The Phins still have their best team-building ammo left to shoot
The Miami Dolphins hit the 2020 Free Agency fast and furious with a whirlwind of signings. Chris Grier needed to be this busy if he wanted to plug all the holes on the roster. But, even though the Phins locked up quite a few new starters, there are plenty of needs left to fill. Still, with over a dozen draft picks, Miami has all the ammo needed to get the job done.
So, with the rush of Free Agency done and the draft around the corner, what’s the Phins’ biggest remaining need?
Most Phins fans are in one of two corners.
Both M.J and I agree the biggest need is a starting-caliber Offensive Tackle.With 3 first-round picks, I’d assume at least one of them would be used on a tackle, especially since this draft is loaded with some top tier tackles. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind Miami doubling down in the first round on two tackles or offensive linemen. At least, the Phins should use two selections in the first two rounds where they have 5 picks available.
Any of these tackles would be worth a pick in the first round:
Tristan Wirfs, HT 6′ 5″, WT 322 lbs: “11th on PFF Big Board: Wirfs blew up the combine the same way he blew up edge defenders in the Big-10. The scary thing is how much his grade has improved by leaps and bounds since becoming the first-ever freshman to start at tackle for Kirk Ferentz.”
Andrew Thomas, HT 6′ 5″, WT 315lbs: “8th on PFF Big Board: Thomas has been pass protecting at a high-level in the SEC since he was a true freshman. Now, he’s the highest-graded power-5 tackle in the draft class.”
Mekhi Becton, HT 6′ 7″, WT 369lbs: “47th on PFF Big Board: Becton is a mountain of an offensive tackle. The good lord only made so many men that large that could move. They tend not to last long in the draft.”
Jedrick Wills, HT 6′ 4″, WT 312lbs: “9th on PFF Big Board: Wills has the most big-time blocks of any tackle in the draft class. He loves to decleat linebackers and moves like he could be one.”
Austin Jackson, HT 6′ 5″, WT 319 lbs: “100th on PFF Big Board: Jackson is still a work in progress that got manhandled by all of the top rushers he faced last year. He’s young though with the kind of feet you can’t teach.”
Josh Jones HT 6′ 5″, WT 319 lbs: “14th on PFF Big Board: Jones has shut down pretty much every defender he’s faced this season whether it was at Houston or at the Senior Bowl. He may be older and less athletic than the other top tackles, but he doesn’t lose.”
Miami must come out of this draft with a starting tackle.
Any of these tackles are a plug and play Day 1 starter for us. There’s no reason for Miami not to land at least one of these players. Hopefully, there won’t be an early run on tackles because one of these could even fall into our lap with the number 40 overall pick.
Despite how I felt early in the year, a QB of the future is Miami’s 2nd most needed position. There has been some talk out there that Miami is one of the top destinations for QB Cam Newton. This isn’t happening. Since his NFL MVP in 2015, Newton has often been injured and hasn’t regained his MVP form. And even if he was able to regain that form, is Miami really looking to invest in another QB that would be nothing more than a quick fix?
Nope!
Drafting a young QB would be plus, but not critical… this year
While anything is possible, Flores & Co. are all in on the Ryan Fitzpatrick train. They will only invest in a young QB prospect either this year or next year’s draft. And I wouldn’t throw Josh Rosen to the wolves just yet either. But, if Miami takes a QB this year, it will most likely be one of the big four: Burrow, Tua, Herbert, or Love.
Like most Phins, I just hope Grier doesn’t end up giving up extra draft capital to secure one of these prospects.
If a quarterback is Miami’s target, the best scenario would be for the Chargers to land Cam Newton. You can bet with the best bookie software solutions that the Chargers are our biggest competition to trade up over us for one of these QBs. Cam going to the Chargers will keep Miami from being ‘forced’ to trade up. Unfortunately, with Tyrod Taylor on the Chargers roster, Cam going to L.A. is a long shot too.
At least, if Miami can stay put at #5, the Phins can still land one of the top tackles… whether they draft a quarterback or not. I guess that would be a win-win for the Phins who want a quarterback and those that want an offensive tackle?!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts on what Miami’s biggest remaining needs are?
When did Willis become a left tackle, thought he was a right tackle? Why draft a right tackle then move him to the left side. If Simmons is available at 5 you need to draft him. If not trade down with the jaguars for #9 and #42. if a no go trade with the Raiders for #12, 80, and 81. Use the extra picks obtained in the draft to select a S,Edge,LB 2 OT,QB,and RB. That is seven players if you trade with the Jaguars you will have 7 players in the top 70 picks, if you trade with the Raiders you will have 8 players in the 1st 81st picks so you could add maybe a IDL to the above list. Picks 141 through 258 = 8 and can be used for backup players and developmental players. Also if you draft a QB you need to have a competition between the drafted QB and Rosen. Take Fitz out of the mix all together. He will only set the QB room back an additional year. The new QB needs to play with the new offense so they develop together.
He did play right in college, but he has all the tools to play left. Wierfs played right too… although, I think right is a good spot unless he can fix his technique… if not, then left guard. Willis is really a smooth player. I love this channel. I think I’m pretty good with Olinemen evaluation, but I always learn something new from this channel. Very, very detailed check it out Michael… this is on Willis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSZRUOq1y0M
Yeah, Simmons would have me looking for a OT with the second pick… I’ve been high on Simmons since Nov/ Dec. He is special. Yeah, I said that to someone about nailing the #5 and then trading down with the 18 for a Tackle… I do like Jones as well and he’ll go there. So we have the same mindset. But, I have a weird feeling Simmons will go before #5. I think Okudah and Simmons could go #3 and #4. But I’m not a draft expert in the least, so take all this with a large grain of salt.
