Draft Thoughts - Who Made The Decisions?

[DolphinsFreak]

The way I see this 2016 Draft, there was definitely a huge egomaniac in the Dolphins War Room this year.

Who was making these picks? Tannenbaum, Grier, Gase?

Tunsil fell into the Dolphins lap so that pick doesn't really count when it comes to grading the Dolphins draft this year.

"Somebody" in that room is a complete and utter egomaniac! For the Dolphins to TRADE UP so many times that person had to think that they are not only the smartest person in the Dolphins War Room but any room they enter. Why would anyone think that almost every player they "thought" was the best draft pick available, that they felt so strongly that they were drafting the best player that they felt compelled to move up for all these players and WASTE future draft picks for all these players.

Draft Grade - D -

Draft Grade Without The Luck Of GasMask Plunge - F

[cuchulainn]

I think once Tunsil fell to them, them scrapped everything but drafting guys that Gase wanted in order to have an explosive offense. This draft was all about Gase and Tannehill. They want to see if Tannehill can run an explosive offense under Gase.

Next draft and FA will be all about defense IMO.

[Alpha]

You actually think the guys we drafted will give us an explosive offense? I think we might have gotten a decent return man and a couple special teamers out of the lot.

[Dolfan1]

Three Blind Mice?

[cuchulainn]

We took 2 defensive guys at DB and Safety, and 6 offensive players at OT, RB, WR, WR/KR/PR, QB, and TE.

[cuchulainn]

Nope, your wrong. Tunsil, Howard, Drake, and Carroo are ALL locks. That's 4. Lucas and Doughty will stick as well, but may be on the PS. No idea about Grant, but if he's as fast and shifty at this level as he was in college, then he'll stick too.

[HndRkyaBong34]

right or wrong Cuch if you think this Draft was well thought out and took this team in the right direction then Pass me that Gas mask Bong right now!

[Alpha]

Maybe that's what happened. Once they drafted Tunsil, they all decided to celebrate and spent the next two days trying out the gas mask he showed them.....

[HndRkyaBong34]

They could of drafted all defense and OLinemen in this draft and would of set us up for the future... That did not happen.. they just set this team back another 3 seasons.... What a joke.. MT and Grier should be fired on Monday... Period..

[Alpha]

Agreed 100%. I think they just set us back 3 years. I don't think I have the fortitude to go through it.....I think I'm done.

[DolphinsFreak]

According to the FBI database in Miami-Dade only 44% of the homicides get solved. Just a random fact I am throwing out there for no particular reason.

[HndRkyaBong34]

I don't think I can go through it either....

[DolphinsFreak]

They could of drafted all defense and OLinemen in this draft and would of set us up for the future... That did not happen.. they just set this team back another 3 seasons.... What a joke.. MT and Grier should be fired on Monday... Period..

I agree!!

That is exactly what I thought they should do. They could have addressed the o-line, went all defense, and somewhere in the mid to late rounds grabbed a running back and this team would be set.

What this team did NOT need was one more f%#^inh wide receiver! F Tannehill!! This organization is being ruined by the illusion that somehow this mediocre QB is worthy of signing players, drafting players, hiring coaches and firing coaches.

The Dolphins should be drafting the best player in the draft next year since they should have the worst record in the league. I watched what used to be the worst teams in the league all draft well and improve their teams.

I thought Potnstache's love for Fiedler was the worst thing to happen to the Dolphins. I was wrong. Ryan Tannehill and Stephen Ross are a tie for the worst thing to happen to this organization.

[Alpha]

So we have it straight, Miami used 8 picks this year, our 3rd and 4th rounder next year and our 2nd rounder from 2 years ago to get Tunsil (who fell to them - even a blind squirrel can trip over an acorn), a reach at CB, a backup change of pace RB, a WR who's good on special teams, but often hurt, a 5'5 kick returner, a backup safety who only played the position a year, a practice squad at best QB and a TE who *might* make the practice squad. We might have just witnessed the most incompetent drafting effort in the history of the NFL.

