Phins Draft: Examing DTs Wilkins, Lawrence, & Oliver

M.J.

5 years ago

Oliver, Wilkins, or Lawrence would be a win for the Phins

The Phins Draft must bolster a terrible run defense with Defensive Tackle talent

By all indications, the Miami Dolphins will take a Defensive or Offensive Linemen in the 1st Round of the 2019 Draft… unless Lock or Haskins falls to #13.

While the temptation and pressure of passing on a possible franchise QB might be too hard to resist, both quarterbacks will likely be gone by the time the Dolphin pick.

… and that might be for the best.

Other possibilities if Miami stay put at #13:

Offensive Tackle Jawaan Taylor would be very tempting to fill the hole on the right side… But he’ll likely won’t make it past the Jags at #7 or the Bills at #9. While Montez Sweet is another alluring pick, his lack of production combined with a recently diagnosed heart condition will force the Dolphins to pass.

The Defensive Tackle position appears to be etched in neon as the right pick for Miami.

After a mind-boggling Pro Day, Ed Oliver might be gone too. Could he fall like Minkah Fitzpatrick did last year? Maybe the hype he’s getting online isn’t the same has from Front Offices around the league? So, there’s a shot he could be there when the Phins pick at #13… or fall past them.

That is a very interesting storyline.

Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence will make it past the Top 10 and appear prime targets to fill a thin Defensive Line. Wilkens has edged up a few spots as the 3rd Ranked D-Tackle since Jeffery Simmons tore his ACL. Only a bizarre twist would have Wilkins gone before Miami picks. Lawrence failed a drug test prior to the college playoffs and is ‘slated’ to go in the bottom third of the 1st Round. The Phins could land Lawrence even if they trade back a few spots.

Extra picks and Lawrence sounds sweet to Phinsnews.

Oliver, Wilkins, or Lawrence range the full spectrum of DT prototypes: athleticism, versatility, and power

In a wave of hype, Houston Cougar Ed Oliver is being called the next Aaron Donald. The comparisons are obvious and after his Pro Day, in this case, the pre-draft hyperbole feels less hyperbolic.

As an example of his freakish athleticism:

Add butter and syrup with those pancakes?

Unfortunately… or fortunately for those who want Oliver to drop, he is raw. His exceptional physical tools have allowed him to thrive despite the lack of refinement in his technique.

This has led to some warts in his game.

His ‘small size’ (6’2” 287) and lack of technique, combined with only decent balance, had him getting grounded by O-linemen too often.

One negative difference Oliver has with Donald is leverage. Donald is a bit shorter at 6’1”. This doesn’t seem like a lot, but it could make for a light edge. Donald gets under the pads of taller O-linemen and out leverages them, neutralizing their superior size. Oliver is rangier almost the same height as most Guards. diminished leverage and size might force him to rely more on burst, speed, and jump at the snap than Donald. He must put on weight or stay away from A-Gap in base packages.

Oliver has hit or miss attached to his pick. And his nationally televised shouting match with his coach shows it could go poorly if adversity hits.

Still, John Randle is one my ‘All-Time Favs’… so I’m very intrigued by Oliver.

Big, bigger, best… that money can buy?

Drafting Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence brings two major assets to the Miami Dolphins: Size and ability to trade back and still acquire him.

Lawrence is a mammoth possessing freakish strength at 6’4” 342 lbs. Even with his tree-limb reach of 35 inches he still performed 36 reps on the bench! Those long arms have to work extra hard to bench, so the numbers he put up is nothing short of amazing.

Don’t sleep on his athleticism. While Lawrence ‘only’ ran a 5.05-second 40-yard dash, his 10-yard split was 1.76. As a comparison, Oliver at near 60 lbs lighter had a 1.63 10 yard split. Lawrence can move and move very well for a giant. This isn’t a ‘blubber-butt’. Lawrence is a 3 down NT.

Unfortunately, There’s another elephant in the room besides just Lawrence: his failed test for performance enhancers. While this failed B- Sample for trace amounts of the SARMS called Ostarine isn’t clear cut… it’s still an issue.

Dion Jordan 2.0 or Tim Bowens 2.0?

Ostrine has a half-life of 23.8 hours and the cycle is roughly 25mg-36mg a day over roughly a 4-week period. It’s used to strengthen tendons and build muscle. It’s very useful to during weight cutting to maintain muscle mass.

Lawrence passed the NFL combine drug test and still performed Herculean numbers ‘without’ enhancer… along with a pulled hammy. So, if he was a Tony Mandarich type of ‘juicer’ his numbers would have been much flatter if he was on ‘the wagon’.

I lean towards his failed test being an aberration.

Still, these are red flags to the best pay per head software as Ace Per Head.com that make Wilkins an unsure bet.

I’ve always regretted Miami passing on Vincent Wilfork and not moving up an inch to get Haloti Ngata. This could be Miami’s shot to have a true scheme crushing anchor to build this defense around. Think a more athletic Paul Soliai with a burst.

Yummy!

Of course, if Lawrence is a ‘blubber-butt’ sans Ostrine… then we could have Soliai a second time around. With a trade back, that might still be a good deal.

Jack of many trades, but master of one

Clemson’s Christian Wilkins decided to come back and earn a National Championship as a senior despite being considered a 1st Round Pick in last year’s draft.

Wilkins decision had him posting his best college numbers, ranking as the #2 Defensive Tackle in the NCAA, and winning a National Title.

Off the charts character, intelligence, technique, effort, and leadership turns above average physical talent into a valuable, versatile player that’s least likely of the three to be ‘a bust’.

You can check out his Bowl Game against Alabama minus Lawrence here.

Wilkens shows up more and more as the game progresses. While he doesn’t have raw power (check out his battle with North Carolina’s Center Garrett Bradbury), his desire and athleticism are special. He can play up and down the line and has the intelligence to be schemed up for success.

Despite, not posting eye-popping combine numbers (28 reps, 5.04 40 yard dash with a 2.92 10 yard split), Wilkins has made Bruce Feldman’s famous “Freaks” list heading in both 2017 and 2018. A nice anecdotal cherry on top of his career.

Wilkins story gives every indication he’ll work on his craft to get better. If you thought Minkah’s tale was something, this one will pull your heart-strings for sure.

Wilkins has shown great character in the face of adversity

Wilkins is the type of player that translates to the NFL well, where technique and character is king 99% of the time. Some compare Wilkins to an upgraded version of two-time Pro Bowl selection and former Dolphins Randy Starks.

Not bad.

But is it enough for the #13 Overall Pick?

What ta’ do, what ta’ do?

Only Wilkens offers a sure return, even if he’s taken a little high in the draft.

In a perfect world though, I’d love to pick up some extra picks this year or the next and take Lawrence. A ‘3-4’ with Lawrence in the middle flanked by Godchaux and Vincent would be stout.

Still, the positive test alarms me.

On the other hand, drafting Oliver and him becoming the second coming of John Randle wouldn’t be half bad either.

Let’s hope Grier and Co. make the right choice. Go Phins!!!