Dolphins 2017 Draft Class: 2018 Pay-Off Time?
Can 2017 1st Rd Draft Pick Charles Harris make a strong impact on 2018?
The 2017 Draft Class had 4 players make solid contributions in their rookie debut
Round 1, # 22: Charles Harris, Defensive End
Linebacker is a big need for 2018
Round 2, No. 54: Raekwon McMillan, Linebacker
With McMillian’s early injury, it’s hard to determine if he’ll be a stud or what. For whatever it’s worth, many of the coaches saw him as the best of the 2017 Rookie class. Other than that, there’s not much to say except high expectations were dashed to the ground and shattered with McMillian’s ACL tear. You can’t help but pull for the kid in 2018… that injury was a raw deal. In essence, IF McMillian can come back healthy, the Phins get an extra 2nd Rd Pick in 2018. Miami desperately needs a quality MIKE backer. Kiko Alonso can’t stack and shed (or cover) and is only passable as a 2 down MLB–unless he’s kept very clean. Phins need McMillian to bounce back and be the player they believe he can be. He’s been hard at work with trainer Pete Bommarito this offseason, so fingers are crossed.
Round 3, No. 97: Cordrea Tankersley, Cornerback
Tony Lippett tore his knee up in Preseason and Byron Maxwell crashed and burned and was sent packing early in 2017. Tankersley was supposed to play sparingly and learn from the bench last season. Instead, he was thrust into the starting role. Beyond his injury, he had a surprisingly successful season. The crash course can only help his cause in 2018. His confidence, despite some bumps in the road, showed real character, and his speed, and ability to recover was exceptional. But it was the mental side of the game where he struggled the most. All the experience he gained should help him in his preparation and give him a good shot at improving his weakness. If he can get a pro-level understanding of the game, the sky is the limit.
Miami had some good success in the backend of the 2017 Draft
Round 5, No. 164: Isaac Asiata, Guard/Center
There was a lot of hope that Asiata would step in at the Guard and help Miami’s weakest group. NOPE! He was as strong as billed but too slow of foot. 2017 was his redshirt year… or so the spin went. If he can shed 10-15 lbs in the offseason he may just have a chance to make the squad. As it stands: Tunsil, Sitton, Kilgore, Davis, and James are the starters with Larson, Brendel, Smith, Young, and Asiata in reserves. Miami will keep nine, so one of these players are gone. Smith and Asiata will likely be fighting it out for the final spot… along with any rookies. Smith saw extended playing time in the Preseason his rookie year, while Asiata was given garbage time in 2017. At this point, the edge goes to Smith. Phinsnews is very high on Smith winning the matchup. Of course, this could change if Asiata comes in condition, or a better rookie is drafted.
Round 5, No. 178: Davon Godchaux, Defensive Tackle
Round 6, No. 194: Vincent Taylor, Defensive Tackle
While Taylor wasn’t as productive and didn’t pop as quick as Godchaux, he showed plenty of room for growth. Taylor made steady improvements in his game and even contributed some big plays for the Phins in 2017. Either it was good coaching or good evaluation, but both these DT’s look like good prospects and both will probably stick on this year’s roster.
Round 7, No. 237: Isaiah Ford, Wide Receiver
Ford went down early and was in I.R. for the season. With the trade of Jarvis Landry and the signing of Amendola and Wilson, the chances of Ford making the team are a long, long shot. But his 7th Rd value makes him disposable. It’s far from the end of the world if he ends up on the cutting room floor.
There’s a lot to like about the 2017 draft. Their development will be one of the more crucial storylines in 2018. Tankersly is poised to start at cornerback opposite Howard in 2018… just as Jordan Phillips and Davon Godchaux are the projected starters at DT. In a Phins fan dream sequence, this crew brings back the glory days of Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison and Daryl Gardener and Tim Bowens. Hell, in this fantasy, we might as well add in McMillian as Zach Junior. The reality is if they can even be half of those Dolphins greats Miami will be winning big time. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans expectations for our 2017 draft class for next season?
