Miami Dolphins 2015 Draft: Aggregating Report Card Grades from Around the Web
The 2015 NFL draft is over. The picks have been made, and all seven new Miami Dolphins are making their arrangements to prepare for life in South Florida as a professional football player.
For the fans, it's about either being excited about the draft picks or being angry about them—until they get to see them on the field, at least.
For the analysts, it's time for grading the draft of each individual team.
The Sunday after the draft saw a slew of draft report cards go online from everyone who considers themselves a draft expert. I even have one that was published on Sunday morning.
I've gone around the Internet and compiled the draft grades from most of the experts. Along with their grades I'll include my own analysis and whether I agree or disagree with them.
This will be fun, as it has been when I've written this piece the last two years.
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: A
1 of 11CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco tells you exactly how he feels about Miami's draft with the headline of this story:
2015 NFL Draft Grades: Jags, Dolphins, Ravens, Cardinals Score Highest
It's great to see the Dolphins and Ravens in the same sentence without the word "defeat" coming after the word "Ravens" and before the word "Dolphins."
More importantly, the Ravens have been one of the best teams at drafting players in the last 15 years, so that comparison is either a very good omen for Miami, or a very bad omen for Baltimore.
Either way, let's take a look at what prompted this headline, starting with Prisco's pick for best pick:
"I love second-round defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. He will be a better NFL player than he showed at Oklahoma. Playing next to Ndamukong Suh will really help his game.
"
What Prisco said might be true; however, I would not consider him the best pick. It also contradicts what Prisco considered their "questionable move":
"Waiting until the fourth round to pick an offensive lineman on a team that needs help up front.
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If you want to see a contradiction, check out his third-day gem, then compare it to his "questionable move":
"Fourth-round pick Jamil Douglas was a tackle at ASU last year, but I think he can be a dominant guard, his original position.
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I agree with this, even though he won't be dominant right away, and it contradicts his questionable move, which contradicts his best pick.
The analysis as a whole is very spot-on, though.
"The Dolphins had a nice draft. Whoever was making the picks -- whether it was Dennis Hickey or Mike Tannenbaum -- deserves a lot of credit. First-round pick DeVante Parker will be a nice target for Ryan Tannehill. The first two picks were outstanding.
"
Prisco was confusing and at times contradictory, but he wound up giving the Dolphins an A. I don't know about the route he took to get to the grade, but he got to the grade that made the most sense.
Evan Silva, Rotoworld/Yahoo: C+
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That grade is C+, and the reason makes sense—if you believe in only drafting for need and for no other reason whatsoever.
"Almost all of the players selected here -- particularly Phillips and Ajayi -- brought great value to Miami. I thought Phillips had a realistic shot to be taken on day one, and defensive tackle depth was a definite need behind Ndamukong Suh and Earl Mitchell.
"
With that intro to analysis, how did the Dolphins get a C+ again? Let's continue.
"I'm not quite as high on Parker as many are, and would've preferred Miami address its glaring cornerback need at No. 14 with either Kevin Johnson or Marcus Peters.
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Sorry, wide receiver was a need, and Parker was ahead of both Kevin Johnson and Marcus Peters on most draft boards, including the Dolphins'.
"I do believe Parker will be a good player, but envision him more as a rich man's Brandon LaFell than A.J. Green.
"
Wouldn't that make Brandon LaFell a poor man's DeVante Parker? How exactly is that a bad thing?
I'd like a receiver to be the rich man's version of a player who had 74 catches for 953 yards and seven touchdowns while being his team's No. 1 receiver (that's because a rich man's version of something implies that the player is better).
Continuing on:
"Douglas has all the tools to become a starting left guard in the NFL and fits Miami's zone-run game. McCain is a feisty, playmaking slot corner. Thompson is a tools-based projection who will open his career on special teams, while Lippett is a receiver-to-cornerback project the Fins presumably hope can become their version of Richard Sherman. I thought this draft was solid, but was very surprised Miami didn't place a higher priority on its suspect secondary.
