Dolphins May Get A Shot At Top Linebacker

Both Smith and Edmunds are excellent prospects at Linebacker

Both Smith and Edmunds are excellent prospects at Linebacker

Tightend, Left Guard, and Linebacker are all crucial needs

The Miami Dolphins hold the 11th pick in the first round, and there definitely will be plenty of top-shelf talent left on the board at that spot.

But the scenarios are limitless at this point… and the draft can throw curve balls, so it’s impossible to say exactly who will be there… although Free Agency will make it a whole lot clearer.

No matter how it shakes out, it’s very likely that at least one of the two top Linebacker prospects will be available.

Heir Apparent at Quarterback? …pick your poison

Lately there’s been a lot of talk of the Fins looking at QB’s, which is good because they need to seriously add one during this draft… it would be great to add an heir apparent to Ryan Tannehill, but at the very least they need to find a backup in the later rounds.

However, many pay per head reviews and providers are betting that Miami will make a safer and less controversial pick in the first round with the selection of an Offensive Lineman or a Linebacker.

Either position makes a ton of sense, because Miami desperately needs to find at least one starter at each position group.

Watch the Tape on theDraft’s Top Linebackers

I found another great site on You Tube called Cut Up Corner. It has loads of great tape on dozens of prospects… really worth taking the time to check it out.

Here’s a good watch of Tremaine Edmunds:

As per NFL.com:

“Edmunds has a unique blend of size, length and athleticism. He primarily lines up off the line of scrimmage, but does get some work rushing off the edge. Against the run, he is quick to key, fill and finish as a tackler. He has rare lateral range and collects tackles from sideline to sideline. The former Hokie flashes the ability to shoot his hands and play off blocks, but this is one area where he can improve. Against the pass, he easily mirrors running backs and tight ends; there are even examples of him matching up and redirecting vs. slot receivers. He offers tremendous upside as an edge rusher, where he can dip/rip and bend around the edge. Overall, Edmunds has All-Pro ability. His upside is outrageous.”

I’ll add that he needs to work on his reads and has a tendency to down throttle on plays a bit too early.

…and then there’s Roquan Smith

Here’s a good watch of Roquan Smith in the bowl game against Alabama:

As per NFL.com:

“Smith is an undersized inside linebacker with excellent instincts and range. Against inside runs, he uses his quickness to beat blockers to spots and is a firm, chest-up tackler. He does need to improve his hand usage because once blockers get into him, he struggles to free himself. He’s at his best against perimeter runs. Smith brings outstanding recognition and covers ground quickly. I believe he projects best as a 4-3 WLB where he would be able to use his speed to run-and-chase without having to mix it up inside. Against the pass, he has the speed and agility to cover RBs and TEs. He’s an excellent blitzer. Smith might lack the ideal bulk, but he’s a playmaker against both the run and pass.”

…both Edmunds and Smith give up too early

My added two cents is just like Edmunds, at least in this game, Smith seemed to give up on the play a bit too early too often.

Smith was a dominating force for the Bulldogs this past season and led one of the best defenses in all of college football. He tallied 137 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble, and 2 passes deflected last season…

…and at 6-1, 225 pounds with a ‘forty’ at around 4.55-4.60, he fits a huge need of pass covering WLB.

God knows Kiko Alonso doesn’t fit the bill as a cover LB

Both are definitely plug and play guys. Dolphins need a day 1 starter at #11 with the potential to be cornerstone. Let’s save a developmental 1st Round pick till 2019… or 2020… or…

I really like Edmunds at SLB because he has the size and speed to cut off the perimeter and rush the passer. When’s the last time Miami has had a good blitzing LB? Bryan Cox?

I’ve heard rumors of Smith having some knee issues… don’t know if that’s true or not. I guess we’ll hear more as the draft gets closer.

If Smith’s knees are fine, then it’s either or for me. Smith fills the bigger need, but Edmunds has the higher ceiling.

Considering that Miami will be getting back Inside Linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who missed his entire Rookie season with a knee injury, drafting a player like Smith or Edmunds to play beside him could make for a very solid and young Linebacking group. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about our first round pick?


