Phins GM Chris Grier has brought in pieces that allow flexibility on draft day
The Miami Dolphins added another depth player this week with offensive lineman DJ Fluker. The former 1st Round pick from Alabama is 30 years old and the second oldest player on our young roster. Fluker played in Baltimore last year starting 8 games and is a big boy at 6’5” 342 pounds. At the very least, Fluker provides depth and competition at both guard and tackle… but, he might also allow the Phins enough flexibility to draft the best player available instead of reaching.
Getting the Best Player Available is key!
This continued strategy of adding affordable depth players is about controlling their cap, building a deep team… and giving Chris Grier the flexibility to take the best player available approach come this draft.
I can’t complain about any of that.
The best sportsbook betting providers have Tight End, Kyle Pitts, as their top pick for Miami, which fits the philosophy of best player available ‘to a T’. It’s pretty clear at least three QBs will be selected before Miami makes their selection, so if Pitts makes it to the Phins at #6, he will be one of the best (if not 2nd to Lawrence) prospects in the draft.
This would be a big win for Miami IF he falls to them.
Tight End isn’t a need…. now
While the tight end position isn’t a need for us, our best Tight End is Mike Gesicki and he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2022. If he has another good season in 2021, his value could skyrocket and price Miami out. A ‘cheap’ rookie contract tied to a talented replacement may be a big deal to the front office. as for the present, having both Pitts and Gesicki on the field this season would be a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses. This could be a huge help for Tua to get back on track and prove why Miami drafted him 5th Overall. Things to Know Before You Become a Bookie.
Remember, the 2021 Season is ALL about Tua.
With 6 selections in the first 102 picks in the draft, Miami should get at least 3 quality starters. Sticking to the best player available strategy brings the highest probability of achieving this. Reaching for players and over-drafting because of need at certain positions tends to do the opposite.
We know Miami could use some more talent at wide receiver, offensive line, running back, defensive end, safety, and linebacker, which gives us plenty of needs to fill. So, best player available would also have a high chance of filling a need as well.
The only quandary with BPA is if a quarterback is the best player available at #6. But, beyond the trade-back potential, it wouldn’t be a bad selection because having more good quarterbacks is never, ever a bad thing. Also, we still aren’t 100% sure Tua will become elite!
Yes, 2021 is ALL about Tua, but 2022 will come if Tua is ‘the man’ or not… and Miami must be prepared.
Phins best picks fell into their laps
Good players often fall in the draft, especially one loaded with quarterbacks. Just look at Laremy Tunsil. Miami could very well use that 18th selection in the draft to select a top cornerback if one slides back a few spots. We all know you can never have enough good cornerbacks on the roster in a predominately heavy passing league. With a talented youngster waiting in the wings, Howard might be reluctant to push for more money. It would also allow trade options for Howard or for Miami to have a dominating secondary if Howard doesn’t push for an even bigger contract than the one he received a year ago.
We have to remember, this team is being but only a slow flame.
I’m not saying Miami SHOULD use their two first-round picks on CB and QB because I believe in Tua… And at #6, the best player available would be a number of players at positions. But, drafting very good football players at marquee positions is never a bad strategy. Look how Grier turned Tunsil into a treasure trove of picks!
How do Phins News fans feel Miami will and should approach the draft in terms? BPA or by biggest need?
“With all the talk of Kyle Pitts, he would be an excellent addition to the Dolphins offense. However, our greatest need is really at WR/WO and power RB that can run inside with force, outside, and catch.” I really think Pitts is an everything player…. X,Y, Z. The fact that he is strong enough to play inline and fast enough on the edge with solid route skills makes him THE perfect fit for Miami. But, I don’t think he’ll last till #6. I’m just not excited about Chase at #6. Wr miss rate in the Top 10 is very high and it’s not great in the 1st Rd either. Two 1st for Chase could be a Watkins part two. Don’t like it one bit. This is a very deep draft for Wrs. Did a long look at the receiving pick in the last ten drafts… you’d be surprised how difficult it is to land a WR very early.
Power RB would be great… but power RBs need space because they have limited lateral skills mostly. Williams for me fits the very nice balance of power and agility. Harris would struggle or get hurt or discourgaed with our line. Alabama gave him plenty of room to operate… he won’t see that with this current Ol. We need another player or two on the Ol… C and RT. I guess we could get Chase, Harris and find the Ol later in the draft… but we haven’t been too good at finding Olinmen out of the 1st Rd….
As for DE, Jason Strowbridge needs to step up and from what I hear Miami is looking at a true NT to move Davis to 3-4 end. Also, I really like Jonathan Ledbetter. He was looking like a true stud… Miami stuck with him for a year and half getting over the injury… I think they are pretty high on him. Van Ginkel ans Beigel are very nice on the edges. Beigel was our best D player just about in 2019. I think as Jimmy said BPA. But, this is just my take… who knows…. I do think all 3 of your positions are in need… But, I think the rounds don’t need to be early for any of them. This is a quality draft in the 2nd and 3rd for all those positions. Williams is my hope at RB, Steve… But, harris is very intriguing.
