NFL draft Day 3 live blog: The Miami Dolphins double down at TE, add RB, CB, MLB, K
The sixth round pick for the Miami Dolphins is Cornell Armstrong, another versatile defensive player.
Armstrong is a cornerback from Southern Mississippi, who mustered five career interceptions and 146 total tackles in his career. He had two interceptions last seasons and one touchdown but he missed three games with an injury.
"Took a pre-Draft visit there and will fit in at both the nickle and outside corner positions," agent Brett Tessler said of his client on Twitter.
The intriguing thing is the Dolphins picked Armstrong, a corner, one pick before the New England Patriots selected University of Miami slot receiver Braxton Berrios.
And I get it, the Dolphins don't need any more slot receivers now and Berrios is smallish. But Berrios was exceedingly productive at the Univeristy of Miami. And the Patriots don't need receivers, either.
Will be interesting.
In the seventh round the Dolphins added linebacker Quentin Poling from Ohio, a 6-foot, 235-pound defender best known for speed.
"I'm fast and smart," Poling said.
"On the field speed, get the call, process instantly. Speed is a lot more than 40 time.
Poling said he timed "anywhere from 4.52 to 4.58" during his pro day.
Poling played mostly in the middle for Ohio. As a four-year starter he didn't play very much on special teams. He's going to have to play special teams to be active on game days for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins needed to leave today with a starting-caliber kicker and they may have gotten in Jason Sanders from New Mexico.
Sanders has made 25 of 35 field goals in his career and 111 out of 112 extra points. He took one of the 30 visits this spring, meeting with special teams coach Darren Rizzi, coach Adam Gase and even EVP Mike Tannenbaum.
The Dolphins were the only team to offer Sanders a 30 visit.
"I know going on a 30 visit is a pretty big deal," Sanders said. "I'm excited to come in and work with coach Rizzi, listen to what he has to say and we'll go from there"
Solid start to Day 3 for Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins this afternoon picked Notre Dame tight end Durham Smythe as their first of two fourth-round picks. With the second pick of the fourth round, the Dolphins added running back Kalen Ballage of Arizona State.
Yes, the Dolphins took tight end Mike Gesicki in the second round on Friday. But today's pick is a little different in that Smythe is a blocking tight end.
Smythe, who caught 29 total passes in his Notre Dame career is considered perhaps the best blocking tight end in the draft. Smith is 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds.
"I guess first and foremost, as a tight end, blocking is a part of my game I definitely take pride in, " Smythe said. "But I don't think I'm just a blocking tight end. I'm a guy that can do a little bit of everything...Hopefully a guy that doesn't have to be taken off the field on later downs, third downs and such."
Smythe and Gesicki were on the same team at the Senior Bowl and were used on the field at the same time during practice and for a couple of snaps in the game.
Smythe said he has watched tape of former Notre Dame tight end Anthony Fasano often the past few years. Perhaps ironically, the Dolphins selection of Smythe seems to relieve their need to try and convince Fasano to return for the 2018 season. Coach Adam Gase has previously left the door ajar to that possibility.
Smythe met Dolphins Gase and the rest of the staff at the NFL Combine.
"Definitely a great player and a guy I've watched a lot of," Smythe said. "He does a little bit of everything ..."
Ballage is 225 pounds so he is a load. But he isn't considered a physical runner by draft experts and those who have viewed his tape.
Ballage, who
"I don't think there are 130 players better than me and definitely not 11 other running backs that were drafted before me," Ballage said. "I'm kind of player that's raw. I have a lot of talent and ability and with the right coaching, I'm ready to make the best happen."
In college, Ballage played under four running backs coaches and three offensive coordinators. He believes if he gets the right help with the Dolphins, the sky is the limit.
"I'm a guy that's going to continue to grow and be at my best in the future," Ballage said.
Ballage played special teams all four years in college, particularly as a kick returner.
"I love it," Ballage said.
Ballage ran the 40 at both the combine and at his Pro day. He said he ran 4.46 at the combine and 4.35 and 4.36 at his Pro day.
Dolphins needs Saturday
The final day of the 2018 NFL draft is minutes away and there are needs the Miami Dolphins must fill for this entire draft to be a success:
The Dolphins want to emerge from today's draft (rounds 4-7) with a running back...
The Dolphins want a defensive tackle...
The Dolphins need a kicker...
And, of course, finding a backup quarterback that can be developed into something -- some day -- would be a nice add as well if the right player is available.
So why must the Dolphins address these needs with their two picks in the fourth round (123 and 131 overall), one in the sixth (209) and two in the seventh round (227 ad 229)?
The Dolphins want a running back because this draft is said to be deep at the position so talent that might otherwise go in the third or fourth rounds are expected to be available later. The Dolphins need a young, inexpensive running back who can play special teams immediately and be groomed to become the second runner in the rotation next year.
Remember that Miami's expected second runner for 2018 is Frank Gore, who is 35 years old next month and is playing on a one-year contract.
The Dolphins want a defensive tackle because they have released Ndamukong Suh. And while Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor are on the roster that's not enough. Suh played over 80 percent of the snaps in 2017 and so the team needs at least another tackle to take up a small portion of that percentage.
The Dolphins must feel comfortable with their ability to find a tackle later in the draft because last year they added both Godchaux and Taylor on the draft's final day.
So why kicker? Well, because Cody Parkey, last year's kicker, signed with the Chicago Bears. The Dolphins like FAU kicker Greg Joseph and UF kicker Eddy Piniero.
The quarterbacks, of course, is the only thing you care about. Among the names available that the Dolphins like are:
Kyle Lauletta of Richmond, Luke Falk of Washington State, and Mike White of Western Kentucky. If you want a breakdown of each quarterback click here for that. Obviously, the Dolphins are looking for a developmental passer who can compete with David Fales and Brock Osweiler, both of whom are on one-year contracts.
Refresh often for updates throughout the day as the draft progresses.
This story was originally published April 28, 2018 at 11:11 AM with the headline "NFL draft Day 3 live blog: The Miami Dolphins double down at TE, add RB, CB, MLB, K."