If you're into well-done hype videos, check out Brandon Jones' link below. According to the few Big 12 viewers I know, Miami fans are going to love this kid's energy/effort. He's an additional "Flores guy" who might remind us of another Jones, who just recently departed. If he can get coached up and improve his coverage skills (the athletic traits are reportedly a non-issue) -- and he sure seems coach-able -- he could definitely start. May take a season.
I'll preface my next comments with the following:
1. I give Flores/Grier the benefit of the doubt with all defensive selections.
2. I take no issue with with strengthening the trenches.
3. I recognize that so many high-caliber RB can be found in the later rounds.
That said, getting sniped for Dobbins at 55 by the Ravens hurt, especially when Miami has so many picks today. Are the Dolphins really going to draft 15 players?
Per the Herald, " The Dolphins had eyes on Dobbins with the 56th pick, our Barry Jackson reports, but he went just one spot earlier to the Ravens. So Miami instead took Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis."
I appreciate players like Davis, but run-stuffing interior defensive linemen are a lot like RB, in that they can often be found in later rounds. In order for Raekwon to justify this spot in the draft, he's going to have to prove that he can generate pass pressure up the middle. Most scouting reports state that this area fell off for Davis after his sophomore year, and that's beyond the sack totals, an often overrated stat. Thus, Raekwon was drafted this high due to projection/potential, but if Nick Saban can't get the best out of you, who can? With strong work ethic, high motor, etc. being a staple of Flores' guys, this seems to be the one possible outlier. Aside from Tua, Raekwon will be the player I keep tabs on the most, assuming that there is an actual camp/season.
Other thoughts:
1. This seems to be a "foundation" draft for the Dolphins. BPA (always preferred), determined by MIA's specific draft criterion. The toys-for-Tua draft may come next year, following such a defensive focus this off-season.
2. It's always great to have extra draft picks. One thing BB always does is trade down and trade out of drafts in the later rounds, to accumulate more ammo the following year. It ensures that he always has extra to play with. It'll be interesting to see if the Dolphins behave similarly today.
3. Robert Hunt's moving inside to guard, right? If so, he seems like a plug-and-play Shaq Mason type.
Edit:
In case some of you haven't heard Hunt's story: