FanPost

Dolphins Offseason/Draft Strategy: Article 6 -- WR's in this year's draft

I am in offseason mode (literally, as I am a high school coach) already (as the Dolphins are again in early January). So I thought it is my usual time to pretend my thoughts matter to Miami and have decided to step back and look at what we do with our team this offseason.

My plan is to do 10-12 articles about the draft and free agency. I wanted to give some insight into how I would (and I hope Tannenbaum will) approach this years’ offseason. I am working backward, as I think we need to know what we can land in the draft to know what we need to: sign, re-sign or cut this offseason.

This article will focus on WR’s in the NFL Draft. Before we get into the prospects, let me say that I went in with the focus I think Miami will have. Which means they should be looking WR if, AND ONLY IF, the WR is the Best Player Available at the slot they are picking in rounds 4 and later.

I am of the opinion that we will cut Jennings and am 50/50 at best on Matthews. I actually am not a Hazel fan. But even if all that pans out this offseason, I see us with 3 very solid WR’s. We are not in "need" of WR’s, but I think that is a position you always keep an eye out for if you think you can draft talent.

So my guys I will be talking about in the draft are guys that potentially will be available in rounds 4-7. Some may ascent up the boards due to workouts, etc… But these are guys I watch in the draft and if they fall to me, I consider scooping them up.

Braxton Miller (OSU): I have a few on my "man-crush" list, and this guy is at the top of the board. I think he is a PLAYMAKER that can do about anything a team needs. Worst case, I see a return star and #3 WR. But best case, this guy could be special in the NFL. At 6’2, 215 and close or under a 4.4, he was one of the best athletes in college football the last 3 seasons.

Malcom Mitchell (UGA): More of the "Pro-style" Wr than Miller. If not for injuries (torn ACL one season), this guy would be very high on the draft-board of most teams. Suffering from mediocre QB play also hurt him at UGA. I like this guy alot, in the 5th-6th round as the low-risk, high-reward play could turn big.

De’Runya Wilson (MSU): Freak athlete, with great size to boot. He is a guy that has potential to be a great "jump-ball" guy. Very much in the Devante Parker range as far as athletic ability, but ever more raw. I like him alot if he falls to round 4.

Devon Caujuste (Stan): If you like big possession receivers he would be a big target. I also listed him with TE’s that I like as I see him becoming a hybrid TE/WR type player. I think he is more athletic than most give him credit for and he is faster on the field than on a stopwatch for sure. The even better thing about him is that I see him sliding into rounds 6-7 so very low-risk, high reward for a guy that I think is going to continue to fly under the radar.

If you can tell by my candidates for Miami, I really looked for guys I felt would be better pro’s than they were in college (as far as numbers), but each has proven they are very good football players. If you believe in Gase (not sure where I stand yet), then I see guys like Braxton Miller, Devon Caujuste having great value to our team, where more "traditional" coaches (like Philbin) would have no idea how to maximize their potential. What scares me most is if a team like NE gets Braxton Miller as they seem to know how to get the most from their players.


Let me know in comments guys you like in rounds 4-7... I plan to finish up the offensive side of the draft in the next two articles with interior OL and one on OT's. Then I will look at free agents we have (or may not have) and guys that are (or could be) on the market. My goal is that after those articles we can see what all our options would be and give an idea about what a GM faces when looking at free agency and the draft.


This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Phinsider's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of The Phinsider writers or editors.