Phins need to a couple of blue-chip Offensive Linemen
Despite the addition of Ereck Flowers and Ted Karras, the weakest unit on the Miami Dolphins is the offensive line. There’s no way around it, the Phins must use a few blue-chip on offensive linemen in this draft. If the Dolphins want any relevancy in the 2020 Season their O-line needs to go from turnstiles to bulldozers.
With 14 picks in the upcoming draft, the ‘Jimmy Bourbon GM’ would use at least 4 of those picks on Offensive Lineman. And considering that this draft class is top-heavy on talent, I would double down and select offensive linemen with our 18th and 26th pick.
You might say, “What about the 5th pick, Jimmy?”
Well, I’m of the belief that the Phins will pick a quarterback with their 5th pick. So, I’m sticking with that train of thought.
Phins pick a QB at #5 and then two O-linemen to protect him
The top rated Offensive linemen are:
- Tristan Wirfs
- Jedrick Wills
- Andrew Thomas
- Mekhi Becton
- Josh Jones
- Austin Jackson
- Isaiah Wilson
- Cesar Ruiz
I would take any two of these players. Unfortunately, players such as Wirfs, Wills, and Thomas will likely be long gone by the time we get on down from #18. That still leaves plenty of other players on this list available from the 18-26th pick.
Yes, some might even be available with the Phins 2nd Rounder. But, at the 39th Overall pick, it will be slim pickings… or none at all.
Missing out on O-linemen in the 1st RD could mean picking through scraps
With Becton flagged for a diluted drug test at the combine, Miami is in the position of both risk and reward. Most of the best bookie software providers have him falling at least a little because he’ll have to go into Stage 1 of the league’s program for drug use. It’s similar to when Laremy Tunsil had his ‘smoking weed video’ leaked on Draft Day. Miami has shown they are willing to take chances on top prospects if they fall in the draft due to drugs.
But, was the failed test performance enhancers or recreational drug use?
We don’t know.
While Becton may not fall all the way to #18, he could be close enough for a slight move up to get him. This behemoth of 6’7” 357 pounds put up eye-popping numbers at the combine. His 5.10 second 40-yard time might have been the most impressive test at the combine. At #18, Becton would be an excellent pick and worth even a small trade up… that is, if it wasn’t performance enhancers that earned him his eye-popping numbers.
Again, we don’t know what the situation is except he failed a test.
The problem in this scenario is, if Miami drafts Tua and Becton, both the Phins top-picks have medical red-flag attached to them.
Becton or Jones with the 18th Pick sounds good
If Becton is off the board, then my next choice at #18 would be Josh Jones. Jones has good size at 6’5” and 311 pounds and was very good in pass protection for the Houston Cougars last year. Jones could add some strength and fine-tune his technique, but with the right coaching, he could be a starting Tackle in the NFL.
Miami could draft the best Center in the Draft
At #26, Miami will have the opportunity to add the top-rated Center in the draft. Cesar Ruiz from Michigan has been quietly climbing up the draft boards, and even though Miami just singed Ted Karas to a one year deal to play Center, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still look for a long term solution.
Ruiz is a well-balanced blocker in both the ground game and in pass protection. He was a quality three-year starter at Michigan who skipped his senior year to enter the draft. In addition, he had a very good combine and has the size to also compete at Guard. So drafting Ruiz, who is the top-rated Center and can also play Guard, would give us flexibility and a potential long term solution at Center, if Karas isn’t the future.
Isaiah Wilson is a true Right Tackle and real option
Lastly, keep an eye on Isaiah Wilson because he played at Brian Flores’s high school. We all know how tight Flores is with his High School coach Dino Mangiero, so Wilson’s character will be cemented either way by Mangiero.
The kid is a physical freak at 6’6” 350lbs and he could be had early in the 2nd Round. On the downside, he most likely a true Right Tackle, so this would still leave Left Tackle open. Still, finding a starting tackle in the 2nd Round would be great for the Phins.
Well, the draft is nearly here! However it pans out, let’s hope Miami finally gets the Offensive Line right!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts about doubling down on Offensive Linemen with our 2nd and 3rd picks of the first round?