The Dolphins emerged from the 2010 NFL Draft the Dolphins emerged with eight new players. Nine if you include veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who was acquired in part with the Dolphins 40th overall pick April 14. Plenty of themes played out during the three-day marathon.
The Dolphins focused primarily on defense, with only one of last weekend’s eight selections used on an offensive player. All but one were seniors. All but one were team captains.
Here we take a brief look at your newest Miami Dolphins and where they look to make their mark.
Round 1 (28) | Jared Odrick
Defensive End – Penn State | 6-5, 304 lbs
General manager Jeff Ireland confirmed after Day 2 that incumbent Randy Starks will be moving to nose tackle, Odrick is expected to start early, if not immediately, at right defensive end in Miami’s 3-4 defense.
Reports are that new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is shifting to more of an attacking, ‘one-gap’ defensive front, which plays to strengths of Starks, Odrick and the rest of the Miami defensive linemen.
A high-motor player, Odrick is also expected to improve the Dolphins interior pass rush, shifting to tackle on third downs opposite Starks.
Round 2 (40) | Koa Misi
Linebacker – Utah | 6-3, 251 lbs
Looking back, it appears that Misi might have been the guy Miami built its entire draft around.
The Dolphins made no secret of their desire to regain that second round pick (#43 overall) surrendered in the Marshall deal. And they did just that, moving down from #12 to #28 and picking up #40 as part of a trade with San Diego.
And unlike the the 28th pick, the Dolphins wasted no time turning in their draft card, selecting Misi as soon as they were placed on the clock.
A three-year starter at Utah, Koa Misi played defensive tackle, outside linebacker and (predominantly) defensive end for the Utes. Outside linebacker is where the Dolphins foresee him. And Misi will compete Charlie Anderson and Quentin Moses for the top spot on the strongside, which was manned by the since departed Jason Taylor in 2009.
Like Odrick, Misi is a high-motor, high-character player with good hands, strength, burst and athleticism. The Dolphins believe he can be ‘tremendous’ in coverage.
While he might appear to be a bit light for that side of the field, Ireland pointed out that Misi weighed 275 pounds while playing defensive tackle at Utah and 256 at another point. He weighed 244 at the Senior Bowl and 251 at his pro day. The Dolphins feel he can play at virtually any weight and expect him to be at around 255 pounds during the season.
Trivia: the last rookie from Utah to start for the Dolphins? Sean Smith – 2009
Round 3 (73) | John Jerry
Guard – Ole Miss | 6-5, 328 lbs
The brother of Atlanta defensive tackle Peria, John Jerry was the lone offensive player selected by the Dolphins last weekend.
A four-year starter for the Rebels, Jerry saw time at both tackle and guard at Mississippi. He is a big, powerful man who excels in the run game. A true road-grader. Obscenely durable, Jerry claims to have never been injured in college, save for a case of hemorrhoids during Senior Bowl week (he didn’t miss a snap).
And that is just what head coach Tony Sparano is looking for in his guards: size, power, durability. This is a considerable contrast to the man Jerry hopes to replace, Justin Smiley, who is smaller and is one of the league’s better pulling guards, but has serious durability issues. Smiley is on the trade block.
Jerry will compete with the ever-versatile Nate Garner, who started eight games at both guard spots and spent time at all five positions — plus tight end, and Donald Thomas, starter of 12 games at right guard.
Round 4 (119) | A.J. Edds
Linebacker – Iowa | 6-4, 255 lbs
One of the glaring weaknesses for 2009 Dolphins was pass coverage.
Whether it was Dallas Clark, Jeremy Shockey or Pierre Garcon, the Dolphins were gashed on virtually a weekly basis over the middle and down the field.
Enter A.J. Edds. A fleet-of-foot linebacker who had five interceptions as a senior, Edds has mounds of experience covering tight ends and receivers out of the slot.
As such, Ireland said he expects Edds to be on the field on 3rd down from Day 1. In nickel situations, he’ll team with fellow inside ‘backer and new acquisition Karlos Dansby to give Miami a pair of highly instinctive, athletic big men roaming the middle of the field. Very similar to the role Kevin Burnett played for Parcells and Ireland in Dallas.
The Dolphins traded up seven spots to draft the three-year starter who, according to Ireland, is a “sub-4.6 player at 255 pounds”. Very good attributes for someone who is also expected to be a core special teamer.
The Dolphins only carried three inside linebackers last season, with the smallish J.D. Folsom moving up when injury hit the position. Though Edds is virtually guaranteed a roster spot and projected to have a role early on, he is new to playing inside as well as the 3-4 defense. So a fourth inside linebacker could very well be in the cards.
That player might be veteran Tim Dobbins, acquired in the draft day trade with San Diego, who is expected to compete with starter Channing Crowder and provide special teams prowess.
With that in mind, its not out of the realm of possibility that veteran Reggie Torbor could be on the move or out the door. A college defensive end, Torbor spent most of his time outside in the New York Giants 4-3 defense prior to joining Miami in 2008. Torbor has not challenged for a starting job during his time in Miami and could very well be shifted to the outside.
Torbor will be in a battle for what is suddenly becoming a competitive position for the Dolphins.
Round 5 (145) | Nolan Carroll
Cornerback – Maryland | 5-11, 204 lbs
Carroll is coming off a broken leg suffered two games into his senior season.
A big, physical cornerback with 4.3 speed and a 41″ vertical, Carroll is a developmental player brought in to compete for the 5th cornerback spot and a job on special teams.
Round 5 (163) | Reshad Jones
Safety – Georgia | 6-1, 214 lbs
The Dolphins traded up to address another glaring weakness on their defense, selecting the only non-senior in their draft class.
Yet another big, athletic guy with good strength, Jones picked off 11 passes in three seasons with the Bulldogs (27 starts). He is a big time hitter who brings it in the run game, but is prone to miss tackles — against the run and pass — going after those big shots.
A sub-4.55 guy, Ireland says Jones will compete at free safety, where he started 12 games as a junior, along with veteran Tyrone Culver and Chris Clemons while making his mark on special teams.
Round 7 (212) | Chris McCoy
Linebacker – Middle Tennessee State | 6-4, 260 lbs
McCoy is a small school guy who will make the transition from defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker.
Another high-motor guy with a quick first step, Ireland says he will compete on the weakside behind Cameron Wake.
Round 7 (252) | Austin Spitler
Linebacker – Ohio State | 6-3, 234 lbs
The Dolphins finished off their draft with the the Ohio State linebacker.
Spitler spent three seasons backing up 2009 second round pick James Laurinaitis, playing on all four special teams units, before starting 13 games as a senior.
He will likely have a tough time making this squad, as he will start at the bottom of what is a 6 or 7-man depth chart at inside linebacker.
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