Even Top Guards Have Warts
Vandal Alexander has strong positives as well as negatives.
None of this years Guards are certain to be good, even the top guards have warts.
The fear exists that if a Guard isn’t grabbed early, Miami Dolphins not might end up with a quality talent. Reality is even the top Guards have warts and aren’t fool proof.
Vadal Alexander, who is 6’5, and 326 pounds is the slowest of the top four with a 40 yard time of 5.57. There are many mixed opinions on Alexander, with some scouts having him rated as the top Guard, and others having him ranked more at the back-end of the top Guards. The biggest knock on Alexander is that he is slow, and appears to look like he is dragging at times, and many feel he needs to lose some weight in order to get quicker at the next level. The positive thing is that from the time of the Senior Bowl until the time of the Combine, he has already lost 10 pounds, which shows he is motivated to get better and lose weight. He was a starting Right Tackle at LSU, however his lack of speed, will force him to move to the Guard position at the Pro level. And while he excels in run blocking, he needs to improve in his pass protection.
Even Cody Whitehair, the top guard, has flaws.
Cody Whitehair, who many Miami Dolphins News fans really like, has by far the best 40 yard time of the bunch at 5.08, which proves he rates higher in terms of quickness and athleticism, However, the biggest knock on him is that many scouts feel he is undersized at 6’3” and only 300 pounds. In addition he put up the lowest bench press total of any offensive lineman with only 16 reps. The biggest concern for many teams is that Whitehair is not going to be strong enough to compete in the NFL. If the Dolphins can really commit Whitehair to a strict and demanding weight lifting program, maybe he could develop into a starting Guard. It could mean a replay of Jamil Douglas with his rookie year deserving to be a red-shirted.
Most sports gambling fans have Cody Whitehair as one of their top ranked Guards going in the 2nd or 3rd round. In regards to Alexander there is a much wider discrepancy of where he will be drafted. Depending on who you speak with some feel he could go in the 2nd round, whereas as others who are not intrigued by him, believe he could slide as far back as the 5thround.
In the end it’s about quality talent evaluation and not the round or pick used. Yes, early picks offer more opportunity for good franchises. But, if Miami doesn’t grab one early or even if it does, the 2016 Draft doesn’t have certain hits. This, like everything else, will come down to the quality of the organization. It will be very interesting to see what this regime is all about. Go Fins!!!
…EVERY player has warts …~20% of the 1st round picks will never start regardless of their pre-draft ranking …you have to depend on your scouts
…but most of the fins scouting org from the past years remains and they have proven to be horrid when picking OL past the 1st round …just look at the past results …so stop playing games betting on the come in the later rounds …go high and go often, find starters THIS year
…the NFL draft is a crap shoot and the higher the round, the better the odds …we have zero needs that outrank starting guards …could it be any plainer?
…yes, 13 is too high for a guard not rated an absolute sure thing pro-bowler …and as you pointed out, there are none in this draft …but if Stanley is there, take him …else trade down into the 20s and grab Whitehair or Conklin, then Alexander in the 2nd if we have him ranked as the next best guard available
…its quite possible that a value trade down won’t be offered at 13 unless a QB has dropped, in which case we go bpa and take guards in the 2nd/3rd/AND 4th
…imnsho, this draft will be a bust unless we walk away with at least one starting guard and one to develop …and that is regardless of who else we find
there are few mocks saying Conklin at 13…actually, it’s growing on me. I’m trying to recall but I do remember James doing alright at LT his rookie season. Heck, get Conklin and worst case scenario James moves left and he play right – meanwhile if Albert tays upright, Conklin can work at G. Whitehair’s lack of strength is a bit concerning at least in the short run of his development. I think I still prefer a CB or trade down- but whatdoknow?.
A Center and Defensive linemen that may not get drafted but are play makers?
Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M
his bloodlines are any indication, Texas A&M center Mike Matthews will leave his mark in the NFL. Mike’s father is Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, and he has two brothers playing in the league, including former top-10 pick Jake Matthews.
But with a particularly strong draft class at center this year, Mike could find himself pushed down the board a bit. That could make him a huge steal in the later rounds, as he brings the ability to start right away and be an effective, smart player who understands exactly what the position requires.
He’s not the elite athlete or mauling run-blocker like others in this year’s group of centers, but he’s a sound technician who could earn a starting spot in the right situation as a rookie.
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Willie Henry, DL, Michigan
Another versatile player—but this time on the other side of the ball—Michigan’s Willie Henry lined up just about everywhere along the defensive line for the Wolverines last year. He tallied 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2015, proving to be disruptive from any alignment.
CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler pointed out some of Henry’s attractive traits last month:
That is why they should be available in the second and third rounds. Good/bad news for the Fins!!!
16 days till draft day. 🙂
I do hope it is good news..at the very least it should get my blood pressure up either way!!