NFL Draft 2010 – Round 5 #32- Miami- S Reshad Jones

The Dolphins finally take a safety(They traded at least 2 6th round picks to move up) and he looks like one of the team’s better selections. Then the question is- Why did Jones slip this far? The NFL profile says there are concerns about Jones but nothing specific. I don’t have good vibes about this particular draft of Miami’s.

NFL.com writes- The Dolphins continue to upgrade their secondary. This kid had 11 career INTs. He’s an explosive hitter with good ball skills. One concern is that he misses too many tackles looking for the big hit. Needs to improve his instincts in the deep half of the field.

Overview

Jones is a big strong safety with good athleticism. He has been a productive starter for Georgia over the past two seasons. Jones has decent range in pursuit but lacks great speed, lateral agility and quickness in man coverage schemes. He is better attacking the line of scrimmage than in space and maybe best in the box. Jones is quick to the fill the alley and shows good pop and power as a tackler. He can over run or not take the proper angle at times and this gets him out of position to maintain leverage on the ball. Jones will drop some balls he should catch and shows average balls skills for the safety position. Jones has enough size and athleticism to be a solid NFL safety but there are concerns that may affect his draft status.

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 5 #14- Miami- CB Nolan Carroll

A cornerback? Miami drafter two CB in the 2009 NFL Draft. Both are starters. Unless Carroll can play safety also, I don’t understand this pick.

NFL.com writes- Carroll is a big, strong athlete with great intangibles. He has a good combination of size, strength and athleticism for the position. Nolan is a tough, hardnosed competitor who needs to refine his secondary techniques. He is best in press man coverage, where he can jam and re-route receivers. Carroll is an intelligent player to grasp football concepts but lacks great natural instincts. He is a willing run support player but can be inconsistent making the sure open-field tackle. He possesses average ball skills and has missed several opportunities to make the interception. Carroll has tools to develop but needs time to improve his overall reactions in combination coverages.

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 4 #21- Miami- LB A.J. Edds

The Dolphins pick another linebacker. I wonder how much this move was forced by their Jerry selection. Other needs, Tight End and Safety, got postponed too long.

NFL.com writes- Pick analysis- The Dolphins add A.J Edds to provide depth to their linebacker corps and special teams units. Though he isn’t regarded as a great athlete, Edds is a high-motor player with the toughness and competitiveness to excel as a back up.

Edds has been a productive three year starter for the Hawkeye defense. He wins with intelligence, toughness, instincts and technique rather than elite athleticism. Edds has decent range in pursuit and is aggressive to the pile. He is effective leveraging tight ends but needs added strength and power to set the edge versus larger offensive lineman. Edds needs to react quicker as route progressions unfold but has enough athleticism and instincts to be an effective zone coverage defender. He may be a liability in man schemes versus athletic tight ends and backs. Edds is a reliable open field tackler but not explosive on contact. Edds is a good football player that will likely contribute on special teams as well as giving valuable depth in his rookie season.

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 4 #16- Baltimore- TE Dennis Pitta

The only reason I’m commenting on this pick is that this is second Tight End has taken in the 2010 Draft. At one of ESPN’s analysts liked the selections, stating that Baltimore’s GM was taking the best player available and that is why the Ravens are consistently good. The Ravens have been good, but over drafting at one position isn’t the way to stay there IMHO.

Also I want to make note how dumb the Dolphins are looking now. The Ravens have two tight ends selected, Miami is still looking for one. Depth on the offense line, aka the John Jerry, pick could have waited.

NFL.com writes on Pitta- Pitta is an older senior in that he has five years of football at BYU plus a two year mission which will put him at 25 during his rookie season. He is more of a receiving tight end than a blocking or dual purpose one and will need some time to get used to lining up in a three point stance as BYU generally flexes their tight ends out in a two point stance. He is not real explosive on his release and will need some work on escaping the press at the next level.

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 3 #9- Miami- OT John Jerry

I’m surprised by this pick. Johns is versatile but offensive line help rated lower to me than picking a safety or Tight End. Especially when one of the later, Jimmy Graham of the Miami Hurricanes, was still out there waiting to be picked.

NFL.com writes- The Dolphins opt for a developmental offensive tackle to bolster their depth along the line. Jerry has good size and strength, while possessing the ideal skill set to move inside to guard. With his versatility and talent, Jerry could develop into a solid contributor in time.

Overview

Jerry is a massive lineman that moved to tackle for his senior year at “Ole Miss” but will need to move back inside to guard for the next level. He can engulf and overpower opponents once he gets his hands on them but can also struggle against speed when playing on the edge. He is not a natural knee bender and tends to let his pad level get too high on a lot of blocks. He is more of a mauler and brawler than an explosive blocker and knocks opponents off the ball. He could stand to lose some weight if he wants to become a full-time player at the next level.

