What three network NFL Draft analysts would do if they ran the Miami Dolphins
What, in a perfect world, should the Dolphins do with their selections at 5, 18 and 26 in the first round of this week’s NFL Draft?
A sampling of opinion from three network draft analysts:
▪ NFL Network’s Charles Davis, CBS’ No. 2 NFL game analyst, told me he would take Tua Tagovailoa at 5 or move up to ensure getting him; Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas at 18 (or Southern California’s Austin Jackson if Thomas is gone by 18, which is increasingly likely); and Georgia running back D’Andre Swift at 26.
His thinking:
“We know the injury things are real with Tua, but teams were able to look at his medicals at the Combine, and I have to believe the NFL teams have more information than is getting out,” Davis said, noting the Alabama quarterback is worth the health risk because “Tua’s skill set fits very well with what the NFL is doing, his ability to make throws on the move, his accuracy.
“He can hit receivers on the run. Has good accuracy on the deep ball. He can run the ball if you need him to. Unless I have real reports that say I shouldn’t touch him, I am taking my shot with him. I would hate to look up in five years and say, ‘Oh boy, we passed on him.’ The Drew Brees comparisons are pretty apt” as far as skill set.
At 18, Thomas would be Davis’ choice if available, though it would be very surprising if he is there at that spot. If not, Davis would then take Jackson, with Houston left tackle Josh Jones his next choice if Jackson is surprisingly off the board.
“If I’ve taken Tua my first move is to give him options to be protected,” Davis said. “If Thomas somehow slid there, I know we’re running to the table to pick him. He’s had a good career at a school, in a conference, where pass rushers come at you at a premium.
“If he and the rest of those top tackles [Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, Jedrick Wills] are gone at 18, I would lean toward Austin Jackson over Jones. You know the great story of Austin Jackson donating bone marrow for his sister, and he had to quarantine ahead of time and couldn’t do the normal workout with his team last year. He is a much better player than what we saw on tape. I like Josh Jones a lot too; he had a great Senior Bowl week.”
At 26, Davis leans toward Swift but also would be content with Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor as a secondary option.
“I am getting a runner there,” Davis said. “There might not be a runner off the board before 26. Swift is the highest runner on my board. He is a three-down back, and I think Cam Akers is that too. Taylor has to prove more about catching the ball. I go Swift over Taylor because he has a lot less on the odometer than Taylor, and that’s a big selling point to me. And I see Swift as a tad more explosive than J.K. Dobbins; that gives him a little bit of an edge for me. Akers is the sleeper for me out of everyone. He is a heck of a player.”
▪ NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said his “dream draft” for the Dolphins would be Tagovailoa at No. 5; Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs at 18; Southern California’s Jackson at 26; Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson at 39; and LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry at 56.
Jeremiah’s take: “Tua is the ultimate point guard. If he can remain healthy, he has the potential to be one of the NFL’s most efficient passers….
“Ruggs has an unbelievable blend of speed and toughness. He lines up outside and in the slot. He ran a lot of slants and take-off routes in Alabama’s offense — and he was special on both. Ruggs boasts world-class speed — he truly explodes off the line and after the catch. His hands are good, not great, and he does allow too many balls into his chest. After the catch, he runs away from most defenders while occasionally running through them. He is outstanding on jet sweeps and also has kick-return value. Overall, Ruggs has Tyreek Hill-type ability. He will be a matchup nightmare every week….
“Jackson brings an intriguing blend of size, athleticism and upside. In the passing game, he has the quickness to easily cut off speed rushers and he plays with good knee bend and balance. His overall play strength needs to improve, but he’s only 20 years old and that should come in time. Jackson isn’t ready to play at a high level right away, but the upside is tantalizing….
“Davidson typically lined up at defensive end for the Tigers, but also possesses the ability to slide inside. As a pass rusher, he is devastating when he has a runway. Against the run, he uses his length to stack blocks, and his effort to pursue is outstanding.”
Jeremiah said Cushenberry’s hands “are always tight” and he was one of the few offensive linemen to fare well against South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw — a potential top 15 pick — in Senior Bowl practices.
▪ NFL Network’s Charley Casserley, the former Redskins and Texans general manager, advocates Tagovailoa at No. 5, LSU defensive end/edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson at No. 18 and Southern California offensive tackle Jackson at 26.
Here’s Casserley’s explanation: “Tagovailoa has got a quick release, accurate, he can make plays outside the pocket, plays fast. Better decision-making than Sam Darnold. More throwing talent than Jared Goff. Baker Mayfield? More consistent. This guy is a top-five pick in any draft.
“We got to get two pass rushers. Let’s start with one. Chaisson is explosive off the football, has quickness to be able to rush inside on the stunts. Has athletic ability to make plays in space and cover.
“At 26, we’ve got to rebuild that offensive line. My first four offensive tackles are gone, but there’s one more guy I like in the first round — Austin Jackson, left tackle. Has knee bend, quick set, [knows] the basics of pass protection. He’s a mauler as a run blocker. I’ve seen the athletic ability to get out there and make plays in space.”
Here’s my Sunday 6-pack of Dolphins nuggets.
Here are links to my 10-part series with a Dolphins-flavored look at every position in the draft.
Please check back later Monday for two more draft pieces.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 2:01 PM.
