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The six questions series continues this afternoon with a look at the Miami Dolphins' second third-round pick, tight end Michael Egnew. To recap what these six questions are:
Basically, the Kansas City Chiefs ask themselves six questions about every draft prospect leading up to the draft. These questions come from Michael Holley's book "War Room," which followed three NFL executives, the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick, Atlanta Falcons' Thomas Dimitroff, and the Chiefs' Scott Pioli, as they prepared for the draft several years ago. We are using those six questions to look at the Dolphins' draft picks.
The questions, which are answered below, are:
What will this player's role be as a Chief? | Will the role change from year one to year two? | How many downs can he be expected to play? | Which current player on the roster will he beat out? | What's his value on special teams? | Does he have positional
Now, let's take a look at Egnew using these questions:
1 . What will this player's role be as a Dolphin? - Egnew will most likely be the first of the Dolphins' draft picks not expected to take over the starters role. But, that doesn't mean he won't get a lot of playing time. Currently, the Dolphins have Anthony Fasano as the starting tight end, who, with his solid pass catching capabilities, and his ability t o block as well, he should not get displaced by Egnew. However, Egnew does come in as the dynamic, pass catcher the Dolphins need out of the tight end role. Egnew will be on the field a lot, but on the depth chart, he'll probably still be listed as number two.
2. Will the role change from year one to year two? - It very easily could. Fasano isn't getting younger, and, if Egnew improves his blocking, he could displace Fasaon by 2013.
3. How many downs can he be expected to play? - Egnew will see the field in two tight end formations, and split out as a slot or wide receiver. He won't play every down, but he should see a good number of snaps.
4. Which current player on the roster will be beat out? - Egnew should come in as the number two tight end, ahead of Jeron Matrud, Will Yeatman, and Les Brown. He may actually take passes away from Charles Clay, who is listed as a fullback and tight end on the team's official website, but may shift to a more traditional fullback role if Egnew can play to his potential.
5. What's his value on special teams? - Egnew will bring a lot of value to special teams. His speed will help out in coverage, and he could see time trying to block punts as well.
6. Does he have positional versatility? - It depends on your definition of "positional" versatility. Egnew is a tight end, and that's about all you can expect from him. But, he is athletic enough to be a tight end split out into the slot or flanker positions. He will cause matchup problems wherever he lines up, with his size against defensive backs and his speed against linebackers. In the sense of lining him up in different areas, there is versatility there.