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #40- Miami Dolphins(From Seattle through San Diego)- LB Koa Misi

I didn’t expect this guy. Mel K on ESPN likes him. Also note this is the 2nd straight year the Dolphins took a Utah player in the 2nd round of the draft(Sean Smith last year).

NFL.com writes- Misi has good size and strength for the linebacker position. He has played both with his hand in the dirt as well as in a stand up position. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor that will fit best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Misi will need some work reading route progressions and will be a liability in pure man coverage. Wright is an aggressive defender that attacks the line of scrimmage to disrupt the run as well as rush the passer effectively. Misi is a good football player that will take some time to transition into the linebacker position, but should contribute on special teams as well as a backup as a rookie.

2010 Round 2 Mock NFL Draft

There are quite a few teams(New England, KC, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay to name a few) with multiple picks this round. Miami gets the 40th selection and I agree with this expert’s selection. If Kindle is there, the fins will definitely select him. I think Notre Dame Quarterback Jimmy Clausen will go earlier than 50th. Some sucker NFL team will once again get fooled into thinking an Fighting Irish signal caller has the stuff to make it in the pros.

*****

1. (33) St. Louis Rams (Needs: DE, WR, OT)
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

He does a lot of things right and finishes games with a lot of stats, but there is nothing physically about him that really jumps out at you.
2. (34) Minnesota Vikings (Needs: CB, DT, RB, QB)
Chris Cook, DB, Virginia

Cook has excellent size and strength for the position. He lacks great burst and pure speed to play out on an island in man coverage but is versatile enough to be effective as a rolled up defender or move inside to the safety position.
3. (35) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Needs: WR, DE, CB)
Everson Griffen, DE, USC

Griffen has average height with good bulk for the position. He has natural power and strength at the point of attack when defending the run.
4. (36) Kansas City Chiefs (Needs: OT, NT, ILB)
Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana

He lacks the massive stature that teams are looking for in a left tackle and may be lacking a step in quickness to play on the left side but should be able to find a home on the right side or even inside at guard.
5. (37) Philadelphia Eagles (Needs: G/C, S, CB)
Taylor Mays, S, USC

Mays has an outstanding combination of size, strength and athleticism for the safety position. He possesses excellent speed, quickness and burst for his size, which makes him a versatile player who could fit in several different schemes.
6. (38) Cleveland Browns (Needs: QB, WR, S, RB)
Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

McCoy is a once-in-a-lifetime college quarterback. He has done everything right while at Texas and has done a great job of representing the university on and off the field.
7. (39) Oakland Raiders (Needs: QB, OT, NT)
Brian Price, DT, UCLA

Price penetrates the line of scrimmage with good quickness and anticipation. He is best when in a stunting mode, but is adept at holding the point in base schemes.
8. (40) Miami Dolphins (Needs: OLB, FS, RB)
Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas

He has a good combination of length and athleticism but lacks the bulk needed to be an effective run defender at the next level. He has been a disruptive force penetrating the line of scrimmage in the Longhorns 4-3 front.
9. (41) Buffalo Bills (Needs: QB, LT, WR)
Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts

He is very athletic for his size with foot quickness, agility and body control but due to his limited experience he often takes poor angles and is not always very quick to recognize stunts and twists by the defensive front.
10. (42) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Needs: WR, DE, CB)
Arellious Benn, WR, Illinois

Benn is a big receiver with above average speed who can be equally effective catching the ball underneath and in traffic or on the deep seam routes.
11. (43) Baltimore Ravens (Needs: CB, FS, DE)
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

He is a better run stopper than pass rusher but has flashed ability to be effective collapsing the pocket coming off the edge.
12. (44) New England Patriots (Needs: TE, OLB, OT)
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona

He has an elite combination of size, speed and athleticism for the position and while he lacks great downfield speed he can be an effective receiver at virtually all levels of the passing tree.
13. (45) Denver Broncos (Needs: ILB, C/G, TE)
Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois

He is exceptionally quick into his blocks and has the ability to make reach blocks on opponents playing on his edge.

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14. (46) New York Giants (Needs: MLB, RT, DT, RB)
Daryl Washington, LB, TCU

He is an instinctive player that leverages the ball well and understands angles and run fits in the TCU defensive scheme. Washington is a solid open field tackler and the added bulk has helped his physical presence as a linebacker.
15. (47) New England Patriots (Needs: TE, OLB, OT)
Koa Misi, DE, Utah

Misi has good size and strength for the linebacker position. He has played both with his hand in the dirt as well as in a stand up position. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor that will fit best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
16. (48) Carolina Panthers (Needs: WR, DT, QB)
Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina

Joseph is a big body who could line up at nose tackle in a 3-4 front or interior defender in a 4-3 scheme. He is somewhat one dimensional as a run defender.
17. (49) San Francisco 49ers (Needs: S, CB, RB)
Nate Allen, S, South Florida

He has a good combination of size and athleticism. He isn’t a consistent physical open field tackler and needs to finish better at the next level.
18. (50) Kansas City Chiefs (Needs: OT, NT, ILB)
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

