The Biggest Rookie Impact Will Come From…
The biggest rookie impact will come from…
Miami Rookie class by most accounts is a good one.
On paper, the Dolphins “seem” to have a solid draft, so one begins to wonder where the biggest rookie impact will come from…both this year and beyond.
The popular pick for both “awards” is clearly first round pick, OL Laremy Tunsil. From all appearances, he will be able to make a successful position change to Guard this season, despite some bumps along the road. The reality is he is going to be even better when he ultimately moves to his more natural position of Left Tackle. That is not going to happen this year, unless Brandon Albert gets injured. So, if I were a football gambling man, odds are Tunsil will likely have the best career of this Rookie group.
However, I do not think he will have the biggest impact this season.
Miami’s second round pick was Cornerback Xavien Howard. As much as everyone would love Howard to step in on day one and seize the starting Cornerback spot opposite of Maxwell, I do not think that this is how the story is going to play out. Second year player Tony Lippett has been impressive this off-season, and the starting spot is seemingly his to lose. This is not a knock on Howard, but more of a reality about the difficulties in transitioning from college to the NFL. From a technique / skills perspective, QB and CB are the hardest positions to start at as a rookie .
In the third round, Miami selected Alabama running back Kenyan Drake, who should be a very good compliment to Ajayi because he faster and is more elusive than the bigger and more powerful Ajayi. Considering that Coach Gase likes to utilize the running game, Drake should get a lot of opportunities to make some plays this year. However, the biggest knock on Drake is that he has a history of injuries that makes him look like Cavity Sam from the Milton Bradley Operation game. To prove the point, Drake has already suffered a minor hamstring injury in OTA’s. Even though he “should” be fine for training camp, I have strong doubts that he can get through a 16 game NFL season without suffering an injury.
Miami’s other third round pick was Wide Receiver Leonte Carroo. If the Dolphins were not so deep at the Wide Receiver position, then I would put my money on Carroo to be the favorite to have the biggest impact this year of this Rookie group. He “appears” to be a bigger, faster version of Anquan Boldin. This could be scary good pick in the years to come when combined with Parker and Landry. But, in terms of this season, he is going to have to battle for playing time because Stills is in a contract year and is the fastest of this group, and Landry and Parker are locked in as the two main starters barring injuries. Long term, Carroo might also have a shot to battle for best career of this rookie class.
A Late round rookie might end up the most valuable of them all short term.
In the sixth round, the Dolphins selected Wide Receiver Jakeem Grant. Oddly enough, I believe that in year one, he has the best chance to have the biggest impact for the Phins. I know that I just said that Wide Receiver was a deep position, however, Grant is a unique player that can serve many purposes. He is tiny, but quick as lightning in a bottle. He should win the punt and kick off duties. With the potential to be the next Darren Sporles, I believe that Grant will have at least 1 return for a touchdown this year and good return yards to boot. In addition, Coach Adam Gase is going to have a few customized plays for Grant on offense where he will be utilized in the running and passing game, which should cause match-up nightmares for opposing defenses. Lastly, from hearing Grant speak in interviews and watching the way he carries himself, it is evident that even though he is small, he is definitely not short on confidence, which is an important thing for a NFL rookie.
The Dolphins last three selections were Safety Jordan Lucas, QB Brandon Doughty and TE Thomas Durate. Lucas and Doughty are in all likely just going to be backups sparingly used or practice squad players this upcoming season. Durate is a raw player that needs to get bigger to play TE at the NFL level, and while he does have a lot of potential, he’ll probably will be buried on the depth chart for this first season. Of course, if Doughty finishes his Cinderella story and becomes a starting caliber talent, then Miami will be sitting so pretty, I won’t care about the crow I’ll have to eat. Go Fins!!!
Like to see our backup QB traded cause our 7th round pick seams to be a natural with a cool head even when a play breaks down. Heaven forbid till gets hurt a good chance he would get rookie of the year. And save a lot of cap space for us in future.
There was a time when Matt could have stepped in and maybe done something. But, now he is a career back-up with one foot towards retirement. I’d love to no end to see Doughty take control…it would be amazing for Miami, for him, for the fans and for the future of the franchise. I didn’t know much about him till recently…still can’t gauge his play as I’ve only watched clips. But, a lot of fans rave about him. Joe, I would laugh myself silly if he ends up rookie of the year!! We can dream the impossible dream – it’s still the off season. I hope you are a prognosticator!!!!
I totally agree The popular pick for both “awards” is clearly first round pick, OL Laremy Tunsil.
NO offense it Remains’ to be seen But Everyone else are in the IF’s box? Having Albert, Tunsil, Pouncey, on the offensive line will get more wins if we can play to their strengths.
I’d be very happy if he is a beast and the line roars to top 5 due to NO injuries. But, will that be the case? Or will Tunsil have to bounce between 2 positions and never get a chance to excel at one? In that case a guy like Grant could take the year one award. Man I am so excited for camp to start…
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In reference to our running backs durability situation, I don’t see a downside to the Dolphins going after David Sankey with the Tennessee Titans. I’m pretty sure that another team has their eye on him.
1. Ajayi 2. Drake 3. Sankey (insurance Policy) RB injuries IF’s ARE illuminated!
“We have 16 games plus play off games Durability”.
The Upside: 1. He was drafted overall 54th in the 2014.
2. Durability record is better than any one we have (16 games NFL).
3. Pass & Blocking is better than what we have
4. Proven every down back
The 5-foot-10-inch, 209-pounder displays good vision and instincts to go along with extraordinary change of direction and athleticism. The University of Washington product possesses an athletic frame and low center of gravity as a runner, and is a threat out of the backfield as a receiver.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• As a rookie in 2014, Sankey played in all 16 games with nine starts and led the team with 551 rushing yards on 152 carries with two touchdowns.
• As a junior, Sankey was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, setting a school record with a career-best 1,870 rushing yards and 20 rushing scores.
• As a sophomore (2012), Sankey’s 1,439 yards on the ground ranked fourth on Washington’s annual record chart. He found the end zone 16 times on the ground, the third-highest total by a Husky in a campaign.
Reemphasized: Titans drafted Alabama Henry and brought over Murray from Dallas Plus they have RB’s Andrew & Cobb someone will get a steal with “2014 1st round pick RB Sankey”.
…Tunsil hands down, though he may well not become a media fave in any rookie of the year contests
…but he will make so many other guys look good, Tannehill first of course …but that in turn will make good receivers look better
…and Ajayi/Drake will be running behind him or following his down field blocks so there is potential for Drake to shine
…and if the OL coalesces around him then that could mean longer offensive drives …and more rest for the defense so they in turn have a shot to perform better
…I just don’t see that much potential for overall impact from any other rookie this year
…of course Tunsil could underperform …but if he does, then so will the fins imnsho
…we lucked into a potential goldmine in him and I just don’t see any other rookie having the same or better impact
I agree on Tunsil, but Grant has a shot to be a jack of many trades and a master of one (that was the original Franklin quote…it’s been altered since then)I think if he has a good (not necessarily exceptional) season on special teams, combined with receiving and possibly run yards he could be the best value in season 1. I think long term Tunsil is the leader, but Carroo shouldn’t be discounted. His college career plus his ultra aggressive / intelligent persona is very rare. I am super high on this kid and we could (trying not to over due it) have a Duper and Clayton with him and Landrey. So, I do say Tunsil has the clear advantage, but not definite. It’s a nice problem for us to have in my book.