Joel Klatt Mock Draft has the DOLPHINS Taking

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: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St

“Again, the Dolphins need talent. Chris Johnson is a really talented player with lots of ball production and has been a late riser in this draft. Teams like his length as well, and while I’m not sure about the fit here, Johnson should be a first-round pick.”

NFL.com Draft Profile 

Overview

Scheme-versatile cornerback prospect with average size and the ability to play inside or outside. Johnson is consistent in mirroring the release from his pedal and rarely labors when transitioning with route breaks. While many college corners lean on lax officiating to grab and maul, Johnson stays disciplined. He trusts his footwork and technique to remain tight to the route. He attacks the catch point with run-through force and is a tenacious wrap-up tackler who can quickly end plays. Big receivers can steal some high-points, but not enough to cause concern. Johnson’s coverage versatility, toughness and athleticism should make him an early starter for a coverage-hungry team.

Strengths

• Coverage movement is controlled and confident.
• Mirrors and matches the release with consistency from his pedal.
• Rarely declares hips early to release or route fakes.
• Footwork is clean and natural in transitions and recovery.
• Tracks throws with the intention of making a play on the ball.
• Closes distance to suffocate work space on vertical routes.
• Trusts his feet and was rarely penalized in coverage.
• Attacks blockers with aggressive punches and is a wrap-up tackler.

Weaknesses

• Average recovery speed when he’s beaten.
• Phases on top side of the route and loses positioning late.
• Features small delay transitioning from the top of his drop.
• Had trouble battling big-bodied receivers on jump balls.
• Big running backs can drag him for extra yardage.