Choosing Other Teams’ Players Over In-House Talent: Part 2
In the last article Choosing Other Teams Players Over In-House Talent: Part 1 we looked over the curious and somewhat turbulent trade that could end up being a huge pro or con to the 2016 Miami Dolphins season. The feelings and expectation ranged from total bust to brilliant maneuver. Only time will tell what becomes of it. But, Tannenbaum made some good moves in the flurry of action by acquiring Mario Williams, signing a rising gem like Isa Abdul-Quddus, and giving an offer to C.J. Anderson. All three fill holes and all three upgrade the talent pool.
The Dolphins decided to see if Mario Williams has anything left in the tank by signing him to a $16 million 2 year deal. Of all the moves that the Dolphins have made this off-season, this is one of my favorites. Miami knew Vernon was going to be out of their price range, which is clearly evident after the Giants signed Vernon to a record setting $85 million dollar 5 year contract with $52.5 million guaranteed! I’d be willing to bet Mario Williams has a better next two seasons then Vernon does. Williams is the type of player that can dominate a game, create his own sacks, whereas Vernon is a good pass rusher that, while talented, has been inconsistent. Though Mario’s effort issue last season is troubling, he was put into a system that didn’t fit him, and frustration can take down the best. Pride alone will demand he has a monster season, if for nothing else to position himself for a raise.
Next the Dolphins paid Safety Isa Abdul-Quddus a handsome 3 year contract of $12.75 million, which is about $4.25 million a year. Isa has mainly been a special teams specialist throughout his 5 year career, however, around mid season last year, he became the Lions starting safety. He did not have any interceptions, however during the last half of the season he was quietly rated as one of the best safeties in the NFL. It doesn’t take the best sportsbooks to bet Miami is banking on him being able to continue his positive play from last season and play Robin to Reshad Jones’ Batman.
The Dolphins have also signed Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson to an 4 year offer sheet worth $18 million and $10 million guaranteed, however, the Broncos till Tuesday to match. Even though Anderson is a restricted free-agent because he was an undrafted rookie, Miami will not need to give up any draft picks, if Denver does not decide to match the Dolphins offer. Depending on whether or not Denver decides to match the Dolphins offer, this could be an extremely solid replacement for Lamar Miller. The Dolphins currently have a huge hole to fill at running back, since Miller signed with the Texans. This is a step in the right direction as Anderson has a more complete tool-set as a back than Miller. Anderson played under Gase in Denver, so there is definitely a familiarity with the offensive system there. Anderson is young, and has a 4.7 yards per carry average over the last 2 seasons and absolutely destroyed the Dolphins when we played the Broncos in Denver in 2014, so it’s always good to have a player like this on your team.
These additions will pay positive dividends. And while they don’t mask the remaining holes, they do offer a positive step forward. They are cap friendly, don’t constrict the future with bonus-heavy contracts, and offer talent despite the 2nd tier pay outs. These are the steady plays to counter balance the risky moves of the trade. Much work is left to be done in order to validate these move – most notably the offensive line. But, remember the reigning champions signed Mathis, who ended up being a top 5 guard, very late in the off season. There is still time and still hope that the biggest need will be addressed.
In addition to CJ Anderson! Enhancing the Dolphins Run Game Best Recruits????????
Eezekiel Elliot: Projected 1st round
Complementing Eli Manning and Odell Beckham, Jr. with a bell cow running back might be the fastest way of getting the Giants back into playoff contention. Elliott isn’t the second-coming of Todd Gurley but he’s clearly the top running back in this class, showing the all-around game to play on all three downs immediately.
Derrick Henry Alabama Projected 38 picked
IN OUR VIEW: Henry won’t be drafted based solely on a trophy and may struggle to duplicate his collegiate success in the NFL if not placed in the right system. His ability to get to and through the hole in a flash projects best in a traditional power-blocking scheme that limits his dancing at the line of scrimmage. This isn’t to say that he couldn’t be successful in a zone-blocking scheme, as he possesses vision and surprising agility.
Devonte Booker Utah Projected 60 picked:
IN OUR VIEW: Booker has been the workhorse of the Utah offense, averaging over 30 touches per game, but durability has also been a concern due to his high volume of carries and violent run style. Along with questions about ball security and age (will be a 24-year-old rookie), Booker will be dinged by some teams throughout the process due to these factors.
Alex Collins Arkansas Projected 75th pick
IN OUR VIEW: Collins was an ideal fit for Bielema’s blueprint on offense with his light feet to make sharp cuts, but also his physical nature to welcome contact, finish forward and do most of his damage between the tackles. Collins is a physical runner, but needs to improve his pad level and ball security to be more reliable at the next level.
CBS Sports Radio
Paul Perkins UCLA Projected 116th
IN OUR VIEW: The most consistent running back in the Pac-12 over the past two seasons, Perkins is a classic slasher with the vision and burst to project well in any NFL offense which allows him to simply plant and go. He has the hands and toughness to remain on the field on third down but a relatively spindly frame raises concerns about his ability to remain durable if featured in the NFL as he was by the Bruins.
