What Top Talent Could Realistically Fall To The 13th Pick?
The focus of all NFL organizations and fans is the 2016 Draft on Thursday April 28th.
Due to a rush on QB’s, what top talent could realistically fall to the 13th pick?
The Dolphins originally had the eighth pick overall, but after the trade with the Eagles they now sit at thirteen. There lingers a concern that Miami may lose out on a top tier player because of the trade. But the success of the trade will be based on more than that. The trade evaluation with have three parts: the success of Alonso and Maxwell’s, the player picked #13, and the player missed in the trade back from #8. Of the three, Miami now only has control of one part – who they pick. So what top talent could realistically fall to the 13th pick?
Florida Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III was a starter for the Gators since he was a Freshman, and his cover skills are already compared to some of the top Corners in the league. Many sports gambling fans are saying that he is already better than most of the Corners already playing in the NFL. Hargreaves is a stud that excels from press or zone coverage – which is perfect because it appears that Miami will run a press zone defense this year. Gase has stated they need backs and corners – this likely would be the best case scenario for them at the 13th pick.
However, I believe a team in the 9-12 range is going to jump on Hargreaves, and Miami has a strong chance to miss out on him.
If Hargreaves becomes unavailable it might mean that Notre Dame Offensive Tackle Ronnie Stanley has fallen and could be in striking distance. Stanley has it all, he is quick, long, and athletic, and many draft pundits believe he has the ability to be Pro-Bowl Left tackle in the NFL. In the last couple of years Miami’s starting Left Tackle Branden Albert has struggled against injuries, is already 31 years old, and has a $10.6 million dollar salary cap number in 2017. Stanley probably won’t make make it past the Bears and this could also open up the possibility of Conklin (T) who PFF has given a higher grade to. The only negative with Conklin is he more suited for a man-blocking, power system like up in Buffalo and not as much with Miami’s zone-stretch. Selecting Stanley or Conklin immediately upgrades one of the team’s weakest units and gives them more flexibility because either player can be moved to Guard and then get kick back out to tackle next year.
A trade back would offer Miami shots at a good player while netting more picks.
If these two players are already taken they might have paved the way for Ohio State Running Back Ezekial Elliot to fall to the 13th pick. He is by far the best running back in the draft, and while Miam needs someone to pair with Ajayi. This would be an excellent situation for Miami as they could either keep the top running back or use him as trade bait for another team.
While a trade back would allow Miami to grab more picks, it could also put further strain on them drafting who they want. However, while a trade would add risk to the reward, depending on how far they moved back, Miami could still have shots at William Jackson III, (CB), Eli Apple (CB), Reggie Ragland (ILB), and Mackensie Alexander (CB), or Cody Whitehair (G). And anyone of them would help Miami’s roster while also fetching them extra picks.
And lastly, to bring it full circle, the Eagles might very well be selecting Elliot. But by not selecting Hargreaves, they would be helping Miami get a better chance at acquiring the CB. I’d be willing to bet dollars to donuts that Tannenbaum had an invisible clause in his trade with the Eagles that he needed to know if Hargraves would be their pick.
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about the 13th pick?
I think we can get a very good guard in round two. If Stanley falls to us in round one I’d be good with that. But if Hargreaves or Elliott is there we have to take them. As far as LB I think we can wait til round 4 and get Scooby Wright. Really like him but if Smith’s medical comes back where he will get healthy and he is there round two grab him. Alot of scenarios for the draft. I agree with Lemmus that o-line has to be first priority but only if they don’t have to reach
Hello DolFans
The 3 late Rounds Offensive linmen I thought would start eventually with Albert, Pouncey, and James are 1. (Alex Lewis A 7th rounder) 2. Keith Lumpkin 3. Stephine Nembot who may not get drafted but bring to camp. (The Fins need a Mentorship program strong one)
There are two giant offensive tackles that everyone needs to have on their watch list as possible starting bookends at the next level. The first is Keith Lumpkin of Rutgers, who measured in at over 6’7″ and 327 pounds, and the second is Stephane Nembot, who almost hit 6’7″ and 318 pounds.
Keith Lumpkin OT 39 Rutgers Lumpkin was best known for his tape against Randy Gregory of Nebraska last season. Before Gregory had a misstep on a drug test at the combine, he was considered a top-five pick as a pass-rusher, and Lumpkin closed him out for their entire matchup.
Nembot’s potential as tackle has been known, as Tony Pauline of Draft Insider reported last year that he was considering declaring early for the 2015 draft class.