 

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27 comments

  • Lemmus

    …the Smith trade to Wash puts Cousins in FA for Denver to grab …if that happens, they will likely take Nelson in the 1st before us …in which case I’d prefer a trade down into the top twenties (Bills) and grab OG/Price plus another 2nd

    …Steve, you have Mason Rudolph as 10th best overall …where did you find that? …I have him as a possible 2nd round QB for the phins with real upside

  • Steve

    I better clarify about Landry. Landry has done more than what was asked of him since with the Dolphins and being paid little for his performance on the field. If miami dolphins feels he isn’t worth paying him then let him go make his paper.Landry will get paid well. He is a proven 6warrior.

  • Steve

    Dalton Schultz is the best blocking TE in this draft. This DATA was collected about NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017

    Ethan Wolf Tennessee TEhttps://youtu.be/7ZlogjJgvy4 or
    Dalton Schultz Stanford TE Best Blocking Tight End in the PAC 12 5-7 rounder
    https://youtu.be/SfX6cIgMnEc

  • Steve

    What are the cons of trading Landry for two healthy solid offensive linemen?

    We can go after two players in this draft who could possibly out performed Landry.

    D.J. Moore
    https://youtu.be/nC_I-ODggSQ

    NC State HB Jaylen Samuels Top Plays 2017. Is an H back / Tight End.

    • Lemmus

      …Landry is an Unrestricted Free Agent come March …we can’t trade him unless we tag him first …that would cost ~ 14.2 mil for one year and if no other team is willing trade then, we’re stuck …and the way Landry has been posing lately, he could choose to set the year out

      …imnsho, we either sign him to a 5 year deal or let him go and use the money elsewhere …damn shame Parker and Caroo haven’t shown any value yet …without Landry all we have is Stills and Mighty Mouse

  • Steve

    Admin

    That’s just it panicked sets in on the inexperienced and the overreacting to select a player who is worth a third round get selected as a 1st rounder.
    This is one of the reasons why the Dolphins player trade values are worthless.

    We probably could not trade 7 of our starters for a 1st round picked!

  • Steve

    Admin

    Vea is good but! A one dementional player. Wilkins and Payne can play DE etc. And get after the QB.

    Vita Vea*, DT, Washington 
    Height
    Vea needs to show improvement in the pass rush during 2017. The junior needs to develop some pass-rushing moves to go with his bull rush. He has to become more consistent in creating pressure and laying hits on the quarterback in order to be a highly in-demand draft prospect. Otherwise, he could be viewed as just a nose tackle.

    ;xxxxxxx
    Christian Wilkins*, DT,  Clemson
    Wilkins had to play a lot of defensive end last year because of injury. He displayed a nice ability to play there, but his NFL home is on the inside. As a pass-rusher, Wilkins was able to get after the quarterback with pressure coming around the corner. He looked the most dangerous when lining up over guards and firing past them to cause disruption in the backfield. While he played a lot of end, at his weight, Wilkins really doesn’t have edge rusher speed for the NFL. He will have to rush from the inside as a pro, but that is his natural position anyway. Wilkins was a solid run defender, too. He has a strong, thick lower body to hold his ground at the point of attack.

    Xxxxxxxxxx
    Da’Ron Payne*, DT, Alabama 
    Height: 6-2. Weight:

    What the stats don’t illustrate is that Payne can be physically dominant. He dominated his one-on-ones last year when he was lining up over guards. Payne causes disruption and makes his teammates better. Payne’s contributions helped the sacks totals of Allen, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson. Payne could be poised for a big junior year

    ;xxxxxxxxxxxx;xx;xxxx

    Taven Bryan*, DT, Florida 
    Height: 6-4. Weight

    Bryan has a tremendous get-off with serious explosion off the snap. He also has developed strength with active hands to shed blocks. With his length, Bryan can play end or tackle, and he would be a perfect fit as a five-technique. He had a late start in football, however, from growing up Wyoming, and that shows up in him not demonstrating good instincts. Bryan is inconsistent while lacking feel and pass-rushing moves. Thus even though he is a first-round athlete, he still needs development as a
    Bryan has a tremendous get-off with serious explosion off the snap. He also has developed strength with active hands to shed blocks. With his length, Bryan can play end or tackle, and he would be a perfect fit as a five-technique. He had a late start in football, however, from growing up Wyoming, and that shows up in him not demonstrating good instincts. Bryan is inconsistent while lacking feel and pass-rushing moves. Thus even though he is a first-round athlete, he still needs development as a player.

