Our Thoughts and Grades on the Draft

[EDGECRUSHER]

But how many GMs would have Waddle and another first rounder over Chase or Pitts by themself? You continually don't write the full equation.

It's a 2023 1st rounder from a very talented team as it stands. If we asked Cincy right now or right before the draft to give us Chase in exchange for Waddle and that 1st rounder, they would tell us no. Atlanta would do the same with Pitts.

It's 2 years from now, it is certainly valuable to have that extra pick but I would rather give it back in exchange for picking the guys we really wanted. Grier was just comfortable with several options so he took it. He probably doesn't have many regrets.

[EDGECRUSHER]

This draft is funny in that it's being rated by analysts the complete opposite of what the fans are rating it. Seems like every fan is annoyed we didn't pick a RB while every critic is grading us B+ or A. Cumulatively, we have a Top 5 draft from the "experts".

[Dolphster]

This draft is funny in that it's being rated by analysts the complete opposite of what the fans are rating it. Seems like every fan is annoyed we didn't pick a RB while every critic is grading us B+ or A. Cumulatively, we have a Top 5 draft from the "experts".

I was thinking the same thing.  Pretty much all of the "expert" analysts that I have seen rated the Fins draft very high.  While a lot of the fans seem to think it was awful or at least mediocre. 

[masterfins]

I was kind of iffy on Waddle at first, but then I look at him like a Jarvis Landry only with speed and big play ability after the catch.  Consider an improved O-line (both draft and maturity of players from last year) that can give Tua time, line up Gesiecki, Long, Waddle, Parker, & Fuller and there is no way a defense can cover all of them (on paper at least).  A successful air attack can open up the run game for even average RB's.  And the defense was improved if the two players drafted pan out.  On paper it was a great draft, it addressed many of the Dolphins' needs; and that's all you can hope for at this point.

[CF DolFan]

I'm ok with the draft but very disappointed we didn't get a RB. Word is they wanted Javonte Williams from NC but Denver traded up and took him right in front of them. Hence we took best player available and went with a safety and then traded up for a LT.  I'd have been ecstatic if we would have gotten a good RB instead of adding another safety.

[EDGECRUSHER]

I'm ok with the draft but very disappointed we didn't get a RB. Word is they wanted Javonte Williams from NC but Denver traded up and took him right in front of them. Hence we took best player available and went with a safety and then traded up for a LT.  I'd have been ecstatic if we would have gotten a good RB instead of adding another safety.

I just feel you can plug in a lot of guys at RB as long as your line and offense is up to speed. If they aren't, just doesn't matter who you got running the ball, they will not succeed. Williams has Bridgewater or Lock at QB, so let's see if I am right and he averages 3.6 YPC behind those two terrible QB options.

[Tenshot13]

I'm ok with the draft but very disappointed we didn't get a RB. Word is they wanted Javonte Williams from NC but Denver traded up and took him right in front of them. Hence we took best player available and went with a safety and then traded up for a LT.  I'd have been ecstatic if we would have gotten a good RB instead of adding another safety.

That "word" was likely just bullshit.  It's based off an AFCE rival of ours calling the Broncos and thanking them for "sticking it to us so we couldn't draft Williams".  The same story said we stuck it to the Broncos because they wanted to trade up and get Phillips.  As far as drafting a RB, I'm more likely to believe this:

[Mike Hernandez] An ESPN reporter who has close contact with sources inside the #MiamiDolphins organization told me that the team was going to draft S Jevon Holland regardless if RB Williams was there or not. Also makes sense, seeing as how the Fins turned in that card so quickly.

[EDGECRUSHER]

That "word" was likely just bullshit.  It's based off an AFCE rival of ours calling the Broncos and thanking them for "sticking it to us so we couldn't draft Williams".  The same story said we stuck it to the Broncos because they wanted to trade up and get Phillips.  As far as drafting a RB, I'm more likely to believe this:

[Mike Hernandez] An ESPN reporter who has close contact with sources inside the #MiamiDolphins organization told me that the team was going to draft S Jevon Holland regardless if RB Williams was there or not. Also makes sense, seeing as how the Fins turned in that card so quickly.

