Apr
29
It’s no secret that Miami needs help with their offensive line.
I expect the Dolphins to use one of their first two picks on a lineman, whether it’s a player that played tackle in college and can move to guard in the pros or a natural guard.
Because of that, guards and tackles are grouped into one, and I’ll be focusing on players that fit either of those molds.
1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Brandon Scherff is considered one of the safest prospects in the draft by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, and for very good reason.
No one will doubt his toughness, as he suffered a knee injury back in September, had surgery, then came back.
This happened in the span of a week.
Scherff is a powerful run-blocker who does have issues with pass protection, but said issues are correctable.
2. La’el Collins, LSU
Just 24 hours ago, I was sure Collins was on the Dolphins board, even choosing him in the Bleacher Report community mock draft after all of the receivers were gone.
Since then, there has been some controversy surrounding Collins due to the murder of his ex-girlfriend and the detectives on the case wanting to question Collins. However, it should be noted that the police do not consider Collins to be a suspect in the case (per WAFB-TV, Baton Rouge).
On the field, the 6’4″, 305-pound Collins is looked at as a very solid pick due to his superb run-blocking ability and his size and athleticism. The fact that he can play both guard and tackle is also a plus, as what he has shown to be the best at is finishing on blocks and getting into the second level.
His pass-blocking abilities aren’t up to par with his run-blocking abilities yet, but that should be fixed once he’s in the pros.
3. Ereck Flowers, Miami
I haven’t been too much of a fan of Ereck Flowers for the Dolphins.
The reason for that is I don’t see him projecting as a guard, and while most linemen in this draft could use help on pass protection, Flowers could be a major liability in pass protection in his first couple of years in the NFL.
He does have the size and talent, though, coming in at 6’6″, 320 pounds, and he’s an absolute mauler when it comes to run-blocking.
Flowers should not be a first-round pick, for there are too many holes in his game, but due to the dearth of offensive line talent at the top of the draft, an offensive line-needy team will snatch him up.
The Dolphins should not fall into this trap with Flowers, not at 14 or anywhere in the first round.
4. Ali Marpet, Hobart
Ali Marpet is an intriguing small-school player, and based off of last year’s draft, you know he has Dennis Hickey’s attention.
Marpet stands at 6’4″, 307 pounds and has tremendous athleticism, running a 40-yard dash in 4.98 seconds while completing a three-cone drill in 7.33 seconds at February’s NFL combine. Marpet performed well at the Senior Bowl, at times frustrating star Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton while playing guard despite spending most of his time at tackle in college.
Marpet in the second or third round (if they trade into the round) would be an excellent pickup for the Dolphins. He’s still a little green, but he has a lot of upside.
5. Laken Tomlinson, Duke
On the other end of the upside coin is Duke’s Laken Tomlinson.
Tomlinson is a top guard prospect, a four-year starter and All-American, but he wouldn’t be such a great fit for the Dolphins.
Miami is more of a zone-blocking scheme, while Tomlinson likes to overpower players. When we have seen this mismatch of skill-level and scheme before, it hasn’t turned out too well (think Richie Incognito, who struggled in the first half of 2013 prior to the incident that shall not be named, but will be a great fit in the Buffalo Bills‘ power-blocking scheme this season).
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