–Rob Rang (12/21/15)
Can we trade back 5 more spots and still have options @
Elliot RB
Reggie Ragland ILB 1 Alabama Sr 6-1 247 1
18 *Eli Apple CB 2 Ohio State rSo 6-1 199 1
19 *Jack Conklin OT 3 Michigan State
or Decker OT
We could gain more picks????
I like the thought about trading back. In order to trade back and get another second round pick, we would have to be trading back to at least 21 (Wash). Trading back 5 spots (Indy, 18), would only get us a third round, Indy doesn’t have a second round pick and the next 2 teams are Jets, Bills (usually in division teams don’t trade).
Another trade back from there (21) to get a third would be to Arizona (#29).
Trading back may be difficult this year. Maybe trade back to Wash, (for their second). Maybe a trade back to Atlanta at 17 for another third.
How about trading right out of the first round? A trade w the Rams would get us 2 extra seconds and an extra third, giving us 3 second round picks (42, 43, 45 overall), and two third round picks (73, 76 overall).
All in all, I can see a trade back w Atlanta in the first (13 to 17) giving us an extra third. But that is about it. I’m starting to think Dodd, DE, Apple/Jackson III, CB, Lee/Perry, OLBer. Could they maneuver to get an extra second and double up, taking 2 guards? If we get an extra second, I would be up for taking Jaylan Smith if there at 42.
It will be interesting to see what they do. I still like Whitehair very much…they need to somehow bolster the line. I am not really hip on the draft, so it’s all guesswork for me. If miami get C.J. then CB and Ol are their on super empty holes. Like Lemmus said a while back Jordan will be playing SLB. So it’s really CB and OL that needs alot of love!!
Jordan,,,, as in Deon Jordan???? You are going to rely on him? That seems as bad as relying on Thomas and Douglas as the starting guard, such as the case in ’15. See how that worked out! And actually, Douglas/Thomas probably were are safer route. No kidding. It would be great if that re-re would figure it out. If the front office is going to rely on Jordan, than they almost have to take Jaylan Smith at 42 if hes there, as insurance, when Jordan falls off, yet again.
Admin, If hes there at 13, I’m feeling DE = K.Dodd. Though CB is a pressing need. They could trade back twice, maybe once to 17 or 21 (Atl./Wash.), then again to 29 (Ariz.) and then select their guard. I just can’t see them taking a O-Lineman at 13 w so many other impact players at CB/DE/LBer.
I’m assuming (hoping) that they have a plan for those 2 guard positions. Or they know something we don’t know, the last staff didn’t!
Dunner
Great Decision Making Scenarios that you listed! If the dolphins were in 23rd or 24th pick I would go after these two?
23 Taylor Decker OT 4 Ohio State Sr 6-7 310 1
24 *Leonard Floyd OLB 3
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Always go with #1 players in position for me
Dolphins stay put @ 13th pick
13th Reggie Ragland and Ezekel Elliot or Both # 1 in there position
Second Scenario:
Trade Back day of Draft to 18th spot
18th Elli Apple is Rank # 2 Corner Back or Jack Conklin 3 OT
(having extra pick from trade go after Vadal Alexander Ranked # 2 OG)
Third Scenario:
31st Trade back to #31 with Denver Cody White Hair is rank # 1 Guard
(Having Extra pick go after Nick Martinez Ranked # 1 center)
This can be a very good draft for the Dolphins?
…considering the euphoria after last year’s FA deals, I’m in a show-me state of mind
…the good …so far …is that the fins haven’t done anything that busts the bank for the future as yet
…except for the Suh deal which only made sense to me if we were a contender THIS YEAR …which we are not imnsho …and the restructure, so far, has not shown itself as being necessary for any of the acquisitions we have made …but it damn sure hurts us in the out years when we just might be a contender (hope springs eternal) and need the cap that we won’t have
…the bad, besides Suh, is that for the most part, we have given away healthy players and gotten injured retreads that may or may not heal/produce …we’re gambling big time and the odds are against us
…nor have we “fixed” the OL as yet …the one we acquired just had shoulder surgery less than a month ago and lost his starting job last season playing for Gase …in addition, he’s an aging LT who has never taken a snap at guard …the jobs are not readily interchangeable …look at how poorly Pouncy performed when moved to guard
…of course, Gase does know him and must think he’s an improvement …as a backstop for Albert he may be, IF he heals and IF he returns to form …but IF they try to make him a guard, all bets are off
…so we’re still short 2 starting guards and a decent b/u guard and I don’t see them on the remaining FA lists
…and with the drop to 13th Stanley is almost certainly off the board and a trade-back deal for more picks less likely/productive
…so like I said …show me
I drank the juice for three regimes, where I believed a turd could be gold: Shula, Johnson and Saban…dabbed alittle on my lips with Parcells too. I do like the moves so far this year, but a bunch have huge risk attached. I could have sworn they would have added blue chip OL in FA…Bushrod doesn’t could. I am really surprised with that. This will be a brilliant off season or a disaster, Lemmus. You had me starting to like Stanley as the pick…very, very unlikely now. CB seems to be the pick…trade back good move but adds difficulty with finding the right players the later you go.