Expect the Dolphins to make a robust choice at No. 51 within the NFL draft later this month. That’s what I’m anticipating.
I’ll even take it a step additional and say I’d virtually be shocked if this choose doesn’t produce as a rookie, and preserve producing three years into his profession.
Why?
He’ll be a second-round choose, and up to date historical past says that’s virtually can’t-miss territory for the Dolphins.
During the final 10 years the Dolphins’ second-round draft choose has just about been cash. They’re proficient gamers which were developed nicely by the group, and, for probably the most half, they’ve stayed wholesome. It’s a profitable mixture.
A couple of years in the past I realized I can purchase into this pattern.
So, right here I’m once more; I’m all in.
I’m pondering the Dolphins’ second-round choose can be productive. Now, and sooner or later.
The Dolphins might go many instructions with this 12 months’s second-rounder. Tight finish (Iowa’s Sam LaPorta?). Offensive deal with (Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron?). Interior offensive line (TCU’s Steve Avila?). Linebacker (Iowa’s Jack Campbell?). Running again (Texas’ Roschon Johnson?). You might make an argument for quite a few potentialities.
But the participant chosen will probably work nicely.
Consider the Dolphins’ second-round picks from the earlier 10 years (all are nonetheless within the league besides Taylor):
2022: None
2021: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon; Liam Eichenberg, G-T, Notre Dame
2020: Robert Hunt, G-T, Louisiana; Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
2019: None
2018: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State (now with New England)
2017: Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State (now with New England)
2016: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
2015: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma (now with Buffalo)
2014: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU (free agent after enjoying with New Orleans final season)
2013: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
By the way in which, it’d shock you to know the first-round picks from that very same period are fairly darn good.
The finest first-rounders are offensive deal with Ja’Wuan James (2014), offensive deal with Laremy Tunsil (2016), security Minkah Fitzpatrick (2018), defensive deal with Christian Wilkins (2019), quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (2020), extensive receiver Jaylen Waddle (2021) and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (2021).
But for the second consecutive 12 months the Dolphins don’t have a first-round choose (that they had two, and misplaced one for tampering with quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton, and traded the opposite to Denver in November within the deal for edge rusher Bradley Chubb).
So let’s get again to the second-round picks.
Howard and Landry are the celebrities. They’re each Pro Bowl veterans. Howard has 4 Pro Bowl berths whereas Landry had three with the Dolphins.
Gesicki, Holland and Hunt have Pro Bowl potential.
That’s numerous high-level manufacturing.
No, it hasn’t been a gentle string of second-round successes. Taylor was solely with the Dolphins for 2 years. His final 12 months within the league was 2020.
But having 9 of the ten nonetheless within the league is kind of an accomplishment.
Beyond that, most performed pretty important roles for his or her groups final season. Yeah, Eichenberg had damage issues and his efficiency was uneven, however he was a starter. And Gesicki, though he solely made one begin, was third on the group with 5 touchdowns.
If this 12 months’s second-round choose follows the pattern he’ll be adequate at tight finish, left guard, proper deal with, working again or another place.
You at all times need a Pro Bowl-caliber man, however that’s not essentially what the Dolphins want, if that is sensible.
The offense and protection have already got sufficient star-caliber gamers amongst guys equivalent to Tagovailoa, extensive receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, left deal with Terron Armstead, cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey, and edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.
And, once more, younger second-round picks equivalent to Hunt and Holland, together with Wilkins, a younger first-rounder, have Pro Bowl potential.
So, this second-round choose simply needs to be himself. He received’t have super strain on him equivalent to a first-round choose or somebody drafted to instantly begin at one of many group’s key positions (quarterback, cornerback, edge rusher, left deal with, and so forth…).
Of course, there are not any ensures. Good issues aren’t going to occur just because this man is a Dolphins second-round choose.
But if he works laborious, listens to his coaches and veteran teammates, and stays wholesome, he’ll achieve success this season and for a lot of seasons to comply with.
The current pattern says that’ll occur, and I’m all in.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com