Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Defensive measures
LB McMillan is second-round pick
DAVIE – 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 every- 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 inteldown
ligence. … 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 run-stuffing 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 outwork 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 came into the 2017 draft with four glaring needs, and seven selections to address them.
Miami needed a defensive end to complete its four-man rotation, and selected Missouri pass rusher Charles Harris with its first-round pick Thursday. Harris is expected to share the snaps with right defensive end Andre Branch.
Even though Grier said he believes Cameron Wake, who turned 35 in January, can play at a high level for another five years, the Dolphins have to be prepared for his inevitable decline.
“I’m going to cause pressure, without a doubt. I’m going to get to the quarterback. That’s the thing about it,” said Harris, who contributed 136 tackles, 18 sacks and five forced fumbles in his three seasons with the Tigers. “Pass rushing isn’t like other positions like [defensive backs], receivers and quarterbacks where you have to learn shifts and other stuff. At the end of the day, it’s about what you’ve got in your heart. That’s what I’ve got. I’ve got heart. I’ve got a drive that’s nasty.”
The biggest concern is whether Harris and McMillan can help Miami’s defense, which finished 29th overall and 30th against the run after allowing 140 rushing yards per game, right away.
The Dolphins also need to add a free safety with enough range to complement strong safety Reshad Jones, someone who could challenge Nate Allen and Michael Thomas for the starting spot.
Miami’s looking for a defensive tackle who can take a few snaps off Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips’ plate, and an offensive lineman who can challenge Ted Larsen or Jermon Bushrod for one of the starting guard spots.
The Dolphins don’t have a fourth-round pick in this draft because of last year’s trade with Minnesota, which allowed Miami to select receiver Leonte Carroo in the third round.
The Dolphins do have three fifth-round picks, selection No. 166, 178 and No. 184, which is the final pick in the round. Miami doesn’t have a sixth-round pick because of this offseason’s trade to acquire defensive end William Hayes from the Los Angeles Rams. But Miami owns pick No. 223, the fifth pick of the seventh round.
Miami’s goal on Day 3 of the draft, which starts at noon today, is to select the best available player rather than address team needs. That’s how the Dolphins ended up with six of eight members of the 2016 draft being offensive players, even though the roster had glaring needs on defense.
players, even though the roster had glaring needs on defense.