Welcome to Miami, Kraig Urbik Dolphins attempt to address Oline Struggles

I get this, I do, but 13 is too high for OG, so I'd trade down if possible and draft an OG later in the 1st while picking up a pick or 2.

 

No. OG just does not have the value. Can't do it, you are mismanaging resources and playing a short term game.

Depends on who is there. I would not pass up certain talent - then its Early Thomas vs. Odrick/Misi all over again. That is looking at the draft via the lense of a specific need.

 

Guys, there are zero guards in this years draft that warrant a first round pick, let alone #13. Its not going to happen, regardless of your preference. Some people don't even think that there's a solid second rounder in this bunch, unless you were to take one of the second tier OT prospects and move him inside. Its a weak year for the position.

I like the signing of Urbick because he's a veteran who's proved that he can play, and offers better depth than we've had recently. He's a short term bridge to a long term solution, which may not come this year.

 

Those putting Turner in the same boat as Thomas clearly aren't seeing things well. Turner had a few bad whiffs, but his run blocking (imo) was pretty solid and his total sacks/pressures weren't nearly as bad as people make it and there's something there to work with unlike Thomas. Bushrod was signed to replace Thomas, but they have no immediate need to cut Thomas. New coaching staff, they will take him into camp and see for themselves. Bushrod seems to be a Gase personal addition.

Turner though will get every shot at winning that starting spot. Urbik is veteran insurance who can man both guard spots. There is now plenty of competition for those 2 guard spots. Maybe they add another 4th rounder or later but I would not expect an OL to be the pick in the first 3 rounds at all.

 

I still consider the wretched play of the Dolphins interior O-line to be the biggest need on the team. Adam Gase directly commented on the role of Guards as being ‘what allows the QB to step up in the pocket and properly execute the offense.’ While I agree that most of the needs are on defense, I’m most interested in seeing the QB live up to his potential and that isn’t going to happen without better interior O-line play. The offensive production seems to be night and day based largely on how comfortable the QB is.

I love that the Dolphins have brought in both Bushrod and Urbik because those two combined with Turner and Douglas create a lot of serviceable competition IMO. It seems like the Dolphins have finally answered the call for increased depth along the line. But keeping all that in perspective, my assumption is that the team still wants to draft a Guard within the first 2-3 rounds—someone the team feels can step in and be a starter.

That said, I would mostly be against using a top-15 pick on a Guard. I’d much prefer the team take CBs, WRs, DEs, OTs and QBs in that area of the draft based on the drop-off you see after the best prospects at those positions come off the board. On that basis, I don’t think there is anything stopping the Dolphins from trading down into the 20s, taking a top-tier Guard with one of the first two picks all the while adding another pick in the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] round.

If Miami could somehow end up getting Kiko Alonso, Byron Maxwell, one of the top Guard prospects and another 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] or 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] round player (i.e. a RB) all for the #8 pick in the draft, I think that would impress a lot of people.