Experts weigh in on Miami’s picks on second, third days,
Feedback on all of the Dolphins’ selections on the final two days of the NFL Draft except for LSU long snapper Blake Ferguson:
Second-round Louisiana offensive lineman Robert Hunt: He will go to camp with an opportunity to win the starting job at right tackle or right guard, with Jesse Davis likely playing the position that Hunt doesn’t. Hunt’s competition: Michael Deiter, Danny Isidora, Shaq Lawson and Georgia rookie Solomon Kindley.
Several teams told Dolphins general manager Chris Grier they wanted Hunt, who had been invited to Miami for a canceled pre-draft visit. “I thought this is somebody that is going to be a plug and play guard, but the Dolphins may give him a shot to play outside before kicking him inside,” NFL Net’s Daniel Jeremiah said.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. cautioned: “He wasn’t pitted against those big time defensive linemen playing at Louisiana Lafayette. So there may be a little bit of a transition because of that.”
But he allowed only two pressures on 196 pass-blocking snaps in 2019. “The Dolphins got a starter from Day 1 to protect Tua [ Tagovailoa],” ESPN commentator and former Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum said: “He shows a nasty streak in run blocking.”
As NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger said: “When he gets on you, he doesn’t let you go. I see this guy block longer than anybody in college football. Put him at guard and let him go to work.”
Second-round Alabama defensive tackle Raekwon Davis: The Dolphins planned to take Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins at this spot (56) according to two sources, but Baltimore took him at 55. So Miami pivoted to Davis, who becomes the Dolphins’ No. 3 defensive tackle.
“He can be a force, but he wasn’t after a great start to his college career,” Kiper said. “He was handled up front [the last two seasons]. He was good against the run, but you want to see a little more pass rush. It never really came together for Raekwon Davis. But he does suit defenses like Miami. He will be a good run stuffer, but pass rush is something he needs to improve.”
Coach Brian Flores said he isn’t concerned by Davis’ drop in sacks from 8 1⁄ to 1 1⁄ to 1⁄ over
2 2 2 the past three years: “When I see Raekwon, I see a guy who is defeating blocks, taking two blocks and creating plays for his teammates. There are a lot of hidden statistics that I look at personally. He does a good job at maybe some of those hidden stats.”
But Pro Football Focus counters Davis has “a skill-set that you can often find off the street. The needle movers along the defensive line nowadays affect the passing game. He should have been bullying lesser college linemen and the fact that he didn’t is a big red flag.”
Third-round Texas safety Brandon Jones: Could emerge as Miami’s sixth defensive back in dime packages. He can play deep, but “what really got my attention this past season was his ability to cover out of the slot,” Kiper said. “Defensive coordinators love safeties who can do that and provide that defensive versatility. He looked like a mid second-rounder so you’re getting pretty good value here with a real versatile safety, athletic safety.”
PFF’s Mike Renner said: “Jones looked much more comfortable around the line of scrimmage this past season than as a safety. A possible switch to cornerback could be in his future.”
Fourth-round Georgia guard Solomon Kindley: Instantly joins starting guard battle. Jeremiah said: “The best thing he does is anchor in pass protection because you can’t get through him. Got that huge belly. In the run game, out in space, he is going to struggle.”… NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said: “Kindley needs to play with better control and technique in order to become an average NFL backup.”
A Fifth- round defensive end/ tackle Jason Strowbridge: ESPN’s Louis Riddick said when he’s “back on his heels, he’s late off the ball and it cuts down on his effectiveness. They have to decide if he will be a defensive end or defensive tackle. … Jeremiah said he might be better inside “over a guard. The Senior Bowl gave us a glimpse that he might end up being a better pro than he was in college.” … PFF says: “If you’re drafting him, it’s for what he brings to the table as a run defender. He’s likely an end. He’s vastly underdeveloped as a pass rusher.”
Fifth-round defensive end/ outside linebacker Curtis Weaver: Some thought he would be a second-round pick after producing 11, 9 1⁄ and 13 1⁄ sacks the
2 2 past three seasons. NFL Network’s Charley Casserly, the former NFL GM, said he was the best player on the board entering Saturday because “the guy has a knack to rush the passer. He’s quick off the edge. He’s a better football player than he is when he tests. Plays with great instincts.”… Jeremiah: “This is a classic case of bad body, good player. PFF said: “Weaver’s athleticism or lack thereof is terrifying. He doesn’t have a body of work against quality tackles to prove it won’t matter, but we’ve also never seen an edge dominate the Group of 5 [non-Power 5 FBS schools] to the degree Weaver did.”
Navy WR/RB/QB Malcolm Perry: Zierlien said he’s tough and smart but “undersized, moving to a new position [receiver] and lacks explosive twitch as a route-runner With playcallers becoming more creative, Perry’s production in option packages could open a lane for him as offenses love to create additional game-planning duties for defensive coordinators.”… Jeremiah: “They tried to move him around to different positions. Thirddown back will be his best opportunity. When you get the ball in his hands, good things are going to happen.