  • Steve

    Tremaine Edmunds looks really good but I would select the two below 1st. I notice at the Tremaine tape above @ 8:20 minutes into the tape Tremaine allowed a running back to score in blow passed cove raged.

    Both Smith and Evans are the top ILB and Evans maybe can be had in the second.
    Roquan Smith Georgia ILB

    Rashaan Evans
    https://youtu.be/GWryYBBAylE

    • admin

      My worries with smith is he can’t deal with blocks and his knee has a rumor on it’s integrity. Honestly, I like Vea, Nelson, and Davenport as the most sure fire and highest ceilings. They are all relentless and that is huge to me. I’d love for Fitz to fall, but I don’t see that happening. Evans has a history of injuries and I’m not in the mood for one more of those guys.

      • Steve

        Admin Very Valid concerned!

        We must do a better job Preparing players. This is the coaching. Because once that player steps onto the field he is subjective to injury.

  • Steve

    Why do winning organizations in the NFL generally look to draft defense high?

    If we look at teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens and even the AFC East’s own Buffalo Bills and New York Jets — snicker if you want to, but both the Bills and Jets have given the Dolphins fits in recent years — will generally draft defense in round one. And of course, the Patriots overwhelmingly prefer to draft defense in the first round. In fact, New England hasn’t selected an offensive player in the first round of the draft since calling offensive tackle Nate Solder’s name seven long years ago, in 2011.
    To win in the National Football League the Dolphins must possess well-coached players on offense and blue-chip athletes on defense.

    For more reading why the Dolphins should not draft A Guard at the 11th picked and why the early rounds should be defensive players.

    https://www.thephinsider.com/2018/2/1/16957768/why-it-pays-to-draft-defense-early

    • admin

      If they go Vea I’m fine… but Nelson is stud. He is special. Miami needs to take BPA. They need special guys. I think Smith is special as niche players. Edmunds is special athlete. But Nelson and Vea are special and Davenport might be in that category as well. Miami doesn’t have one special player or leader on the OL. Nelson is a real beast… he will be top 5 RB in his rookie year for sure. Vea might end up close or equal to Nagata… Davenport is 6’7” with insane bend and relentless effort. They will be hits. everyone else in that range might be. James looks good, but we have two like him already and Edmunds might be in that range. Smith… I like, but him and Kiko can’t shed blocks and two of them on the field at once would be ugly. Again, not gospel and just my take.

      • Steve

        Admin

        I don’t have a crystal ball. But defensive leaders like Smith, Fitzpatrick will transform the Dolphins shaky defense.

        Would the Baltimore Ravens have made it to the Super Bowl without Ray Lewis?

  • Steve

    Miami definitely must trade BACK! “If The 3 players listed below are off the board”.

    Minkah Fitzpatrick Alabama FS
    Roquan Smith Georgia Jr ILB
    Saquon Barkley Penn St.Jr RB

    A trade back done successfully could bring two top offensive linemen plus A QB,etc.

  • Steve

    Tight end, Left Guard, and Linebacker are crucial needs this Off season

    Where is the consistency with the TE ( Mark Andrews Oklahoma is the 1st to 2nd TE on most draft boards.