Admin
Understand your thoughts on Landry needing to GO! On the other hand the Dolphins cannot out of frustration give away 1st round Talent for 4th and 5th round trades. You could have made a better deal I’m certain.
I think they screwed up in 2017 and created a catch 22 for themselves this season. They were late on their evaluation of Landry and the situation prior to the 2017 season or thought they could make it work out in the 2018 offseason. Landry decided to do the right thing till about Week 4… then his routes became more undisciplined, his blocking had less effort, and then when his game picked up he started acting undisciplined. His demands became quite lofty, $50 mil guaranteed and 15+ a season… and he wouldn’t settle for less. Phins only card was tag him and try to get what they could. I would say they screwed up in the trade, but Landry had full control and had a few teams that were interested…yet, he could only get the Browns and they wouldn’t give him a long term contract. That’s the biggest fact that Miami didn’t screw the end up as they did last season. No one was willing to give him anything more than a one year deal. If no one wants what you are selling, then what to do? Miami likely could have aquired more for Landry last season from the Ravens, but they made the wrong decision… to me at least, that is where they failed. Honestly, the way I see it, Steve, they were lucky to get what they did.
Admin
Dunner discussed having too many projects on the Dolphins team I mentioned that the Dolphins are making 50/50 performances on their trades this 2018 off season.
My Question with the Dolphins Admin! Are they really serious about winning in the NFL?, Some teams are identifying their problems and fixing their problems for a super bowl win. The Rams are setting a very nice example how to build a Supper Bowl Team.
It all began with Aaron Donald winning Defensive Player of the Year, followed by Todd Gurley with Offensive Player of the Year.
Their dominance was capped off by Sean McVay taking home Coach of the Year honors, becoming the youngest ever to win the award. Although Gurley didn’t win MVP, it was still a huge night for the Rams in Minneapolis, and their teammates recognized it on Twitter.
As good as all three were last season, one stood above the rest. Donald, with his 99.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, was arguably the best player in all of football. He had 11 sacks and 91 total pressures in 14 games, seemingly improving as the season went on.
As if it wasn’t already abundantly obvious that the Los Angeles Rams are one of the most aggressive teams in the NFL, this should seal the deal.
Now, Suh is with Los Angeles, pairing with fellow All-Pro Aaron Donald. They give Wade Phillips a dynamic tandem to work with up front, and when you add Michael Brockers to the mix, the Rams’ defensive line becomes one of the best in all of football.
According to the New York Daily News, the Rams have contacted the New York Giants about a possible trade for Odell Beckham Jr.
Rams DT Aaron Donald and RB Todd Gurley just became the first teammates since Ravens LB Ray Lewis and RB Jamal Lewis in 2003 to win Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year in the same season.
Their are too many issues with the Miami Dolphins, Too many players have left this team over the years and now have Supper Bowl Rings. Are we setting ourselves up for the most embarrassing season in 2018 with our false gold hope?
To me, Landry had to go. I think this team will be fine… and more so, they will be a better team–depending on the draft of course. Amendola was the only big issue I had, but I understand it. It’s really a one year deal. At the very least he comes in and leads by showing the way you do things. They have Parker, Stills, Grant, and Wilson who can play on the wings. They have Wilson, Carroo, and Amendola of the inside. Carroo is done this season if he flops… Amendola is his last chance and a great opportunity to learn… as well as for the rest of the receivers. I’ve been in a dysfunctional lockerroom… it drains everything. Landry went to the Browns without an extension… no one wanted to pay him that money and give him an extension. He wanted 50 mill guaranteed with 15 mil a year… are you nuts. Miami couldn’t pay him and it would be insane to keep him on the tag. They should have moved him last year, but that’s water under the bridge. Nothing you can do about it now. They got what they could. I think this OL is better than it’s been in years… that alone will make this whole team better. Suh was an ahole and making 19 mill. Landry delusional and a bit uncontrollable. Pouncey to risky for the price and injuries. In return they have Quinn, Wilson, Amendola, Sitton, Kilgore, and Gore… an cut of the being locked into the future. They are free in CAP 2018 and beyond. They’re setting the lockerroom that they want. Will it be better? YUP…anything was better than last year. Will it be enough to make this regime stick? Time will tell. Bottom line the future is open for this or the next regime. Discipline killed this team last year more than anything… it will be night and day as far as I can see in 2018.
