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Targets for 2014 Dolphins Draft

Discussion in 'NFL Draft Forum' started by Bpk, Sep 24, 2013.

  1. TooGoodForDez

    TooGoodForDez Deion Sanders for GM

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    Those guys don't mean anything.


    I am officially on fail for Mett bandwagon.
     
  2. KB21

    KB21 Almost Never Wrong Club Member

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    O'Dell Beckham put on a clinic last night about how this position should be played. Using his body to get open, high pointing the ball, getting in and out of his breaks without gearing down, running good routes....the guy is a stud.
     
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  3. jim1

    jim1 New Member

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    I'll be keeping an eye on OT Santreal Henderson from UM.
     
  4. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    He seems destined to fall way down the board because of suspension issues. Just suspended yet again. Some teams undoubtedly will take him off board altogether.

    Talented though. I'd keep an eye out for him too.
     
  5. invid

    invid Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Do you take a right tackle in the first round? Are their any projected first round guards this year?
     
  6. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Some people like Cyril Richardson as a first round guard. Not sure I would go there but some like him there.

    I don't think it's really necessary to take one that high.
     
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  7. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    He's someone that just makes you shake your head at what he could have done and what he could end up throwing away. He'll get drafted, but not as high as he could have been, and whether the light will come on in the pros has to be doubted.
     
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  8. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    I'm with you on that. Personally I'd prefer to trade up our 2nd if needed than use a 1st on a RT. Only exception would be if he unequivocally represented the best talent at our pick.
     
  9. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    In todays NFL the defenses move their players and pass rushers around so much you almost need to have a solid tackle on both sides.
     
  10. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    To me the player has to be unique and the only way to be unique for an interior player would be to have the kind of rabbit-like athleticism that Mike Pouncey has. Even as highly rated as guys like David DeCastro and Chance Warmack were, they weren't really unique at the position. They were uniquely polished, not uniquely gifted. That means you're going to end up having guys taken way later end up coached into performing just as well as those guys once they get NFL coaching. You're spending the 1st round pick on a guy like that because you want the sure thing instead of doing it the hard way. It's a punt, IMO. Thing is, you only THINK you're getting the sure thing. DeCastro spent his first full year injured and Warmack quite frankly has not been any good thus far.

    I'd have been much more tempted with DeCastro than Warmack, for the record. Much CLOSER to unique, in my eyes, because his lateral ability in pulling just did not seem to foot with his athletic numbers for whatever reason, much more mobile than you'd think. I loved Kevin Zeitler too. I just wasn't a fan of Warmack so maybe I'm just rubbing that one in.

    Brandon Brooks would be an example of the kind of value I'd be looking for at guard. Or Larry Warford. Or Hugh Thornton. Although truthfully I'm probably steering toward a veteran that fits what I like to do on offense.
     
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  11. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    No that's how I felt about Warmack and guys like him as well. I believe I said something like he reminded me of a shorter, fatter, less athletic Carl Nicks and wasn't on the same level as Jon Cooper. The one I was disappointed about was Terron Armstead going 2 picks before Dallas Thomas.
     
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  12. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    And the one I was disappointed with was Dallas Thomas going 2 picks after Terron Armstead, if you catch my meaning.
     
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  13. PittPhinFan

    PittPhinFan New Member

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    I would like for HaHa Clinton-Dix to fall for us as I think Clemons isn't going to get any better and he might flee for the money elsewhere. My favorite tackle we have a chance at is Cameron Erving from FSU. Im an FSU fan and I watch him every week and he would be a nice RT in this scheme and could probably play LT too I think he's that gifted. A darkhorse pick could be Cyril Richardson the guard from Baylor and especially if Richie somehow leaves after this year. Richardson is a road grader and he is also a decent pass blocker (protected RG3's blindside at Baylor) If we were to resign Richie I would go OT in the first and try to find a guard in the 2nd or 3rd if Watkins/Dallas Thomas aren't ready.

