10 Draft free agent targets

The 2016 NFL Draft is now complete. Although 253 players were selected, that does not mean there aren’t still quality players to be had.

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If you thought teams were busy during the draft, now all 32 teams are ‘recruiting’ the best 2016 undrafted free agents in the country. By most standads, Miami had a very successful draft but there are still holes that can be filled. The following are 10 undrafted free agents that the Miami Dolphins should target.

1. Devon Johnson, RB, Marshall

Even with the selection of Kenyan Drake, Miami still has a need at running back. While Drake can provide “lightning” with his speed and receiving, Johnson is perfectly suited to bringing “the thunder”.

At 238 lbs, “Rockhead” (his nickname in college) would make a great short yardage/goalline back.

2. Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina

The Dolphins current offensive line has alot of very good lineman but they aren’t very physical. Turner would bring something to Miami that they currently have too little of….power & toughness. Running the ball would be much easier with Turner in the mix.

3. Jack Allen, C, Michigan St

Allen is the kind of “alpha male” that seems to be a point-of-emphasis to Chris Grier, Mike Tannenbaum and Adam Gase. The four-year starter is a former wrestler who can use his body/aggressiveness to push people around in both the run and passing game.

He would make a great insurance policy for if/when Mike Pouncey gets injured. (Pouncey hasn’t started 16 games since 2012.)

4. Darius Latham, DT, Indiana

Darius Latham is alot like last year’s second round pick Jordan Phillips in that his conditioning and work ethic were question marks entering the draft. What Latham would bring to Miami, however, is a massive body/frame and the ability to be a disruptive force up the middle.

An arrest for DUI would need to be checked out but putting Latham on the practice squad for a year (to work on technique/weight room as well as to monitor) would be a “win-win” for both sides.

5. James Cowser, DE, Southern Utah

Cowser is a “quarterback nightmare”. He had more sacks and TFL than any player in FCS history. While many believe he needs to move to OLB in the pros, the past success of people like Jason Taylor (6’6″ 244lbs) shows that a player with Cowser’s intensity/instincts can thrive as an NFL defensive end.

6. Dominique Alexander, LB, Oklahoma

Even with the addition of Kiko Alonso, Miami still needs help at linebacker. Dominique Alexander played primarily inside linebacker at Oklahoma but projects to be an OLB in the NFL.

While Miami has several linebackers that are more stout than Alexander against the run, no active player on the roster possesses the ability to cover RBs & TEs better than his prospect does.

7. Mike Jordan, CB, Missouri Western

8. Nick VanHoose, CB, Northwestern

9. Kevin Peterson, CB, Oklahoma State

Miami selected two defensive backs in the 2016 draft but neither is a guaranteed starter in 2016. While Xavien Howard & Jordan Lucas show tremendous promise, as do the current corners on the roster, you can never have enough corners.

Mike Jordan offers the desired ‘measurables’ that Vance Joseph is looking for out of his cornerbacks. While lacking the speed that many teams desire, there is no overlooking Jordan’s play-making ability (16 INTs and 58 passes defended). If the Dolphins decide he doesn’t fit at cornerback, a move to safety isn’t out of the question.

Nick VanHoose is another tall/athletic corner that fits Miami’s system. He plays well in man coverage and had ZERO penalties in 2015. Add his special teams prowess and VanHoose would make a great addition to the Dolphins.

Kevin Peterson has a high football IQ and did a good job of containing the man he was lined up against, including top 2016 WRs Corey Coleman and Josh Dotson. He’s on the smaller/leaner end of the cornerback spectrum so his ideal position may be as a nickel corner in the slot but most offenses spend a majority of their time in three/four WR sets.

10. Tyvus Powell, FS, Ohio State

A tall, rangy FS that has the leaping ability to go get the ball and the hands to come down with , it’s a little surprising that Powell went undrafted. The biggest knock on Powell is his tackling skills but Miami has Rashad Jones who excels in the box so the Dolphins have a bigger need for a ‘centerfielder’ on defense than a ‘thumper’.

Will Miami sign any of these players? We should know in the next 24-48 hours. As fans, let’s hope Miami uses free agency to fill in some of the holes the draft itself didn’t allow them to.

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