Hard To Not Be Positve Post Phins Draft
Beyond RB, the Phins made some popular selections
So, I got my frustration out in the first article with our lack of desire to add a top running back… once again this year during the draft. However, besides that and not addressing a long-term center, I will say the Dolphins went with the best player available and may have landed starters with their first four picks. This is exactly what I had written about and hoped for prior to the draft, so overall, I’m a happy camper.
Also, this was the first time in recent memory that after the draft ended and the dust settled, all the analysts and pay per head sportsbook reviews gave Miami a consensus grade of Top 5 draft! For what it’s worth, Mel Kiper went as far as saying that with this draft Miami may have turned themselves into a Super Bowl Contender!
Of course, the truth about these evaluations has yet to be determined. However, that’s not the type of compliment this organization has gotten in a very long time post-draft.
At least we aren’t hearing around the clock that the Phins over drafted and screwed it up.
Reexamining the Phins draft picks
- WR Waddle was one of the top three rated receivers
- ED Phillips was the top-rated defensive end
- S Holland one of the top three rated safeties
- TE Long was the 2nd rated tight end
Eichenberg wasn’t in the upper echelon of offensive tackles but should be able to start Day #1. And, although Waddle and Phillips both have some injury concerns, any player can have a devastating NFL injury– injury history or not. Nothing is determined by what happens in college. Look at Frank Gore who went from two college ACL injuries to being an NFL iron man.
Waddle wasn’t in my top two choices at WR but a nice bonus is he has a history with Tua. Also, you can’t teach speed, and he’ll be one of the fastest players in the entire NFL. His speed alone should allow him to create separation… something Miami receivers had a hard time doing last season.
Speed & pass rusher were issues in 2020
Phillips is a big, lean, fast defensive end that has arm length comparably to perennial Pro Bowler DE Chandler Jones. He is also a workhorse with a non-stop motor that can also play against the run. Another telling fact of his unlimited upside is that he is tied for second in odds at +750 for Defensive Rookie of the year. Michah Parsons is number one at +400, and Jamin Davis is tied with him at +750. Having a Rookie defensive player of the year candidate sure would go a long way into making our defense the elite of the elite. The Best Pay Per Head Bookie Site.
Holland is definitely a Coach Flores pick just like Raekwon Davis was last year, who was arguably our best draft pick last season. Holland appears to be the swiss army knife in the secondary that Flores envisioned Minkah Fitzpatrick would be. In addition, Holland is a ball hawk with 9 interceptions in two seasons.
Offensive tackle was a big need as well
Eichenberg is the epitome of a blue-collar offensive lineman, proving extreme durability starting 38 straight games. Over the course of these starts, Eschenburg didn’t allow a sack in the last two seasons for Notre Dame, who was a top team in the country that churns out starting offensive lineman. There is no reason he can’t be a Day 1 starting Right Tackle protecting Tua for years to come.
Lastly, even though a lot of fans including myself were hoping to land TE Pitts, I was surprised we selected a TE later in the draft. However, this a sneaky good pick because Long was one of the most complete TE’s in the draft. He both block and catch at an NFL level, which is something neither Smythe, Shaheen, or Gesicki can do. Also, Long quietly had the most receptions of any TE in the FBS last season, including Pitts, with 57 catches. Considering last year Miami leaned on the TE group, he could be a great one-two punch with Gesicki.
When you stack it all up together… I does appear on it’s face to be a very good draft!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans’ thoughts about these young men the 2021 Draft added to the roster? GUIDELINES ON HOW TO SELECT A GOOD PAY PER HEAD SERVICES.
I am excited most by Waddle adding in to two excellent WR – bringing his incomparable bursts of speed and change up – meaning that every down the secondaries will be stretching back to prevent long gains to Parker, Waddle and Fuller. When you combine that with having two TE who can catch well in Long and Gesicki life will be hard for the LB and backfield. Now that Tua should have better protection and has fully healed up and learned the offense, Miami can be a really dynamic team offensively. Then add in the strengthening of our already strong defensive line and backfield and Miami could be dominant. I think the key will be how long it takes the offensive line to gel to provide Tua the time he needs. And, of course, I am expecting Tue to raise his game from being in the bottom quartile of QBs last year to being around the middle or in the second quartile of QB this year and better the following year.
I’m very excited about Waddle and very concerned. Receivers are notoriously hard to draft and the Phins spent 2 firsts… but, I have to admit, I’m a little old school and receivers have always been the red-haired stepchild to me. If Waddle can be DeShaun Jackosn 2.0… I’ll be a very happy camper… I think he is a much better come than Tyrek. Tyrek is a running back and Wr… Waddle is more the receiver in build. Jackson is an amazing player though… and if Waddle can emulate him, it will be amazing. Tua will be fine if his velocity picks up… to me, he was clearly not 100% in 2020. He looked worse than in his game against LSU in 2019. Earlier in the year he looked much stronger and healthier. If he can come out in 2021 and look fresher and more like the 2018 Tua as far as healthy and zip on the ball… look out! We have to be realistic… we just don’t know how much his body will rebound. I don’t worry about anything with Tua if he looks more like 2018 Tua… he beast out with all the talent around him, Sam. I can’t wait to hear the comments from practice saying he has more zip on the ball.