MassanuttenRef’s Phins Mock Draft — Rounds 4 thru 7

In two previous articles, I began a mock for my beloved Miami Dolphins in the 2011 NFL Draft. I outlined what I think will happen in the first and second days of the NFL Draft regarding Dolphin selections. It was highlighted by a first round trade with the Chicago Bears and the selections of Andy Dalton (QB – 1st Round – 29th pick), Steven Wisniewski (OC – 2nd Round – 62nd pick), Daniel Thomas (RB – 3rd Round – 79th pick), and John Moffitt (OG – 3rd Round – 93rd pick).

In this article, I will detail what I think will happen with the Dolphins in Day 3 of the 2011 NFL Draft. This will include picks in the fourth thru seventh rounds. I have also included the Day 1 and Day 2 happenings as a summary review.

So, here it is … MassanuttenRef’s Phins Mock Draft — Rounds 1 – 7.

ROUND 1 — Review

     With the 15th Pick: TRADE — Chicago Bears (from Miami) select Gabe Carimi (OT – Wisconsin)

     With the 29th Pick: Miami Dolphins (from Chicago) select Andy Dalton (QB – TCU)

ROUND 2 — Review

     With the 62nd Pick: Miami Dolphins (from Chicago) select Stefen Wisniewski (OC – Penn State)

ROUND 3 — Review

     With the 79th Pick: Miami Dolphins select Daniel Thomas (RB – Kansas State)

     With the 93rd Pick: Miami Dolphins (from Chicago) select John Moffitt (OG — Wisconsin)

ROUND 4

     With the 111th Pick: Miami Dolphins select Roy Helu (RB – Nebraska)

I believe the Dolphins should definitely double down on running backs in this year’s draft.  I have reseached the second tier RB prospects and summmarized them in the chart below.  I believe that Roy Helu, Nebraska, would add needed depth to the RB position.  And, his size, speed and tenacity would allow him to contribute significantly on special teams.

Roy Helu was named to the 2nd Team All-Big 12  in 2010.   He has good RB size at 6′ 0″ and 219 pounds with average arm length (31.25″) and a very large hand size (10.25″).  He has very good top end speed (40 time of 4.42 sec) and great lateral quickness (3-cone drill of 6.67 sec).  He has average lower body strength (broad jump of 123″), but will have to work on his upper body strength (bench press of 11 reps).  Helu has a fair body of work at Nebraska with 30 career starts and 578 career rushes.  He had good 2010 rushing production (188 rushes for 6.62 YPA) and modest receiving production (5 receptions for 9.20 YPA).

     Alternative Pick — Delone Carter (RB – Syracuse)

Please note … if Miami does not trade down in the first round to pick up a second round pick, I think John Moffitt (G – Wisconsin) will be a good pick at this position — I believe he will still be availble.  The Phins will have to forego doubling down on RBs.

ROUND 5

     With the 146th Pick: Miami Dolphins select Robert Housler (TE – Florida Atlantic)

I have researched the second tier tight ends in this year’s draft and summarized them in the chart below.  I believe Robert Housler, Florida Atlantic, would add a needed deep threat to the Dolphins passing game.  Housler’s draft stock has dropped since his outstanding performance at the NFL Combine largely because teams have reviewed his limited game films and realized he will be a project to become a well rounded TE in the NFL.  However, the Dolphins would be able to leverage his speed in the coming season as a down field threat in the passing game.

Robert Housler was named 2nd Team All-Conference  in 2010.   He has good TE size at 6′ 5″ and 248 pounds with above average arm length (34.5″) and hand size (9.75″).  He has very good top end speed (40 time of 4.55 sec) and average lateral quickness (3-cone drill of 6.9 sec).  He has average upper body strength (bench press of 22 reps) and very good leaping ability (vertical jump of 37″).  Housler only has a limited body of work with just 12 career starts.  He had good 2010 receiving production with 39 catches for 629 yards and 4 TDs.

     Alternative Pick:   Julius Thomas (TE – Portand State)

ROUND 6

     With the 179th Pick: Miami Dolphins select Mark Herzlich (OLB – Boston College) 

I have researched the second tier 3-4 outside linebackers in this year’s draft and summarized them in the chart below.  I believe Mark Hezlich would be a steal at this pick.  He would add needed depth at the OLB position and maybe challenge Koa Misi for a starting job.