"
I can see why he would question why Miami didn't place a higher priority on the secondary; however, I happened to like the picks they made in the secondary. I didn't think Kevin Johnson would've fit the Dolphins' zone scheme very well, and while Marcus Peters would've fit like a glove (and was someone I wouldn't have minded drafting), I know he wouldn't have fit in with Joe Philbin.
Overall, I give Silva's grade the exact same grade he gave the Dolphins: a C+. While I saw where he was coming from, the explanation alluded more to a B than the grade he gave out.
Rob Rang, CBSSports.com: B+
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We head back to CBSSports.com, where Rob Rang joined Pete Prisco in giving the Dolphins so much love he couldn't bother to hide it in the headline:
The highest mark in that class was a B+. Come on, Rob, couldn't you curve it? (Note, save for the Bills, every team in the AFC East did well in the draft. Hence, no curve should be implemented.)
Here's why Rang gave the Dolphins a B+, a grade only considered bad in the WWE and in the Galicia household:
"In the weeks leading up to the draft Miami explored trading up into the top 10 to land a dynamic receiver, but ultimately didn't have to as DeVante Parker slid to the Dolphins at No. 14 overall.
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Good thing the Dolphins didn't have to. While I wanted one of the top three receivers, I was never in favor of trading up for them.
"Parker's length, speed, body control and huge catch radius make him a potential No. 1 target for Ryan Tannehill in Bill Lazor's aggressive passing attack, and fifth-round pick Tony Lippett could surprise as well (whether at receiver or cornerback).
"
Lippett will likely play cornerback, and I'll have plenty to say about that on Tuesday. Everything Rang said about Parker is the truth.
"Jay Ajayi's knee is a concern but he has franchise-back talent. Jordan Phillips and Jamil Douglas are potential future starters along the line of scrimmage.
"
Nothing but truth here, but not a lot of analysis on Bobby McCain or Ced Thompson.
I'd say the Dolphins draft was better than a B+, but the analysis is rather spot on.
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Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: B
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The dean of NFL draft coverage is Mel Kiper Jr., a title that has come mainly from longevity and star power.
Kiper was a fan of the Dolphins' draft, giving them a B, which indicates that he still has some questions about Miami's draft tendencies this season.
Here's him explaining the grade, and if you click on the link and aren't subscribed to ESPN Insider, you'll see his explanation behind the grades:
"The Dolphins had one of my favorite picks of Round 1, and they didn't have to move to get their guy. DeVante Parker has the chance to be special and fills a clear need for them. I could have seen him going with any of the four picks ahead of Miami -- St. Louis, Minnesota, Cleveland and New Orleans -- so getting him at No. 14 was a good value.
"
Special thanks to two former Dolphins general managers, Jeff Ireland (now assistant in New Orleans) and Rick Spielman (now Minnesota's GM), for helping the Dolphins after the damage the two inflicted on the organization during their tenures. Also special thanks to the Rams for thinking they didn't have enough running backs, and to the Cleveland Browns for being the Cleveland Browns.
Kiper continued:
"Jordan Phillips has first-round physical ability and third-round tape, so landing in Round 2 just about averages things out. The addition of Ndamukong Suh was impactful, but Miami can use the depth behind him or put Phillips and Suh on the field at the same time. If Phillips plays at Suh's effort level on every snap, there's a potential stud here.
"
Effort was always the main question with Phillips, but playing along side Suh should help him out in that regard.
"Jamil Douglas could play right away, given the need at guard, and though I thought Bobby McCain was a bit of a reach given some other cornerbacks available when he was taken, that's splitting hairs again.
"
The top cornerback on everyone's draft board at that time was someone some people don't think will ever play again. The rest of the corners on the board had grades similar to or worse than McCain, hence the splitting hairs comment. As for the Jamil Douglas pick, yes, Miami is so thin at guard that Douglas can play right away; the question that should be answered is should he, which I would've liked Kiper's opinion on.
