Draft Day Two Thoughts

TE Michael Egnew could prove a huge gem in Miami's new offense.

After the first three rounds of the draft, I cannot help but come away feeling like the Dolphins have made a start in the right direction. I felt that the Dolphins got some excellent value, but they still have some room for improvement.

The Fins selected Ryan Tannehill in the first round. I have started for some time that I thought the 8th overall pick was a bit high for Tannehill. But after years of neglect of the QB position, the Fins did not have much of a choice.

I like Tannehill’s upside, though he is still somewhat raw. It will probably take a year or more to develop him into a starting NFL QB. Still, the drafting of Tannehill represents the organization’s decision to focus long term rather than their “win now” mentality. This paradigm shift could be the beginning of the team’s return to prominence.

In the second round, the Fins took Stanford OT Jonathon Martin. I like the pick from a value stand point. Martin was a first round talent, and the offensive line is a weakness. Martin should be able to come in and start at right tackle from day one. He will be a major improvement over retired Marc Colombo.

Martin is highly intelligent and focused. He turned down a scholarship from Harvard for an athletic scholarship at Stanford. He is driven and will give 100% effort both on and off the field. Drive and intelligence is something you can’t coach. You either have it or you don’t…..and Martin has it in bunches.

Having said that, I view the holes at receiver and defensive ends as bigger needs. And there were several solid players at both positions still available when Martin was selected. But I guess this tells us that the coaching staff is not as high on John Jerry or Lydon Murtha as we thought. I also think it gives Miami leverage when it comes time to sit down with Jake Long and talk about a new contract.

In the third round, Miami selected Olivier Vernon with their first 3rd round pick. I was not fond of this pick at the time, and am even less so the next day. Vernon missed half the season in 2011 for accepting money from boosters (character concerns). That after posting a career high of only 6.5 sacks in 2010.

I also question his drive as it seems he either takes plays off, or loses focus and does not maintain his assignments. This pick reminds me a lot of Koa Misi pick….the FO hoping to develop a player into something more than he really is. To me, this pick is a blemish on a rather solid draft so far.

Miami ended round three by taking Mizzou tight end Michael Egnew. To me, this is a tremendous pick and should give Miami QBs a big target to throw to ala Rob Gronkowski and/or Aaron Hernandez of the Patriots. My first thought was “Philbin is getting his Jermichael Finley!”

In 2010, Egnew posted 90 receptions for 762 yards and five TD and was named an All-American. His numbers in 2011 dropped significantly, but I think a big part of that was the loss of his QB Blaine Gabbart to the NFL draft.

Egnew has good hands and runs solid routes, both very important in Miami’s new WCO. I think Egnew can make an immediate impact on an offensive roster starved for playmakers.

Overall, I feel pretty good about this draft. Yes, I think the holes remain at receiver and at pass rusher, but there is still some talent left on the board, and Miami cannot hope to fill every hole this year. The rebuilding has begun in Miami, and to me it feels like a step in the right direction.

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When not fighting crime or sleeping, James enjoys working out, playing with his K9 partner and his kids, participating in his "On The Fin Side" radio show, and working on this website.

James Lancaster

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