Dolphins bring productive college linebacker to team headquarters
The Dolphins are bringing in several players for pre-draft meetings over the next two weeks, and this week’s visitors included a highly productive Big 12 linebacker.
DeMarvion Overshown visited with Miami on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Overshown - listed at 6-3 and 229 pounds - had 96 tackles (including 10 for loss) and four sacks in 12 games for Texas last season.
In 39 games over five seasons, he had 30.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and three fumble recoveries.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein offered this assessment:
“Former safety turned linebacker who has slowly but surely improved his feet and recognition over the last three seasons. Whether playing inside or outside, Overshown will need to get stronger and more effective at taking on blockers and tackling with security. His tape shows much improved key reading and play recognition, which could prove critical in allowing him to play at a consistently faster pace to the football.
“Overshown could struggle to hold up to downhill running attacks, but his instincts and blitz talent create a potential opportunity for him as a nickel/dime linebacker.”
Overshown’s length, motor and ability to drop into coverage are all considered strengths
He has at least five other visits lined up.
The Dolphins have two players from Texas on their roster: safeties Brandon Jones and Elliott.
NFL teams are permitted to bring as many 30 draft prospects to their team headquarters, not counting players who attended high school or college in their geographic area. In the Dolphins’ case, those local players from UM, FIU, FAU and area high schools will audition for the Dolphins on April 14.
The Dolphins’ draft picks over the years have included some players who took “30 visits” and some who have not. With some of their draft picks, the Dolphins felt they didn’t need to bring them in for a visit and that they instead had enough information by watching their college tape, meeting with them at the NFL Combine and attending their Pro Day.
One source said with several of the tight ends in this class, the Dolphins decided to send staffers (including tight ends coach Jon Embree) on the road to work out players instead of necessarily bringing them to team headquarters.
One advantage of sending a coach to a player’s college campus: The player can do on-field work. On “30 visits,” players cannot do on-field work.
THIS AND THAT
▪ The Carolina Panthers signed former Dolphins safety Eric Rowe on Thursday. Rowe - who spent four seasons with the Dolphins - had his most success in 2019 and 2020 after moving from cornerback to safety during that 2019 season. The Dolphins didn’t pursue him in free agency, opting to sign Detroit’s Elliott instead.
Meanwhile, former Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips signed with Buffalo.
▪ This was interesting: Per ESPN’s Mike Clay, the Dolphins passed the ball on 83 percent of the snaps that Mike Gesicki played, which was fourth highest among all NFL players, minimum 100 snaps.
Ideally, the Dolphins would add another tight end who is a skilled receiver and blocker, so that defenses can’t predict what they’re going to do when he’s on the field.
▪ Pro Football Focus ranks the Dolphins as the 10th best team in football, just behind Baltimore and just ahead of Tampa Bay.
PFF said: “Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker David Long will immediately contribute to the Dolphins’ defense. Ramsey has the highest PFF grade, highest PFF coverage grade and highest PFF run-defense grade among all cornerbacks since 2016, and only four linebackers earned a better PFF run-defense grade than Long in 2022.
“With head coach Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami might be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC East.”