We turned in the Waddle card quickly too, so Sewell was never an option.

[Downunder Dolphan]

I'm ok with the draft but very disappointed we didn't get a RB. Word is they wanted Javonte Williams from NC but Denver traded up and took him right in front of them. Hence we took best player available and went with a safety and then traded up for a LT.  I'd have been ecstatic if we would have gotten a good RB instead of adding another safety.

That "word" was likely just bullshit.  It's based off an AFCE rival of ours calling the Broncos and thanking them for "sticking it to us so we couldn't draft Williams".  The same story said we stuck it to the Broncos because they wanted to trade up and get Phillips.  As far as drafting a RB, I'm more likely to believe this:

[Mike Hernandez] An ESPN reporter who has close contact with sources inside the #MiamiDolphins organization told me that the team was going to draft S Jevon Holland regardless if RB Williams was there or not. Also makes sense, seeing as how the Fins turned in that card so quickly.

The "word" came directly from the (horses's?) mouth of Broncos GM George Paton (well most of it the guy who was with him at the time):

https://www.nfl.com/news/john-elway-s-mile-high-torch-pass-inside-the-first-denver-broncos-draft-run-by-g

As you said, he also mentioned that they had plans to move up to get Phillips towards the end of the first round, then we took him at #18 and they lost out on that one.

FWIW I have no reason not to believe that the Broncos had some kind of intelligence that we were going to take Williams at #36 and traded up in front of us to get him. It's just as question as to if their intel was misguided (either wrong, or we had changed our mind sometime between free agency and day 2 of the draft) or we missed out.

We did pull the trigger very quickly on Holland straight after, so at the very least he was the very next player on our board - that or we did not plan on taking a RB at all (we clearly did not rate any RB after Williams right up until our last pick in round 7, which you would call at best speculative, at worst taxi squad fodder or a camp body).

[Tenshot13]

The "word" came directly from the (horses's?) mouth of Broncos GM George Paton (well most of it the guy who was with him at the time):

https://www.nfl.com/news/john-elway-s-mile-high-torch-pass-inside-the-first-denver-broncos-draft-run-by-g

As you said, he also mentioned that they had plans to move up to get Phillips towards the end of the first round, then we took him at #18 and they lost out on that one.

FWIW I have no reason not to believe that the Broncos had some kind of intelligence that we were going to take Williams at #36 and traded up in front of us to get him. It's just as question as to if their intel was misguided (either wrong, or we had changed our mind sometime between free agency and day 2 of the draft) or we missed out.

We did pull the trigger very quickly on Holland straight after, so at the very least he was the very next player on our board - that or we did not plan on taking a RB at all (we clearly did not rate any RB after Williams right up until our last pick in round 7, which you would call at best speculative, at worst taxi squad fodder or a camp body).

My meaning is the "word" came from other teams, so it was likely bullshit:

After getting some intel from an unnamed source that the Dolphins, who were four spots in front of Denver, were planning to select Williams, Paton hastily negotiated a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to jump one pick ahead of Miami. Another rookie GM, Atlanta's Terry Fontenot, asked Paton for a fourth-round pick; Paton agreed but successfully pushed for Atlanta's pick near the end of the sixth round in return, telling Fontenot, "Come on, Terry -- this is a great deal."

Shortly after swooping in and taking Williams 35th overall, Paton got a text from a person in the draft room of one of the Dolphins' AFC East rivals congratulating him for thwarting Miami's plans.


Like I said, I'm more likely to believe this:

[Mike Hernandez] An ESPN reporter who has close contact with sources inside the #MiamiDolphins organization told me that the team was going to draft S Jevon Holland regardless if RB Williams was there or not. Also makes sense, seeing as how the Fins turned in that card so quickly.