[Dolfan1]

So we have it straight, Miami used 8 picks this year, our 3rd and 4th rounder next year and our 2nd rounder from 2 years ago to get Tunsil (who fell to them - even a blind squirrel can trip over an acorn), a reach at CB, a backup change of pace RB, a WR who's good on special teams, but often hurt, a 5'5 kick returner, a backup safety who only played the position a year, a practice squad at best QB and a TE who *might* make the practice squad. We might have just witnessed the most incompetent drafting effort in the history of the NFL.

Well I know the RB is always hurt, does that apply to the WR as well or are you confusing the two?

[Alpha]

Thought the WR had a couple injuries - and an arrest/suspension too (though I thought mentioning that would just be piling on)

[Dolfan1]

I know nothing about him so you're probably right and it doesn't surprise me.

[Alpha]

Carroo played exclusively on special teams as a true freshman in 2012. As a sophomore, he had 28 catches for 478 yards and nine touchdowns, but missed the final three games due to a concussion.

He suffered a high ankle sprain while making a TD grab against Indiana on Oct. 17. He tried to play the next week against Ohio State, but he was shut down at halftime and missed the next two games. He returned for the final three games, finishing his career with seven catches for 183 yards and a touchdown against Maryland in the season finale

The ankle injury plagued Carroo throughout the pre-draft process. He got off to a strong start in Senior Bowl practices in January, but his week was cut short when he reaggravated the injury. He was a limited participant at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and he sat out Rutgers' pro day in on March 9

[Dolfan1]

Damn!!! I don't like playing the Debbie Downer roll but I think my bottle of optimism finally ran dry.

[Alpha]

I have had plenty of "dark days" as a Dolphins fan. I (accurately) predicted the utter nightmare of the 1-15 season and was hammered for being so negative. I think today I have reached that level of disgust/despair again. I think we'll have a top 3 pick next season. I think our draft was historically abysmal.


1^st round – Got a top player at a position of value and need. Proof even a blind squirrel can find an acorn.
2^nd round – gave up 2 picks for a guy we could have traded down and picked (or gotten a better player than)
3^rd round – got a backup, injury prone RB
3^rd round – traded 3 picks to get a player at a position we didn’t need. He likes to play special teams though…
4^th round – threw pick away
5^th round – threw pick away
6^th round – traded up for a munchkin kick returner who is smaller than my 13 year old
6^th round – got a safety for depth who played the position for part of one year (he was hurt)
7^th round – got a noodle armed QB who could make our practice squad
7^th round – got a 3^rd string at best TE (who more likely will be gone in the first wave of cuts)

[Dolfan1]

Mind if I steal this and post it in my other group?

[Alpha]

Don't mind at all. The truth hurts, but we should own it...

[Dolfan1]

Thank you.

[cuchulainn]

Yeah, I've been bouncing around different forums and sites see what other's reactions have been. People seem to love most of the guys we've drafted, but like us, the comp we gave up and ignoring LB is what has people upset.

I have mixed feeling about this picks, especially with the comp given up, which was just fkn ridiculous, but I the more I think about it, the more I absolutely hate the Kenyan Drake pick.

Nothing against Drake, but he was a 4th round selection all day long. He's more WR than RB and can't run between the tackles. He's like a softer Lamar Miller without the speed. He's a 3rd down, situational back, who is soft.

The guy who may end up being the best of the later picks is Jakeen Grant... I can remember some of you guys lamenting that we didn't have a Darren Sproles in the past. Well, we have one now...

[Alpha]

I truly respect your optimism, Cuch - but when a 5'5 160lb kick returner is at the top of your draft highlights, it's hard to fathom how the team could have done worse and not been arrested for fraud.

[Alpha]

For the record - I don't have anything against Jakeem Grant. He looks like he's electric with the ball in his hands. He's the kind of pick a 12 win team that is looking to add something unique can take and make work. We are weak at several of the most basic positions on the team - LB, CB, S, DE, OL and have to be F'in idiots to be trading up to take 5'5 160lb kick returners. I'm sure Grant is a fun guy to pull for...but I can't express how much more I would have liked a guy who could compete with the other nobodies we have at those critical spots to start.

