Miami Dolphins 7 Round Mock Draft 3.0 Final Mock
Welcome to draft day Miami Dolphins fans!!!
The Miami Dolphins will be looking to address many needs within the next three days including: OL, DL, LB, RB, CB, S and WR.
One thing I want to get out in the open before this starts off is that the team is “actively” shopping slot receiver, Davone Bess. It’s certainly an interesting idea given Miami’s link to West Virginia utility man, Tavon Austin. If Bess is dealt before the draft tonight and Austin is still on the board at 12, I will not be shocked if Jeff Ireland snags the draft’s most electric player.
But, without further ado I give you this…My final 2013 Miami Dolphins 7-Round Mock Draft!
Here is a link to the previous two versions:
https://phinphanatic.com/2013/03/28/miami-dolphins-7-round-mock-draft-1-0/
https://phinphanatic.com/2013/04/20/miami-dolphins-7-round-mock-draft-2-0/
Round 1 (12) – Tyler Eifert – Tight End – Notre Dame
Oct 1, 2011; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Tyler Eifert (80) doesn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30U9QX-53bo
First off, this is not my ideal pick for Miami in the first round. But, given that this is my final mock, it’s not what I want, rather what I think the team will realistically do.
Eifert is a big 6’6” 251 pound red-zone target and exactly what the Dolphins need on offense. Last season the team was lacking a big time red-zone target. Eifert made a name for himself at Notre Dame for doing just that.
Miami has also spent much of the off-season focusing on giving their young quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, options on offense. I expect that trend to continue here.
Now, many make the suggestion that “if you take a tight end in the top-fifteen he has to be the total package.” We certainly aren’t suggesting that Eifert is on this guys level as a pro-prospect, but when current San Francisco 49er, Vernon Davis, lit up the combine he was taken in the top-ten. Davis, who was an absolute monster, looked better than most of the wide receivers at the combine. Hell, Davis practically was a wide receiver. The former Maryland star had little blocking ability and was seen strictly as a pass catching tight end early in his career. The same can be said for Eifert whom was glorified in Notre Dame’s offense last season as a “Joker” tight end.
Eifert is certainly not as fast as Davis, running a 4.68 forty-yard dash, but this long tight end will likely be the pick come 8:00 eastern time tonight. The sky is the limit for this kid if he can just work on his blocking ability.
Previous Picks:
Barkevious Mingo – DE – LSU
Jonathan Cooper – G – North Carolina
Round 2 (42) – Menelik Watson – Offensive Tackle – Florida State
September 29, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) is congratulated by offensive linesman Menelik Watson (71) after they scored a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5wLMJ65xU
As a University of Miami fan, it pains me a bit to take a FSU guy here. But it also puts a smile on my face knowing the potential the Dolphins are getting with their first second-round pick.
Watson is an incredibly lean looking offensive lineman at 6’5” 310 pounds – has somewhat of a Tyron Smith type body. No, he’s not overly athletic (hell the guy ran a 5.29 forty-yard dash at the combine). No, he’s not incredibly strong. He’s just a football player.
What I like about this kid is his potential to be a starting offensive lineman in the NFL. Watson is incredibly raw and can be placed at ANY position along the offensive line.
Watson never really lived up to his potential at Florida State. Now, that’s not promoting that this kid has a bad work-ethic. He just has had a limited football background coming from Spain.
Watson is a raw prospect who needs to work his butt off to get on the field next season as a 25 year-old rookie. Personally, I think offensive line coach, Jim Turner, can take this kid and turn him into an all-pro at any position he deems necessary.
NOTE: This pick can be disregarded if the team makes a deal within the coming hours for KC Offensive Tackle, Branden Albert. Depending on which second-round pick Miami sends to KC for Albert, our next selection will still be the pick at either 42 or 54..
Previous Picks:
Blidi Wreh-Wilson – CB – UCONN
Jamar Taylor – CB – Boise State
Round 2 (54) – Jonathan Banks – Corner – Mississippi State
Sep 24, 2011;Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Jonathan Banks (13) intercepts a Louisiana Tech Bulldogs pass in the end zone during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yBSnHOLvMQ
I realize to some, this may be a “reach”. But Miami needs a corner desperately. Playing in a division that Tom Brady runs, the team needs something to stop the guy.
Banks was slated to be a top-twenty pick before a terrible 4.61 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine dropped his stock. Take the forty time away while watching tape and what do you see? A big and physical corner who is not afraid to get involved against the run. What did Miami lose this off-season? A big and physical corner who was terrified of getting involved against the run.