    Cyril: http://youtu.be/WejXcdF-pFs

    Erving: http://youtu.be/sBJgixm_AWA

    Clinton-Dix: http://youtu.be/IBj6kUU9R-g
     
  14. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I like Clinton-Dix but I'm not sure that's where I want to go early in the Draft. The cause of his suspension isn't going to shy any teams away.

    If you want a player you can get maybe a little later, I'd look at Nickoe Whitley.
     
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  15. PittPhinFan

    PittPhinFan New Member

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    So I assume you want to go tackle, guard, or maybe dt? What do your tackle rankings look like ck?
     
  16. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    Yup, I catch it.... I think. He wasn't my first choice as a pick either, especially not when Armstead was dangling there within reach of a short trade up.
     
  17. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Not my first choice...not my second choice...not my third choice...

    Ah well. Didn't like the pick. What're ya gonna do.
     
  18. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    pray it works out anyway and he becomes a decent guard? Undergo hypnosis so we forget the names Armstead, Keenan Allen, Markus Wheaton, Corey Lemonier, and Stedman Bailey ever entered our minds? :dunno:
     
  19. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Don't forget Hugh Thornton, Brennan Williams, David Bakhtiari and Brian Schwenke.

    I guess that's what kills me about it. If you needed an offensive lineman (and obviously Miami does), why THAT one?

    Guys like Markus Wheaton, Stedman Bailey, Quinton Patton, Marquise Goodwin, Johnathan Franklin, Alex Okafor, Devin Taylor, Zaviar Gooden, Khaseem Greene, Shamarko Thomas, Kayvon Webster and B.W. Webb all still being available...that's just the extra twist of the knife.

    But then a lot of these guys were also still available when they took Jelani ****ing Jenkins, too.
     
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  20. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Amending the board.

    Throwing Colt Lyerla to the back of the pack amongst tight ends. I can't in good conscience take him off altogether though. Too talented. Too much of the story yet to play out.

    Tossing Notre Dame's Troy Niklas to the front of the board just behind Jace Amaro. What the hell is it with Notre Dame and that position. The guy pass protects like an offensive tackle then turns around and is able to outrun a 160 pound corner 66 yards to the end zone.
     
  21. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    That's who I wanted.
     
  22. NorFlaFin

    NorFlaFin Active Member

    A little burb about Dallas Thomas

    Player Comparison: Ben Grubbs. Thomas has a similar style of play to the Saints' Grubbs. Both excel in pass protection and are good blockers. Thomas could end up being bigger than Grubbs (6-3, 310), as Thomas is taller and hasn't worked in an NFL strength and conditioning program. Grubbs was the 29th overall-pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, and Thomas will likely go a little bit later. In the NFL, I see Thomas being a guard of Grubbs' caliber.

    I had thought UT had an NFL Type strength and conditioning program similar for most powerhouse D1 programs.
    His total lack of overall strength is his biggest weakness.

    http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2013dthomas.php
     
  23. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    That blurb was not meant to be a revelation. He was just saying that Thomas has yet to work for NFL strength coaches, like all rookies but unlike Grubbs.
     
  24. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    You think we will see Thomas starting before the end of the year for us?
     
  25. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    I was a huge Schwenke fan, built like a bulldog with the personality to match.
     
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  26. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Injuries are a part of the NFL so who knows. I do think it will have to be an injury though because the next man up is Nate Garner.
     
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  27. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Even though there is a tight end thread I'm trying to keep some things in here and kind of make this my de facto running draft thread for a while.

    So here's some video on Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas, focusing almost purely on the passing game.