He lacks a cannon for an arm but he does have a live arm and a quick delivery that allows him to get the ball out quickly.
19. (51) Houston Texans (Needs: RB, FS, DT)
Ben Tate, RB, Auburn

Tate is a hard-nosed runner that does not spend much time dancing around in the backfield. He likes to stick his foot in the ground and hit the hole at the first sign of a running lane opening up.
20. (52) Pittsburgh Steelers (Needs: CB, DE, RB)
Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest

Ghee has good size and excellent speed for the position. He has the quickness and burst to be a solid coverage defender but lacks the foot agility, pad level and body positioning to be consistent in this area.
21. (53) New England Patriots (Needs: TE, OLB, OT)
Austen Lane, DE, Murray State

He makes more plays with effort and persistence than athleticism. He doesn’t have great speed to close to the ball and lacks good flexibility to bend down the line of scrimmage.
22. (54) Cincinnati Bengals (Needs: S, DT, DE)
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama

Cody is a massive body with natural power as an interior run stopper. He can push the pocket effectively with excellent natural power but needs to develop his hand use and expand his pass rush package.
23. (55) Philadelphia Eagles (Needs: S, C, DT, RB)
Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas

Houston is a short, thick defender that has natural power at the point of attack. He can anchor the middle of the defense when playing with good pad level but can be inconsistent in this area.
24. (56) Green Bay Packers (Needs: CB, S, OLB)
Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech

He is very active in both run support as well as defending the pass but also misses too many opportunities due to lack of effort, angles and proper tackling techniques.
25. (57) Baltimore Ravens (Needs: CB, FS, DE)
Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State

He has an excellent combination of size, strength and athleticism. He has good ball skills and does a nice job of making plays in the open field.
26. (58) Arizona Cardinals (Needs: LT, ILB, OLB)
Charles Brown, OT, USC

He is an athletic lineman that relies on his foot quickness, agility and ability to recover and sustain blocks more than raw power.
27. (59) Dallas Cowboys (Needs: OT, FS, ILB, K)
Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale

He’s a gigantic tackle who is a small-school prospect worth keeping an eye on.

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28. (60) Seattle Seahawks (Needs: RB, DE, S)
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech

He is a one-cut ball carrier that will stick his foot in the ground and hit the seam at full speed. He shows good balance on contact, runs through his share of arm tackles and shows surprising speed for his size.
29. (61) New York Jets (Needs: DE, S, RT)
Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State

He has a good combination of size, strength and speed for an interior defensive lineman. He doesn’t have great lateral quickness or agility to come off the edge as a 4-3 end but is well suited for a five-technique in 3-4 scheme.
30. (62) Minnesota Vikings (Needs: CB, RB, DT)
Torell Troup, DT, Central Florida

He is a short, bulky interior defender who flashes initial quickness in the middle. He shows natural power to hold the point versus the run as well as push the pocket as a pass rusher.
31. (63) Indianapolis Colts (Needs: LT, CB, C)
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Campbell is a good-sized left tackle prospect that is a bit ahead of the curve, technique wise, over most underclass linemen. He is quick to set the edge and does a good job of jamming opponents with heavy hands and can be quick to get a refit when the pass rusher slaps his hands away.
32. (64) New Orleans Saints (Needs: RB, OLB, S, NT)
Sean Lee, LB Penn State

He has a good frame and natural strength to take on blockers. He is a solid tackler but not explosive on contact.Cl

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 1 #28- Miami(From San Diego)- DT Jared Odrick

The Dolphins finally make their selection. A Defensive Tackle when they’re using a 3-4 Defense? I thought OLB and Safety were bigger needs for the fins. Oh well.

NFL.com writes- Pick Analysis: The Dolphins needed to add more beef to their front line, and the selection of Jared Odrick gives them size at the defensive end position. As the “five-technique” in the Dolphins’ 3-4, Odrick has the length to occupy blockers on the edge, and his relentless style often leads to disruptive plays at the line of scrimmage. With Mike Nolan slated to tweak the team’s defense, Odrick could be a key cog as an interior defender.

Overview

Odrick has a good combination of size and strength. He is more of a run-stopper with power to hold the point but needs to utilize his hands more consistently to separate to the ball. Odrick shows power to collapse the pocket as a pass rusher but again needs to expand his pass rush package with more moves and counters to contribute at the next level. He feels pad pressure well and constricts running lanes effectively. He has some limitations (lateral agility and speed) but plays with a good motor and often wins with effort. Odrick could be considered a versatile prospect as an end in a 3-4 front or tackle in 4-3 schemes. Odrick has upside if he can improve his overall technique at the next level.

NFL Draft 2010 Live Blog

For the 5th year OTB Sports will blog the NFL Draft. I will stay with this as long as I can. I got health issues and there are other distractions. So here we go to all 50 of my readers……