Initially recruited a defensive end, Nembot leaves Colorado with experience at both tackle positions, having started at right tackle in 2013-14 before making the switch his senior year to the left side. The coaches at Colorado laud Nembot’s intangibles, including his leadership, selflessness and versatility. He’s an ascending talent who appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential.
Lemus, Admin & Dunner
Dolphins do need Offensive linemen in the early round But All 1st round linemen dont always pan out??? There are about 5 early rounds top Tackles that could start for the Dolphins???? + 3 possibles that are starters in the late rounds or not drafted this is very important recogizing talent.
We all know who are the top 5 Linemen are and the top two Quards Are? It was said that only Cody Whitehair would be a starter???????
Dolphins would View Alex Lewis as an Offensive linemen who the Dolphins should gamble on (He would start for the Dolphins without a Doubt. A 7th round pick?????
Alex Lewis
Player Overview
He originally started his career at Colorado, but transferred because of an off-field altercation that left an Air Force cadet unconscious and Lewis was eventually sentenced to serve 45 days in jail for third-degree assault.
He sat out the 2013 season as a Nebraska transfer and earned the starting left tackle job as a junior, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors.
STRENGTHS: Has an adequate frame for the position with long arms and natural knee bend, keeping his feet moving and underneath him at all times. Resets well at the point of attack to anchor down and stay balanced. Shows the flexibility and quickness to sink and engage.
He moves well for a taller blocker and was one of the most consistent prospects on the West squad at the Shrine Game. Named team captain as a senior. Academic All-Big Ten in 2014.
IN OUR VIEW: Lewis has the talent for the next level, but does he have the maturity and level head required for the NFL? He is an assignment sound blocker who gets the job done, but his baggage ? on and off the field ? will take him off several draft boards around the league.
–Dane Brugler (1/18/16)
Lewis was a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the coaches, while he earned third-team honors from the media. Lewis is part of an offensive line that has helped Nebraska rank second in the Big Ten in both passing offense and total offense. The Huskers have also allowed just 13 sacks in 12 games, the fewest of any Big Ten team. – Nebraska Football
More Alex Lewis News
…sigh …shakes head …pounds it against wall …apologizes to better half for the hole in the wall …again
…I just don’t get the idea of picking a QB and betting that we can then trade him …either use it for the bpa or trade back to where we have a good chance of getting Conklin or Whitehair plus an xtra 2nd
…if we keep the 13th and Stanley is there, we have to take him …Albert is old, injury prone, and in decline …if (when) he goes down, the OL goes with him …Stanley will be a pro-bowler LT for years to come
…if Stanley is gone, I want to trade down regardless and go for Conklin or Whitehair plus an xtra 2nd …but I’d not go bonkers if they took the bpa instead …we have no idea whether a decent tradedown offer will be made …too much depends on picks 1-12
…but geez louise, all the patches they’ve made to the OL so far in FA aren’t worth a plug nickle imnsho …somewhere, someone in the FO has to recognize that and fix it …no matter what else happens this season, they have to know come Dec whether Tannehill is the future or not …and without an OL, they simply won’t.
Admin
This was taken from CBSsports.com!
Although NFL teams — and their quarterbacks — believe the 2016 draft talent at offensive tackle is outstanding, the overall group of O-linemen appears only average — if that.
According to ratings by NFLDraftScout.com, after the NFL Draft starts on April 28, up to four offensive tackles could be taken in the top 20, led by Mississippi’s Laremy Tunsil — who some believe is the best athlete in the whole class. Up to nine offensive tackles could go in the first round and 11 in the top 100.
In all, NFLDraftscout.com rates 26 offensive tackles in the top 350. In the last five drafts, an average of 20 tackles were selected, with a high of 27 in 2006. The average number of tackles taken in the top 100 over that same time is 11, the same as projected this year.
After watching both quarterbacks struggle against pressurized defenses in Super Bowl 50, it seems every NFL team is looking for more protection along the front line.
Laremy Tunsil is the top choice in a draft full of talented tackles. (USATSI)
Among the offensive tackle prospects who may join Tunsil in the top 20 are Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley and Michigan State’s late-blooming Jack Conklin. Joining them in the first round should be Ohio State senior Taylor Decker, Indiana four-year starter Jason Spriggs and Texas A&M’s well-built Germain Ifedi, although he still needs to improve pass blocking consistency.
Even if the crop of tackles seems better than usual numerically, there were surprises in the last few years at the top, where the talented college stars found the transition to the NFL to be a difficult test.
