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We are less than 24 hours away from the 2014 NFL Draft, and the excitment I am feeling right now is just off the charts. I am READY to get this started, as I believe there will be a ton of trades in this draft. I normally don't like to do trades, but I really believe the Dolphins will trade down with plenty of teams looking to trade back up, with Cleveland and San Francisco being the prime candidates.
I believe the Dolphins will consumate a trade with the Cleveland Browns and get the Browns 2nd 1st round pick, #26 along with the Browns 1st 3rd round pick at #83, and their 2nd 4th round pick at #127.
Let's take a look at how I believe this could play out for the Dolphins.
1) Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia - Moses has been showing up more and more in the later part of the 1st round in mock drafts. C.J Mosely is now being projected in the top 15 more and more and while I think Ryan Shazier is a very talented OLB, the Dolphins need an ILB. Moses helps address a HUGE need for Miami.
2) Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson - Miami has stated they want a wide receiver with size, and Bryant not only fits the mode at 6'4, 211 lbs, he has big play speed and ability. He has maturity issues and was inconsistent while at Clemson, but he is a super talent and Miami has both Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline coming off of knee injuries. Red Zone threat as well.
3) Dri Archer, RB/WR/KR, Kent State - Archer may not be here, but if he is, I believe Miami will snatch him up. The Dolphins have shown a lot of interest in this explosive playmaker. Archer can fill many roles, from return man to running back to wide receiver. 4.26 40 speed makes him a legitimate touchdown threat every time he touches the ball.
3) Terrance West, RB, Towson State - The Dolphins want a bigger back, as RB Daniel Thomas time with the Dolphins seem to be numbered. Miami has shown a lot of interest in Torrence and had a private workout with him.
4) Trai Turner - The Dolphins look to fortify the offensive line with this talented OG from the premier conference in the nations, the SEC. Turner could be here and he could possibly go a round earlier, but the Dolphins have shown interest.
4) Preston Brown, ILB, Louisville - Miami has shown a lot of interest in ILB, as the Dolphins had interest in D'Qwell Jackson before he signed with the Colts. Miami is also tinkering with moving Koa Misi inside. Brown is a physical banger that Miami has shown interest in.
5) Craig Loston, SS, LSU - The Dolphins bought in SS Louis Delmas from Detroit, and while Louis is talented, he also has been let down by his body with injuries. Loston is a big, physical safety that can provided immediate depth behind Delmas.
6) Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami - The Dolphins look to add more talent to an offensive line that needs it. Henderson has 1st round talent, but his immaturity and his ability to leave marijuana alone is why this kid is available at this point in the draft.
7) Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma - You can never have enough good defensive backs. Colvin is here because he tore his ACL in the Senior Bowl. Talented football player.
We are almost there, as the 2014 NFL Draft is now just 4 days away. The excitment level for me is hard to contain, as I ALWAYS look forward to this time of the year, and we had to wait a little longer this year as the NFL moved the draft back a few weeks.
Miami can go in multiple directions with their 1st round pick, and trading down is a MAJOR option as well, as Miami GM Dennis Hickey is on the record as stating he would like to acquire additional picks. That is understandable, as this is considered one of the deepest draft in years.
With that said, let's take a look at some possible options for Miami in the 1st round.
Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame - We all know the offensive line is a MAJOR area of concern for Miami, and they spent a good deal of time in the off season adding personnel to this awful group. The Dolphins aquired OLT Brandon Albert in free agency along with OG Jason Shelley and ORT Jason Fox. Miami will look to add an additional ORT and an OG in this draft, and Martin is considered to be a very versatile and solid offensive lineman. He can man both OT positions, and Mike Mayock feels he can be an All-Pro OG. If he does fall to the Dolphins at #19, he is going to be very hard to pass up.
C.J Mosely, ILB, Alabama - The linebacker play for Miami was not very good in 2013, and that is being KIND. From missed tackles to not plugging holes to just being out of position, the linebacker play for the Dolphins was not good and needs to improve. Miami had major interest in Cleveland ILB D'Qwell Jackson before he signed with Indianapolis. Miami is also considering moving Koa Misi inside and moving ILB and big dollar free agent aquisition Darnelle Ellerbe back to his more natural OLB position. Mosely will be a player of interest for the Dolphins.
Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA - Once again, we are talking offensive lineman, and Filo is considered the best OG in this draft. Physical, nasty and with the ability to pull and get to the next level. It would be a slight reach at #19, but he would fill a BIG need.
Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina - Weapons for offense is a good thing. Ebron is THE TE in this draft that has the ability to stretch the seem of a defense, and he would give the Dolphins a very dangerous duo with Charles Clay. Will he drop to #19? If he does, once again, the Dolphins will have a choice to make.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Louisiana State - Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline are coming off of knee injuries, and there is concerns about them being ready for camp. There has also been constant buzz about Mike Wallace not being in Miami next year, something that I don't agree with. With that said, WR will be addressed in this draft. Beckham took a huge step forward in the pro style offense bought in by former Dolphins HC Cam Cameron, and he is possibly the most complete wide receiver in this draft. Very good hands, runs very good routes and is explosive, aka he gives you the Yards After Catch, YAC. Also a very dangerous return man. Beckham fits the mode of BPA, Best Player Available if he get's to Miami at #19.
Moses Morgan, OT, Virginia - Once again, another OT that could be on the radar for Miami. Moses is rising on a lot of draft boards and could be a consideration for Miami. Moses, like Filo would be a slight reach at this point in the draft, but he addresses a need.
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama - Another talented OT that has seen his stock drop due to concerns about his knees and play. Several teams mentioned he was not given a clean bill of health due to a residual, arthritic condition in his knee, and this has to be a concern. How do the Dolphins feel about Cyrus knee? Also, his play in 2013 was not as good as it was in 2012, when he looked like an elite OLT prospect. That said, a lot of personnel people think he is a better prospect that D.J Fluker, who went #11 to the San Diego Chargers in the 2013 draft.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State - Cooks is an explosive, big play wide receiver. He and Beckham don't supposedly fit what Miami has said they wanted in a wide receiver, which is a bigger wide receiver, but both Cooks and Beckham are to explosvie to not consider.
We are almost there. Thursday can't get here soon enough.
Alright guys, we are now a few weeks away from the draft and the usual is ongoing for the NFL as we work our way to the draft. As Alexander O'Neal would say, "It's Lying Season". This team is interested in this player of this team is targeting this player.
I will post a final mock draft for the NFL and Miami the week of the draft. With that said, let's take a look at my latest mock draft for the Dolphins.
1) C.J Mosely, ILB, Alabama - I know Mak will have a heart attack seeing this, and we ALL know Miami has needs on the offensive line still. That said, the OL personnel is much deeper than the personnel at ILB. I think Mosely can be a difference maker and the Dolphins linebacker play was dismal in 2013. Does no good to have a very good pass rush when teams can gash you with the run game. The Dolphins were 20th against the rush in 2013 and have been in decline the last 2 years.
2) Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana - WR Brandon Gibson & Brian Hartline are coming off of knee injuries and there is a concern about there availability for camp. Miami also needs that big Red Zone threat WR. Latimer fits that mode and more. He has solid speed, is a solid route runner and has very good hands.
3) Jack Mewhort, ORT, Ohio State - The Dolphins address the ORT need with a big, physical OLT that will convert to ORT in Mewhort.
4) Dri Archer, RB/WR/PR, Kent State - The Dolphins and the Bengals have shown a lot of interest in this versatile, explosive little blazer. Rushed for over 1400 yards his junior year and had 99 career catches and 4 return touchdowns. 4.26 40 speed, and more importantly, plays to his timed speed
. Tremendous speed and big play ability. Gives Bill Lazor a dangerous weapon to work with. I know the Dolphins have looked at Towson RB Terrance West as well.
5) Trai Turner, OG, LSU - The Dolphins add another big, talented piece to the offensive line with this mauler from LSU.
6) Antone Exum, CB/S, Virginia Tech - Has played CB, but has the size to convert to S, which some think he will eventually end up at. Credit to Mark, aka swerve13 for this pick. Has the ability to play in the slot, as he was a CB at VT.
7) Isaiah Crowell, RB, Alabama State - 5 star recruit coming out of Georgia, he verbally committed to Georgia. Was dismissed from the team for felony weapons charge. That why this big, talented back is at this point in the draft.I will do another one the week of the draft. Everything is still very fluid and a lot still can change.
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