Brian Catanzaro
Final Fin 2013 Draft Grades
Grading the NFL Draft after 1 week is stupid. The players haven’t played yet.
Grading the NFL Draft after 1 week is stupid. The players haven’t played yet.
Grading the NFL Draft after 1 week is stupid. The players haven’t played yet.
OK? But I’ve spent too much time over the last 6 months NOT to give my final grades on this 2013 NFL Draft that will either make or break GM Jeff Ireland. I DVRed the draft, and re-watched it last night. I didn’t want a knee-jerk reaction to the picks.
1) DE Dion Jordan, Oregon (6-6, 248)
The Dolphins added the top pass-rusher in this draft to a Defense that ranked 7th in sacks last season. Excited? Try ecstatic. My Top 4 Dolphins board was firm heading into Thursday: Jordan, Fisher, Joeckel, Eifert. Never in a million years did I think Jordan could be had for a mere 2nd round pick in a trade-up. Jordan’s combination of size, speed, versatility, and intelligence are an “A” across the board. A front line of Wake, Jord Continue reading
AFC East Draft Grades
There has been much media discussion with the Dolphins trade up for DE Dion Jordan. And most pundits have been favorable to this year’s Miami Dolphins draft.
But what about the rest of the AFC East? What about the teams that Miami squares off against twice a year?
Buffalo Bills – Trading down from #8 to #16 netted QB E.J. Manuel, LB Kiko Alonso, and TE Chris Gragg.
Can the accuracy issues Manuel displayed at FSU be corrected? I have my doubts because accuracy is rarely a trait that figures itself out (see Jake Locker) in the NFL. Manuel has the athleticism, character, and arm talent to justify the risk-reward, though.
2nd and 3rd round WR’s Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin add weapons to an offense that needs them.
Grade: C+
New York Jets – CB Dee Milliner is no Darrelle Revis, but he was the BPA for the Jets at #9 with LB Barkevious Mingo and WR Tavon Austin off the board. I disagree whole-heartedly with the pic Continue reading
Dolphins Top-20 board for Day 3 (Rounds 4-7)
If you told me that GM Jeff Ireland would land the #1 player on my board on both Thursday (Jordan) and Friday (Taylor), I’d remind you that the Dolphins always take my least favorite player in the NFL Draft (Jason Allen, Pat White, Daniel Thomas).
1) S Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse (5-9, 213)
Like Cyprien and Swearinger (2nd rounders), he’s a hard-hitter whose range is good enough. Could compete with Chris Clemons sooner rather than later. Shocked everyone at the combine with
2) OT David Bakhtiari, Colorado* (6-4, 299)
Athletic RT who plays bigger than his size indicates. Likely would’ve stayed for his Senior season to improve his draft stock if Colorado weren’t such a trainwreck.
3) WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech (6-0, 204)
Falling because he doesn’t stick out in one particular area. Solid across the board.
4) RB Stepfan Taylor, Stanford (5-9, 214)
Fills need for power and pass protection in a #2 RB. Strong, durable inside runner who ran for 2860 yards and 23 TD’s in his last two years at Stanford. Daniel Thomas now can be traded for a 7th rounder in 2015, or a bag of Fritos, Continue reading
Dolphins Top-20 board for Day 2
Am I excited? Try estatic. The Dolphins got the #1 player on my board in Dion Jordan. A DL of Wake, Soliai, Starks, Jordan with Odrick, Vernon, Martin in reserve? Wow.
This is my Top-20 board heading into Day 2. It’s possible a handful of these players (Schwenke, Thomas, Webb, Goodwin) could be had in the 3rd Round too.
Enjoy!
1) DE Tank Carradine, Florida St (6-4, 274)
Carradine could have been a Top-10 pick in this draft if not for a Torn ACL late in the season. Dion Jordan was #1 on my Dolphins board, and Tank was #9. I’ll gladly roll the dice on him.
2) CB Jamar Taylor, Boise St (5-11, 192)
Similar to former Dolphin CB Will Allen.
3) S John Cyprien, Florida International (6-0, 217)
Hard-hitting safety has a little Bob Sanders to him. Would immediately challenge Chris Clemons at FS.
4) OT Menelik Watson, Florida St (6-5, 310)
Would be a big roll of the dice at #54 after only one year at Florida St. Extremely raw, but very athletic and talented. If Watson makes a successful leap, the Dol Continue reading
7-Round Dolphins Mock
This is my stab at what I THINK is going to happen. Enjoy draft day!
Round 1 (#12) – TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (6-6, 250)
GM Jeff Ireland saw TE Jason Witten make four Pro Bowls in his final four years as a national scout for the Dallas Cowboys (2004-2007). I see Eifert being somewhere between Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen as a 1st-Round pick. His ceiling is matchup-changing; his downside is basically zero.
Round 2 (#43) – DE Alex Okafor, Texas (6-4, 264)
Okafor has gingerly fallen from a mid-late 1st round into the early-mid 2nd area. He has the size, length, and collegiate production to be a perfect compliment opposite Cameron Wake at DE.
Round 2 (#54) – (Traded for OT Branden Albert)
There are upsides to trading for Branden Albert because one could argue that he has been better than Jake Long over the last two seasons. My concern with Albert is the long-term salary cap ramifications. I’d prefer to sign Eric Winston solidify the RT position or use a 2nd round pick on an athletic OT that will make a fraction of thec Continue reading


















