Updating Miami Dolphins' 1st-Round Big Board Post-Combine
NFL general managers and scouting departments have started revising their draft boards in light of the new information they obtained through workouts and private meetings at the 2015 scouting combine.
Those front offices will be pouring over data and notes on hundreds of prospects as they assemble a big board to help guide them through all seven rounds of the 2015 NFL draft, and then to give them some clues on which direction to go in undrafted free agency.
It's a laborious process that involves a lot more time than the average person has available, which makes me wonder how so many people are able to grade so many prospects every year and still find time to eat, sleep, breathe and perform other necessary functions in life.
For that reason, we'll focus on only a handful of the top prospects the Miami Dolphins should have their eye on headed into the draft.
5. Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
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Dannell Ellerbe is due $9.85 million in 2015, according to Spotrac. Philip Wheeler is due $4.2 million. Dion Jordan has been an epic letdown since the Dolphins traded up to grab him with the No. 3 pick in 2013. Suffice it to say, the Dolphins have a lot of question marks at linebacker. Drafting Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney would give them at least one answer.
McKinney didn't put up many eye-popping numbers, and fell short of his reported 4.5-second 40-yard dash with a 4.66-second finish at the combine, although he did finish among the top linebackers in the vertical jump at 40.5", but he didn't need to perform amazing displays of athleticism in order to prove himself as a starting NFL linebacker. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein noted before the scouting combine that McKinney "lacks star-making talent," so he surprised no one at the combine with his unspectacular performance.
The Dolphins could plug McKinney in at linebacker, which would allow Koa Misi to play outside. If McKinney is still on the board at No. 14, and other options are not, the Dolphins would find a strong fit by adding him to their roster.
4. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
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The Dolphins have significant question marks at cornerback, with Cortland Finnegan potentially on his way out and young corners like Jamar Taylor and Will Davis yet to fully develop into the stars they have the potential to be. It may be time to take a shot at the top of the board at cornerback to find someone to play opposite Brent Grimes.
Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes ran the fastest 40-yard dash time among cornerbacks at 4.31 seconds, which was also the second-fastest at the combine overall. He also finished among the top cornerbacks in the 225-pound bench press at 19 reps. Those traits, along with his 31" long arms, will definitely pique the interest of NFL scouts interested in deploying his services as a press-man cornerback.
In fact, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
That being said, Waynes also has some technique issues that need to be polished before he is ready for that responsibility—mainly, his tendency to grab receivers both at the line of scrimmage and at the top of routes.
3. La'el Collins, OL, LSU
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The Dolphins began their rebuild on the offensive line last offseason, and with a couple more moves, they may be able to finish the rebuild this offseason. One player that should be on their radar is LSU offensive lineman La'el Collins.
Collins played tackle in the SEC, but according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, he will probably have to transition to right tackle or move inside to guard in the NFL. In fact, Zierlein compared Collins to Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, saying he "could come in and start right away in a power running game as a guard." CBSSports.com's Rob Rang compared him to Seattle Seahawks guard James Carpenter, another former tackle who made the transition inside.
The only problem is that he would be going to the Dolphins, who run more of a zone-running scheme. Collins has the ability to block into the second level, but lateral movement is not his forte. Thus, he may not be a perfect fit for the Dolphins at No. 14.
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2. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
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At 6'3" and 209 pounds with 33.25" long arms, Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker has the size to win matchups in the red zone, which is an area of need for the Dolphins this offseason. He didn't put up great numbers at the scouting combine, but he wasn't expected to, as NFL.com's Lance Zierlein pointed to his lack of top-end speed and said, "Parker won't win the NFL Scouting Combine, but he will win when the ball is in the air."
Parker ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, put up 17 reps on the bench press, a 36.5" vertical leap and a 10'5" broad jump. The dynamic athleticism isn't there, but a look at the tape shows that he has the ability to get over the top of a defense and that he can high-point passes with ease.
The Dolphins may be more in need of a wide receiver once the offseason gets under way, depending on what happens with the likes of Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson, who could both be cap casualties, or at least be asked to restructure their current deals.
1. Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
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The Dolphins could lose defensive tackle Jared Odrick to free agency this offseason, which would leave the interior of their defensive line with more holes than Swiss cheese. Enter Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton, one of the rare breeds of true nose tackles to come into the NFL draft. His ability to take up multiple blockers would be very valuable to a Dolphins defense that allowed 121 rushing yards per game (24th in the NFL) last season.
Shelton did not show off dynamic athleticism at the combine, though he was able to put up 34 reps on the bench press, one of the top performers at defensive tackle.
The Dolphins may not be a true 3-4 defense, but they could definitely use a player like Shelton who can control multiple blockers at the line of scrimmage to help the linebackers make plays, and can also shed those blocks at times to make plays of his own.
If he can keep his weight in check, the Dolphins could find themselves the owner of a dominant nose tackle the likes of Vince Wilfork.
Unless otherwise noted, all scouting combine information and draft notes provided by NFL.com and CBSSports.com.
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