"Jay Ajayi is a tough runner who fell on injury and ball security concerns, but if he's healthy, he can be really good. Tony Lippett is a player I expected to go earlier. If there's a question, it's the lack of a linebacker earlier on.
"
Everyone (including me) had that linebacker question, and for good reason. However, considering that linebackers weren't graded too high in the draft, as well as the fact that the Dolphins signed a couple of UDFA linebackers that I thought would be drafted, I'd say it's a wash.
"The Parker pick really elevates this draft for me, and they can hope the coin flip on Phillips' becoming really good works out. But ultimately, I see one certainty here, and injury risk in a number of places.
"
So Kiper didn't like the draft as much as his B grade indicates. It's still a fair grade, though, as he's weighing the injury histories of two of the other high-profile picks.
Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com: B
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I might not always agree with Walter Cherepinsky's WalterFootball.com, but it's a good read from time to time, especially if you want mock drafts way in advance (his 2016 mock is already up, and you might even see his 2017 mock before the end of this year).
Cherepinsky gave the Dolphins a B, and here's his explanation:
"The Dolphins came away from the draft with a solid class. Its two best picks will help the offense. DeVante Parker was a mini-steal at No. 14, as he was being discussed as a possibility for the Rams (10th), Vikings (11th) and Browns (12th).
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Once again, thanks to those teams for passing on Parker. I really liked that pick in case you haven't been able to tell.
"He can't possibly have worse chemistry with Ryan Tannehill than Mike Wallace did as the team's No. 1 receiver.
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Only oil and water had worse chemistry together than Tannehill and Wallace did. To quote a fictional delivery man, Tannehill and Parker should go together like lamb and tuna fish.
"The other top selection was Jay Ajayi in the fifth round. Ajayi would have gone in the second frame if his knee wasn't "bone on bone," as Mike Mayock described it. If he can get over that issue, he has the ability to emerge as Miami's starting running back.
"
There's a good chance that it won't be a question of who's a starter, but rather a rotation depending on who the Dolphins play. That's why this selection was so good.
"One area in which the Dolphins disappointed was their inability to find help in the secondary. They waited until the fifth round to take their initial defensive back. I would have gone with a corner or a safety in the second frame instead of the overhyped Jordan Phillips.
"
This was a very fair and logical point. In the end Phillips might wind up being a great pick-up, but Eric Rowe was on the board when the Dolphins traded down (in fact, Philadelphia traded up with Miami to get him), as was Quinten Rollins.
"Miami had what seemed like a thousand fifth-round choices, and it may have hit on most of them. After Ajayi, the best of the bunch seems like Tony Lippett, who can play both receiver and cornerback. I imagine the Dolphins will be using him at the latter position, given their huge need there.
"
I'd actually say that Ced Thompson was the best of the bunch after Ajayi, followed by Jamil Douglas. Lippett is an intriguing pick, though.
Once again, a fair assessment of the draft, and a fair grade based on the assessment.
The Sun-Sentinel Staff—Average Grade: B
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When I started this slide, I wanted Omar Kelly's grade since that usually stirs the most emotions (you either love him or you hate him), but The Sun-Sentinel rounded up grades from their staff, and I figured each of them should be analyzed.
Dave Hyde—B+
"The Dolphins [were] fortunate WR DeVante Parker fell to them, even if some inside the team pushed for Breshard Perriman. GM Dennis Hickey and his scouts did their job in taking Jordan Phillips in the 2nd round. They fell in love with a great talent with questions - it's either a home run or a whiff. We'll see. Jay Ajayi adds what this offense needs at running back. They're better. They just couldn't plug all the holes self-created in good part by changing out the receiving corps and having to use their first and third picks (in Kenny Stills trade) to do so.
"
I'd fire whoever inside the team pushed for Perriman over Parker. Losing out on Parker, trading down then taking Perriman: I'd be cool with that, but I'd never take Perriman over Parker.