    2013 Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=417
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=3391
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=3403
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=3458
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=3482
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=4128
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=4145
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=4234
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVX9cKNAuAs&feature=player_detailpage#t=4258


    2013 Notre Dame vs. Navy
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdvtQg0zAM&feature=player_detailpage#t=1116
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdvtQg0zAM&feature=player_detailpage#t=1135
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdvtQg0zAM&feature=player_detailpage#t=1835
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdvtQg0zAM&feature=player_detailpage#t=1855
    PENALTY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdvtQg0zAM&feature=player_detailpage#t=1911
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6kJwqNIIZo&feature=player_detailpage#t=326

    2013 Notre Dame vs. Air Force
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7HMxnivQ1Go#t=544
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XtqTi02RwQE#t=1412
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XtqTi02RwQE#t=1591

    2013 Notre Dame vs. USC
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6mdq9bsjTg&feature=player_embedded

    2013 Notre Dame vs. Arizona State
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUi8qjxY9Y&feature=player_detailpage#t=918
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUi8qjxY9Y&feature=player_detailpage#t=1556
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUi8qjxY9Y&feature=player_detailpage#t=3649
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUi8qjxY9Y&feature=player_detailpage#t=6341
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUi8qjxY9Y&feature=player_detailpage#t=6935
    TD REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUi8qjxY9Y&feature=player_detailpage#t=7003

    2013 Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoWwxrQ-IE&feature=player_detailpage#t=1401
    BLOCK + PASS CATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoWwxrQ-IE&feature=player_detailpage#t=3536
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoWwxrQ-IE&feature=player_detailpage#t=6700
    TD REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoWwxrQ-IE&feature=player_detailpage#t=6729
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoWwxrQ-IE&feature=player_detailpage#t=7569
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoWwxrQ-IE&feature=player_detailpage#t=7961

    2013 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State
    FUMBLE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkm0l2-9qrU&feature=player_detailpage#t=4800

    2013 Notre Dame vs. Purdue
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhXRHrKA7vM&feature=player_detailpage#t=829
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhXRHrKA7vM&feature=player_detailpage#t=1746
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhXRHrKA7vM&feature=player_detailpage#t=2669
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhXRHrKA7vM&feature=player_detailpage#t=3913

    2013 Notre Dame vs. Temple
    BLOCK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NpfBdv4tjUo#t=4769
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NpfBdv4tjUo#t=4852
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NpfBdv4tjUo#t=5477
    TD REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NpfBdv4tjUo#t=5507

    2013 TE Troy Niklas vs. Michigan
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g10YtM1Qjk

    2012 Big Plays
    Boston College TD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMNkXhIQha4&feature=player_detailpage#t=126
    Navy 29-yard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATGGLOWRIWA&feature=player_detailpage#t=170
    Purdue 30-yard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a47OTFvtsYQ&feature=player_detailpage#t=667

    I hate to make this comparison because of the expectations that come with it...but the guy that Troy Niklas reminds me a lot of is Rob Gronkowski.
     
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  28. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Here are some players that it looks like right now, as of 10/11/2013 could go 1st round. This is not a list of endorsement. This is my sense of where the market is at the moment, with half a season of college football left to play and a whole lot of draft evaluation left to be done.

    QB: Teddy Bridgewater, Bretty Hundley, Tajh Boyd
    RB: Lache Seastrunk, Melvin Gordon
    WR: Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Marquise Lee, Donte Moncrief
    TE: Jace Amaro, Troy Niklas
    OT: Jake Matthews, Cyrus Kouandjio, Taylor Lewan, Cameron Erving, Cameron Fleming, Cedric Ogbuehi
    OG: Cyril Richardson, David Yankey
    OC: --
    PR: Jadaeveon Clowney, Vic Beasley, Anthony Barr, Kyle Van Noy
    DL: Timmy Jernigan, Stephon Tuitt
    LB: C.J. Mosley, Ryan Shazier
    CB: Jason Verrett, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Bradley Roby, Aaron Colvin
    S: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
     
  29. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    No love for WR Allen Robinson? :(
     
  30. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I'm starting to wonder if the real wide receiver to watch out for from Baylor is Antwan Goodley, not Tevin Reese. Goodley has become a monster over there. Such a thick lower body too.

    Nonetheless, the best player on that offense is Lache Seastrunk. So damn good.

    I like Allen Robinson. He's not a first round prospect though.
     
  31. Gunner

    Gunner Rock Hunter

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    As bad as our O-Line has been I hope we get one of the Tackles in round one and Yankey slips into the top of round two where we can move up and grab him.
     