[cuchulainn]

Our defense gave up almost 25 ppg last year and our DB's were atrocious and had a historically bad pass defense. That will not be the case this year. We've addressed CB and Safety 4 times over now and brought in Mario Williams to replace OV. We're also giving some of the 2nd and 3rd year guys a shot.

On offense, we averaged right at 20 ppg last year. Gase now has everything he should need to work his magic on putting up points - except that stable rotation of Running backs. Ajayi is a stud. Williams is a 3rd down guy. Daniel Thomas is a warm body. Drake is a situational pass catcher. Hoping for some UDFAs...

[Alpha]

How is our pass defense improved? We replaced pro-bowler Brent Grimes, Brice McCain (who should have been in the slot) and Jamar Taylor with Xavien Howard. As I see it, we have one legitimate CB on the roster today....and one Safety. Every other player is a big question mark. My projection is that unless we get totally lucky with a vet getting cut, our defensive backs will be worse this year. Significantly worse.

[cuchulainn]

Grimes went to the pro-bowl on name recognition alone. His play was bad, especially against or division rivals who now have bigger receivers. We had Walt Aikens and Michael Thomas playing Free Safety. Maxwell and IAQ were immediate upgrades at LCB and FS. Howard will be a starter and upgrade over what we had in Jamar Taylor and Brice McCain. We also have Alonso, who is very good at playing the ball and making INTs from the LB spot.

No way we'll be as bad against the pass as we were last season IMO.

[Alpha]

I guess we'll see....from what I have watched, Howard might lead the NFL in interference penalties. In fact, I have higher hopes for the injured Ekpre-Olomu. To me, Howard is big and incredibly raw. He can't cover so he mauls the WR and hopes he doesn't get flagged. You think they'll keep those flags in their pockets when we play NE? LMAO.

[Kato]

Ok, my turn to vent. This was a pitiful draft both in content and execution. I would bet my left nut that there is not a person on the planet who could say this draft was worth 2 good picks next year.It just isnt and you guys know i am usually diplomatic but the trading around for the results in camp was a borderline joke. Just not justified and was the result of amateur decision makers and hubris once LT dropped in their laps....almost as if with their first round pick coup, they decided to really show everyone how smart they are.
Not drafting any LBs or Guards.....they should have their heads examined. We should be able to muddle through with our LBs especially with Alonso here, but the lack of interior offensive line talent, toughness, and depth is a big mistake and so obvious i cant believe the Dolphins dont see it.

[ONole1]

Too damned funny. The ink isn't even dry on the draft cards yet and the fan base is ready to lynch everyone from a tree. Most of the pundit like what Miami did Everyone is screaming about giving away draft picks...They made 8 picks, isn't that what they came in with?

This draft also produced 5 potential day one starters (and yes you must count Maxwell and Alonza).

No matter how it happened it looks like they got a franchise LT out of the draft and the player who many had rated as #1

Vance Joseph coveted Howard, he is a perfect fit for what he wants to do. Howard is an EXTREMELY physical corner with very good ball skills.

Drake, only for where they drafted him is a head scratcher, but not for his skill. If you have ever seen him play he is Reggie Bush, but doesn't go down with the first touch. I worry about his durability, but if he is heatly he is a home run hitter every time he touches the ball.

The got a receiver with first round talent in round 4, yes they gave up two picks, but I have a feeling many will forget about those two picks in the near future when they actually watch him play.

Grant is going to boost the special team right away, this kid flat out flys.

I think the biggest problem is most fans (myself included) felt this team needed to spend the entire draft on defense, but not sure the staff saw it the same way...

[Dolfan1]

I could use a shot of that optimism, my bottle seems to be empty.

[Kato]

Sorry Nole. That draft was not worth giving up 2 picks next year. Not no way, not no how. They could have gotten an equally great draft not moving one place in any round.