This team is so far away that I don’t even care about drafting for need. They have a lot of needs but I think they need to draft BPA because I think you can make a case at every major position group. What we need is for draft picks to actually live up to where we’ve drafted them.
You keep saying that Edmunds is "a lot" faster. Smith is projected to run a 4.4-4.5 40 at the combine. The same as Edmunds. Yes, Edmunds is bigger by about 25 pounds, but he's around 5" taller than Smith. Which means Smith is more compact and most likely more sturdy. I thin keither player could cover players like Gronk and Kelce. (And for what it's worth, I don't see Gronk playing for the Pats next year. I think BB gets a 2nd round or better pick for him because he's always injured and some team will pay) I'd love to have either player on the Dolphins, but there's no need to make stuff up in order to make "your guy" look better.
Part of that is simply because we play them the most. The Bills and the Jets too, but since Brady's start, I think it can be well argued that Miami has had the most talent of the three consistently from the end of the Zach/Taylor defenses, to the Pennington/Wildcat era to the Tannehill era. The Bills have largely been abysmal, and the Jets had one high with Rex/Revis/Sanchize before they faded. But if we look at how we beat them, it's by beating Brady. Gotta put him on his *** and not let up. That's when he throws INTs, does his Brady face thing, etc.
What the **** does anyone care what a player is projected to run? Who comes up with these projections and how? Until they actually run we won't know. I am basing my assessment of their relative speeds by watching game tape of them. Edmunds is running scat backs and fast receivers down from behind like it's nothing. Smith is not slow when he is allowed to run free, but I don't see the same explosivenes and top speed from him as I do Edmunds. Edmunds needs a little more seasoning and development, but his cieling is way higher than Smith imo.
Because without legitimate run times it's about all you can go off of in regards to times. Those projections are usually pretty close to true life. I'll bet you Edmunds is not faster than Mo Smith. In fact, my bet is Smith runs the better 40 at the combine barring both are injury free. If Edmunds is their pick I'd be fine with it, but he'll need time to develop. And weren't you the one complaining about Harris needing time to develop?
Edmunds doesn't need as much time to develop as harris and his cieling is a lot higher. Edmunds limitation is basically just that he is young and needs more experience, but physically and mentally he has everything you want in spades and his production in college is a lot better than what harris showed. He is a high character guy as well. Harris limitations on the other hand are that he is undersized, not very strong and is slow. His college production was pretty mediocre especially considering it all came against weak competition. People just fell in love with his quick first step and short area quickness, and that spin move is basically all he has going for him.
IMO our LBs looked worse b/c our pass rush was so poor. Reality is that LBs against TEs or RBs are almost always a mismatch. Expecting that we'll find a LB who will suddenly solve that is not reasonable. And we do have what looked like a very good LB in Raekwon returning from injury. I think a S has a higher likelihood of being able to cover a TE or RB. And that given how the NFL offenses have evolved it would be reasonable to use more dime or big nickel coverages so we should have fewer LBs on the field rather than more. Given that I would list more pass rushers or a S or S/LB hybrid as a higher priority on defense. Additionally, I think Gase wants more versatile targets on offense. I feel like Gray is a reasonable option but given his usage they don't seem to agree. They have been auditioning AJ Derby that last few games so he may be in their plans, but I agree that we don't have much at TE. I'd probably list an all-around TE near the top of my need list as well.
Agility (3-cone, shuttle) and explosion drills (vertical, broad) are much more important for evaluating a LB's on the field speed than the 40.
man...just finished Quinton Nelson.. jesus..whatta monster... I'm in on what that dude could bring to this team, and yeah its worth..
I think the ''no guard early in the draft'' perception is in full affect around here...that is until you watch this dude and see what impact he could have on the game.
Will Hernandez is very good too. I'm interested to see them duke it out through the offseason programs. Both very big guards.
I agree, but we were talking about pure speed. Or at least I was. I would much rather have a LB that excels in the 3-cone and runs a 4.6 40 than a LB who is below average in the 3-cone and runs a 4.4.
What do you mean by early? 11th? 2nd round? If it's 11th, yes, I think most here would be upset. Not because they (we) think Nelson isn't worth his weight in gold, but the fact that there are other OG's in this draft that may be just as good and could be had in the 3rd round.
the point is not that, the point is, is the discrepancy enough where it might make more sense to have a different plan.. Not saying I would, just that it makes sense to see.
Can’t disagree although being a bias canes fan and seeing the Miami-Notre game in person, I wasn’t impressed. I’ve heard that was one of his worst performances this year though. IMO you’re much more likely to find guard talent later on in the draft than a LB or edge rusher.
I think it's close when talking about their draft stock. They're both 1st-rounders. One will most likely be a top-10 pick, the other won't be too far behind.
I think the new rookie salary cap goes a LONG way towards equalizing first round picks. Not a lot of difference in Actual Cash Value between 4-9 or 11-15 or 17-22. If you have a player graded at 17 or so when you are picking at 11 and it's a player who makes you better you should do it. The risk is so much lower now. Get the guy you want, who gives a flip what Mayock et al have him rated at?
That's only true if you compare rookie salaries. Is it cheaper to pick up a veteran guard or a veteran defensive end? That's where you are potentially losing out. QB is the most obvious example now - when guys like Russel Wilson graduate from their rookie contract, it makes it hard as hell to hold onto what they have. The Eagles are going to get hammered by this in a few years. It applies to all positions though. Guard is just ... a guard. Yeah we can - and should - improve, but throwing such premium resources is a waste.