Not only will Banks stick his head in and make a tackle, but the 6’2” corner has a nice set of hands on him. Let’s see him boost that bench press a bit – only mustered 10 reps of 225 – and add some weight to his skinny 185 pound body. Once he does this, the comparison of being a more aggressive, controlled and consistent Sean Smith will finally make sense.
Previous Picks:
Justin Hunter – WR – Tennessee
Quanterus Smith – DE – Western Kentucky
Round 3 (77) – Corey Lemonier – Defensive End – Auburn
October 13, 2012; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive end Corey Lemonier (55) during the game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Auburn Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook – USA TODAY Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-IvI-cmcpA
Dolphins fans, get used to saying his name – pronounced LEMON-WAH.
Miami has had a private workout with this kid, leading me to believe they love him. Hell, why wouldn’t they? Lemonier would make a perfect pair with all-pro defensive end Cameron Wake. Heck, Lemonier reminds me of Wake in many ways.
We would like to see his ability to stop the run improve, but Lemonier can start across from Wake day one. The 6’4” 255 pound physical specimen ran a 4.60 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine and looked great in positional drills.
One more thing Philbin may like about this kid, his motor never stops.
Previous Picks:
David Amerson – CB – NC State
Blidi Wreh-Wilson – CB – UCONN
Round 3 (82) – B.W. Webb – Corner – William & Mary
Sep 3, 2011; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Kris Burd (18) looks to get around William
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hlxbwX5F3c
Webb is my guy. My sleeper pick this year. Yes, the third round may be too early for Webb. But I’m expecting a huge run on corners in the second and third rounds, justifying this selection at 82.
Webb isn’t the biggest corner at 5’10” 184 pounds, nor is he the fastest 4.51 forty-yard dash. Webb is your classic zone corner, though. When I see this kid on tape, I see an incredible zone corner whom would be drafted higher if he were to play at a more dominant school such as Alabama – god that kills me to say that.
Webb is consistently around the ball creating turnovers. Whether he’s breaking up a pass, intercepting a pass or forcing a fumble, the kid makes impact plays on defense. Personally, I love this kid and I can see him as a dominant #2 corner at the very least in a zone defense.
Previous Picks:
Jonathan Franklin – RB – UCLA
Oday Aboushi – T/G – Virginia
Round 4 (111) – Jon Bostic – Inside Linebacker – Florida
September 22, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jon Bostic (1) rushes against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cmKeobyAsw
I’m expecting Bostic to slide a bit. Not because of production or athletic ability, just simply due to needs. If Bostic is still on the board here at 111, Ireland would be CRAZY to skip over the hammer in the middle.
Miami has been looking to get more athletic at the linebacker position. The team signed Dannelle Ellerbe and Phillip Wheeler to become more athletic and explosive, so let’s replace second-round bust Koa Misi while we’re at it.
Bostic standing at 6’1” 245 pounds ran an impressive 4.61 forty-yard dash at the combine. I compare the kid to a less polished version of current Carolina Panther, Jon Beason. Both are fast and physical mike backers that have a knack for getting to the ball carrier and laying the wood.
Bostic has also had a private workout with the Dolphins – this also leads me to believe the team may snag him even higher than this…
I understand that the team currently has Ellerbe slated to be the MLB, but given Ellerbe’s athleticism I would not be surprised to see the team take a shot with Bostic and shift Ellerbe to OLB – hell, I called Jared Odrick’s switch to DE before anyone else did last season…
Previous Picks:
Dion Sims – TE – Michigan State
Josh Boyce – WR – TCU
Round 5 (146) – Knile Davis – Running Back – Arkansas
Sep 15, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Knile Davis (7) carries the ball during a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Alabama defeated Arkansas 52-0. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV6hW2ggiO4
I’ve been sticking with Knile Davis as Miami’s running back of choice for quite some time now. And realistically, this could end up being another steal for Miami at the running back position – last year being Lamar Miller of the University of Miami.
Davis had a stellar career at the University of Arkansas before injuring his ankle and breaking his collar bone two-years ago. Therefore an injury history is tending to scare teams off a bit. But I’m expecting Miami to make a run at this kid in the fourth or fifth round.
Davis, a 5’11” 227 pound running back, ran a blistering 4.37 forty-yard dash at the Combine in February and benched an insane 31 reps of 225 pounds. Those are just incredible numbers for a running back slated to go in the latter portion of the NFL Draft.
I understand the team has Daniel Thomas, but I’m beginning to think the team is losing faith in the former Kansas State star. Thomas has been incredibly inconsistent on a consistent basis – did I really just say that? Inability to hold on to the football and concussion concerns could lead to his departure from the team.
That being said, if Davis were indeed here at 146 I see no reason to pass on the hammer from Arkansas. Davis could created a wonderful one-two-punch with second-year stud Lamar Miller of The U!
