MDBW 2005 Draft Tracker

Nick Saban has completed his first draft as Dolphins Head Coach. Althought he drafted four defensive players and only two offensive players when offense has been clearly the need, the draft was very solid. Getting Channing Crowder from Florida in the third round and Kevin Vickerson from Michigan State in the seventh round could be considered great steals. He did draft one of his own players from Louisiana State in the fourth round. Travis Daniels, a cornerback, certainly won't be a possible replacement for Surtain, but will add to the depth at the position and will help in special teams.

Now, as for his first pick with the number two over all pick in the draft, Saban took one of the best players in the draft and one that could immediately fill one of the Dolphins most pressing needs in Ronnie Brown. Brown not only is a solid, fast, and hard runner, but he is an exceptional receiver as well. He could be compared to the likes of Marshall Faulk, but more physical. After the 49ers took Alex Smith with the first over all pick, as expected, Brown was a clear cut choice for the Dolphins with the next pick.

Ronnie Brown

BIO: All-Conference selection as a senior after totaling 153/913/8 on the ground and adding 34/313/1 as a pass catcher. Posted career rushing numbers as a sophomore of 175/1,008/13. Used in the starting lineup at running back and fullback.

POSITIVES: Well-built ballcarrier with outstanding size/speed numbers. Patient, waits for blocks to develop. Quick getting to top speed. Gets a good amount of momentum going, puts his shoulders down and falls forward. Displays excellent vision and first-step quickness. Immediately finds the hole and possesses good intangibles. Follows blocks at the line of scrimmage or down the field. Excellent awareness in all aspects of his game. Barrels over defenders between the tackles, yet also displays the speed to get outside around the corner. Easily breaks the first tackle and picks up plenty of yardage off initial contact. Solid footwork for a big ballcarrier. Possesses a burst through the hole, skill running in the open field and always a threat to break the long run. Delivers crushing blows as a lead blocker and turns opponents from the action. Consistently improved as a pass receiver. Makes himself the hot receiver on blitzes to help the quarterback.

NEGATIVES: Indecisive blocking and tentative at times. Not a quick-footed, elusive runner who creates if nothing is available.

ANALYSIS: A competitive back with outstanding physical skills, Brown proved himself to be a 'do-it-all' ball handler in '04. Not just a powerful ballcarrier who runs over opponents, Brown displays outstanding running-back intangibles and field vision. Improved every facet of his game last season, especially his blocking and pass catching and as a result will be an early first-round pick.

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Matt Roth

BIO: Former linebacker who totaled 49/15/8 as a senior. All-Conference choice the past two years.

POSITIVES: Intense and tenacious defender who plays with a great motor. Explodes off the snap with a great first step, plays with excellent leverage and works his hands to stay off blocks. Displays top body control, quickly changes direction or alters his angle of attack. Holds his ground against bigger linemen and rarely off his feet. Displays good footwork getting through the trash laterally, and possesses excellent range for a defensive lineman. Makes plays in pursuit and consistently flying around the action.

NEGATIVES: At times easily ridden from his angle of attack by bigger linemen. Does not always play under control, over-pursues the action and takes himself out of the play.

ANALYSIS: A fiery prospect who plays with a warrior.s mentality, Roth.s game is characterized by great intellect and tenacity. An excellent pass rusher who makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage, he is also effective against the run and in time should develop into a complete defensive lineman on the right side.

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Channing Crowder

BIO: Two-year starter and All-Conference selection last season after posting 73/9/2 in nine games. SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2003 after totaling 106/5/2.

POSITIVES: Physical, aggressive linebacker with a variety of skills. Excellent run defender and a technique tackler who gets through blocks on his way to the action. Runs with speed laterally and easily brings down opposing ballcarriers on initial contact. Forceful up the field, yet displays a good change of direction with the ability to diagnose the action. Disciplined in pass-cover assignments, gets depth on drops and solid in zone. Takes good angles to the play and does more than mindlessly rush up the field. Explosive filling gaps in run defense and easily gets off blocks at the point. Solid footwork moving in any direction of the field.

NEGATIVES: Prone to lapses in concentration and considered a loose cannon of sorts.

ANALYSIS: A defensive force that can be used in a variety of ways, Crowder makes his presence felt on the field. Besides a game-impacting linebacker, he has also been an outstanding special teams player at Florida. Needs to physically mature and remain focused on the field to have a productive career in the NFL.

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Travis Daniels

BIO: Moved in with the first unit as a junior and has started 26 consecutive games. Posted 48/0/9 as a senior after a career-high 58 tackles and two interceptions the prior campaign.

POSITIVES: Well-built cornerback who can be used in press or zone coverage. Fluid turning his hips off the line, physical throughout the action and uses his frame to box opponents from the play. Reads the receivers eyes, quickly breaks on the pass and quick getting a hand in to deflect the throw. Comes up the field to support the run and likes to mix it up. Displays good hands for the pick.

NEGATIVES: Late reactor who freely lets opponents release from the line of scrimmage and immediately loses a half a step off the snap. Not decisive, quick out of his backpedal and hesitant when the ball is in the air. Does more hitting than actual wrap up tackling.

ANALYSIS: A cornerback prospect with excellent physical skills, Daniels must fine-tune the rough edges of his game to meet the expectations scouts have of him. Has experience at safety and could eventually develop into a center fielder at the next level.

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Anthony Alabi

BIO: Three-year starter at left tackle who.s been an All-Conference selection the past two years.

POSITIVES: Nice-sized offensive tackle with outstanding mechanics and intangibles. Effectively uses blocking angles, keeps his feet moving in pass protection and plays with leverage. Patient, anchors at the point and seals defenders from the play. Quickly gets his hands into opponents and displays strength at the point of attack. Immediately picks up blitzes thrown by the defense and works well with teammates. Nasty and looks to take out several opponents during a single snap. Quick out to the second level and removes linebackers from the play.

NEGATIVES: Lacks adjustment, struggles stopping defenders to the inside and has difficulty with speed rushers. Does not finish blocks.

ANALYSIS: A lineman who plays better than he works out, Alabi is an underrated blocker with the ability to be used at several positions. May never turn into a starting blocker in the NFL yet could be a valuable reserve lineman.

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Kevin Vickerson

BIO: Hard-working tackle who has shown tremendous progress the past two seasons. Explosive off the snap with a very nice first step. Strong, gets push up the field and collapses the pocket. Displays a terrific burst of closing speed and jolt at the point. Throws blockers aside or holds his ground against blocks. Solid athlete.

POSITIVES: An underrated prospect, Vickerson is an ever-improving player with a high upside. A solid one-gap run stuffer at the next level, he is a good fit in a one-gap scheme.

NEGATIVES: Gets upright, does not play with leverage and lets opponents underneath him. Best straight ahead and has difficulty moving laterally. A bit stiff and has trouble redirecting.

ANALYSIS: Moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore. Posted 42/7.2/2.5 last season after 18/6/2 as a junior.

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