Mark Herzlich was named 2008 ACC Player of the Year.  After being lost for the 2009 season due to cancer, he began returning to form in 2010 with 2nd team All-Conference honors being declared cancer free.  He has good OLB size at 6′ 4″ and 244 pounds with below average arm length (32.25″) and a very large hand size (10″).  He has fair top end speed (40 time of 4.96 sec) and very good lateral quickness (3-cone drill of 6.96 sec).  He has average upper body strength (bench press of 23 reps) and leaping ability (vertical jump of 32.5″).  Herzlich has a good body of work with 26 career starts.  He had good 2010 production with 47 tackles (25 solo), 16 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.

     Alternative Pick: Dougles Hogue (OLB – Syracuse)

ROUND 7

     With the 217th Pick: Miami Dolphins select Aldrick Robinson (WR – Southern Methodist)

I have researched the second tier wide receivers in this year’s draft and summarized them in the chart below.  I believe Aldrick Robinson, SMU, would add a needed deep threat to the Dolphins passing game as well as contribute as a kick return specialist.  It should be noted that Robinson came out of the same coaching staff that produced Devon Bess — the staff transferred from Hawaii to SMU.

Aldrick Robinson was named 1st Team All-Conference in 2010.  He has relatively small WR size at 5′ 10″ and 184 pounds with smaller arm length (29.5″) and hand size (8.75″).  He has very good top end speed (40 time of 4.43 sec) and lateral quickness (3-cone drill of 6.65 sec).  He has average upper body strength (bench press of 22 reps) and excellent leaping ability (vertical jump of 40″) which helps make up for his 5′ 10″ frame and short arms.  Robinson has a very good body of work with 38 career starts.  He had excellent 2010 receiving production with 67 catches for 1,315 yards and 14 TDs.

     Alternative Pick:  Andre Holmes (WR – Hillsdale) — note:  I really like this guy.

    With the 218th Pick: Miami Dolphins select Dom DeCicco (SS – Pittsburgh)

I have researched strong safety prospects in this year’s draft.  Dom DeCicco really stood out and I believe would be a steal at this pick even though he is projected to be a FA — this kid is a real gamer playing under Wanne at Pittsburgh.  Check this out … DeCicco was named 1st team All-Big East in 2010 and 2nd team in 2009.  He has good size at 6′ 2″ and 232 pounds.  At his pro day, he had 4.63 seconds in the 40 yard dash, 6.65 seconds in the 3-cone drill, 37″ vertical leap, and 127″ in the broad jump.  In 2010, he started all 13 games splitting his time between SS and WLB compiling 85 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 5 INTs.  In 2009, he started all 13 games at SS compiling 88 tackles, 3 INTs, 3 PBUs and a forced fumble.  In 2008, he played in all 13 games (starting 11) at SS compiling 56 tackles and 4 INTs.  I think DeCicco could be groomed to replace Yeremiah Bell.  And, his good size, could allow him to contribute this year on special teams.

    With the 235th Pick: Miami Dolphins select Blaine Sumner (NT – Colorado School of Mines)

The Dolphins 235th pick is a compensatory one.  I wanted to come up with a unique pick for you all to consider.  Blaine Sumner is truly a unique pick.  He is a 6′ 1″ 335 pound nose tackle out of the Colorado School of Mines.  In 2010, Sumner had 30 tackles as a senior, 6.5 tackles for loss, a half sack, 2 fumble recoveries, and 3 blocked kicks.  At the Air Force Academy pro day, he did 52 reps on the bench breaking the all time Combine record of 49 which was just set in 2011 by Oregon State’s Stephen Paea.  He also had a 32″ vertical leap, 102″ broad jump, 5.15 sec in the 40, and 7.49 sec in the 3-cone drill.  But, you have to check this out … Sumner is a powerlifter who has done more than 900 pounds in the squat, 600 pounds on the bench, 800 pounds in the dead lift, and 400 pounds in the hang clean.  WOW!  If this guy can be taught some pro technique at NT, he will definitely plug up the middle of the defense.  I say, Phins should take a flyer on this guy.  I would love to see Sumner break free on a pass rush and sack Mark Sanchez throwing him like a rag doll.  Or, better yet, somehow take out Rex Ryan on the sideline — maybe, during punt coverage.

Okay! I have concluded my mock.  This is my take on the NFL Draft for the Miami Dolphins. Tell me what you think!  I look forward to the draft this weekend.