  32. invid

    invid Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Or Louis Nix?
     
  33. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    Too bad Dominique Easley tore his ACL. He could be a nice risk/reward 2nd or 3rd round value pick. Reminds me of Adrian Clayborn. Nice to see Tuitt's extra weight was from a sports hernia rather than lack of focus. I'd love to see Tuitt or a healthy Easley at RE and Jordan moved to LB but that ain't happening. How much of an upgrade is Trent Murphy over Misi? Would hate for Misi's contract to cost us an upgrade at the position if the draft value presents itself. Originally wanted Vic Beasley for the job but he's gonna end up going top 10 after he tears up the combine.

    Wonder if Stanford's Ed Reynolds can sneak into the back end of the 1st round. Wouldn't mind seeing him replace Chris Clemons. Only so much I can take of a free safety having 3 picks, 2 forced fumbles, and 12 passes defended through 61 games. Time to improve the impact play ability of the position.
     
  34. KB21

    KB21 Almost Never Wrong Club Member

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    No O'Dell Beckham? Right now, I'm having a hard time finding a wide receiver that impresses me more from a pure skill level. Ideal slot receiver for a Joe Philbin/Mike McCarthy offense. I'd replace Donte Moncrief on your list with him. Moncrief is good, but he's not quite ready to be a 1st round guy, IMO.
     
  35. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I think Donte Moncrief is just a superior prospect and I don't expect five in that round.
     
  36. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    I wish we didn't have to give Hartline such a big contract so that I could live a year long fantasy of imagining us spending a 1st or 2nd rounder on a receiver. JDang pointed out how ridiculously high his catch rate is this year with Wallace opposite commanding attention. Would love to see what any of the top 2014 receivers could do here in frequent 1 on 1s. With Wallace being the speed guy on one side, I'd prefer a bigger, more physical receiver on the other side who could out-muscle DBs and win jump balls, especially in the redzone, plus be able to move the chains with similar dependability as Hartline.
     
  37. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Trust me, given this offensive line's problems and given the pending free agency of two-thirds of the defensive tackle unit, I think the idea of spending a 1st rounder on a wide receiver is destined to be a pipe dream regardless of Brian Hartline's contract status.

    Besides, it's not Hartline's status that gives me problems. It's Wallace's. He's the guy that isn't fitting in. I also don't particularly like being back where we started on Brandon Gibson either, as far as not having a good athlete that can make dynamic plays from the slot. I hope they don't feel locked in with him to where they're completely ignoring the position again in 2014 like they did in 2013.

    Give me something. I know the odds aren't high but make it a 3rd round pick. I'll take a 4th rounder or even a 5th rounder. Something. Let me at least try and turn one of those picks into a Terrance Williams, T.Y. Hilton, Eric Decker, Mike Williams or Denarius Moore. Just give me a fighting chance.

    Guys like Devin Street, Cody Hoffman or Antwan Goodley could at least be kind of interesting that way.

    Still trying to figure out where I come out on Tevin Reese. He's either DeSean Jackson or Mardy Gilyard.
     
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  38. ToddPhin

    ToddPhin Premium Member Luxury Box Club Member

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    Yeah, I'd settle for that type of effort too. We wouldn't need to be shelling out $100 million in receiver contracts had we done that from day 1. Plus we might have greater overall talent at the position. :pity:

    I don't know where I stand on Reese either.
     
  39. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Speaking of wide receivers.

    Another prospect I am starting to get to know a little bit better is L'Damian Washington of Missouri.

    He was a hero this week against Georgia in Missouri's first real gut check game of the season to see if their success was real or fake. Previously they'd beaten up against the likes of Murray State, Toledo, Indiana, Arkansas State and Vanderbilt. Washington had 7 catches for 115 yards and two TDs in this game. They were his 6th and 7th TDs of the year.

    Scouts will know about Washington because of the pure triangle numbers. He's 6'3" and runs in the 4.3's according to teammates. You're going to be on radar because of that alone.

