Miami Dolphins draft their “who the hell is that” pick in round 5
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have after four rounds finally drafted their “who the hell is that” draft pick taking linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel in round five.
Miami Dolphins fans have been waiting since day three of the draft started at 12:00 this afternoon to see the team make a draft pick and it wasn’t well received initially. The common fan reaction was, “who?”
Van Ginkel is an outside linebacker from Wisconsin and fills a big need on the Dolphins roster but how well he can acclimate to the Brian Flores defense isn’t clear. It is likely that the best chance he has to make the roster will be on special teams where the Dolphins need to fill that unit as well.
Van Ginkel doesn’t have an extensive resume. He didn’t start in 2017 and started in 11 games his senior year in 2018. When he is on his game, Van Ginkel has the speed to get up field and attack the quarterback and collapse the pocket.
What Van Ginkel doesn’t seem to fit is the Brian Flores image of what he wants the team to be. He is not as physical as other linebackers and lacks that violent attacking nature that Flores said he wants on the roster.
Overall this pick is a big reach for the Dolphins who had opportunities to take more productive edge rushers that were still on the board. Van Ginkel has not been projected to become a starter and many believe that special teams will be his ceiling. The Dolphins needed to do more with their 5th round pick.
That being said, it will be up to Patrick Graham and Brian Flores to find a way to use him. In two years he has four forced fumbles and 12 sacks. He is able to play all over the defense and is decent in coverage. He is the 2nd player taken in the draft from Wisconsin with Michael Dieter.