[Sunstroke]

#6  -  WR Jaylen Waddle - I was as bummed as you guys when Pitts-Chase went #4/#5, but give Miami credit for sticking to their plan to get Tua a true #1 WR to help his development. I would have gone Sewell in this spot, but Waddle was still a quality pick, and he definitely has the kind of speed that can make things interesting.  B+

#18  -  DE Jaelan Phillips - Love the talent...concerned about the concussions and the aspirations to be a Rap-God, but no arguing the guy's ability to abuse QBs. If his health holds, Miami got a great edge rusher who should make an immediate impact.  A-

#36  -  S Jevon Holland - My favorite Dolphins draft pick comes in round two. Within his first 2-3 seasons, Jevon will make it to a Pro Bowl and have proven himself as the best free safety in this class, bar none. I really hoped that my 49ers would draft him, but Miami beat them to the punch. At least I still get to cheer for him, even if he is wearing the wrong colors.  A+

#42  -  OT Liam Eichenberg - Solid pick, excellent numbers as a pass-blocker...run blocking seems like it is still a work in progress. There were still two OT's on board that I would've grabbed before Eich, not to mention the SS Moehrig and OC Creed Humphrey.Not sure that dealing a future 3rd rounder to move up for him was the best move, but if he helps keep Tua's uniform clean, all is forgiven.  B-

#81  -  TE Hunter Long - Scratched my head hard enough on this pick to leave a mark. Maybe he impressed Flores while on his Senior Bowl roster or something, because I'm not so sure that Miami really needed another pass-catching TE at this time. When this pick came up, I had fingers crossed that Miami would take either OG Quinn Meinerz or ILB Baron Browning.  C-

#231  -  Larnel Coleman - No clue whatsoever...had never heard his name before Miami made the selection. I do like long-armed OTs, so hopefully he can develop into something useful for the O-line.

#244  -  Gerrid Doaks - And again...no clue whatsoever. Miami needed a RB, so I guess it's a positional fit. I like the fact that he is a power back, rather than some 185 lb scatback, but who knows if he even makes the roster.

Overall grade: B+   If Waddle turns out to be more productive than Devonta Smith, or Phillips reaches the ceiling on all that potential, this could easily become an A grade.





edited to remove note at bottom

[Fau Teixeira]

Also if we're talking about playing someone or being played. Atlanta, who traded out of the 35 pick with denver ended up selecting a safety with the pick they received.  I would like to think that Atlanta got played

[CF DolFan]

That "word" was likely just bullshit.  It's based off an AFCE rival of ours calling the Broncos and thanking them for "sticking it to us so we couldn't draft Williams".  The same story said we stuck it to the Broncos because they wanted to trade up and get Phillips.  As far as drafting a RB, I'm more likely to believe this:

[Mike Hernandez] An ESPN reporter who has close contact with sources inside the #MiamiDolphins organization told me that the team was going to draft S Jevon Holland regardless if RB Williams was there or not. Also makes sense, seeing as how the Fins turned in that card so quickly.

The word I heard it from was Joe Rose. Radio broadcaster and best friends of Dan Marino, Nat Moore, Kim Bokamper and many others who are inside the Dolphins' organization where he also works. He also said, just like every other GM in history, Chris Grier would never admit it publicly. I'd take his word over any other "outside" source any day.

[CF DolFan]

We turned in the Waddle card quickly too, so Sewell was never an option.

Waddle and Patrick Surtain Jr were roommates and are best fiends. Waddle spent a ton of time down here staying with "Uncle Pat" Patrick Surtain Sr. so the Dolphins literally had an inside track on him. Surtain is head coach at American Heritage in Plantation (which is next to Dolphins training camp) and helped train him after his injury. From everything I've heard anyone say he really was their guy.

[Downunder Dolphan]

After a few days more thought, it's still really hard to grade this draft right now. I'd probably go a cautious B, with room to move either way.

