Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Best players left for the Miami Dolphins on Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft

By Matthew Stevens

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 07: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball in the first half against the LSU Tigers during the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 07: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball in the first half against the LSU Tigers during the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 12: Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a tackle in the first halfon running back Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 12, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 12: Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a tackle in the first halfon running back Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 12, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Pass Rushers

Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State

A.J. Epenesa, Iowa

Zach Baun, Wisconsin

James Lynch, Baylor

Curtis Weaver, Boise State

Bradley Anae, Utah

Depending on what the Dolphins desire in a pass rusher, there is a player to meet their needs.  Gross-Matos, Epenesa, Lynch, and Anae all have the mass needed to hold up against the run in either a 3-4 or 4-3 DE scheme while also showing the ability to get to the passer.

Prediction:  Gross-Matos and Epenesa:  Early/mid-round 2. —Anae/Lynch: Late 2nd/early 3rd. 

Baun and Weaver, on the other hand, aren’t built to set the edge against the run.  Their best use is standing rushing the passer.

Prediction:  Baun Middle round 2; Weaver Late 2/Early 3

Defensive/Nose Tackle

Ross Blacklock, TCU

Jordan Elliott, Missouri

Raekwon Davis, Alabama

I don’t suspect that the Dolphins will be prioritizing DT/NT this early in the draft but if they do, these three clearly fit what the Dolphins want out of the position.

Blacklock was projected by many to go in round one but runs at other positions pushed him out.  Blacklock is best used as a DT who’s set loose to find the QB and if the running back happens to get the ball, tackle him instead.  Not the best fit for a 3-4 NT but if Flores wants to go 4-3 and put Blacklock next to Wilkins, they could cause chaos for opponents.  Prediction:  Early/mid-round 2 to 4-3 team.

Unlike Blacklock, Elliott is better suited to control the inside gaps in a 3-4 scheme and let the linebackers flow to the tackles but also possesses the ability to fire after the QB if asked.  Projection:  Early round 2 to a primarily 3-4 defensive team.

Raekwon Davis can be as good as he wants to be.  He has the size, strength and pass rush moves needed to disrupt both the pass and run.  The problem is that his ‘motor’ isn’t always turned on so his production has been spotty throughout his college career.  If Flores can motivate him, Davis could be a future Pro Bowler.  Projection:  Late 2nd/3rd round.

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