The pool of prospects at guard and center seems less promising, with only one guard — Kansas State’s Cody Whitehair — projected to be taken near the end of the first round at best and one possible first-round center, although a good one, Alabama’s Ryan Kelly.
Admin that being said the Dolphins would have a situation? Either they would have to take Conklin OT somewhere between 13th pick -22 pick. Going after a Guard Cody Whitehair at 13th pick would be to much of a reach unless the Dolphins trade back?
Another Scenerio would be like Dunner Said draft one of the top 3 QB’s for trading later in the 1st round to Denver etc. Holpefully trading The QB does not become a futre Pro Bowler?
3 possible draft scenario eliminating mediocre players and obtaining play makers.
1st Round RB Elliot (offense) 1st Round CB Hargreaves shut down CB
2nd Round ILB Kendral Brothers 2nd Round OG Vadal #2 OG
3rd Round CB Burns 3rd Round RB Collins #3 RB
4th Round OG Landon Turner 4th Round ILB Matakevich solid leader
5th Round QB Jones 5th Round QB Jones National title champ
6th Round OT Lewis 6th Round OT Lewis Captain Nebraska
7th Round FB Vitale 7th Round FB Vitale #2 FB
1st Round Offensive Tackle Round Trade Back
2nd Round ILB Kendral Brothers The play maker
3rd Round CB Xavien Howard
4th Round RB Kenyan Drake Best Diverse Back
5th Round QB Jones
6th Round ILB Lewis
7th Round FB Vitale
Possible trade back picks
A trade back could give us Joshua Perry OLB
“(For a Second OG Vadal Alexander)”
5th OLB Travis Feeney)”
KJ Dillon SS
Tyvis Powell FS
Morgan Burns CB
As far as top talent falling; Bosa possibly (wow), Elliot (perfect), Jack (does no pro day hurt him that much?). To me, those are the top players that could unexpectedly fall. If scouts view Hargraves as media does then he to could be considered one of the top talents and may fall.
Should anyone of the 2 players; Hargraves or Elliot fall to 13, I think that would be their pick. However, should Elliot be there, he could be a big trade commodity as well. Also if any of the top 3 QBs were to fall (Wentz, Geoff, Lynnch), they too could be used as trade leverage. Lynch is expected to be there at 13, thus teams like Broncos/Jets/Rams may be calling for the pick (player).
I personally would like to see the QBs fall and be there at 13. If any of the top 2 QBs (Wentz, Geoff) are there at 13, that pick could become very valuable and thus Miami could benefit. Broncos/Jets/Browns/Rams/49ers could all be trying to trade for the pick.
The spot to trade back to would be 20 or further back. 20+ on back gets you a extra second round pick or more the further back you go. Any trade from 15-18 would garnish an extra 3rd round pick. Now should they trade to one of those 15-18 slots to get another 3rd, they could still trade back to the tail end of the first round (28-31) and still get an extra 2nd round pick, thus giving them two 2’s and two 3’s.
Should we trade back into the 20s, there could be players such as Artie Burns, William Jackson III, Eli Apple, Darron Lee, Alexander, Spence. That is not to mention the guards available, because they all will still be there. How about a scenario where Miami gets Burns and Noah Spence w their first 2 picks followed by a guard w their extra 2nd. That would be a nice first 2 rounds.
Miami should have options. I am for receiving more picks however it is done. Miami could still walk away w a day 1 starter at CB in the 20s. I don’t see Elliot or Hargraves to be there at 13. But that means someone else will be.
Dunner
Very nice analogy of possible Draft scenario for the Fins. There are two difference makers at pick 13th the Fins cannot refused 1. Ezekiel Elliot 2. Hargreaves CB.
Many top college defenses have tried to stop Elliot and he still gain 200+ yards a game. Plus the Expert say Elliot is the only player in the 1st round who completes all the checks.
Hargreaves has started since a freshman and is viewed as shut down corner? Now if he cover his side with the Fins how can we refused him? Can he?, I don’t know but this is where the fins need to verify, verify.
Stanley has lost stock from 1 threw 5 now projected at maybe 9 picked.
The other three Offensive linemen would best select over 18th picked.
Like you said there is definitely a trade with numerous of teams? We must be on the upper hand.
Dunner
Bill are swaying towards Defense also.
Of the 17 reported #Bills pre-draft visitors, 14 of them are defensive players. Full list here: https://t.co/qvDPwdWAHh
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) Apr 11, 2016