This is a very good assessment, except the self-created holes were self-created out of necessity (chemistry issue and cost compared to the actual production of the players) and not for the sake of change. Even then, those holes were filled, save for linebacker.
Omar Kelly—B
"The Dolphins got a top 10 player in DeVante Parker, picked up a top 5 tailback in the fifth round when they landed Jay Ajayi, and added a offensive guard who might become an immediate starter in Jamil Douglas. The only head-scratching pick was the second-round selection of Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, whose film was a disaster. The selection of Bobby McCain, Cedric Thompson and Tony Lippett in day three made this class a winner because all those defensive backs should fortify the secondary's depth.
"
I'm agreeing with Omar Kelly, except for the grade.
I wouldn't consider Phillips' film to be a disaster except for one problem: there wasn't enough of it. As for Phillips looking lazy, as I've said before, playing alongside Suh should fix that.
Either way, I agree with Omar here, even though I usually disagree with him on almost everything else.
Chris Perkins—C+
"The Dolphins had two picks in the first three rounds, the area of the draft where you typically find the most talented players. WR DeVante Parker, the first-round pick, is money. NT Jordan Phillips, the second-round pick, is a question mark. So, too, is trading down in the second round to collect more fifth-round picks. The Dolphins didn’t have a third-round pick. That’s not a good result from the first three rounds. The rest of the draft was pretty good. But the net takeaway from the first three rounds is a bit unsettling right now.
"
So far on this list, Chris Perkins (a name I say in the style Chris Traeger would say "Ann Perkins" on Parks and Recreation) is the first person to reference the trade.
It's safe to say he didn't like it. I disagree with that, I loved the trade.
Miami got a lot of talent in that fifth round, which Chris Perkins even acknowledges. Yet he hates the trade itself.
I'm the opposite: I loved the trade as it happened, but I didn't like the pick initially. Then I saw the upside that Phillips had and imagined the possibilities, and that changed my mind.
There are other grades from other members of The Sun-Sentinel staff, but those are the three I'll focus on here.
David J. Neal, Miami Herald: B+
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Grading the draft for the Miami Herald was not Armando Salguero (who advises us that "time will tell" on the Dolphins offseason is a success) or Adam H. Beasley (currently in the process of molehill mountaineering with Suh missing a voluntary workout), but instead David J. Neal.
Neal gave the Dolphins a B+, keeping his explanation short and sweet:
"The Dolphins lacked a No.1 wide receiver as well as a DeVante. If second-rounder Jordan Phillips decides to play like he wants Big Boy Named Suh money down the line, good draft.
"
Ty Schalter, Bleacher Report: B-
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I ran out of Dolphins draft picks, so linebacker Mike Hull (signed as an undrafted free agent per Andrew Abramson of The Palm Beach Post) takes this image spot as I see him making the final 53-man roster.
Bleacher Report's own Ty Schalter has a very uneven view of the Dolphins draft, giving them a B-.
Why?
"This is what desperation to win looks like.
"
I didn't know the Dolphins were the only NFL team desperate to win. Shouldn't every team be desperate to win? Don't you "play to win the game?" Don't teams draft to win?
"Moving around to stock up on talent that can help them immediately, the Dolphins replaced their dismissed wideouts with the last of the three top receivers (Parker), a sliding big body who can replace Randy Starks (Phillips) and a guard who can continue the rebuilding effort on the offensive line (Douglas).
"
For what it's worth, I see Phillips as more of a Paul Soliai replacement, current DT Earl Mitchell is more of the Starks replacement.
"McCain and Ajayi are swings for the fences: a cornerback with a lot of upside and a clearly talented tailback with a scary knee issue. Lippett was a two-way player in college with the size and hands to be a solid depth option at receiver or corner.
"
This is all true and fair, except Lippett will see as much time at receiver as Ndamukong Suh.
"The Dolphins knew what they needed and got it. This "shopping list" draft could get them into the playoffs this year or inspire eye rolls in three years.
"
Couldn't you say that about any draft?
