Ja’Wuan-A Tackle?
So after months of speculation and rumors the first round of the NFL draft is completed and in the books, and for the 19th pick in the draft the Miami Dolphins selected Right Tackle Ja’Wuan James from Tennessee who is 6’6” and weighs 311 pounds. Apparently James was the Dolphins’ target all along, unfortunately I don’t buy that. If Zack Martin would have been on the board, most football gambling fans would say he would have been the pick over James.
There has been a lot of talk saying that the Dolphins reached on this pick, and could have traded back and still been able to draft him. I agree that the Dolphins reached by drafting a second tier tackle with the 19th pick, however it is not that bad of a pick when you really break it down. First of all in regards to trading down, James was projected to go in the 2nd half of the first round, so depending on which team the Phins could have swapped picks with, there was a no guarantee that he was still going to be on the board when the Phins finally got to pick. Secondly the Dolphins emphatically have stated that he was one of their main guys from day one, so its hard to argue that they didn’t get one of their top rated guys. Also James desperately wanted to come to play in Miami, and even approached Hickey begging to play for the Phins. I actually like this, we drafted a guy that really wants to play on our team, phins fans should not take this for granted, because not every player that is drafted in the first round is happy to be with the team that selected them. Lastly and most importantly James is a solid player, and he should be our starting right tackle for this upcoming season.
James competed in the SEC, which many football gambling fans would say is the best division in college football. He started every game in his college career (49 games total, a University of Tennessee offensive line record) at right tackle and only gave up 5 sacks. He constantly showed terrific hustle and drive on the back side of zone plays, and a good kick slide in the pass protection. He also has a long 82 inch wingspan which helps in giving him a nice strong initial punch. He is a well rounded blocker in both the run and passing game, and will be the Phins’ starting right tackle this season.
It is hard to dislike this pick, considering James is a very solid right tackle coming from the best division in college football. He also plays a position that was the Dolphins most glaring need coming into the draft, and he will almost definitely be the Phins’ starting right tackle. So it’s hard to get mad or frustrated with Hickey when he selected a starting right tackle with the first pick in the draft. If the Dolphins can pick up 2 or 3 more starters then this draft will be a huge success.
There are still some very high quality potential starters on the board such as Xavier Su’a-Filo, David Yankey, Joel Bitonio (who the Dolphins apparently love), Morgan Moses, Trent Murphy, Chris Borland, Jace Amaro, and Marqise Lee, any one of those players would be a home run for our second pick.
The problem with JJames pick at #19 is more hightened in context of Hickeys entire draft selection. Not a single playmaker who will start among them. Even if JJames starts, he could have had him or like him later and picked up another selection in the 3rd.
No downhill power back. No seam stretching TE. No WR that will command dbl coverage. No starting caliber ILB. No starting caliber S. All of which could had been had in 2nd thru 3rd rounds and could have had two needs filled with an extra pick by trading down.
Instead, we get a “reach” RT, and a bunch of small school prospects.
Nothing changes in this town.
Carl Bradford OLB 4 Arizona State
I WAS WRONG DOLPHINS SELECTED VERY END OF THE 2ND
Jarvis Landry WR 12 LSU
Supposed to be the toughest receiver in the draft???
This guy is going to play and be an impact all year. This guy catches every thing
WELL DOLPHINS TRADED THE 57TH SPOT TO 49 NINERS FOR
A 4TH ROUNDER
AND NEXT YEAR A 7TH ROUNDER
SECOND ROUND
I would guest Miami 57th pick
Gabe Jackson OG 4 Mississippi State OR
Phillip Gaines CB RICE
Tre Mason RB 3 Auburn
Terrence Brooks FS 3 Florida State
Jack Mewhort OT 7 Ohio State
Carl Bradford OLB 4 Arizona State
Great Miami Traded 50th spot with San Diego for a 4th pick.
Good pick. The point of the draft is to get starters with the potential to be long term starters and preferably in positions of need and preferably players who could prove to be outstanding. James is a high character guy, who totally knows his position (unlike may of the people who would be converting from LT), and was dominant in his role in a tough conference despite weak players around him. He seems very likely to solve the problem of right tackle for a long time. Now I hope Hickey can go on to solve the problems of RG, big blocking and red zone target TE, big blocking RB, and MLB as well. The MLB is interesting. I do not see it as a position requiring a superman athlete as much as being a position for a good athlete who is really smart in learning football, reading film, dissecting offense and arraying and leading his team members. Does not have to be a 1, 2, or 3 round player – just has to be smart and a good enough athlete.