Jake Matthews is an incredible NFL prospect that is slated by many draft analysts to be selected early in this year's draft. While not an elite athlete, he is quick off the snap and uses his long and strong arms to control his opponents when pass blocking. What makes him stand out from the crowd is that he's also a terrific run blocker, making him a perfect candidate to learn his trade at right tackle early on in his career.
But how can a ‘can't miss prospect' end up with the Miami Dolphins? Surely a player of his caliber is destined to be picked within the top 5 picks of the NFL draft?
The answer: this coming draft is incredibly deep. Offensive line, quarterback, defensive line, safety; everywhere you look there are quality players available. Quarterback is an especially important position where at least three quarterbacks should be selected in the top 10.
Unfortunately for Matthews, because of the talent available, playmakers that perhaps aren't as talented as the right tackle, will be selected before him come draft day. The result, of course, is that Jake Matthews may slide.
In fact, many mock drafts have Matthews projected to go as low as 12 to the New York Giants. If that happens, Miami must consider moving up in the draft to select the Texas A&M product.
Here are a few reasons why:
1. Teams have recently been selecting tackles and playing them at right tackle early in their career. Two examples of this from the 2013 NFL Draft are Eric Fisher (selected number one overall by the Kansas City Chiefs) and Luke Joeckel (selected number two overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars). Teams are not afraid of using high draft picks on players that will initially play right tackle. Every franchise needs to make sure their quarterback stays on his feet. This is absolutely imperative to succeed in a pass-first league.
2. The draft is absolutely stacked with talent. For this reason, teams may choose to move down in the draft in order to accumulate additional draft picks. It's not out of the question that Miami could package their 1st and 2nd round picks in order to move up in the draft and select Jake Matthews, especially considering last year's fiasco on the offensive line.
3. Branden Albert is a quality left tackle. However, he's also had his fair share of injuries that have kept him seen him miss games. During 6 seasons with Kansas City, Albert only had one season where he participated in every single regular season game. The Dolphins need a player to step in for Albert if (or when) he gets injured.
Of course Matthews may be out of Miami's reach and selected way before this article suggests. However should Matthews slide, as has recently been projected by draft analysts, the Dolphins should jump at the chance to sign him.
The son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, Jake Matthews is a plug-and-play type of guy that can start on Miami's offensive line for the next decade.
Sounds good? Lets sign him up.