Senior Bowl practice comment

B-

2009 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD

by Jay Goldberg

The Dolphins did a solid job, but I disagree with their choices at wide receiver and they missed a golden opportunity late in the draft.  They did add one of the better college street free agents in Orin Martin, but he plays a suddenly very deep position on the team.

DRAFT PICKS

Vontae Davis is a skilled and very athletic corner.  He is a bit of a hit or miss prospect because he doesn't always play up to his athletic ability, however, his upside is Pro Bowl caliber.  Personally, I liked A Smith a little more, because he goes out all the time and is a turnover machine, but I can't fault Miami for drafting Davis ahead of him.

Pat White was a great pick in round two.  He has a NFL-arm and is a terrific athlete.  He will be a tough player to defense when he comes in the game in short spurts since he can line up in the wildcat, the regular offense or the shotgun.  Long term he will be a very good backup for Henne as well, and could even push him to start.

Smith is a tall corner with good speed and quickness for a tall corner.  I look for Smith to earn the starting spot opposite Davis, if not later this year, then definitely by next year.  Another solid pick by Miami.

I know Miami wanted a tall receiver, but they will rue the day that they passed on Iglesias to draft Turner.  Turner looked reliable catching the ball and getting open during Senior Bowl practices, but he didn't show those skills consistently during games at USC, and doesn't have the measurables that translate into a difference-maker in the NFL.  On the other hand, Iglesias made some very good catches during Senior Bowl practices, as well as having a drop or two, but had a terrific game.  He's a gamer who will have a solid NFL career.

I also disagree with the selection of Hartline, although he is very quick, has good size and is a trough kid.  However, with under-sized but high-flying with tremendous hands Dilliard and super-fast, also quick Johnny Knox available, I would have definitely grabbed one of those two receivers over Hartline.

Although I'm not sure that Nalbone wouldn't have been available in round six, I can't find fault with selecting him since he is one of the few tight ends who can block, catch and has good speed.

I like Clemons.  Initially, he will be a special teams terror.  Down the line he should be a solid starter.  Clemons is strong, fast and very athletic.

Gardner is another workout warrior (Clemons).  He has good size, speed and athleticism.  He was a good get late in the draft, but might need a year on the practice squad before contributing on game day.

Folsom is a specialty pick.  He will perform well on special teams and could be valuable in the nickel.  However, with inside linebacker Beckwith surprisingly available here, I would have grabbed him.  Worst case Beckwith will be a solid backup.  Best case, and what I expect, is that Beckwith will grow into a solid starter.

 COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Marion is an athletic receiver who had an incredible yards per catch total at Tulsa.  However, his workout belied those results.  It will be interesting to see if he is one of those players who has better functional football speed than workout speed.  If not, his stay in Miami could be short.

Kimble is an instinctive runner with good vision.  He lacks breakaway speed.  However, if he shows he can play on special teams he has a chance to stick.

Martin was Miami's best college street free agent signing.  However, with Jason Tayor and Cameron Wake added in the offseason to go with Porter and Roth, and Anderson and Moses also on board, Martin will have his hands full making the team.  However, he will be a priority signing to their practice squad.

Bronson has very reliable hands, makes the tough catch and has acceptable speed and quickness.  He also has the frame to add bulk and strength to become a better blocker, something he will need to do to play tight end wth the Dolphins.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

I have always liked Parcell's as a talent evaluator and he had another solid draft.  My only two minor points are that if Long doesn't become a stud left tackle, he may regret not picking Gholston, especially since he will see him two times a year; and in a draft deep at cornerback and wide receiver, the Fins didn't come up with a player at either position.  However, it's hard to argue with the players they drafted and this team had needs all over the place.

DRAFT PICKS

I like Long as a player, a lot.  However, I'm not sure he will develop into an elite left tackle.  Will he be solid.  Yes.  Will he be very good.  Yes.  Will he be perennial Pro Bowl?  Maybe.  In any event he will be a top drawer long time starter for Miami.

I originally thought of Merling as a three-down end in a 4-3, with good size for that scheme to play the run, and acceptable pass rush skills.  As a 3-4 end, he is a little light.  However, he has the frame to add bulk and could be a solid end in that scheme down the line.

Henne is a good fit for Miami.  In my opinion, he has more skills and a greater upside than John Beck.  He is a pocket passer who can make all the throws and only needs experience before becoming a solid NFL starter.

Langford may have been the top "3-4" defensive end in this draft.  He is a big-body kid who can play the run and get penetration against the pass.  Coming from Hampton, he will need time to adjust to the speed of the NFL.  In five years the Dolphins may find that they have the next Aaron Smith.  A great get for the Fins.

Murphy has a mean streak and quick feet.  He only played guard for one year at Utah State, and played it very well. In retrospect, I under-evaluated Murphy.  He is a good fit for the Dolphins scheme and could wind up starting this year.

Parmele was very underrated coming into this draft.  He is a terrific athlete who runs hard and is faster than many think, and at 224 pounds runs well inside.  With often injured, but highly talented Ronnie Brown, and the more time off the field recently than on the field, Parmele could be forced into action at some point this year.  If he is, he could have an Ahmed Bradshaw-like impact.

Thomas was one of the better developmental guard prospects in this draft.  I had him rated higher than Murphy, although with only one full year as a starter, he is still a bit raw.

Hilliard would have gone higher if not for injuries.  He was a halfback in college, but could be tried at fullback.  He will have a tough time sticking on the roster at halfback.  Wide receiver Jabari Arthur would have been an interesting pick at this spot.  He is a tall receiver with good hands, excellent college production, and decent speed.  He would have had a shot to start opposite Ginn Jr.

Dotson is a defensive tackle who will be tried at end in Miami's 3-4.  He may be headed to their practice squad for further development.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Bess has a shot to stick around the team as a bottom of the roster receiver or practice squad player because the team is relatively thin at the position.  Bess has good hands, knows how to get open, but is smallish, not overly fast and not overly quick.

Poppinga could be a surprise in the Fins' camp.  He played mainly outside in college, but has the size, strength and quick feet needed to play inside in a 3-4 defense.  He could stick as a backup and special teams player.

On tape Titus Brown looks like he would be a good outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.  He was an undersized defensive end at Mississippi State.  However, his workout raised red flags regarding this transition.  He is certainly worth a look in camp.

Spanos' main benefit is that he can play anywhere along the offensive line.  He could stick on the dolphins' practice squad to be available as a backup in a pinch.