With all the talk of Kyle Pitts, he would be an excellent addition to the Dolphins offense. However, our greatest need is really at WR/WO and power RB that can run inside with force, outside, and catch. I think Jamar Chase and one of the top 3 RB’s will fall to Miami. Parker and Williams have a penchant for injuries and missing games. Williams has missed 1/2 of the last 2 seasons due to IR and Parker is still constantly battles nagging injuries that keep him in and out of games. While I like the two-headed monster scenario with Gesecki and Pitts, a top flight WR fits the bill more for this team now. However, Pitts could be available because Atlanta may go with a QB and Cincy is in the same boat we are. Eifert is one of the better TE’s in the league like Gesecki, and they desperately need another top flight WR to play opposite AJ Green. Additionally, I heard that their OL play was not real good last season and the LT was nothing to write home about! So perhaps keeping Burrows upright is of major importance. My (3) absolute positions that this team needs to really hit it are WR, RB, and DE/Edge. I think in the 2nd round or late first, there will be several quality DE’s available. Need to replace the losses of Van Noy and Lawson. Ogbah will get some double teams, so it is imperative that we can put pressure on the QB from the opposite DE/Edge postion.
“With all the talk of Kyle Pitts, he would be an excellent addition to the Dolphins offense. However, our greatest need is really at WR/WO and power RB that can run inside with force, outside, and catch.” I really think Pitts is an everything player…. X,Y, Z. The fact that he is strong enough to play inline and fast enough on the edge with solid route skills makes him THE perfect fit for Miami. But, I don’t think he’ll last till #6. I’m just not excited about Chase at #6. Wr miss rate in the Top 10 is very high and it’s not great in the 1st Rd either. Two 1st for Chase could be a Watkins part two. Don’t like it one bit. This is a very deep draft for Wrs. Did a long look at the receiving pick in the last ten drafts… you’d be surprised how difficult it is to land a WR very early.
Power RB would be great… but power RBs need space because they have limited lateral skills mostly. Williams for me fits the very nice balance of power and agility. Harris would struggle or get hurt or discourgaed with our line. Alabama gave him plenty of room to operate… he won’t see that with this current Ol. We need another player or two on the Ol… C and RT. I guess we could get Chase, Harris and find the Ol later in the draft… but we haven’t been too good at finding Olinmen out of the 1st Rd…. Thought I hit reply, Stephen> As for DE, Jason Strowbridge needs to step up and from what I hear Miami is looking at a true NT to move Davis to 3-4 end. Also, I really like Jonathan Ledbetter. He was looking like a true stud… Miami stuck with him for a year and half getting over the injury… I think they are pretty high on him. Van Ginkel ans Beigel are very nice on the edges. Beigel was our best D player just about in 2019. I think as Jimmy said BPA. But, this is just my take… who knows…. I do think all 3 of your positions are in need… But, I think the rounds don’t need to be early for any of them. This is a quality draft in the 2nd and 3rd for all those positions. Williams is my hope at RB, Steve… But, harris is very intriguing.
In Tunsil’s case I don’t think you can argue with the value we received. Minkah, on the otherhand, wasn’t a winner… but, he forced himself off the team. But, yes… We must keep our best players and as many good ones as we can. This draft will make or break this regime I think. Even if it is solid, they’ll be alright. Last year’s draft needs to step up and they must not screw up #6. I’m excited and nervous. Tua is a whole other issue… Miami can’t walk away with all these picks and high drafting postion without at least a good QB. I sure hope Tua has healed up this offseason… could be amazing if he does… and very worrisome if he doesn’t.
Surtain most likely will be an impact player at 7th to 10th picked. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama, 6-2, 208 (4.42)
Big corners always rise on the board on the draft weekend. Surtain started the last 38 games for the Crimson Tide and plays with the awareness and savvy people have come to expect from Nick Saban-coached defensive backs. A quality tackler in the open field, Surtain can play zone or press man and is a solid defender against the run.
“With all the talk of Kyle Pitts, he would be an excellent addition to the Dolphins offense. However, our greatest need is really at WR/WO and power RB that can run inside with force, outside, and catch.”
I really think Pitts is an everything player…. X,Y, Z. The fact that he is strong enough to play inline and fast enough on the edge with solid route skills makes him THE perfect fit for Miami. But, I don’t think he’ll last till #6. I’m just not excited about Chase at #6. Wr miss rate in the Top 10 is very high and it’s not great in the 1st Rd either. Two 1st for Chase could be a Watkins part two. Don’t like it one bit. This is a very deep draft for Wrs. Did a long look at the receiving pick in the last ten drafts… you’d be surprised how difficult it is to land a WR very early.
Power RB would be great… but power RBs need space because they have limited lateral skills mostly. Williams for me fits the very nice balance of power and agility. Harris would struggle or get hurt or discourgaed with our line. Alabama gave him plenty of room to operate… he won’t see that with this current Ol. We need another player or two on the Ol… C and RT. I guess we could get Chase, Harris and find the Ol later in the draft… but we haven’t been too good at finding Olinmen out of the 1st Rd….