Totally agree. Actually I am leaning towards forgetting a QB this year until maybe 3rd round and beyond! Tua was our guy but when he injured his hip, all bets were off. I would be completely happy with all 3 first round picks and the bulk of the 2nd rounders going to the OL & DL. Need maybe 2 tackles, plus a guard and NT/DT. Jesse Davis is not bad, he is serviceable, but Davis is too tall to be at guard, and his feet are not quick enough to play tackle. A good rotational player and swing guy! Just my thoughts. Build the trenches!!!
“Need maybe 2 tackles, plus a guard and NT/DT. Jesse Davis is not bad, he is serviceable, but Davis is too tall to be at guard, and his feet are not quick enough to play tackle. A good rotational player and swing guy! ”
I agree, Stephen, but I think Davis has good enough feet, but his technique needs help… Davis needs to get a better handle on when to you the different blocking sets. I think as he gets a better understanding of his talents against the many type of players and talents his decision making on using Jump, angle or drop step in pass protection will get better. I’m going to make it a project to study his play from this year… I’m goingto keep you statment in mind…
I would honestly trade down from the #5 pick, go for offensive linemen and a running back or defensive lineman or linebacker in first round, and have extra collateral in the second and third round. I believe that if Rosen is given a chance with an actual offensive line and running game around him, that he is the quarterback we are looking for. Last year, when he was played, we did not have a running game, the receiving unit had not started to come together, and he sure as hell did not have any protection from the line (just like in Arizona, the year before).
I like that option, too, Charles. I wrote on it a few times. I also think the rumors of Rosen’s demise in Miami are greatly exaggerated. They really have so many options. Simmons though is such an intriguing prospect and LT Willis can jump in and be a good one right off the bat… sorta’ makes it a little sticky. I do like the trade back though and using the 18th on a Tackle. I think the offensive that came from the Pats is a tough one to get down. They could have gone with Gailey to help Rosen or a new QB… not sure which.
When did Willis become a left tackle, thought he was a right tackle? Why draft a right tackle then move him to the left side. If Simmons is available at 5 you need to draft him. If not trade down with the jaguars for #9 and #42. if a no go trade with the Raiders for #12, 80, and 81. Use the extra picks obtained in the draft to select a S,Edge,LB 2 OT,QB,and RB. That is seven players if you trade with the Jaguars you will have 7 players in the top 70 picks, if you trade with the Raiders you will have 8 players in the 1st 81st picks so you could add maybe a IDL to the above list. Picks 141 through 258 = 8 and can be used for backup players and developmental players. Also if you draft a QB you need to have a competition between the drafted QB and Rosen. Take Fitz out of the mix all together. He will only set the QB room back an additional year. The new QB needs to play with the new offense so they develop together.
He did play right in college, but he has all the tools to play left. Wierfs played right too… although, I think right is a good spot unless he can fix his technique… if not, then left guard. Willis is really a smooth player. I love this channel. I think I’m pretty good with Olinemen evaluation, but I always learn something new from this channel. Very, very detailed check it out Michael… this is on Willis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSZRUOq1y0M
Yeah, Simmons would have me looking for a OT with the second pick… I’ve been high on Simmons since Nov/ Dec. He is special. Yeah, I said that to someone about nailing the #5 and then trading down with the 18 for a Tackle… I do like Jones as well and he’ll go there. So we have the same mindset. But, I have a weird feeling Simmons will go before #5. I think Okudah and Simmons could go #3 and #4. But I’m not a draft expert in the least, so take all this with a large grain of salt.
Jimmy,
Totally agree. Actually I am leaning towards forgetting a QB this year until maybe 3rd round and beyond! Tua was our guy but when he injured his hip, all bets were off. I would be completely happy with all 3 first round picks and the bulk of the 2nd rounders going to the OL & DL. Need maybe 2 tackles, plus a guard and NT/DT. Jesse Davis is not bad, he is serviceable, but Davis is too tall to be at guard, and his feet are not quick enough to play tackle. A good rotational player and swing guy! Just my thoughts. Build the trenches!!!
“Need maybe 2 tackles, plus a guard and NT/DT. Jesse Davis is not bad, he is serviceable, but Davis is too tall to be at guard, and his feet are not quick enough to play tackle. A good rotational player and swing guy! ”
I agree, Stephen, but I think Davis has good enough feet, but his technique needs help… Davis needs to get a better handle on when to you the different blocking sets. I think as he gets a better understanding of his talents against the many type of players and talents his decision making on using Jump, angle or drop step in pass protection will get better. I’m going to make it a project to study his play from this year… I’m goingto keep you statment in mind…
I meant Two Offensive linemen in the first round.
With what we picked up in FA, I could see two OLmen in the first… especially if we trade back… I think a trade back could net us some nice picks.
I would honestly trade down from the #5 pick, go for offensive linemen and a running back or defensive lineman or linebacker in first round, and have extra collateral in the second and third round. I believe that if Rosen is given a chance with an actual offensive line and running game around him, that he is the quarterback we are looking for. Last year,
when he was played, we did not have a running game, the receiving unit had not started to come together, and he sure as hell did not have any protection from the line (just like in Arizona, the year before).
I like that option, too, Charles. I wrote on it a few times. I also think the rumors of Rosen’s demise in Miami are greatly exaggerated. They really have so many options. Simmons though is such an intriguing prospect and LT Willis can jump in and be a good one right off the bat… sorta’ makes it a little sticky. I do like the trade back though and using the 18th on a Tackle. I think the offensive that came from the Pats is a tough one to get down. They could have gone with Gailey to help Rosen or a new QB… not sure which.