    Walter NFL 2018 draft
    Hayden Hurst*, TE, South Carolina
    Mark Andrews*, TE, Oklahoma
    Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
    Dalton Schultz*, TE, Stanford

    CBS draft 2018
    34 Mark Andrews Oklahoma Jr TE 1
    50 Dallas Goedert S. Dak. St. Sr TE 2
    74 Jaylen Samuels NC State Sr TE 3
    106 Mike Gesicki Penn St. Sr TE 4

    Insider.espn 2018 draft
    Jordan Akins News TE 6’3¼” 246 UCF Insider Only
    Mark Andrews News TE 6’5″ 254 Oklahoma Insider Only
    Marcus Baugh News TE 6’4″ 249 Ohio State Insider Only
    Adam Breneman News TE 6’4″ 241 UMass Insider Only

    Would Jaylen Samuels be considered an access and where would he fit on the team? Are the Dolphins in need of an H-Back or Tight end or both?

    67 Jaylen Samuels NC State Sr TE 3
    NC State HB Jaylen Samuels Top Plays 2017
    https://youtu.be/wL5EIUFQ5E8

    • admin

      If they get a LG in the FA with a top shelf talent, I’ll be very happy. There is a very good chance Nelson, Price, and Hernandez will be gone before Miami 2nd pick, and then it’s really go fish for LG in 2018… and that would not be good. I think if Davenport is on the board and Vea is still there a small trade back would be okay. But too far and you leave special guys on the board for this FO to screw up… or maybe not.

      • Steve

        Admin

        Vea is good but! A one dementional player. Wilkins and Payne can play DE etc. And get after the QB.

        Vita Vea*, DT, Washington 
        Height
        Vea needs to show improvement in the pass rush during 2017. The junior needs to develop some pass-rushing moves to go with his bull rush. He has to become more consistent in creating pressure and laying hits on the quarterback in order to be a highly in-demand draft prospect. Otherwise, he could be viewed as just a nose tackle.

        ;xxxxxxx
        Christian Wilkins*, DT,  Clemson
        Wilkins had to play a lot of defensive end last year because of injury. He displayed a nice ability to play there, but his NFL home is on the inside. As a pass-rusher, Wilkins was able to get after the quarterback with pressure coming around the corner. He looked the most dangerous when lining up over guards and firing past them to cause disruption in the backfield. While he played a lot of end, at his weight, Wilkins really doesn’t have edge rusher speed for the NFL. He will have to rush from the inside as a pro, but that is his natural position anyway. Wilkins was a solid run defender, too. He has a strong, thick lower body to hold his ground at the point of attack.

        Xxxxxxxxxx
        Da’Ron Payne*, DT, Alabama 
        Height: 6-2. Weight:

        What the stats don’t illustrate is that Payne can be physically dominant. He dominated his one-on-ones last year when he was lining up over guards. Payne causes disruption and makes his teammates better. Payne’s contributions helped the sacks totals of Allen, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson. Payne could be poised for a big junior year

        ;xxxxxxxxxx

        Taven Bryan*, DT, Florida 
        Height: 6-4. Weight

        Bryan has a tremendous get-off with serious explosion off the snap. He also has developed strength with active hands to shed blocks. With his length, Bryan can play end or tackle, and he would be a perfect fit as a five-technique. He had a late start in football, however, from growing up Wyoming, and that shows up in him not demonstrating good instincts. Bryan is inconsistent while lacking feel and pass-rushing moves. Thus even though he is a first-round athlete, he still needs development as a
        Bryan has a tremendous get-off with serious explosion off the snap. He also has developed strength with active hands to shed blocks. With his length, Bryan can play end or tackle, and he would be a perfect fit as a five-technique. He had a late start in football, however, from growing up Wyoming, and that shows up in him not demonstrating good instincts. Bryan is inconsistent while lacking feel and pass-rushing moves. Thus even though he is a first-round athlete, he still needs development as a player.

  • Steve

    Hello Dol-Fans

    What is the better deal? To select a number (1) OLB @ 29th picked and a number
    (1) CENTER/Guard in the second round gaining more draft picks? Possibly landing more guards etc. with extra third round etc.

    Or

    Select what the draft board gives at 11th picked with no additional draft picks later?

  • Steve

    Considering the experts are accurate selecting the number one Player value at position. What is to prevent the Dolphins from over reaching for a player they can get later in the round or next few rounds. This is why trading back would give us more shots at better players with excellent value.

