Miami Dolphins Daily Draft Recap: Day 2
On Day 2 of the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins‘ General Manager Jeff Ireland seemed to stick with the idea of adding players to his defense.
In the second-round, Miami stood at the 54th overall selection to take a corner from Boise State whom reminds me of a former Miami Dolphin corner, Will Allen.
Jamar Taylor – CB – Boise State
Oct.13, 2012; Boise,ID, USA; Boise State Broncos cornerback Jamar Taylor (5) prior to the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 192 lbs.
Arms – 34 ¾ in.
Hands – 9 1/8 in.
40 – 4.39 secs.
Bench – 22 reps
Vert – 35.0 in.
Broad – 127.0 in.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMHLTcEs3bI
Analysis:
When you put the tape on and watch this kid play at Boise, you see a younger version of former Miami Dolphin, Will Allen. Taylor, like Allen, is an aggressive and quick corner who looks much smaller than he actually is.
Taylor also has incredible speed to stay with receivers taking him deep. But if a receiver does indeed get over-the-top on him, he struggles getting back into position to make a play on the ball.
I question his ability to make the impact play. While Taylor made key interceptions in a weak conference at Boise, I never saw any consistency. Ireland came out this off-season preaching that he wanted to bring guys into his secondary that know how to take the ball away.
I like this pick. I don’t love it. But I like it. Taylor is a solid corner who was actually talked about going as high as 30 to Atlanta.
Grade: B-
With Miami’s first pick of the third-round at 77 overall, the team chose to take a collegiate guard whom I believe can be a stud right tackle.
Dallas Thomas – G/RT – Tennessee
Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers senior offensive linesman Dallas Thomas (71) before thte game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Height – 6’5”
Weight – 300 lbs.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xuxi2oLJgs
Analysis:
This is a guy that was slated to go round 1, then round 2 and was recently placed in round 3 – which is exactly where his value is.
Thomas is a big guy that looks much bigger than 300 lbs. on tape. He started his career with the VOLS manning the left tackle spot, but was moved to left guard this past year so the team could get their best offensive line combination on the field. This shows willingness to play any position and a kid with a good psyche.
Thomas is a great athlete for his size therefore I think he can play both guard and tackle at the next level. That being said, I think this guy is a good right tackle. Better than Nate Garner that is.
Now the team, even with this selection, could opt to sign Free Agent RT Eric Winston and plug this guy in at guard – I think he would be a day one starter at the guard position.
Thomas is a powerful guy in the run game and a serviceable pass protector. I liken this guy to that right tackle position for those two reasons. But, as I said, could also be asked to play the right guard position over John Jerry/Lance Louis.
Teams question his footwork due to his slow feet at times. Realistically, if I’m sticking this guy at the right tackle or right guard position his slow feet will not bother me. If I draft him as a left tackle or left guard and he has slow feet, then it bothers me.
Grade: B+
Miami, after doing some moving around by trading back and loading up on picks, decided to package a 4th, 5th and a 7th to move back up into the tail-end of round-three to take another corner at 93 overall.
Will Davis – CB – Utah State
Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl north squad defensive back Will Davis of Utah State (17) prior to kickoff of a game against the Senior Bowl south squad at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 186 lbs.
Arms – 31 ½ in.
Hands – 9”
40 – 4.51 secs.
Bench – 16 reps
Vert – 35.5 in.
Broad – 127.0 in.
Analysis:
Will Davis is a guy I contemplated mocking Miami to take in the fourth round for quite some time. Davis is an aggressive corner whom isn’t flashy with speed or incredible ball skills, he’s just a great looking cover corner.
What I love about this kid is his ability to make a play on the football. Davis is not afraid to use his hands to knock down passes – 17 defensed passes last season. Nor is he afraid to make a play to get in position for an interception – 5 picks last season.
When I look at Davis’ weaknesses, I see a guy who has a limited football background. Played two years at Utah State, whom really does not play the strongest competition. I also see a kid that may get too aggressive in some instances and does not use his technique while tackling. BUT as I said, this kid has been playing football now for two years.
I really think Ireland struck some gold here late in the third. While I think Davis’ value should have been in the mid-forth area, the run on corners we all expected shifted Davis’ value to the late third area. I look at Davis as a good man corner, but has the ability to strive in a zone scheme. He’s a young guy with limited football experience therefore DC Kevin Coyle and co. can take this guy and mold him a bit.
Grade: B+ borderline A-
Day 3 Outlook:
Miami will open up the day owning two fourth-round selections (104, 106), two fifth-round selections (164,166) and a seventh at 250th overall.
–After the team dealt fan-favorite slot wide receiver Davone Bess to the Cleveland Browns last night, the team may be looking for a slot guy.
Options to fill this void include: Quinton Patton, Ryan Swope, Josh Boyce, Kenny Stills, Conner Vernon, Jasper Collins, Ace Sanders.
The team could also opt to add a bigger, red-zone guy like a Da’Rick Rogers.
–The team will also be searching for a running back here to help add some thickness to their running back corp.
Options to fill this void include: Jonathan Franklin, Marcus Lattimore, Joseph Randle, Stepfan Taylor, Mike Gillislee, Andre Ellington, Dennis Johnson, Rex Burkhead, Michael Ford.
–The team may be also looking to help out the safety position. Ireland is notorious for taking safeties in the latter rounds.
Options include: Phillip Thomas, Shamarko Thomas, Earl Wolff, Duke Williams, Robert Lester, Don Jones.
—Corner is also an intriguing spot if the team thinks they can find value.
Value corners here could include: Jordan Poyer – why has this guy fallen so far?, B.W. Webb (MY GUY!), Brandon McGee, Tharold Simon, Micah Hyde.
–And let’s not sleep on adding more versatility and athleticism to our linebacking corp.
Options include: Kevin Reddick, Nico Johnson, Khaseem Greene – once projected as a first round talent, DeVonte Holloman.
One last spot the team could opt to add players to is the offensive and defensive line.
Options include: Alex Okafor, Michel Buchanan, Cornelius Washington, Akeem Spence, Brian Schwenke, Earl Watford, Jeff Baca, Alvin Bailey, Davis Quessenberry, Ricky Wagner, Oday, Aboushi, Jordan Mills.
It’s shaping up to be one heck of an exciting Day 3!