Reggie Ragland Alabama MLB NFL Draft Preview
By Chris Lacey
Does Reggie Ragland offer The Dolphins value at 13 ?
Does Reggie Ragland offer value with the 13th overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft ? The Dolphins haven’t had a linebacker who could stop the run since Karlos Dansby. Should Miami select a player who can end their run defense woes ?
Joe Philbin and his defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle had a plan going into the 2013 season. They wanted to get younger and faster at linebacker. Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett were released. Dannell Ellerbe and Phillip Wheeler were signed. The experiment was an abject failure. Neither player lived up to expectations and Ellerbe’s cap number was bizarre for an unproven player ( 5yrs $35 million ). Ellerbe was traded to the New Orleans Saints and Wheeler was released before the 2015 season.
The Dolphins signed Ndamukong Suh and Kelvin Shepherd for the 2015 season in the belief that they would cure their porous run defense. Suh is an excellent player but a combination of poor schemes and double teams prevented him from having the desired impact. He also lacked consistent help. Shepherd has been released.
Miami have recently traded for Kiko Alonso who was outstanding in his rookie year for the Buffalo Bills. Alonso’s subsequent injury and trade to the Eagles have hampered his development. He could bounce back in 2016 but it is not guaranteed. Either way the Dolphins will still lack quality in depth.
Does Reggie Ragland offer a solution at selection 13 or is that regarded as poor value for this highly touted MLB ? It is highly unlikely that Myles Jack who the Dolphins covet will fall to 13. There is a possibility that they trade up but that may be prohibitively expensive.
The NFL is now a pass heavy league. Slot receivers, pass catching tight ends and running backs moonlighting as receivers are the staple diet of NFL offenses. Reggie Ragland is regarded by some as a two down linebacker who lacks the necessary speed to cover TE’s and particularly RB’s . He has been labelled as a ‘thumper ‘ or run stuffer, a throwback linebacker. Lacking top end speed , is there a place for him in the modern era NFL.? It depends on how much you want to stop the run. No team can win if it cannot stop the opponets offense from running on them. Bad rush defense results in too many 3rd and shorts for the offense. It’s reflected in time of possession. Ultimately the defense tires and the consequence is points conceded.
Great defenses need a leader, especially at MLB. Mike Singletary and Ray Lewis are testament to that
What does Reggie Ragland offer ? He is a no nonsense light’em up type linebacker. By his own admission he isn’t a vocal leader. He doesn’t have to be. His hard hitting and high octane motor are an example to his team mates. All offenses and defenses need a leader. Great defenses need a leader, especially at MLB. Mike Singletary and Ray Lewis are testament to that.
Often during a game there are periods where a defense is back on its heels. The opposing offense is dictating the tempo and flow of the game. That’s when someone needs to step up. A sack, a fumble, an interception or a BIG hit. Sometimes fans become more involved in their beer and hot dog than events on the field. A big hit changes that. Players respond too. When they are gassed they can be revitalised. High fives and restored confidence. Their resolve to stop the opposing offense is regalvanised. There’s renewed determination. That’s what a Reggie Ragland can bring to a defense.
Reggie Ragland IS a throwback. Can he play all three downs ? That depends on the scheme and his responsibilities. Dick Butkus wouldn’t be drafted in the NFL today.He was too slow to be a three down player. Is Reggie Ragland over valued at 13 ? Bill Belichick payed him an awful lot of attention at the Alabama pro-day. You decide.