    Last year he caught 25 balls for 443 yards and 2 TDs. The year before, 20 balls for 364 yards and 3 TDs. This year, 29 balls for 455 yards and 7 TDs through 6 games.

    He's a redshirt junior.

    Where you really start to be intrigued is his background and story. There have been quite a few little featurettes on him through the years because of his background and his attitude. He was one of four brothers growing up, raised by his mother. His mother died literally watching L'Damian play basketball during his sophomore year of high school. His father had already died some years back. That left he and his brothers completely on their own.

    He really fed his life into football at that point and began blossoming as a player around that time. He got his scholarship to Mizzou and was really focused on getting his degree, in interviews he says (and I believe him) it's been far more of a focus than the NFL or any other distraction. He already graduated with a degree in psychology. He says he found the subject extremely fascinating because of how peoples' backgrounds shape who they become and the things they do, how they act. Obviously there are some personal reasons for that to resonate with him having grown up how he did.

    He volunteers with troubled youth that remind him of himself, using his psychology lessons and his own experiences to help them. He usually asks the authority figure to leave the room when he talks to them so that they won't be afraid to ask him any questions about any situations, and he says he has a lot of luck getting them to see their own experiences and situations in his life and how he's overcome them.

    There have been some allusions to some trouble he may have had as a freshman. It's hard to say whether that was the official kind of trouble (arrests, etc) or whether it was just a freshman trying to acclimate to unfamiliar surroundings. I find no search results trying to look up arrests, suspensions, etc. He claims that his problem as a freshman was not understanding just how many people were really in his corner, and not opening up to them. He's pretty candid about it so I imagine whatever happened, that's been well over. His high school coach reiterated that L'Damian had some trouble as a freshman getting adjusted but that he's really proud of how he's developed.

    You listen to the guy speak, he's pretty infectious as far as his good attitude and point of view. I don't know if he's got the insane work ethic owing to his background that a Shamarko Thomas has, but it might be similar to a Torrey Smith that way.

    As for the talent on the field...well, I'll let his Georgia game do the talking.

    WR L'Damian Washington versus Georgia (2013)
    INCOMP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=561
    CATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=1482
    CATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=1859
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=1875
    TD CATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=1994
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=2086
    INCOMP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=2516
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=2541
    CATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=2605
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=2620
    INCOMP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=4870
    CATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=5509
    CATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=6298
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=6316
    TD CATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=6554
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=6651
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMDXkZNz4&feature=player_detailpage#t=6690

    Not a whole lot to note on his first couple of catches. On his second catch I liked the adjustment to the football after he popped out of his fade-stop.

    On his first touchdown he beats a good junior CB in Damian Swann (currently #9 for his year by NFLDS). Clearly a lanky speedster type of player. I mean once Swann turned the wrong direction with his hips on that first touchdown, there just was zero chance he was going to close on Washington because the speed difference was way too much. In Swann's defense, he was expecting help from the two-deep safety which was why he turned his hips to defend the hash in the first place. However, fact of the matter is athletically he couldn't match up with Washington either.

    Inability of Damian Swann to match up physically with L'Damian Washington becomes more apparent on the next play after the touchdown, the deep attempt where James Franklin overthrows Washington. Washington gets a clean release against Swann's press technique, and then he creates what looks like 3 full steps of separation vertically against Swann. He just blazed straight through two-deep coverage and broke through the defensive shell. You can just see the "oh sh-t" moment in safety Corey Moore's body language when he realizes this guy Washington has way more speed than he could possibly handle given his position. That's some significant ability to get vertical.

    Another thing I like is the very next play after showing off his vertical abilities by breaking right through the shell, he deals with extremely physical coverage from Damian Swann who obviously is no longer in the mood to let a faster player have clean releases on him, and he catches a really nice, tough ball on the deep slant. But again it's Washington's superior athletic ability that creates that one extra step.

    By the way the NFL Draft Scout listed speeds on file for Corey Moore is 4.62 and for Damian Swann is 4.53. So you know Washington's speed is legit because he seems flat out faster than them.

