Buckeyes LB 2nd-round pick
MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins added a rangy inside linebacker to last year’s most troublesome unit, selecting Ohio State’s Raekwon McMillan with the No. 54 pick in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday.
McMillan, who is 6-2, 240 pounds, will apparently compete with Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons to determine which linebacker handles the inside spot, and which two serve as Miami’s everydown linebacker.
McMillan contributed 275 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles in his three years at Ohio State, where he was a two-year captain. He contributed two consecutive 100-plus tackle seasons for the Buckeyes.
“Talk about an alpha guy,” general manager Chris Grier said. “He’s a guy who makes all the calls there. Highly intelligent. We love his football intelligence. … He’s got leadership skills and is a tackling machine. He’s got a big body in the middle and can take on blocks.”
McMillan is viewed as an intelligent linebacker who has heavy hands and excels at shedding tackles. He’s got enough range to become a three-down linebacker, covering tight ends and tailbacks on passing downs.
“I can play either linebacker position, and whatever they need me to play I can play it,” said McMillan, who was viewed as a runstuffing specialist by draft analysts.
“It’s just a blessing. I’ve been through a lot in my life. It’s my dream,” said McMillan, who turns 21 in November. “I always knew that I would out-work anybody and I would be in the situation that I’m in today.”
The Dolphins’ third linebacker spot is open, with McMillan, Koa Misi and Neville Hewitt likely competing in camp for that role.
“Talking with the coaches we’re going to let it play out,” Grier said. “We kind of have an idea where they are going to play, but we haven’t worked with Timmons yet here in terms of getting them all on the field together.”
The Dolphins spent the first three picks of the NFL draft patching up last year’s leaky defense.
Miami selected Missouri pass rusher Charles Harris in the first round on Thursday, took McMillan in the second round and with pick No. 97 in the third round picked Clemson cornerback Cordea Tankersley.
Tankersley, is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, and had 119 tackles and nine interceptions in his four seasons at Clemson.
“I just want the opportunity showcase my talents,” said Tankersley, who said he models his game after fellow Clemson cornerback Byron Maxwell, who is now his teammate. “I’m a Miami Dolphins now and I’m ready to showcase my talents.
“They are a great man team, they run a lot of man, and I like to match up,” Tankersley said. “They play an aggressive style.”