Phins use six quality picks on the trenches
In the 2020 Draft, Miami Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier turned fourteen draft picks into eleven rookies and veteran RB Matt Breida through a trade with the 49ers. That’s an army of new players that will be coming to Training Camp. The good news is that six of these picks were used to build the trenches. While not the most glamorous draft, Miami has finally done what Phins News fans have been asking for many years: Solidify the trenches.
Will the three linemen Miami brought in turn into starters?
Chris Grier selected a trio of O-linemen (2 tackles and 1 guard) in the first 4 rounds. According to the best bookie software providers, all three will have a chance to compete for a starting job next year.
The top four OTs off the board and Miami had to choose from among the 2nd tier tackles. But Miami was desperate for a tackle and selected offensive tackle Austin Jackson 18th Overall. Despite having a few options, Jackson was the one Grier wanted. Many draft gurus think Jackson was a reach because he’s very young and his game is incomplete. Out of the other side of their mouth though, they say he also has a ton of promise and potential. The hope is with good coaching and extra time in the weight room, he can become a quality starting Left Tackle.
Then in the 2nd and 4th Round the Dolphins went big and drafted two huge men in Robert Hunt (6’5”, 323 pounds) and Solomon Kindley (6’3”, 337 pounds). I love both of these picks! Both interior linemen are known as maulers with a nasty side. This is what you want from your interior lineman. Both men should give the Dolphins a lot of size up front to help us be more successful in the running game.
Could Curtis Weaver be a steal for the Phins?!
On the D-Line, the Phins selected Raekwon Davis, Jason Strowbridge, and Curtis Weaver. Davis and Stowbridge along with Wilkins and Godchaux should provide a quality run defense for the Phins in 2020. Miami was terrible last year in stopping the rush. This should be just what the doctor ordered.
Weaver could be a steal in the 5th Round if he provides half as much production as he did at Boise State. Weaver had 34 sacks in his 3-year college career and a total of 47.5 tackles for a loss! While not great in run defense, he could be a pass-rush specialist. If Flores can focus on his strengths in obvious passing downs, he could Miami’s anemic pass rush. And maybe if he can improve his run defense Weaver can become something special.
The trenches must be a clear strength now!
Miami used more than half of their picks on offensive and defensive linemen. Since football is won in the trenches, if even half of these 6 picks are productive players for Miami next year, the Phins should finally win at the line of scrimmage. They had better with this much ammo spent to get the job done!
That’s the thing, this draft has Chris Grier and Brian Flores’s mark all over it. All these players were higher on their board compared to others because high character, hardworking, team-first type of players have extra value to this regime. This is the theme that Flores and Grier have focused on in this draft. Whatever happens, they will deserve all the blame and all the credit. And I’m sure that’s just the way they wanted it.
I’m excited to see them all out on the field competing against each other and growing together!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts about the Beef that Miami added during this 2020 draft?