Previous Picks:
Brennan Williams – OT – North Carolina
Michael Buchanan – DE – Illinois
Round 5 (166) – Brennan Williams – North Carolina – Offensive Tackle
Oct 6, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Giovani Bernard (26) runs as Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Kyle Fuller (17) and safety Detrick Bonner (8) and defensive end Corey Marshall (96) defend during the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels defeated the Hokies 48-34 at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKEE-DzWaBM
This here pick is subject to change if Miami lands Albert from KC. Even so, I kind of feel like I am under-drafting Williams a bit. It’s tough to pin-point exactly where his value lies, but in the end I think this is a realistic spot based upon need.
Williams is your classic zone-blocking scheme right tackle. At 6’6” 318 pounds, Williams is a powerful yet finesse blocker on the right side of the offensive line. Williams would be an immediate upgrade over Nate Garner at the right tackle position and could be insurance if Watson does not work out. The team could also opt to shift Watson in to play the guard position.
While Williams could step in and start from day one over Nate Garner, I’m expecting Miami to sign FA Eric Winston if they cannot land Branden Albert or one of the draft’s top tackles. This pick is primarily based upon adding depth to the offensive line. Williams can also be seen as Garner’s successor in his utility spot.
Previous Picks:
Kevin Reddick – LB – North Carolina
Knile Davis – RB – Arkansas
Round 7 (217) – DeVonte Christopher – Wide Receiver – Utah
Nov. 19, 2011; Pullman, WA, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver DeVonte Christopher (10) makes the catch in front of Washington State Cougars corner back Nolan Washington (2) during the second half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC-e7Gpxkxg
Christopher is an interesting receiver who did not receive an invite to February’s NFL Combine. The 6’1” 200 pounder lacks elite straight line speed (although he runs a 4.5 forty-yard dash), but has exceptional hands to pair with a decent understanding of the route tree.
It will be interesting to see if a team falls in love with Christopher and takes him earlier in the draft. If not, Miami should take a chance on him in the seventh round, especially if the team does indeed insist on dealing fan favorite, Davone Bess.
Previous Picks:
Earl Watford – G – James Madison
Michael Williams – TE – Alabama
Round 7 (224) – Dustin Hopkins – Kicker – Florida State
Oct 20, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles kicker Dustin Hopkins (right) reacts with Chris Revell (left) after making a field goal against Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3N6jdbMPN4
Hopkins may very well be gone by the time Miami picks again here at 224. Personally, I’m not a fan of spending a pick on a kicker, let alone a high draft pick.
Miami’s current kicker Dan Carpenter struggled from the field last year and is owed well over $2 million this season. Any kicker making that much better be making at least 90% of his field goals.
Hopkins will be asked to come in and compete with Carpenter. Best case scenario is that Hopkins beats out Carpenter and Miami saves themselves some money. Worst case is that both suck.
Previous Picks:
DeVonte Christopher – WR – Utah
Jordan Rodgers – QB – Vanderbilt
Round 7 (250) – Don Jones – Safety – Arkansas State
Jan 06, 2013; Mobile, AL USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Don Jones (5) tackles Kent State Golden Flashes running back Dri Archer (1) during the first half at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Miami has a need at safety. Not a huge one. But a need.
Don Jones played along side current Miami Dolphin, Kelcie McCray at Arkansas State. Miami has held a private workout with Jones and attended his pro day in which Jones ran a 4.41 forty-yard dash, showed a 42-inch vertical and a 10’7” broad jump. Jones also mustered 17 reps of 225 – that’s more than defensive end Damontre Moore did at the NFL Combine.
The 5’11” 191 pound safety would love to his hear name called on draft day by the Miami Dolphins.
Previous Picks:
Caleb Sturgis – PK – Florida
Onterio McCalebb – RB/WR/RS – Auburn
Phew, I’m glad that’s finally over. After struggling for three months and wasting two full 100 page notebooks – yes that’s 200 pages – I think it was a job well done. Let me know what you all think in the comment section below! Give me your picks for all 7 rounds also! I’d love to hear them on this here draft day!!
I’m expecting Miami to be the true “dealers” of this years draft. With eleven picks, do not expect Miami to be drafting eleven players. I’m expecting the team to deal Bess and deal for Branden Albert – Bess will probably net Miami a 6th, maybe a 5th if they’re lucky and Ireland can bat his eyelashes a bit. I’m also expecting Miami to package two of their sevenths and a fifth for another fourth round selection to move up and take a shot with either a safety, lineman or wide receiver. If the team walks away with eight draftees, I will be happy.
Just a few more hours fans….!!!!