What I liked...

Ok, we identified Waddle (or maybe Pitts or Chase) was our first pick, so after the Niners blockbuster trade we had to go back up to get him - none of the top bracket of WR prospects (including Smith) would have lasted until #12. Whether I agree or not, that's what we decided, and if that's the case, then it had to be done regardless of what's forgone. It will always be a loaded question drafting a WR this high, will it be a Julio Jones or A.J. Green, or one of the many flameouts the Raiders have made over the years? Considering we already had added Fuller, we could have picked up an additional gem further down in this deep WR draft and addressed something else, but still I love the conviction in how they did this.

Also, the skill sets of the players we picked were very high for our 2 upper round players, there's no way I can argue with that. Phillips addressed a key area of need and arguably had one of the best pro day showings and final year leading up to the draft. There is a measured risk, and concussions have become a much bigger factor than previous years because of time off the field while playing because of assessment (let alone the horrible effects after football). It's an area both NFL (and AFL here in Australia) are taking very seriously, and that has to be a consideration in drafts going forward. The good news is that most of Phillips issues were pre-Hurricanes - hopefully they are all over with so he can dominate.

I think I have mentioned earlier I like the philosophy in regard to OL - go cheap (as in $$$) and go often, and we have done that again in the offseason and draft. IMO we did really well to find three starters last draft (Jackson, Kindley, Hunt) who did a great job at the edges, especially in pass protection. We moved up to get got one of the better prospects in the 2nd round and picked a promising roughie bet in the 7th round. Flowers had one of the better years of his career for us at guard, yet I can't help think we are better off replacing him with one of these guys and/or Fluker who we got in FA. After being a major problem for what seems like forever, at last the OL finally looks like something where we have talent and depth for a while.

Likewise on my wish list was a possible upgrade at Safety from McCain - Holland could well be that guy, although I didn't anticipate it would be our first pick in the second round of this draft! To tie in with the above pick of Phillips, will an improved DL rush and upgrade at safety eliminate the headaches we have had covering damaging TE's for what it seems like an eternity?

Things that made me go, hmmmm....

Picking Hunter Long. Okay he's the second TE on the board (77 places after Pitts - man, that's a huge drop off in TE selected!), but was he really an area of need? We already have Gesicki, Smythe and Shaheen who seem to already have a good chemistry with Tua - between guys who with sticky hands that can catch in traffic, and red zone targets, I thought that was well covered. Sure Gesicki and Smythe come out of contract at the end of 2021, but if they prove their worth then stop bitchin' and get out the cheque book Ross! A young, second year QB needs his safety net, it's too soon to pull it away...

Speaking of which, that old chestnut - the RB position. I hope some of you guys can understand that some fans like me thought it was a priority, partly because leading up to the draft it certainly also looked like it to the Dolphins hierarchy. Last year we brought in Howard, then admitted we missed out on our guy in the draft and traded for Breida. Howard was a big, fat bust (and was cut), Breida has been a disappointment. During the offseason, we had "mutual interest" in Aaron Jones before he resigned with the Packers. So leading up to this draft, it was pretty clear landing a stud RB would be the go, right? Apparently not now - to quote a previous post here by EDGE, after the draft Flores said that the addition of Waddle and Fuller will greatly improve our rushing offense, because the defense now can't crowd the line for fear that Waddle and Fuller will blow right by them. Hmmm... I can't say I agree with that philosophy, and I think it will heap an additional amount of pressure on our 2nd year QBs shoulders instead of doing the opposite. Oh, and if we quietly sign up or trade for a RB before the season (for example like Duke Johnson, AP, etc) then that's an admission in itself.

Linebacker was another area I was worried about with the loss of Van Noy and we passed on literally every LB available in the draft, but maybe the additions of Phillips and Holland with a tweaked hybrid structure will more than cover for this? I think like most of these selections it's a case of wait and see how it pans out, and we will know soon enough.