Scooby Wright, III Arizona Wildcats 2016 NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins have holes to fill. They have needs at corner back, running back, guard, defensive end and linebacker. Mike Tannenbaum has decisions to make. He is fully aware of their primary needs, highlighted by their failure to keep or capture a viable alternative to Jay Ajayi in the backfield.

There are many draft scenarios for the Dolphins. It is almost certain that they will address corner back in the first two rounds. Their preference in the first may well be running back  Ezekiel Elliott but he is likely to be gone by the 13th pick. Myles Jack the UCLA linebacker  is certain to selected  before the Dolphins pick. The likelihood will be Hargreaves, McKenzie or perhaps Apple at cornerback. The second round may yield a running back or guard depending on other team selections. Players like Alex Collins or Jason Spriggs may be available. There are multiple possibilities but in likelihood linebacker will be ignored until the 3rd or even more likely the 4th round.

Miami have attempted to address their shortcomings at LB in the trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. The acquisition of Kiko Alonso along with Byron Maxwell in exchange for the 8th overall pick may or may not have been prudent. Time will tell. Kiko Alonso was outstanding in his rookie campaign with Buffalo.

163 tackles, 29 for loss, 14 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, Bronco Nagurski award winner, Chuck Bednarik award winner

His injury and subsequent loss of form with the Eagles have cast doubt on his ability to rebound, the result being that the Dolphins need to add depth at LB. Koa Misi is adequate. Last year Jelani Jenkins was a shadow of his former self. Neville Hewitt showed promise late on but that was at a point in the season where there was little to play for.

Step forward Scooby Wright ? There are diverse opinions on Phillip Anthony ‘Scooby ‘ Wright. Draft analysts are unsure where the Arizona Wildcat will or should  be taken in the draft.

There can be no arguing on his 2014 stats.163 tackles, 29 for loss, 14 sacks, 6 forced fumbles. Read that again. 163 tackles, 29 for loss, 14 sacks, 6 forced fumbles. He was the winner of the Bronco Nagurski award (  press award to the best defensive player in college football ). He won the Chuck Bednarik award ( coaches award  to the defensive player of the year) .  These awards include past winners such as Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Luke Kuechly , Warren Sapp, Charles Woodson, Paul Poluszny, Tyrann Mathieu . Esteemed company.

2015 was not so glorious. Wright had a knee injury curtailing his season. He played in only 3 games. His draft stock suffered. Nevertheless, he declared early for the draft. He was obviously concerned that another injury may derail his NFL dream completely.

The draft is approaching and analysts have expressed concerns about his athleticism.  Experts say he is too small (6ft ) and  lacks strength. He lacks lateral speed ( 4.9 secs in the 40 ) and is a one dimensional straight ahead run stuffer and blitzer.  Film shows something different. Wright is relentless. He does not take a play off. He wants to make every tackle. He is incredibly instinctive. He diagnoses the play quickly and his excellent anticipation gives him an immediate advantage.  His physical limitations are more than compensated for by football IQ and an unrivalled determination.

There have been comparisons to Miami’s very own Zach Thomas. He is a similar height 6ft ( Thomas 5ft 11ins ) and a similar weight 239lbs ( Thomas 242lbs ). Thomas fell to the 5th round. He wasn’t deemed athletic enough, tall enough  or fast enough for the NFL despite similarly impressive career stats. . Sound familiar ?

April 30th , 2016 NFL Draft. Miami are on the clock with the overall 107th 4th round pick. You are the Dolphins GM. Scooby Do or Scooby Don’t ? You decide.