3 realistic players I’d love for the Miami Dolphins to draft at 29
By Matt Serniak
This guy, out of the others on this list, has the worst chance of being there at 29. But, depending on what you find, hear, and read, Nakobe Dean is slightly falling. Now, that could be complete nonsense and Dean gets drafted around 15ish. But a man can dream and I would be all over Dean if he were still there at 29.
The reason for his alleged decension(I feel like this should be a word but not 100% on it) is for all the typical stuff to cut down a guy who had a lights-out season.
Asked one to follow-up with info on why:
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 18, 2022
"Really small and short-armed. I don't think he's 6-foot. Don't think his arms are long enough at all. And I don't think he's the 4.4 you need to be at that size"
Basically, he’s not the size that scouts and teams prefer for their middle line backer. I feel like that’s weird because all across the board on defense, guys aren’t as bulky than they used to be. I don’t know why the middle linebacker can’t be in a position where today’s player wouldn’t be smaller than yesteryear’s middle linebacker but perhaps here we are?
For his size, they’re saying that his 40 time won’t be where you’d, ideally, want it but I say put on the tape.
Put in any Georgia game and you will watch an amazing defense that, to me, was anchored by the play of Nakobe Dean. There were many great players on that defense but when I watched them it was Dean that made that engine go.
Yes, I realize that highlight tapes are only showing the best plays but these are some elite-level plays against the best competition he can play against.
The INT where he was lined up split out like a corner was magnificent. The anticipation was if he saw into the future and knew the ball was coming his way.
I think you also have to love how the guy fills a hole and lowers the boom. His stoutness really benefits him when he does that because it allows him to get under guys and drive them back. There used to be another guy who played for the Dolphins, years ago, who was a linebacker who was a bit undersized. Some guy named Thomas. He was pretty good.
The Dolphins are probably going to lose Elandon Roberts and I wouldn’t be surprised if another linebacker out of the group was released as well. Dean would be a day one starter and an impact player to go with the rest of the young studs the Dolphins have on that side of the ball.
As I said, I don’t think he’ll be there but if he is, there aren’t many more that I would want at 29.