami 6/82905.04Early SecondOLB-Avril, Cliff Purdue 6/32534.51Early SecondOT-Baker, Sam Southern Cal 6/53095.43Early SecondOf this group I have CONNOR, BROHM, CHERILUS, CASON, and GROVES going in the first round. Although GROVES may be passed on because of some medical issues, he is my favorite and the guy could be considered a steal here. I've seen him take over games and he would fit nicely as a DeMarcus Ware type. CASON comes in a close second. Throughout most of the draft the Dolphins don't get very good value at the Corner spot. However, Cason would be excellent value here, but he probably wont get by the Cowboys, Packers, or Giants. I like CONNOR here, but I'm fairly positive that we will see Crowder and Torbor manning the middle this season.At this spot I like CALAIS CAMPBELL. The Dolphins can continue building in the trenches by bringing in a Chris Canty type which is a rangy player to play the 5 Technique in the 34 Defense. I've sort of started up a JAMES HARDY fan club as of late, but I think I'll have to fall back on my original favorite JORDY NELSON because of some issues Hardy has. BAKER has issues getting to the second level. Seeing how the Dolphins will probably be a Run First team, that's not a good attribute. PICK #57CB-Flowers, *Brandon Virginia Tech 5/101894.55Mid SecondTE-Bennett, *Martellus Texas A&M 6/62594.68Mid SecondRB-Rice, *Ray Rutgers 5/81994.42Mid SecondCB-Porter, Tracy Indiana 5/111884.37Mid SecondDT-Sims, *Pat Auburn 6/23105.06Mid SecondTE-Davis, Fred Southern Cal 6/32554.76Mid SecondRB-Forte', Matt Tulane 6/22174.44Late SecondOT-Nicks, Carl Nebraska 6/53415.22Late SecondDT-Moore, Dre Maryland 6/43054.84Late SecondILB-Gooden, Tavares Miami 6/12344.62Late SecondTE-Carlson, John Notre Dame 6/52514.88Late SecondFLOWERS would be the best value pick here, probably followed by BENNETT. I don't expect either one to be here though. The same for SIMS, who has a few issues with consistency himself, and who probably isn't a Nose Tackle prospect. NICKS is dropping because of Character issues and might be a mid second day steal. CARLSON could be the best value here, but I still question as to how important the role of the TE is going to actually be and whether or not the Front Office even has issues with Martin and Peele as of right now.My favorite here is Wide Receiver JORDY NELSON. Although most people grade him as a late third, he's quickly moving up boards, and I just can't see very many teams having him rated that low. Nelson has a great combination of size, speed, and athleticism. He knows how to get open and he catches very well. While he can be the tough underneath guy, he has the ability to get open deep down the sideline and middle.PICK #64OG-Schuening, Roy Oregon State 6/43065.29Early ThirdOG-Rachal, *Chilo Southern Cal 6/53155.16Early ThirdDT-Bryant, Red Texas A&M 6/43185.00Early ThirdDE-Robertson, Darrell Georgia Tech 6/42554.76Early ThirdWR-Royal, Eddie Virginia Tech 5/101844.39Early ThirdRB-Smith, *Kevin Central Florida 6/12174.53Early ThirdDE-Thompson, Jeremy Wake Forest 6/52644.75Early ThirdOLB-Howard, Marcus Georgia 6/12374.45Mid ThirdILB-Goff, Jonathan Vanderbilt 6/22454.63Mid ThirdRB-Choice, Tashard Georgia Tech 5/112154.48Mid ThirdILB-Wheeler, Philip Georgia Tech 6/22484.76Mid ThirdC-Sullivan, John Notre Dame 6/43015.35Mid ThirdOT-Cousins, Oniel Texas-El Paso 6/43085.11Late ThirdOLB-Davis, Bruce UCLA 6/32524.78Late ThirdDE-Langford, Kendall Hampton 6/62874.95Late ThirdWR-Nelson, Jordy Kansas State 6/32174.51Late ThirdDT-Rubin, Ahtyba Iowa State 6/33155.20Late ThirdOT-Greco, John Toledo 6/53055.29Late ThirdOG-McGlynn, Mike Pittsburgh 6/43115.38Late ThirdThe players that jump out immediately to me are RACHAL, ROBERTSON, KEVIN SMITH, DAVIS, and RUBIN. Rachal might not make it this far, but if he does he could complete the offensive line. Darrell Robertson is an excellent pass rushing prospect. Kevin Smith would be a huge steal here as he climbs up draft boards. Ahtyba Rubin is a big strong Nose Tackle prospect. The team has had in JEREMY THOMPSON and MARCUS HOWARD. Thompson doesn't stand his ground well, and Harrison is a bit undersized. WHEELER is a good ILB prospect, but not great.I really like BRUCE DAVIS here. I did not initially like Davis, but seeing him again in action the guy is a tenacious game changer with an incredible motor. While he immediately can be an OLB in a 34, he actually has very good in the box skills and can be moved inside, which makes him very