Isn't the goal of the draft to know what you need and go get it? That's what the Dolphins did, so shouldn't that be graded higher than a B-?
Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated: A-
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Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke was a big fan of Miami's draft, giving the Dolphins an A-.
His explanation:
"Picking at Nos. 14 and 52, the Dolphins essentially wound up landing two first-round talents in wide receiver DeVante Parker and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. Hard to believe either guy was available at the spot he was picked.
"
That's always a good sign, when draft experts can't believe a player was picked as low as they were. Even players that drop like that due to character issues (see Randy Moss slipping to 21 in 1998) are conceivable.
"Parker was but a hair (if that) behind Amari Cooper and Kevin White at receiver—both those players were gone by No. 7, with multiple teams in need of a playmaker between No. 8 and Miami's spot. Likewise, Phillips had suitors toward the tail end of round 1 (Indianapolis would have been a match).
"
I was shocked that Minnesota passed on Parker due to his connection with Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville. Once again, Dolphins fans should thank Rick Spielman.
"Guard Jamil Douglas, cornerback Bobby McCain and in particular running back Jay Ajayi all were welcome finds on Day 3. Concerns over a knee issue lowered Ajayi's stock, but he was well worth a round 5 play.
"
Absolutely correct on everything in this assessment.
Bryan Fischer, NFL.com: B
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NFL.com's Bryan Fischer is mainly their college football writer, so out of everyone on that site, he knows the most about the players selected.
He gave Miami's draft a B, explaining:
"Parker was some folks' top wideout in the draft and might have been a consensus top player at the position if he weren't injured his final season.
"
This was a point made by Pro Football Focus prior to the draft. If you aggregate Parker's stats over the course of a full 13-game college football season (12 plus Louisville's bowl game), his statistics would've been among the top in the country. Also remember with Parker, he had three different quarterbacks due to injury.
"The Dolphins liked Parker throughout the draft process and got their guy without giving anything up. That's a win.
"
That's an important factor that should be included in anyone's grade.
"Phillips might not represent a need for the Dolphins, who signed Ndamukong Suh as a free agent, but he shows flashes of first-round talent, and the team moved back in the draft to get him to boot.
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This too is important and should factor into any grade.
"There are concerns over Ajayi's knee, but he's a steal in the fifth round as a versatile back who can run between the tackles.
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Also an important fact that should go into any grade, and it seems like it does with Fischer giving the Dolphins a B. Very fair assessment.
Final Grades—Average: B
11 of 11| Writer | Outlet | Grade |
| Pete Prisco | CBS Sports | A- |
| Evan Silva | Rotoworld/Yahoo | C+ |
| Rob Rang | CBS Sports | B+ |
| Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN | B |
| Walter Cherepinsky | Walter Football | B |
| Dave Hyde | The Sun-Sentinel | B+ |
| Omar Kelly | The Sun-Sentinel | B |
| Chris Perkins | The Sun-Sentinel | C+ |
| David J. Neal | Miami Herald | B+ |
| Ty Schalter | Bleacher Report | B- |
| Chris Burke | Sports Illustrated | A- |
| Bryan Fischer | NFL.com | B |
| Thomas Galicia | Bleacher Report | A- |
The Dolphins averaged a B in their draft grades.
As I highlighted in my post-draft wrap-up and analysis, I gave the Dolphins an A- due to the team only making one trade but getting a lot of value out of it.
They also drafted players lower than their draft grades would indicate, getting a top-10 player at 14, a first-round player late in the second round after a trade-down, and a second-to-third round player in the fifth round.
Yes, luck was a factor in those cases, but it's my personal belief that everyone gets lucky at some point, and the truly successful people take advantage of that luck and make it work for them.
That's what the Dolphins did in this draft, which is why they had a draft worthy of an A-. Pulling off a quality draft will in due time be looked at as an A+.
I will reserve the right to take numerous potshots at myself if this doesn't come to fruition, though.
Stats provided by sports-reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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