As for DE, Jason Strowbridge needs to step up and from what I hear Miami is looking at a true NT to move Davis to 3-4 end. Also, I really like Jonathan Ledbetter. He was looking like a true stud… Miami stuck with him for a year and half getting over the injury… I think they are pretty high on him. Van Ginkel ans Beigel are very nice on the edges. Beigel was our best D player just about in 2019. I think as Jimmy said BPA. But, this is just my take… who knows…. I do think all 3 of your positions are in need… But, I think the rounds don’t need to be early for any of them. This is a quality draft in the 2nd and 3rd for all those positions. Williams is my hope at RB, Steve… But, harris is very intriguing.
With all the talk of Kyle Pitts, he would be an excellent addition to the Dolphins offense. However, our greatest need is really at WR/WO and power RB that can run inside with force, outside, and catch. I think Jamar Chase and one of the top 3 RB’s will fall to Miami. Parker and Williams have a penchant for injuries and missing games. Williams has missed 1/2 of the last 2 seasons due to IR and Parker is still constantly battles nagging injuries that keep him in and out of games. While I like the two-headed monster scenario with Gesecki and Pitts, a top flight WR fits the bill more for this team now. However, Pitts could be available because Atlanta may go with a QB and Cincy is in the same boat we are. Eifert is one of the better TE’s in the league like Gesecki, and they desperately need another top flight WR to play opposite AJ Green. Additionally, I heard that their OL play was not real good last season and the LT was nothing to write home about! So perhaps keeping Burrows upright is of major importance. My (3) absolute positions that this team needs to really hit it are WR, RB, and DE/Edge. I think in the 2nd round or late first, there will be several quality DE’s available. Need to replace the losses of Van Noy and Lawson. Ogbah will get some double teams, so it is imperative that we can put pressure on the QB from the opposite DE/Edge postion.
“With all the talk of Kyle Pitts, he would be an excellent addition to the Dolphins offense. However, our greatest need is really at WR/WO and power RB that can run inside with force, outside, and catch.”
I really think Pitts is an everything player…. X,Y, Z. The fact that he is strong enough to play inline and fast enough on the edge with solid route skills makes him THE perfect fit for Miami. But, I don’t think he’ll last till #6. I’m just not excited about Chase at #6. Wr miss rate in the Top 10 is very high and it’s not great in the 1st Rd either. Two 1st for Chase could be a Watkins part two. Don’t like it one bit. This is a very deep draft for Wrs. Did a long look at the receiving pick in the last ten drafts… you’d be surprised how difficult it is to land a WR very early.
Power RB would be great… but power RBs need space because they have limited lateral skills mostly. Williams for me fits the very nice balance of power and agility. Harris would struggle or get hurt or discourgaed with our line. Alabama gave him plenty of room to operate… he won’t see that with this current Ol. We need another player or two on the Ol… C and RT. I guess we could get Chase, Harris and find the Ol later in the draft… but we haven’t been too good at finding Olinmen out of the 1st Rd….
Thought I hit reply, Stephen>
As for DE, Jason Strowbridge needs to step up and from what I hear Miami is looking at a true NT to move Davis to 3-4 end. Also, I really like Jonathan Ledbetter. He was looking like a true stud… Miami stuck with him for a year and half getting over the injury… I think they are pretty high on him. Van Ginkel ans Beigel are very nice on the edges. Beigel was our best D player just about in 2019. I think as Jimmy said BPA. But, this is just my take… who knows…. I do think all 3 of your positions are in need… But, I think the rounds don’t need to be early for any of them. This is a quality draft in the 2nd and 3rd for all those positions. Williams is my hope at RB, Steve… But, harris is very intriguing.
Admin!
Good player like Laremy Tunsi the others we need to learn how to keep them on the roster.
YEAP! You said it, A few more days the draft is here.
In Tunsil’s case I don’t think you can argue with the value we received. Minkah, on the otherhand, wasn’t a winner… but, he forced himself off the team. But, yes… We must keep our best players and as many good ones as we can. This draft will make or break this regime I think. Even if it is solid, they’ll be alright. Last year’s draft needs to step up and they must not screw up #6. I’m excited and nervous. Tua is a whole other issue… Miami can’t walk away with all these picks and high drafting postion without at least a good QB. I sure hope Tua has healed up this offseason… could be amazing if he does… and very worrisome if he doesn’t.
Surtain most likely will be an impact player at 7th to 10th picked.
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama, 6-2, 208 (4.42)
Big corners always rise on the board on the draft weekend. Surtain started the last 38 games for the Crimson Tide and plays with the awareness and savvy people have come to expect from Nick Saban-coached defensive backs. A quality tackler in the open field, Surtain can play zone or press man and is a solid defender against the run.
I haven’t watch much of his play… just read up because Phins doubtfully will pick a CB… but, I wouldn’t mind if it was him! later than #6 of course.