    There was definitely a miscommunication between James Franklin and L'Damian Washington on how quickly Washington needed to break off his vertical on the back shoulder or fade-stop play on 3rd & 4. I saw the same out of Hartline and Tannehill recently against the Ravens. That's not necessarily on the QB for being inaccurate, it could be on the receiver for getting the wrong depth or not adusting his route based on the down and distance.

    Made up for it on 3rd & 9 the next time he got the opportunity. Went over the middle where Georgia's safeties had been delivering bone-jarring shots to receivers all day, made a nice catch on a ball thrown slightly behind him, absorbed the hit without too much risk of injury.

    Then you have the final touchdown and man...CB Shaq Wiggins (freshman) is draped ALL OVER him. Pass interference, easy. But Washington has no trouble getting vertical on Wiggins on the second part of the route, looks back for the ball, uses his hand cleverly to keep some separation and then uses physical strength to fight through the interference and get the ball.

    The play involves some trickeration, a lateral out to the back Bud Sasser who throws it deep to L'Damian Washington. Washington did a great job showing patience by running in 3rd gear for half the route like it's a run play. Then he hears the whip crack and within 4 steps Shaq Wiggins is already in "if he's even, he's leavin" territory with Washington. That's how quickly Washington accelerated. He ate up 4 yards of cushion on Shaq Wiggins in 4 or 5 steps. By the 6th step he's already a yard behind Wiggins. But the timing on the throw was late and the placement was short, so Washington had to physically fight for this one and he did.

    This is a KEY moment in the game. QB James Franklin is now OUT of the game. The Tigers are only up 28-26 at this point because Aaron Murray has been bringing Georgia back into this game with a vengeance. Missouri loses if they don't keep their foot on the gas offensively, even with Franklin out of the game. A play like this is a wing and a prayer. You know you don't have the QB to get the ball around anymore, you're just asking for a little misdirection and then your receiver to make a play purely by himself. On this play, L'Damian Washington did that.

    What a catch. What a play at one of the most key moments of the biggest game of the season for Missouri.

    _____________________UPDATES____________________________
    WR L'Damian Washington versus Florida (2013)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=V2I1yP4pf5A#t=264
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=V2I1yP4pf5A#t=1146
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=V2I1yP4pf5A#t=1411
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=V2I1yP4pf5A#t=3265
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=V2I1yP4pf5A#t=3298
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=V2I1yP4pf5A#t=6091
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=V2I1yP4pf5A#t=6118
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=V2I1yP4pf5A#t=8154

    Note, that big 41 yarder on the first play of the game was against freshman phenom Vernon Hargreaves. He worked against Hargreaves all game long. On 3rd & 13 he looked like he could have had a big catch if the QB had placed the football right. Good battles between the two. Washington was flagged on the one deep attempt in the end zone for having stepped out of bounds and being the first player to touch the ball. That play featured a really nice battle between Hargreaves and Washington. Washington's other big catch came against Louchez Purifoy. Purifoy couldn't keep up with the speed. I didn't necessarily like how wide a track Washington made for himself against the press, but he was so fast it didn't matter.

    WR L'Damian Washington versus South Carolina (2013)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=f6M6IclBurQ#t=3437
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6M6IclBurQ&feature=player_detailpage#t=3480
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=f6M6IclBurQ#t=4407

    _____________________END UPDATES____________________________

    Bonus Footage
    2013 vs. Vanderbilt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNXlXD3jjTA&feature=player_detailpage#t=0
    2013 vs. Vanderbilt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNXlXD3jjTA&feature=player_detailpage#t=53
    2013 vs. Indiana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omjgmUTWfEA&feature=player_detailpage#t=12
    2013 vs. Indiana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omjgmUTWfEA&feature=player_detailpage#t=198
    2013 vs. Arkansas St: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1stNDtputbg&feature=player_detailpage#t=32
    2013 vs. Murray St: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJwzHL7sRdo&feature=player_detailpage#t=113
    2012 vs. Texas A&M: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Pz67-ATLU&feature=player_detailpage#t=7694
    2012 vs. Georgia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVXZyhkzD8U&feature=player_detailpage#t=0
    2011 vs. Oklahoma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ4aFUJamsQ&feature=player_detailpage#t=165
    2011 vs. Baylor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Ti6nJn-e3fI#t=7373
    REPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Ti6nJn-e3fI#t=7395
    2011 vs. Arizona State: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=v_hC9SrGyQI#t=5936
    2011 vs. North Carolina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le_Tcw5pvSs&feature=player_detailpage#t=1642