versatile.Pick #100DT-Harrison, Marcus Arkansas 6/33175.06Early FourthTE-Davis, Kellen Michigan State 6/72624.59Early FourthWR-Jackson, Dexter Appalachian State 5/101824.33Early FourthOG-Thomas, Donald Connecticut 6/43035.00Early FourthOT-Zuttah, Jeremy Rutgers 6/43034.99Mid FourthOLB-Butler, Ezra Nevada 6/22454.65Late FourthCB-Williams, Trae South Florida 5/91934.51Late FourthDE-Johnston, Brian Gardner-Webb 6/52744.68Early FifthC-Legursky, Doug Marshall 6/33125.22Early FifthCB-Williams, Jack Kent State 5/91864.43Early FifthWR-Burton, Keenan Kentucky 6/12014.44Mid FifthWR-Monk, Marcus Arkansas 6/42224.56Late FifthCB-Scandrick, *Orlando Boise State 5/101924.32Late FifthOG-Radovich, Drew Southern Cal 6/53015.33Late FifthTE-Stevens, Craig California 6/32544.59Late FifthOLB-Keglar, Stanford Purdue 6/22394.58Late FifthDE-Scott, Trevor Buffalo 6/52564.59Late FifthJust in case the Dolphins land a fifth round pick, I listed the fifth rounders. STEVENS is considered to be one of the best blocking Tight Ends in the draft. BURTON has gotten lost in the shuffle of WR's and is a solid speedy possession guy. Two OLB prospect to keep and eye on are BRIAN JOHNNSTON and TREVOR SCOTT.With pick 100 the Phins should be able to grab a Guard. The Athletic JEREMY ZUTTAH is my favorite, but he's been moving up boards. MIKE MCGLYNN would probably fall to pick 100 and easily has the goods to start. If neither one is on the board I don't expect the Dolphins to reach, but don't be surprised if they grab a guy like CHAD RINEHART later. Rinehart is an explosive runblocker.PICK #167 and #204CB-Ikegwuonu, *Jack Wisconsin 5/111944.44Early SixthRB-Washington, Chauncey Southern Cal 6/12154.52Early SixthOG-Rinehart, Chad Northern Iowa 6/53205.42Mid SixthILB-Moffitt, Ben South Florida 6/12344.59Mid SixthDE-Hardie, Rudolph Howard 6/22704.77Mid SixthWR-Arrington, *Adrian Michigan 6/32034.55Mid SixthOG-McDuffie, Chris Clemson 6/43305.30Mid SixthOT-Coleman, Thaddeus Mississippi Valley St 6/83085.54Late SixthOLB-Johnson, Curtis Clark Atlanta 6/32424.69Late SixthWR-Morgan, Josh Virginia Tech 6/12194.47Late SixthCB-Wheatley, Terrence Colorado 5/101874.37Late SixthIKEGWUONU is considered by most to be a first day talent, but he may never play again because of a leg injury. He could be worth a shot here. WASHINGTON is a bruising running back who would help wear down defenses. Both ARRINGTON and MORGAN are solid receiving prospects who didn't get enough work in college. CURTIS JOHNSON looks to be a very promising OLB prospect that would put CA on the map.BEN MOFFIT and TERRENCE WHEATLEY would be good picks here. Moffit is your typical blue collar get it done middle linebacker. Wheatley is undersized, but he's stronger than he looks. He has the goods to be starting material.PICK #208 and #245RB-Boyd, Cory South Carolina 6/12134.52Early SeventhOLB-Redd, Vincent Liberty 6/62634.58Early SeventhOG-Gibson, Mike California 6/43055.27Mid SeventhWR-Smith, Marcus New Mexico 6/22214.51Mid SeventhOT-Clark, Devin New Mexico 6/43055.30Mid SeventhC-Velasco, Fernando Georgia 6/33185.14Mid SeventhOT-Clark, Corey Texas A&M 6/63155.28Mid SeventhWR-Urrutia, *Mario Louisville 6/62324.59Late SeventhCB-Carr, Brandon Grand Valley State 6/12074.44Late SeventhC-Spanos, Matt Southern Cal 6/53175.47Late SeventhOT-Hale, David Weber State 6/63145.27Late SeventhOLB-Gatewood, Curtis Vanderbilt 6/22484.72Late SeventhOLB-Taylor, Hilee North Carolina 6/32424.64Late SeventhWR-Bowman, Adarius Oklahoma State 6/32234.74Late SeventhOG-Brown, Kerry Appalachian State 6/63055.15Late SeventhOG-Tevaga, Shannon UCLA 6/23155.19Late SeventhCB-Zenon, Jonathan LSU 6/11914.48Late SeventhDT-Shirley, Jason Fresno State 6/53295.05Late SeventhOT-Boatman, Shannon Florida State 6/63154.99Late SeventhOT-Schwartz, Geoff Oregon 6/63325.36Late SeventhBOYD is a big guy with nice moves but not a bruiser. MARCUS SMITH is raw but has nice potential. HILEE TAYLOR came on last year as a playmaker, he's real stiff, but would be worth a pick late. SPANOS and HALE both cold be developed into soled starters.VINCENT REDD and BOWMAN are intriguing here. Redd was at Virginia but followed his recruiter to Liberty. Redd dominated there and has put up excellent workout numbers. He could be a real gem as a pass rushing linebacker. Adarius Bowman was once a first day prospect, but put up bad workout numbers, and then was busted with marijuana. He has the tools to be productive if someone could grab him and straighten him out. more...