What will these Rookie Sophomores do for the Dolphins?
When analyzing the results of the NFL draft this year and the Dolphins’ roster, it can be noted the Dolphins will have 3 players from the 2013 Draft that will basically be Rookies as well. So other than just keeping an eye on James, Landry, Turner, Watkins, Lynch, Tripp, Hazel, and Fede, sports gambling fans will be taking a close look at 3 players from Miami’s 2013 Draft class as well.
In the first 3 rounds of the 2013 Draft, Miami selected 4 players and 3 of which were injured before they even started practicing with the Phins. Dion Jordan, Jamar Taylor and Will Davis were all selected by the Dolphins to help improve the Defense. Jordan had a banged up shoulder and was nursed through training camp by the coaching staff. This ultimately led to Jordan falling behind in the competition for reps and resulted in a limited amount of playing time. What is even worse is that all year, the coaching staff hinted that they did not know how to utilize Jordan’s unique skill set. Now that Jordan is entering his second season, and he appears to finally be healthy, and will have a full mini-camp to get his reps in, there will be no excuses this season. Personally, I thought in his limited action, he held his own, and made a few decent plays. It actually reminded me of the first season that Cameron Wake was on the team, and even though he played sparingly he made some impact plays when he was on the field. One thing that is for certain, after this season, we will know if Jordan is a bust or a player in this league.
Taylor and Davis were pretty much banged up the entire year, and they were both rarely even active for game day. Between both players played a total of 110 defensive snaps and allowed 12 of 14 passes to be completed against them for an average of 17.3 yards per reception. So the reality is that when they did play they played very poorly. Both of these players have had the chance to heal their injuries and are expected to participate in mini-camp with no restrictions. It would be nice if one of these corner backs actually pushed Finnegan for the starting job, but unfortunately there is not a lot of encouraging signs from either player.
If one of these Sophomore players can step it up and be a consistent performer, then it would be like we had an additional Rookie pan out for us this season. If none of these players can figure it out and produce plays this season, then the 2013 draft will go down as the worst draft of Ireland’s tenure.
I wouldn’t put the blame on Philbin and the coaching staff when it comes to this sophomore class. Jordan came in w/a injury and Vernon was an unexpected surprise, whom Jordan could not beat out, period. Dion was to light to be an every down player at the right DE spot, thus 17 lean & mean pounds heavier this year. Jamar Taylor injury ridden rookie year, never had a chance regardless who the staff was. Will Davis was competing to contribute in the nickel or dime packages when he was injured, and fell behind and looked confused when he got his chances. Dallas Thomas was not ready for the professional level (over hyped, mainly by our ex GM). Sturgis, super in pre season and the first 3 weeks of regular season, then reality (cost Miami 1 if not 2 games = playoffs), however I feel comfortable w/Sturgis. Dion Sims is a basic blocking TE, with little upside as receiving threat, but there is potential in the future (Egnew is not on opening day roster by the way, imo). Jelani Jenkins was also not ready for the next level, he did work his way on the field by the end of the year, and future looks bright for this dark horse in 2014. Finally, but not last for a reason; Don Jones. Jones may have been the most productive player of this draft class in 2013, as a matter of fact, I will say he was the most productive. Jones was a beast on special teams, and if he keeps progressing, there is a special team pro bowl selection in his near future and the rest will take care of itself.
I’m not so sure it was the staff that did not utilize their draft picks. More that it was Ireland that did not utilize the draft selections handed. A lot of raw prospects that could develop into starters in this league. If Thomas can win a starting guard spot, the O-Line will be in good shape for several years as is. I believe Jordan will make a BIG impact, it just may be in 2015 (Wake released or re-up his current contract). I believe 1 of the 2 cb’s will be third in line, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Taylor win the starting spot opposite Grimes. Not a fan of our current LB’s, however; the switch of Misi to middle I think is going to make a huge difference, and I believe Jenkins may force Wheeler to the bench (not to mention Tripp).
Oh, don’t think I forgot about Mike Gillislee, just seems like everyone else did, including the staff. Mike can be the 3rd back, which means Daniel Thomas is out as a Dolphin.
It seemed to be a big problem for Miami since Philbin and Sherman came in, maybe before, that they had trouble identifying how to use talented players. Not using Bush as a receiving back was a prime example. Trouble figuring out what Egnew, basically a big WR, was another. Problems figuring out how to use Jordan were yet another. It is disturbing when you have talented players and make them worthless by not using them properly. Ultimately the buck stops with Philbin on this.
I am hoping that last year’s draft class, completely ignored, partially out of injury and partly out of coaching incompetence, actually has some talent, some players who can become starters. If we could come up with some starter level performance in three positions from from Jordan, the defensive backs, Sims and Thomas, that would go a long way, in complement to the expected 2-3 starters from the current draft in giving Miami a stronger, more resilient younger team.
One thing about Jordan that just makes me wonder. He has great speed and could pass rush from the LB position. He clearly has the ability to cover and take out TE over the middle. He is big for a LB. Does he have the brains and the tackling ability to be a dominant MLB? Outside the box thought. But given that our DL is stacked, it could be a great thing if it worked.
I agree it seems like this coaching staff is not the best at developing young talent, which is not a good sign. Philbin has already stated that Dallas Thomas has been one of the hardest workers this offseason and it appears that he and Billy Turner will be in a heated battle for the starting left guard position. Yeah I also agree lets move Jordan around and lets get him on the field