Admin
Evaluation on the 2017 draft class. Injury are going to happened.
Draft that player who knows how to trained to prevent injuries that must be the overall deciding factor.
Yeah, that one though was a bit abnormal… terrible luck… and a rare case. Tech is great and he’ll be ready to go this year.
Hello Dol-Fans
We see every draft a player who’s value is about A 3rd or 4th rounder but after the experts over prod cast these players, many make it into the 1st round who has no business in the 1st round.
Just an example during the 2017 College football season the listed below were the top 20 linebackers. So why most of the other LBer’s are not heard/mentioned of during these few months to the draft.
I believed their is plenty of value in this group to be day one starters and that many are being overlooked. Evaluation assessment is Key!
NOT MY FAVORITE PLAYER JUST AN EXAMPLE HOW THE PLAYERS STOCK IS UP AND DOWN.
https://collegefootballnews.com/2017/06/top-20-safeties-preview-2017-2
Micah Kiser, LB
School: Viginia | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 236 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd Round or 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Denzel Perryman
https://www.hogshaven.com/2018/1/30/16943630/micah-kiser-could-vie-for-a-starting-role-at-ilb-for-the-redskins
I agree… I think now for me the dream sequence would be Minka falling to #11… he would change this defense tremendously… I like James, but it would be a log jam with Jones and McDonald. Minka can lay nickel outside ( to a degree) and one high… man, I love Vea, but the more I think about it… he’d be the hit of a decade for this team. You know better than me, but from what I read, this is a very deep LB draft…
Fitzpatrick would be a nice addition for the Dolphins and trading back and going late after Evans plus more draft picks would be outstanding.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama S: Fitzpatrick will be compared to Florida State safety Derwin James. Right now, Fitzpatrick is having the better season, and thus comes off the board first.
Next Evans. Yet another amazing Alabama linebacker who’ll be on the short list for every award and early NFL draft consideration, the 6-3, 231-pound Auburn native is a thumper coming off a 53-tackle season with three sacks. All but unnoticed was his national title performance with a season-high 11 tackles against Clemson. Evans can make an immediate impact for the team that drafts him this spring, and depending on the scheme in which he plays, he could be a Day 1 starter (much like another former Tide linebacker, C.J. Mosley.) Evans has a similar skill set to the one possessed by Mosley, and there’s no reason to believe that the team lucky enough to draft him will get a similar player who can do everything at a high level, and do it with high character and leadership.
https://www.rollbamaroll.com/2018/2/15/17013014/a-salute-to-the-2017-seniors-rashaan-evans-alabama-crimson-tide
I like Minka because he can be a back up CB, nickel CB and a FS… this would allow him to be on the field with Jones and McDonald, where James is better at coverage than our current S, but he’s too much like them to have 3. Evens looks good, but doesn’t he have an injury knock? Trade back is growing on me, but I’m now fixated on Edmunds, Vea, and Minka… working on being more objective on the matter…starting to study the later picks now…
I would agree that Minka’s versatility has great value. Just wanted to share three different draft prospective’s. This is not my mock draft.
Linebacker for the draft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoLda3eYDc4
MIAMI DOLPHINS 2018 MOCK DRAFT | To Draft A QB or Not?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEeZqnub2b4
2018 MIAMI DOLPHINS 7 ROUND MOCK DRAFT – NFL 7 Round Mock
https://youtu.be/YubjTXxchSI