Dolphins building on Speed: Analyzing the Dolphins draft picks
Round 1, pick 9 (9 overall)
Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State University
His main attribute is his speed. He was clocked at running a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He is just a bit taller than 5-11 and weighs just under 180 pounds. His Olympic-type speed and big play ability in the return game and whenever he gets his hands on the ball are what makes him a first round pick. He will immediately give the Dolphins field position at an average of beyond the 30 yard line and more than fills the loss of Wes Welker. His size is a worry because he won’t easily get out of jams at the line of scrimmage and isn’t very physical. However, he tends to outrun cornerbacks rather than push them off like Steve Smith of Carolina.
Round 2, pick 8 (40 overall)
John Beck, QB, B.Y.U.
Beck was the top QB on the Dolphins draft board. He has excellent accuracy and the ability to deliver under pressure. He has adequate size for the quarterback position at about 6’2” and 215 pounds. His arm strength won’t be the best in the league, but it is better than the likes of Chad Pennington. In his senior season, he threw for 3,885 yards, 32 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions. His feet can hurt an opposing defense as well. He knows when to tuck the ball and run, rushing for 6 additional touchdowns in his senior year. He is an excellent leader with great timing. The B.Y.U. Cougars ran a sort of fun’n gun offense which inflated Beck’s stats a bit. He will have to adjust to the NFL, but if there is an equivalent offense in the big leagues it would be Cameron’s or former Dolphins offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan. He is 25 years old, so he is older than normal for a rookie, but makes up for it in his maturity and excellent decision making.
Round 2, pick 28 (60 overall)
Samson Satele, OC, Hawaii
One of the draft’s top center’s and even offensive lineman. He has experience at all three positions along the line (Tackle, Guard, and Center). The Dolphins will most likely use him as a guard. He is very strong, and has a fighter’s mentality, playing with a meanness ala Ray Lewis on defense. He isn’t that fast, but is very quick and has pretty good balance. He should be able to contribute to the Dolphins line immediately.
Round 3, pick 7 (71 overall)
Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida State University
The Dolphins needed to draft a running back at some point during the draft with the losses of Sammy Morris and Travis Minor this off-season and Ricky Williams’ status still up in the air. Booker is a very fast prospect being clocked at a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. This makes him very dangerous in the open field. He also has very good vision and will see a lane to run through, then burst through it. He can be used in third down situations as a catch receiving running back because of his exceptional hands. He never will be an every down back, but will contribute greatly on third downs and in the return game.
Round 4, pick 9 (108 overall)
Paul Soliai, DT, Utah
This guy is huge. He’s 6’4” and 344 pounds. He will definitely serve as a sizable backup to Keith Traylor which is much needed because of Traylor’s age and injury history. He is a run-stuffing bulky guy who can easily take on two blockers. He is still developing, having only played DT for two years. He transferred from a community college before attending Utah. He started there on the offensive line. He’s got great potential, and could be a huge gem if things go right for him.
Round 6, pick 7 (181 overall)
Reagan Mauia, FB, Hawaii
He is a very large fullback at 6’ and 351 pounds. He could possibly be converted to an offensive lineman with the Dolphins. However, he will most likely stay at fullback to backup recently signed Corey Schlesinger who is 34 years old. He is a converted nose tackle who is a bruising ball carrier in short yardage situations.
Round 6, pick 25 (199 overall)
Drew Mormino, OC, Central Michigan
He played all four years and is a team-leader. He is more of a depth pick, as he is not as strong as he should be and could bulk up a bit more, he’s 299 pounds at about 6’4”. He has excellent intangibles and could possibly work his way into a starting roll in the future.
Round 7, pick 9 (219 overall)
Kelvin Smith, ILB, Syracuse
A four year starter at Syracuse, he’s the nephew of Tennessee Titans linebacker, Keith Bullock. He is a hard hitter and sure tackler, but lacks speed which hurts him in pass coverage. He could be a great special teams player.
Round 7, pick 15 (225 overall)
Brandon Fields, P, Michigan State
Very accurate punter who can also kickoff. Punted and did kickoffs for Michigan State for four years. He has the tendency to kick the ball out of bounds on kickoffs and hold the ball too long on punts which leaves room for blocked kicks. However, any of his flaws can easily be corrected on the NFL level.
Round 7, pick 28 (238 overall)
Abraham Wright, DE, Colorado
He only weighs 242 pounds and needs to bulk up a lot to play DE in the NFL. He is too slow to play linebacker. He had 11.5 sacks in his senior season at Colorado, and is very quick. He knows how to get after the quarterback and has more skill than physical attributes.
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