The Dragon

sigh, lamar miller had punt returns and kick off returns for td's too in college. people seem to forget that.

 

Not thrilled with this pick, he's not going to be an every down RB, so 3rd round is high imo to draft a RB that you know won't be an every down RB.

This kid has to kind of hit his ceiling to be worth the pick, so not much leeway, he could be a very good 3rd down RB/returner, but again, he kind of has to be for this pick to be worth it.

 

Wanted Kenneth Dixon. He's still on the board.

 

2-back sets.

 

What was the price to keep Lamar vs the price to sign Drake?

 

doesn't matter miller wanted to play for an org that will use him, and whatever talks he had with FO and Gase didn't convince him enough that he'd be used to his liking.

 

I thought he was pointing out that being a returner in college isn't the same as being a returner in the NFL, because we tried Miller at returns and he wasn't very good.

 

You are kinda right about your analysis here. I think that Ajayi and Drake will share touches going forward and each player does something that the other player does not do. But you are spot on that we gave up a lot to grab a complementary player.

Finster, out of curiosity, what percentage of touches (runs+catches) do you think the Phins' running backs have next year?

My guess is Ajayi - 60%, Drake 25%, Others - 15%

 

The money convinced Miller. The Dolphins couldn't afford what he wanted. That's just the way the game is played nowadays.

 

I took it as Miller does what Drake does.

 

Drake may not be an every down back, but if Gase uses him correctly and he get ~15 touches a game he has that rare ability to be a real game changer.

I'm excite to see how they utilize this kid. He's a very special talent...

 

I think Gase wanted a versatile back that can catch the ball out of the backfield and in that sense Drake was one of the better ones in the draft. He could come in on passing downs and split out wide as well. He gives us a lot of match advantages if he can get in situations where he has space. Might have been a bit over drafted, maybe he was kind of a luxury pick but in today's NFL you need all the help you can get in the passing game. I don't think Gase wants a 3 yard and a cloud of dust type attack at all. He wants mismatches and points in the passing game.

We also spend most of the draft so far giving Tannehill pieces to succeed. I know we have holes on defense but really nothing will matter this year if we don't move forward with Tannehill. Give him everything he needs and if he doesn't progress then its time to draft his replacement and move on. Above anything else we have to find out what we have in Tannehill this year.

 

I never saw Miller return a punt or KO, in the NFL.

You are correct that it is different from college to pro.

However, How many NFL teams have their #1 RB returning punts and KO? Drake won't be asked to be the #1 RB. (miller wasn't asked year 1 but they were also sheltering miller so he could recover from college shoulder injury)

 

Too early for me to say, but I agree on Ajayi.

 

Miller did do some in preseason, and in practice, but they might have been simply saving him some punishment.

 

+1 I think he's going to be a very productive player for us.

 

Miller didn't have any punt returns for TDs in college.

Neither did Drake.

 

I like how he never wants to surrender and runs 20 extra yds to try and make any type of play but if there's a hole he nails it right now. Almost a little Barry Sanders like.

 

And when ajayi gets injured... then what? We're screwed.

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Drake had a grand total of ONE punt return in 4 years at Alabama
and that was 3 years ago

 

The combination of height, weight, speed and vision of Drake are very intriguing. Although just a complementary back he could be a great value. With his receiving skills he could become a very dangerous wapon and a favorite target for THill, like Clay once was.

 

I disagree. If we pass the ball 60 - 65% of the time, we need RBs that can be productive in the passing game. But we won't only be passing on third down. "3rd down backs" is an archaic term anyway...it used to be when teams only passed on third downs you needed a RB that could catch...now, every down is potentially a passing down. Drake can catch, and can run the ball out of spread formations. He is a mismatch for most linebackers, and can outrun most DBs. I think with Ajayi and Williams, we needed a back with home run speed...Drake provides that. This is a very good pick.

 

I agree. His skills jump off the tape imo. Can def see him and Ajayi being on the field at the same time also.

I'm surprised there isn't more excitement over this pick.

 

I'm surprised by many of the post-draft reactions around here. Shouldn't be, but I am.