I think its LB, Kiko is not a starting LB in this league, we need a quality young LB in the middle of the defense. I think the TE position is a huge hole for us too so if there is someone there worthy at 11 its a possibility too. I think there will be a LB worthy of the 11th pick so for me its a good area to focus on. I wouldn't be opposed to a Oline pick either but I just think the front office isn't going to take anyone on the oline that early. Of course you can't have too many pass rushers or Dlinemen so thats not out of the realm either.
Ideally Raekwon is healthy and ready to take over but I wouldn't bank on it. If Kiko is starting in the middle of our defense then we are going to get pasted again on 3rd downs. He's hot garbage.
I've been seeing Vita Vea DT Washington rated at 9-10 in a few rankings. If he was to be there at 11 I think you would have to take him. He'll be a dominant DT for years in the NFL. Senior bowl showed me few players, The QB White was fantastic, Bamas OL Bozeman C and Gosset G. Also liked what Darius Leonard, ILB from SC St put out there.
Not to mention we might as well look at Kiko as being in a contract year because in 2019 his cap number is $8.2M with zero dead money if cut.
I'm glad Daniel Jeremiah recently put out his top 50 with Vea at 9 because before that I thought this guy was being criminally underrated, he called him a more athletic Haloti Ngata, which is scary.
Yes, by .03 seconds not much of a difference. Still a lot more impressive performance by Edmunds given that he is 6'5 252lbs and Smith is only 6'1 236. My main issue with Smith is not his speed. I said he can run fast when allowed to roam free. The problem is he can't get off blocks and doesn't work through traffic very well. Edmunds does a lot better job of both which is why his practical playing speed is a lot better imo. Smith would be a good 4-3 will linebacker in the NFL, whereas Edmunds will be good at any LB position you put him in including Sam which is where we have the biggest need.
After that combine performance no way Barkley makes it past 4. Poor kid. Did such good work, and his reward...play for the Browns.
I say no reason to take Vea when were stacked at D tackle, unless you know something about Suh that we don't.
You kept repeating that Edmunds was "a lot faster". Hence our disagreement above. I told you what he was projected to run and you discredited it. You were wrong. I already talked about their size differences. I also talked about how Edmunds is taller and lankier and thus may not hold up as well. To top it off, I can see, and because he's only 19, Edmunds getting even bigger and slower. That may not happen, but it's well within reason to expect it. Smith is fast enough to avoid blocks...and that's why he was able to play so well at the collegiate level. Anyhow, both are exceptional players and the reason for this debate was because you discredited everything Ro Smith has done and claimed the Dolphins should "forget" about him. That's ridiculous. And if the Dolphins are lucky enough to get someone of his caliber you will whine like you whine about Harris. All because he's not your guy. OTOH, I would be elated to have either Edmunds or Smith. Bottom line: Both are great players. They both may bust or they both may be HoF caliber players. No one really knows right now. But what the EXPERTS say is that both are outstanding player at the college level. And "forgetting" about either, frankly, is just dumb.
Most people will tell you that pressure up the middle is a QB killer. Vea and Suh, side by side....I'd be totally down for that.
I never said Smith sucks, he is just undersized, gets eaten up by blocks, and is not a good fit for us and what we actually need which is a Sam LB.. He is only effective when nobody blocks him. I don't know if you've played football but "running around blocks" is not a viable way to play. You have to be able to stack and shed and hold up at the point of attack in the nfl. Running around avoiding blocks is not going to cut it. I just don't think he is a good pick for us at 11. If we go LB at 11 it should be Edmunds or else trade down or go in another direction. Smith is not the right pick there. That's why I said forget him.
Why do you always feel as if you need to lie or make things up in your posts in order to validate your opinions? I never wrote that you said Smith sucks. Although, you saying that he's undersized, gets eaten up by blocks, is "only effective when nobody blocks him", and is not a good fit makes it seem like you think he sucks. lol I never wrote he "runs around blocks". (Why you put that in quotes means you're either making things up or don't understand how to use them). If you don't feel like he's a good pick for us that's fine. Just say that and no one will respond to you. better yet, give us some legitimate reasons as to why you feel this way. But claiming that your guy is "a lot faster" (when he isn't) and the other nonsense you've posted about Smith only opens you up for criticism.
I admit I was wrong in saying he is a lot faster in terms of straight line speed. In terms of actual playing speed I do think Edmunds is faster. He covers ground quicker and easier and is better at beating blocks and working through traffic to get to the ball carrier. Your exact quote was that Smith "is fast enough to avoid blocks". Well the only way to avoid blocks consistently is to run around them or away from them, and that is just not a viable way to be successfull LB in the NFL. You have to be able to maintain your run fits, take on blocks, beat those blocks and/or hold up at the point of attack. Smith is not good at dealing with blocks. Whenever a blocker gets their hands on him he is neutralized and pushed around. That is his only weakness mind you, but it is a damn big weakness if you are LB who we are thinking about taking with the #11 overall pick. I repeat, at 11 it should be Edmunds or bust if we want a LB at that spot. If Edmunds is not there we should trade down for esch and more picks or pick somebody else.