Senior Bowl preview: We know the QBs, but there’s plenty more for Dolphins to like
Quarterbacks, quarterbacks, quarterbacks.
Or more specifically, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts.
They’re on the lips of all Dolphins fans, and at next week’s Senior Bowl, they will finally be take the field again. Expect general manager Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores to dedicate much of their time to vetting these famous prospects.
But assuming, as most do, the Dolphins use an early pick in a quarterback, they will still have five other selections in the draft’s first two days (and a bunch more after that).
So let’s take a moment and explore who else will be in Mobile for next week’s All-Star extravaganza.
Here’s a look at six intriguing non-quarterbacks as the heavy lifting of the Dolphins’ rebuild begins.
Javon Kinlaw
Position: Defensive line.
School: South Carolina.
Height/weight: 6-6, 310.
2019 stats: 35 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries.
ESPN position/overall draft ranking: 2/13.
Why he fits: Because he fits the Brian Flores mold. Strong. Impactful, if not flashy. CBSSports.com draft analyst Chris Trapasso wrote that Kinlaw’s “film is overflowing with backfield disruption against the run and pass. He has high-level burst off the snap and long arms that routinely stun offensive linemen due to their power.” The Dolphins could use all of that.
Kristian Fulton
Position: Cornerback.
School: LSU.
Height/weight: 6-0, 200.
2019 stats: 38 tackles, 14 passes defensed, one interception.
ESPN position/overall draft ranking: 4/25.
Why he fits: Xavien Howard was supposed to be the Dolphins’ cornerstone piece on defense. They paid him like it. But he now has more red flags than the Olympics’ Parade of Nations. The knee injuries alone are worrisome enough, but his recent domestic violence arrest raises the possibility of a suspension this fall. The Dolphins need to plan as if he’s not part of their plans.
Malik Harrison
Position: Linebacker.
School: Ohio State.
Height/weight: 6-3, 251.
2019 stats: 75 tackles, 16 1/2 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks.
ESPN position/overall draft ranking: 5/64.
Why he fits: Ohio State linebacker. Need we say more? The Dolphins have drafted two of them in the past three years. Grier thinks highly of the Buckeyes’ ability to prepare their players for the NFL. Harrison, who was a first-team All-Big Ten selection, is one of five Rosenhaus Sports Representation clients in the game.
Bradlee Anae
Position: Edge defender.
School: Utah.
Height/weight: 6-3, 265.
2019 stats: 41 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one forced fumble.
ESPN position/overall draft ranking: 18/141.
Why he fits: Because he was a consensus first-team All-American and Morris Trophy winner in 2019 and the Dolphins were dead last in sacks with just 23. Is he a perfect scheme fit? Who cares? Anae is a sack machine. Plus he has the athleticism (he ran a 4.75 40) to drop in coverage if asked.
Denzel Mims
Position: Wide receiver.
School: Baylor.
Height/Weight: 6-3, 215.
2019 stats: 66 catches, 1,020 yards, 12 touchdowns.
ESPN position/overall draft ranking: 25/160.
Why he fits: With DeVante Parker, Preston Williams, Jakeem Grant, Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson all under contract in 2020, receiver is one of the Dolphins’ few positions of strength. But they’re always looking to add depth and competition, and with a projected eight third-day picks, Mims’ upside — he’s fast and reliably productive — is intriguing.
Rodrigo Blankenship
Position: Kicker.
School: Georgia.
Height/weight: 6-1, 217.
2019 stats: Connected on 27 of 33 field-goal attempts, 46 of 46 on extra points.
ESPN position/overall draft ranking: N/A.
Why he fits: Drafted or not, the Lou Groza Award winner is going to end up in an NFL training camp this summer with a chance to win a job. Why not Miami? Jason Sanders took a step back in Year 2, missing seven of his 30 field-goal attempts, including six of 14 from 40 yards and out.
