With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin
the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made.
Miami’s offseason has seen its share of tribulation thus far, but a solid
looking draft class has potential to improve their outlook. Missing a pick in
the fifth round, but securing extra selections in both the fourth and seventh
rounds, allowed the Dolphins to fetch eight total players from the 2018 draft, let’s
review…
Miami Dolphins 2018 Draft Class Review:
Round 1 – Pick 11 (11)
Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB)
While some may be hyped on what Minkah Fitzpatrick
brings to the table, ADF is on the fence and can’t fully endorse this selection.
If the Dolphins chose to play Fitzpatrick as a mainstay cover-corner, we would
have our reservations. ADF isn’t greatly wowed with his skillset and overall
production when lining up against the top receivers from his days in Alabama.
While Minkah has great athletic ability, his overall awareness and
understanding of how to play a lock-down role concerns us quite a bit. It was
clear on tape that receivers could easily find holes in his game exploiting him
at times. This marks big red flags as the NFL competition is vastly better, and
if he doesn’t improve his craft, Fitzpatrick could be left in the dust.
With that said, Miami shouldn’t be asking Fitzpatrick
to shadow the top receivers in the league as that job is locked-up to their
star in the making in Xavien Howard, a natural shut down corner. While we
aren’t suggesting that Fitzpatrick can’t produce, it would be more about
placing him in the best situation to have him succeed. We are very encouraged
with his speed and size, teamed with his athletic ability should provide him
with every advantage possible. As seen from his days playing safety, his skills
were brought out with far more vigor than at corner. Having the ability to
dissect plays, pouncing on the ball, or dishing out punishment with a great hitting
power, that’s where he looked more at home.
Some suggest Minkah could fill the nickel role in sub
packages, to which we could also agree. Having that in the box safety mentality
would go a long way in his success playing in the slot. Fitzpatrick is a great
blitzer off the edge and could provide that added pressure the Fins will
desperately need this season.
ADF Prediction: Full time position uncertain, day one starter at safety.
Round 2 – Pick 10 (42)
Mike Gesicki (TE)
The former Penn State product is definitely one to
watch as training camps open for the Miami Dolphins. Players such as Mike have
become the standard for the tight end position in the NFL boasting a stature
similar to basketball players. Gesicki’s measurables see him stand at a
monstrous 6’6” tall weighing in at 247 pounds while being able to run a 4.54 40
time, very impressive. Mike is a pure athlete with above average hands that can
easily run the full route tree getting open down the field. Completing his best
season last year, he showed flashes all over the field including becoming the
endzone presence which saw him score nine touchdowns as a senior.
Mike does possess weaknesses that may limit him on
early downs as his blocking ability requires much improvement. He could be
quite a liability early on going up against the top rushers in the NFL. Some
scouts suggest his strength is subpar, but ADF isn’t concerned with that, as
time in the weight room will solve that problem very quickly. Ryan Tannehill and
Adam Gase require a true pass catching tight end to make their offense work,
and they scored big-time on drafting Mike.
ADF Prediction: High potential, day one starter.
Round 3 – Pick 9 (73)
Jerome Baker (LB)
The former Ohio State Buckeye is a very intriguing
pick for Miami in the third round. Jerome Baker is another one of those players
that the NFL is beginning to covet simply because of their supreme ability and top
flight speed. This man is an absolute jet on the field running a 4.53 40 time
while holding a frame of 229 pounds. Baker is an above average tackler with the
instincts to stick to a game plan and execute perfectly. The Dolphins could
easily use Baker as a blitzing specialist while dropping back into coverage
staying close with the faster inside targets from opposing teams. Some scouts
question his strength and motor to play the line backer position, but ADF views
Jerome as the new breed of outside line backers the NFL is moving toward.
ADF Prediction: Good
upside, low floor.
Round 4 – Pick 23 (123)
Durham Smythe (TE)
Some may scratch their head as to why the Fins
selected another tight end just two picks apart, but it appears they have a
plan. While Mike Gesicki is the purest of pass catchers, Durham Smythe is the
complete opposite. He is a superb blocking tight end that would help any
offensive line while standing fast holding off the opposition. While his
strengths are dictated to help create holes for runners and aid in keeping his
quarterback upright, he doesn’t have brick for hands either. Smythe could be
used in the pass game but should only be the case on gadget miss-directional
plays. Double tight end sets should be very interesting this season from Adam Gase
and the Dolphins.
ADF Prediction: Situational player.
Round 4 – Pick 31 (131)
Kalen Ballage (RB)
Selecting Kalen Ballage late in the fourth round is an
absolute slam dunk for the Miami Dolphins. Ballage is very quick and runs with
purpose which can be quite scary for tacklers trying to take down the 230 pound
bulldozer. Kalen is deceptively athletic for a man his size but seems to lack
the overall skillset to be a true three down runner. With Miami looking to
employee Kenyan Drake as their feature back to start the season, Ballage could
easily carve out a role for himself as a change of pace back providing more
punishment to Drake’s more finesse running ability. Goal line work is a
definite viable option for Kalen, as he could batter his way into the endzone.
While the upside in Ballage’s game has a lot to like,
improvements in how he sees the field will go a long way to gaining the trust
of the coaching staff in using him more frequently. ADF really likes the
potential that comes with Kalen Ballage, and we could see a tandem with Drake
used much like Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry were in Tennessee.
ADF Prediction: Great potential, skill improvements needed.
Round 6 – Pick 35 (209)
Cornell Armstrong (DB)
Going off the board in selecting Cornell Armstrong in
the later rounds came as quite a shock to most when watching the NFL draft.
Running a 4.45 40 time at his pro day while having decent height to play the
position is something that would’ve gained the attention of the scouting
department. Armstrong possesses decent ability but should be hard pressed to
find a role on the defense. Special teams should be a fit as he could take a
gunner position on the Fins squad.
Round 7 – Pick 9 (227)
Quentin Poling (LB)
In the eyes of some scouts, Quentin Poling is simply
just a good all-around football player. Poling has good intelligence which in
turn places himself in correct situations more often than not. Having the
ability to dissect plays and penetrate the line made Poling the king of tackles
for loss in his college career. Clearly a depth addition for the Dolphins in
the seventh round, Quentin has the potential to rotate in sub packages.
Round 7 – Pick 11 (229)
Jason Sanders (K)
Normally kickers don’t see love in the draft, but
Miami chose to buck the trend and took a shot bringing in the former New Mexico
senior. The appeal with Sanders is the strength of his leg as shown in making
kicks of over 50 yards while topping out his kicking percentage back in 2016 at
92%. If he can prove to be accurate in camp, Miami could have a kicking
competition on their hands.
2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings
Connor Hilland, OL, Willam and Mary
Quincy Redmon DE/LB, Fairmont State
Buddy Howell, RB, Florida Atlantic
Mike McCray, LB, Michigan
Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State
Jamiyus Pittman, DT, Central Florida
Claudy Mathieu, DL, Notre Dame College (OH)
David Steinmetz, OL, Purdue
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