Expert perspective on Dolphins’ draft, offseason moves
Some feedback from evaluators and analysts on how the Miami Dolphins fared in the draft and this offseason:
the former Redskins and Texans general manager, said the Dolphins helped themselves the most of any team this spring.
“[Miami] got [its] franchise quarterback in
some day will be the left tackle. will be the right tackle or right guard.
comes in and helps at guard. [They] also bring in ,so [they] got the running game is better, pass protection is better.
“The exciting thing to add to that is the defense.
comes over in free agency to go with
[Miami drafted a] corner,
You got three guys who can play man coverage.
“That’s great because you helped your pass rush in the nickel with and he can play nickel defensive tackle. Weaver can blitz. They like to blitz. That’s what did in New England. You have too. With that group last year, [they] beat New England. Watch out Patriots!”
NFL Network’s
said the Dolphins are “much improved and they should be. They had a zillion picks in this draft, so they will have some misses. But just on the volume, they will have some hits. Austin Jackson, I don’t know if he’ll be ready to play at a high level right away at left tackle, but you draft a 20-year-old kid with excellent athleticism.
“Hunt is a plug and play; he’s a starter right away. I’m fascinated to see how quickly Tua can get on the field because all the medical information we’ve had is he’s on track to be able to play at the beginning of the season.”
gave Miami a B. “That they ended up with Tua is outstanding . ... He’s an elite talent when he’s healthy, but his injury history is worrisome. Miami should try to redshirt him, just to get his body right . ... Austin Jackson is a little inconsistent for me. I can’t get over watching him get beaten by played Iowa.
“Igbinoghene is also a developmental player, but he has the raw physical tools that make coaches drool. Hunt is going to be an immediate upgrade, and safety has some versatility as a potential slot defender. I wasn’t as high on edge rushers Jason Stowbridge and Curtis Weaver, but I don’t mind them in Round 5.
This is a good class that is going to be remembered for how Tagovailoa ends up, but it could swing to a C or A based on the players picked after the left-handed signal-caller.”
Pro Football Focus gave Miami an A-:
“Tagovailoa was the when USC second-best prospect on the PFF Big Board and
QB2 over by a mile. Austin Jackson was 94th on the PFF Big Board and was taken 18th overall. This was one of the biggest reaches we have seen. Taking Noah Igbinoghene in Round 1 was another reach. He was 55th on the PFF Big Board with poor ball skills and is still learning to play the position. That being said, this is a great fit for Igbinoghene. He played a great amount of press coverage in 2019 and has the athleticism and overall physical tools to develop into a solid corner, but you’re drafting on his potential at that point. (selected 56th) was just 115th on the PFF Big Board. He has all the length you could possibly want on the inside and is the definition of a run-stuffer. The biggest reach of them all, though, was taking Brandon Jones 70th overall — he was just 182nd on the PFF Big Board. Whenever he was playing free safety, Jones was a problem within the Texas defense, as he was exposed far more than he should have been. [But] Miami got incredible value on Day 3 with Curtis Weaver, a first-round talent in the fifth round.”
NFL Net analyst and former NFL Pro Bowl receiver “All their needs they addressed. There are no longer any question marks with these guys. They did an excellent job filling their voids. It’s going to be pretty special.”
CHATTER
In an Instagram Live session with Haute Living, Heat wing cracked that one reason he sent basketball hoops to all his teammates is because
was getting on my nerves, cussing me out because he couldn’t shoot. And I was like,
‘What do you want me to do?’ Many Heat players live in condos and can’t put up the baskets.
who lives in a home, installed Butler’s basket and now has two in his driveway.
UM coaches have lots of time and one thing they’ll explore is finding a way to get a trio of highly skilled pass rushers — and
— on the field at the same time. Consider this: Among the three of them, they have 46 sacks in 59 college games: 26 sacks in 35 games for Roche, 15 1⁄2 in 14 games for Rousseau, 4 1⁄2 in 10 games for Phillips.
Former UM receiver
announced he’s enrolling at Illinois; quarterback
is still looking for a new school.
Good stuff for Canes fans: NBC Sports Network will replay the 1995 UMNebraska Orange Bowl at 9:30 p.m. Thursday and the 1988 Miami-Nebraska Orange Bowl at 11:59 p.m. On Friday night, there will be replays of the 1987 Miami-Penn State Fiesta Bowl at 9:30 p.m. and the 1984 Nebraska-UM Orange Bowl (UM’s first national title) at 12:30 a.m.
NBC will interject fresh interviews, including with former Hurricanes
and