The Draft We Needed

Georgia safety Reshad Jones is just one of the players with amazing upside who are now Miami Dolphins. Watch and learn.


Let me say that I loved the way this draft played out. For the Phins and for the analysts.

Mike Mayock and Mel Kiper looked like amateurs as team after team ignored their "rankings" and moved up and down to select players they had barely spent time on. It's funny stuff considering how much stock the layperson, including yours truly, puts in these guys.

That said, let me turn to the Dolphins singular experience with the draft. The fans went into it looking to land a safety like Earl Thomas, an outside linebacker like Sergio Kindle (man, what a free fall he had) or a nose tackle like Dan Williams.

So it was somewhat shocking that after trading down from the #12 slot the Phins selected the drafts best 3-4 end. With Starks, Langford and Merling in the fold why would the Phins need to place such a premium on a position of perceived strength? Many fans had no answer other than the fact that Jared Odrick is a terrific player.

This was just the tip of the iceberg. The Phins put together a draft that confounded fans and supplied the team with EXACTLY what they needed. Not to mention a cast of prototypical players whose size and speed speak of tremendous upside.

The other common theme is character. A lot of team captains coming from good families. The other thing that jumps out to me is how intelligent all the players seem. I listened to all their interviews and to a man they have character and are well-spoken. Jeff Ireland spoke to this and remarked simply: "Good kids are very coachable."

Coach'em up, Tony.

So lets meet and discuss the draft picks.


Round 1, Selection 28: Jared Odrick, DT Penn State. 6'5" 305 lbs.

After all was said and done we learned that the Dolphins had planned all-along to move Randy Starks to nose tackle. Starks had actually performed at a high level when moved there when Soliai and Ferguson were both hurt. With a full camp and hands-on learning with Ferguson the Dolphins believe that they have not only a nose tackle, but as GM Jeff Ireland said himself, one of the best.

I for one fully like the move and believe that the Phins have perhaps even upgraded inside.

So with a playmaker like Starks moving to NT the Phins needed to add another elite DE to start opposite of Langford. Odrick is a beast. He is very athletic for a big man and scouts praise how quick he is. What is most impressive is the fact that at 6'5" and over 300 lbs he still has room to grow. The dude is muscle.

So check off nose tackle. Major upgrade at end. Defensive line looking good already.




Round 2, Selection 40: Koa Misi. Outside Linebacker, Utah. 6'3", 251 lbs.

I will be the first to admit that when the Phins selected Misi I scratched my head. Kindle was still on the board and Misi (though on my humble radar) was considered a lower graded player. Then you look at what he is.

Koa Misi is relentless, strong and fast. He is a smart football player who has played, get this, defensive end, inside linebacker and outside linebacker in college. He has a knack for rushing the passer and is as polished a coverage guy (as far as 3-4 OLBrs go).

Then you watch the tape. Explosive, vicious and consistent. None of the ball players or coaches that have looked at this pick have called it a stretch. Cameron Wake is penciled in on the weak side, replacing Joey Porter and now Misi will be penciled in as the strong side, replacing that turncoat.

Coverage people. Remember all those tight ends running free? Hopefully Misi won't be in those clips.


Round Three, Selection 73: John Jerry, Offensive Lineman, Mississippi. 6'5", 328 lbs.

I love this pick. Not only does the guy rock a 1980's football hairstyle but he is an insanely powerful man. Everything I've heard and seen John Jerry makes me think lofty thoughts. There's just a vibe I get, like, ten-year pro.

Jerry was drafted by the Dolphins to replace, yes replace, Donald Thomas as the starting guard. Ireland basically has stated that they hope to start Richie Incognito and John Jerry at guard between Carey and Long.

Jerry is a mauler. When I watched footage of him the thing that jumps out is the way he destroys opponents, moving them miles off the ball and onto their backs. He supposedly needs help with pass blocking and no doubt Tony S. will coach him up like he has all the lineman on this team.

Man. I love the way this draft unfolded.


Round 4, Selection 119: A.J. Edds, Inside linebacker, Iowa. 6'4", 245 lbs.


Again. Look at the measurables. Edds (pronounced as in deeds minus the first d) was drafted with a specific purpose in mind and Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland seems to believe he will have an immediate impact in that regard.

Edds is tall, quick and fast. He is apparently the best cover linebacker in the draft and a quick glance at his stats will tell you something very interesting. Namely his seven interceptions, five of which came in 2009. Edds can run with the most athletic of tight ends and the Dolphins will use him as their nickel linebacker. So this also means that Channing Crowder will most likley just play downs one and two or short yardage third downs. Edds will step on for passing situations as well as be a potential special teams star.

Dansby and Edds on third and eight? Wow. A lot better than Crowder and Ayodele already.


Round 5, Selection 145: Nolan Carroll, Cornerback, Maryland. 5'11", 204 lbs.

Carroll is the only "risk" pick. Carroll would have been a second or third round selection except for his breaking his leg early his senior year. He has since rehabbed and was able to run for his pro day and will be practicing from the get-go.

Carroll is a hard-hitter with incredible jumping ability and fast enough for the NFL. Whether in the nickel or pushing one of the two young starters, Carroll is another player whose upside could go anywhere.

Incidentally his father is a Master Sergeant in the Air Force and his mother was a Lt. Commander in the Navy. She is currently a Florida State Representative.


Round 5, Selection 163: Reshad Jones, Saftey, Georgia. 6'1" 218 lbs.

This is perhaps one of the most intriguing picks of the whole draft. Jones is a prototypical strong safety who loves to hit and has the speed and size to be elite. What's more is that Jones has above average cover skills and has been successful at the free safety position as much as strong. Oh, and he can leap out of the gym and busted out 24 reps with 225 at the combine.

So how is he in the fifth round? Well, for one the Phins traded up to get him and two his timed speed has been knocked. Jones ran a 4.56 at the combine. Add to that the additional knock that he sometimes goes for the big hit rather than the sure tackle and you have him slip some.

In any case he is a very intriguing player and should compete for the free safety position and prove to be a viable heir to the throne of Bell.


Round 7, Selection 212: Chris McCoy, Outside Linebacker, Middle Tennessee State. 6'2" 245 lbs.

"They're getting an explosive, dominating player."

That was McCoy's answer when asked what Dolphins fans were getting when the Phins drafted him. McCoy has all the measurable talent and demonstrated that with production to match, albeit at a small school.

McCoy is raw though, especially when he's going to have to move from defensive end to outside linebacker. Ireland stated that he will compete on the weakside OLB spot with Cameron Wake.


Round 7, Pick 252: Austin Spitler, Inside Linebacker, Ohio State. 6'3" 234 lbs.

Spitler played behind James Laurinitis for three of his years in college and came on his senior. He was a special teams star before he got his chance to start. Another very good cover linebacker, I'm sure the Phins plan on using him as special teams depth and perhaps in a similar role as Edds.

And there you have it. Tons of depth with at least four to five players that should viably compete to start. This is the draft that the Phins needed last year. With the additions of Brandon Marshall, Richie Incognito and Karlos Dansby in mind, you have to like where your Miami Dolphins are situated after this deep draft.

Now, if only it were September.