How Much Will 2016 Fortunes Rest On The 2015 Draft?
The 2015 Draft class could make or break 2016.
Hickey’s 2015 Draft will play a pivotal role in penciling in starting positions this season.
It’s quite easy to focus on the 2016 Draft and it’s effects on the coming season, but could the 2015 Draft class prove to be even more relevant?
Starters at Defensive Tackle, Cornerback, Nickle Corner, Running Back and Wide Receiver positions hinge on the success of Hickey’s 2015 Draft class – ironic.
Of course, we’ll never know exactly who was responsible for picking who, whether it was Mike Tannenbaum, or Dennis Hickey, or whoever, but Hickey’s name is stamped on this class regardless. And it’s this rookie class that could very well make or break the 2016 Miami Dolphins.
The 2016 Draft duplicated several of the 2015 “positions picks”: Ajayi / Drake. Parker / Carroo/ Grant, Lippett / Howard. Only Nickel Corner and Defensive Tackle were left unsupported by this year’s draft.
Given the dearth at RB and CB these “back-up” picks weren’t gravy, but rather more meat needed for the meal.
The 2015 Draft had little impact in 2015 – the same can’t be said of it’s effect on 2016.
If Ajayi slips up, does anyone see Drake as the bell cow for Miami’s run game?
If Lippett doesn’t assert his dominance, at the very least, the starting corner depth with be tissue-paper thin.
If Parker limps through the season, it would be a hit, but the best sportsbooks would say his failure would have the least negative impact from a unit perspective.
Now, onto postions / players not backed-up by the 2016 draft.
If McCain has sophomore blues and is as inconsistent as 2015, the crucial nickel corner spot that is essential in stopping the Pats could be a weakness because their isn’t much, at this point, to fill the role.
IF Jordan under-performs would anyone not be uneasy with Mitchell starting again?
Even if you minus Parker from the equation, with 22 starting positions on offense and defense, the 2015 Draft class is set to fill nearly 20% of the starting roles. So, the launch of this new regime may just be ignited by the dying embers of the previous one. Go Fins!!!
Some of Earl Mitchell pass performances: Using Earl on the offense at the goal line and short yardage blocking for Tannehill and blocking for Ajayi or Drake would mean trouble for defenses.
This is what Earl can do:
Has played Fullback and Tight End.
He could be a versatile player as an interior lineman in an even front while having added value as a possible lead blocker in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Fires off the ball low with a quick first step and clogs running lanes High-motor kid who fights to the whistleHis best asset is his initial quickness, which enables him to gain leverage on larger blockers to penetrate the line of scrimmage
Current Backs ( Who’s better at the Goal line and short yardage pick ups)
1 Jay Ajayi
2 Kenyan Drake
3 Damien Williams
4 Daniel Thomas
5 Isaiah Pead
Like the idea of using an offensive lineman as fullback.
I thought I heard someplace that Gase does that on occasion. Steve also, reminded me that DT Mitchell lays there on occasion.
If Ajayi slips up, does anyone see Drake as the bell cow for Miami’s run game? Health is the issue!
Best Counter for Ajayi slip:
Most likely the Titan Running Backs that will make their 53 man roster will be Henry, Murray, Andrew and Cobb. We the Dolphins can definitely steal Bishop Sankey drafted 54th overall in 2014 NFL draft who would fit our system quite well. displays good vision and instincts to go along with extraordinary change of direction and athleticism. (He is our best insurance plan)
Dexter McCluster is a possibility as well but Sankey we need to pursue.
Dexter McCluster, Height: 5-8 Weight: 170 Age: 27 College: Mississippi Hometown: Largo, Fla. Experience: 7
We still need our Fullback this will change our finesse run game to a contender power offense.
FinFans you heard from me First! Go Dolphins! The path to 11 wins no excuses!
I def. think at some point Miami will add another back…so decent option should drop when cuts happen.
Alternative if Ajayi go down. The Tennessee Titan have the riches stable of running backs in the league Murray from Dallas and Henry just drafted along with 5 other backs competing for opportunity to make the 53 man roster. In addition to our Running Back Drake
These are possible candidates with Titan’s listed below they all will not make the 53 man roster. We could strike Gold taking the best Running Back for as insurance policy.