    Bonus Notes: Vanderbilt's CB Steven Clarke is the player Washington whipped easily on his second touchdown, beating him vertically then adjusting to the football while Clarke ran all out trying to recover, then taking advantage of Clarke's being off-balance by running into the end zone after the catch. Clarke has 4.64 speed listed on file with NFLDS. The other touchdown against Vandy the quarterback did a great job fitting the ball between the zones and Washington's being fast as hell helped that happen before safety Kenny Ladler (NFLDS' #4 ranked senior Free Safety, 4.57 speed) could get there in time.

    I included the interception against Indiana even though there was literelly nothing Washington could have done. The touchdown he caught on Indiana was against junior CB Tim Bennett (NFLDS: 4.54 speed). Can't really see the route well from the highlight reel.

    The route he ran against Arkansas State corner Artez Brown (NFLDS: 4.48 speed) was straight up dirty. I don't know if he took too many steps inside on his in-cut, but the cut back to the outside was unfair. Nice toe-tap at the end, too.

    Say what you want about that touchdown being against Murray State and the level of competition not being great there, the touchdown he caught against them was really keen. That corner got a solid, heavy jam on him at the line but he forklifted him to create separation, presented his numbers to the quarterback, found the ball at the front pylon and displayed perfect body control to secure the football and the toe-tap. Just absolutely perfect work and it doesn't even really matter who it was against, because of the level of difficulty of what they asked him to do.

    You could see his speed even in 2012. Here's what you should note about the 74 yard touchdown against Texas A&M back in 2012. The safety that came screaming toward L'Damian Washington on the play was Steven Terrell, who ran a 4.34 at his Pro Day in the run up to the Draft. Terrell was going full bore with all of his 4.3 speed at a time when Washington was stopped to catch the ball, and Washington had to re-accelerate (you really can't re-accelerate in this manner and get back up to your full speed, the body just can't do it) but he still holds him off. That's a remarkable feat against a 4.3 speed guy. It shows how fast Washington is.

    And apparently 2013 wasn't the first time Georgia defensive backs saw the back of his jersey as he scored touchdowns. He did it in 2012 on Georgia CB Devin Bowman in man coverage for a 69-yard touchdown.

    There's a nice 45-yard touchdown against Oklahoma corner Gabe Lynn (NFLDS: 4.65 speed). Fakes to the outside, sticks that one foot down and plants back to the inside and forget about it. Good luck staying with him.

    That Baylor touchdown happened at the end of the game with Mizzou trying to come back. It brought the lead to within 3 points with about 2 minutes left. He just straight up outran and dragged around Baylor corner Tyler Stephenson (NFLDS: 4.43 speed) on a post-corner. That's a true 4.4 corner and there's just no way he's going to stay up with Washington in man coverage as he loops all the way in and then out again.

    And what a great touchdown on the post route against Arizona State. ASU corner Osahon Irabor (NFLDS: 4.50 speed) just had no chance.
     
    ssmiami and jim1 like this.
  40. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Nov 25, 2007
    This has been my biggest gripe with the Dolphins draft classes over the past few years. They haven't targeted receivers with dynamic ability. The draft is a crap shoot anyway, so why not take a guy who may carry some risk, but has the ability to become a playmaker? You see WRs come out of just about every draft in the mid rounds that end up being those types of players. I like the group the Dolphins have, but that's a position where there are under the radar guys that are worth taking a shot on that could end up being really good.
     

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