    RK PLAYER SCHOOL YEAR POS POS RK HT WT
    1 Bradley Chubb NC State Sr DE 1 6-4 275
    2 Derwin James Florida St. Soph SS 1 6-3 211
    3 Quenton Nelson Notre Dame Sr OG 1 6-5 329
    4 Roquan Smith Georgia Jr ILB 1 6-1 225
    5 Orlando Brown Oklahoma Jr OT 1 6-8 360
    6 Minkah Fitzpatrick Alabama Jr FS 1 6-1 201
    7 Saquon Barkley Penn St. Jr RB 1 5-11 223
    8 Maurice Hurst Michigan Sr DT 1 6-2 282
    9 Courtland Sutton/SOUTHERN METHODIST/Jr WR 1 6-4 215
    10 Mason Rudolph Oklahoma St. Sr QB 1 6-5 230
    18 Josh Jackson Iowa Jr CB 1 6-1 192
    29 Dorian O’Daniel Clemson Sr OLB 1 6-1 215
    31 Mark Andrews Oklahoma Jr TE 1 6-5 253
    32 Frank Ragnow Arkansas Sr C 1 6-5 319

    Top ILB what is to prevent the Dolphins from over reaching?

    4 Roquan Smith Georgia Jr ILB 1 6-1 225
    40 Tremaine Edmunds Va. Tech Jr ILB 2 6-5 236
    59 Rashaan Evans Alabama Sr ILB 3 6-3 234
    108 Christian Sam Arizona St. Jr ILB 4 6-1 241

    The Value of players must be selected in the proper round etc. Why draft a player at number 11 when we can get that player at number 29th or 32nd? If the player value equates pick 11th that’s find. The Senior Bowl, combine draft day stuff is a smoke screen for purchasing many lemons if the dolphins have not studies these players over the seasons past up to now. All I’m saying is this is the wrong time to fall in love with a player.

    • Dunner

      I am all for trading down into the 20’s and picking up an extra 2nd and 3rd. If a QB hungry team (say the Bills or Jags, especially the Bills with 2 first round picks) is looking to move up to select their QB. In that case maybe a “Sam” LBer such as Malik Jefferson would be there at 21 (Bills), thous filling a big need and picking up an extra second and third to help fill the TE, RT, G, RB, QB need.

    • admin

      Brown sucks in my opinion… and Vea needs to be in there… guy looks very special. I think Tunsil and Davis cn do fine at OT and this gives the Dolphins an advantage in this draft. I think the 10-20 will be a run on OT’s with Nelson in there—if not before. This would allow them to moves back into the late teens maybe nail a top talent.

  • Dunner

    The more I have been reading watching, reading watching, I’m starting to think that Miami may very well take either safety Fitzpatrick or James at #11 if either or both are there. I wouldn’t mind Miami taking either Edmunds or Smith. If LBer is the choice, I am hoping Miami trades down and grabs either Edmunds or Malik Jefferson (another quality “Sam” backer), or if Smith were to slid a little. All is hard to predict at this point, once free agency takes place we will have a better idea of their plans. As Jimmy pointed out, should Miami take a LBer at 11, it would essentially solidify 2/3 of the unit with young, athletic LBers for several years to come. I do think Nelson is in play at 11, that should be answered prior to the draft with what they do in free agency. There is just no way Miami can stand pat at LG, a quality one must be added through FA or draft.

    • admin

      Isn’t James similar mold to Jones and Mcdonald? For what I read…need too watch him more… he doesn’t seem the FA type. I do like Jefferson… but Davenport and Vea and Nelson are special in my eyes. Yeah, they should spend on a the Panther LG. But when Vea and Nelson are Probowlers we might says hmmmm we shoulda’….

    • admin

      Hmmmm spending some time watching James…. hmmmm I might have to use an eraser on my thoughts on James.

  • Daddio

    DE@11 please.

    • admin

      Hey Daddio you mean James? Isn’t he like Jones and McDonald? I’m going to do a film study of him. Both you and Dunner like him…