Antonio Andrew: Height 5-10 Weight: 225 Age: 23 College: Western Kentucky Hometown: Fort Campbell, KY Experience: 3
PRO: The Titans originally signed Antonio Andrews as a rookie free agent following the 2014 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-10-inch, 225-pounder spent the first seven weeks of his rookie season on the team’s practice squad before being elevated to the 53-man roster on Oct. 21, 2014. Andrews displays good vision and low center of gravity as a runner and provides depth in the Tennessee backfield
Dexter McCluster, Height: 5-8 Weight: 170 Age: 27 College: Mississippi Hometown: Largo, Fla. Experience: 7
PRO: Dexter McCluster is an explosive weapon that has seen action at running back, wide receiver and return specialist during his NFL career. The Titans signed the former second-round selection on the first day of free agency in 2014, following his four-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. McCluster is a prolific return specialist that was named to his first Pro Bowl after a 2013 campaign in which he returned two punt returns for touchdowns. The 5-foot-8-inch, 170-pounder is a dynamic receiver that has hauled in receptions from the slot, the offensive backfield and as an outside receiver and he should bring versatility and big plays to the Titans’ offense.
David Cobb Height: 5-11 Weight: 229 Age: 23 College: Minnesota Experience: 2 PRO: The Titans selected David Cobb in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11-inch, 229-pounder is a powerful, downhill runner who plays with tremendous balance and has the reputation for finishing runs. He also has exceptional breakaway potential for a runner of his compact build. At Minnesota, he became the school’s all-time single-season rushing leader (1,626) as a senior. Titans coaches saw him firsthand at the 2015 Senior Bowl, when he rushed for 69 yards on 11 attempts.
Bishop Sankey Height: 5-10 Weight: 209 Age: 23 College: Washington Hometown: Wadsworth, OH Experience: 3
PRO: The Titans selected Bishop Sankey as the first running back off the board with the 54th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-10-inch, 209-pounder displays good vision and instincts to go along with extraordinary change of direction and athleticism. The University of Washington product possesses an athletic frame and low center of gravity as a runner, and is a threat out of the backfield as a receiver.
David Fluellen 5’11 224lbs college Toledo year as Pro
CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
Originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie free agent on May 10, 2014…traded by the Eagles to the Indianapolis Colts for kicker Cody Parkey
on Aug. 20, 2014…Released by the Colts on Aug. 30, 2014…Signed by the Titans as a free agent on July 30, 2015.
…on a side note, the 2015 rookie class better show up because it looks more and more like Tunsil will be the only starter from the 2016 class
…I’ve pounded the keys about Lippet here several times …saying we didn’t need to go high for a CB in the draft because Lippet had shown bark at the end of last year …yea verily I wanted to go OL instead …and lookee here what happened 🙂
…and does anyone know if the fo has shown any interest in the veteran MLB the lions just waived? …be nice to have a true backup there if Kiko goes down …better than bringing Misi inside again.
Lemmus you started me on believing Lippet could start this year…I figured another year before he was a starter. But, I still think they needed to go corner as we would have pretty much nothing behind the starters. Tunsil seems like he’ll start. Thomas to me would have to have one of the largest awakening I have ever seen to unseat him. Alot of talk is going on how Thomas got stronger, but that never seemed to me his major problem…patience and reaction in switches and stunts. I did believe he could fit in at RG – possibly. I think much of this class was development and situation guys. Hopefully they perform in there roles. Tullock is a two down baker now, from what I’m reading, limited lateral speed…doubt they will go for him unless they want another Misi or situational run stuffer.
Admin
On a positive note regarding our 2015 and 2016 draft class having coach Gase the Dolphins have the best chance to win. The questioned was ask IF Drake can handle the load if Ajayi goes down?
15 carries per game I don’t see being an issue. Hoping that Ajayi stays healthy. But 20 to 30 carries only time will tell, we could be in trouble. I would take rushing for a difficult 1st down or end zone yardage over 3 passes and out.
Lippett on the other hand was a play maker at Michigan both offense and defense It depends how hard he practices I believed that he will be one of the top Corners in the league if given the chance to play.
The Bottom line it will depend on how well Coach Gase can developed these players.
I recall Deon Sanders playing baseball and Pro football flying back and forward to games and still resulting to be the Top NFL Corner in his time. Meaning we have the Talent just a matter of how devoted to being the Best ? I think with Balance the Dolphins will achieved Division Champs.
Funny, balanced attack on offense has killed Miami for almost 30 years now! Honestly, I’m not too confident that Drake could stand up too 15 carries. His history plus his pulled hamstring on the first day of practice doesn’t offer much confidence.
M.J.
We are hoping that Ajayi remains healthy considering he does go down. Only If Drake is healthy he can carry the Load with the cast of Running Backs that we do have! what other alternate do we have?
I still hope the third year is the charm for Williams!!!