When you’re 6-foot-7 as a toddler it’s pretty frequent to have of us point out, if not reward your dimension, particularly within the sports activities world.
But for offensive linemen, top isn’t all the pieces. A participant’s attain and arm size typically determines their stage of proficiency due to the job necessities.
That’s why there are situations the place a prospect’s arm size penalizes him within the draft course of. That was probably the case for Kellen Diesch, who was projected by fairly just a few draft analysts as an early third-day choose within the draft, however ended up as one of many 14 undrafted rookies signed by the Miami Dolphins on Friday.
“I kind of knew it in high school,” Diesch mentioned when requested throughout this weekend’s rookie camp about his arm size, which measures 32 1/4 inches, which is within the eighth percentile for offensive tackles. “I’d have my mom measure my arms . . . I’m 6-foot-7 so it kind of makes up for it.”
At least that’s what the Dolphins are hoping for after giving the previous Arizona State standout a $20,000 signing bonus and $140,000 of his rookie contract assured to make sure he picked the Dolphins over different groups pursuing him as an undrafted free agent.
Diesch performed left sort out throughout rookie camp and acknowledges that he’s most likely too tall to play guard. But he does have the required athleticism (he ran a 4.89 within the 40-yard sprint) and power (24 reps of 225 at his Pro Day) to reach Miami’s wide-zone working scheme.
“I don’t know what people look for in draft rooms,” Diesch mentioned. “I’m 24 years old. I kind of know what’s going on. I’m just excited to be here.”
It’s harmful to miss undrafted gamers as a result of historical past proves NFL groups routinely miss on evaluating gamers.
Two undrafted gamers — move rusher Cameron Wake and cornerback Brent Grimes — have been the most effective performers on the Dolphins roster, so to imagine all undrafted gamers will probably be roster filler is unfair.
Since the Dolphins solely had 4 draft picks final month, the door is large open for rookies like Diesch, Ole Miss receiver Braylon Sanders, South Carolina tailback ZaQuandre White and offensive linemen Blaise Andries and Ty Clary to earn a spot on Miami’s 53-man roster.
The Dolphins have a powerful historical past of discovering and creating undrafted rookies like Davone Bess, A.J. Francis, Chris McCain, Neville Hewitt, Robert Wallace, Marlon Moore and Patrick Laird.
Cornerback Trill Williams and offensive lineman Robert Jones made the crew final yr as undrafted rookies. Miami made a major monetary dedication to Jones, guaranteeing him $100,000 of his $660,000 rookie wage to land the Middle Tennessee State offensive guard.
He ended up beginning the season finale, however is considered as a developmental mission.
Williams, who Miami poached off the waiver wire after the Saints minimize him earlier than coaching camp, impressed Miami’s coaches along with his dimension, athleticism and physicality. The former Syracuse standout performed 4 defensive snaps in a single sport final yr.
History says one in every of these undrafted rookies will make the Dolphins’ 53-man roster as a result of that has been the case each season since 2008, when Bess, an undrafted receiver from Hawaii, was a member of Tony Sparano’s crew.
Bess began six video games as a rookie and served as Miami’s slot receiver for 5 seasons, catching 321 passes for 3,447 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns throughout his tenure with the Dolphins.
Nik Needham and Preston Williams, two undrafted gamers who made the crew as undrafted rookies in 2019, had higher rookie seasons than Miami’s draft picks that yr.
Needham didn’t make Miami’s preliminary 53-man roster. He started his Dolphins tenure on the follow squad and was referred to as up a month into the season, and subsequently began 22 of 45 video games he performed up to now three years.
The Dolphins not too long ago picked up Needham’s possibility as a restricted free agent, agreeing to play him $3.98 million this season.
Needham’s success as an undrafted participant undoubtedly will inspire the Dolphins’ undrafted gamers.
“To be in these colors, to be in this locker room after growing up right down the street, I’m blessed for it,” mentioned linebacker Deandre Johnson, a Miami Southridge product who transferred to the University of Miami final season. “It’s an opportunity I’m thankful for and something I’m striving to make a reality.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com