CBS Mock Draft has the Dolphins Selecting

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Productive, high-effort safety with three years of starting experience in big games at Alabama and Ohio State. Downs is an alpha who brings immense juice on each snap. He’s at his best when deployed near the line as a box safety or big nickel back. He’ll gamble a little bit as a run defender, but he makes more than enough disruptive plays near the line of scrimmage to make up for it. He’s fluent in man or zone over the first two levels and is rarely fooled by play-action or misdirection. While he’s quick to close and strike underneath, there are hints of caution that prevent him from making more plays on the football. Downs isn’t the biggest, fastest or most versatile player, but he consistently puts his stamp on games.

Strengths

• Agent of disruption near the line of scrimmage.
• Does not hesitate to step up in run support.
• Mirrors slashing runners with twitchy change of direction and body control.
• Becomes tackle magnet once the run spills outside the tackle box.
• Disciplined in processing stacks, bunches and route combinations.
• Denies receiver leverage from off-man coverage.
• Explodes laterally to mirror breaks and stays sticky through transitions.
• Plays with outstanding awareness and is hard to con with misdirection.
• Good instincts and burst to close on crossers and digs.
• Quick finisher from short zone and consistently limits YAC against the quick game.

Weaknesses

• Races off the edge and dives wildly into the backfield.
• Downhill appetite can get him trapped in the trash.
• Inconsistent wrapping and running through tackles.
• Focuses too much on the receiver instead of locating the ball.
• Lacks length to defend jump balls downfield.
• Has some trouble with the size of “Y” tight ends in man coverage.

Round 1, Pick #30: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

“With Jon-Eric Sullivan coming from Green Bay, it would not surprise to see the Dolphins pass on receiver twice in the first round, but the positional depth chart is in much worse shape than it ever was with the Packers. Boston has enough buzz that it wouldn’t surprise to see him go in the 19-24 range.”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations. A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route. He could have issues beating press, but releases can also be schemed. He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.

Strengths

• Good early acceleration and plays faster than timed speed.
• Runs routes with good fluidity.
• Big-bodied target who plays to his size.
• Leans on defenders without sacrificing catch readiness.
• Scored 20 TDs over the last two seasons, proving himself a red-zone mismatch.
• Pro-caliber ball skills with elite hand strength to finish.
• Extends for off-frame throws with a spider web-like catch radius.
• Ball tracking and adjustment timing are top notch.
• Competitive and strong with his run-after-catch ability.

Weaknesses

• Production dipped when the competition level rose.
• Press release is linear and will give NFL CBs opportunities to get hands on him.
• Flashes early burst but lacks a true second gear.
• Routes lose steam when he digs his foot in on route turns.
• Earned separation closes as the route progresses.
• Might need formation help and stacks/motion to free his releases.