Miami Dolphins Forecast
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Miami Dolphins (9-7)
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(16) Chad Jackson, WR. Florida
(82) Pat Watkins, S. Florida State
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Regardless of how well the Dolphins draft, they are already a better team then they were at the end of last year. Their second round pick is gone, but in return they received one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL: Daunte Culpepper. Considering John Abraham (amazing in his own right at DE) went for a first-rounder, the Dolphins got a steal. Offensively, the team would love to add a receiver to compliment the dynamic Chris Chambers. On the defensive side of the ball, the safety spot is the most glaring weakness. Travares Tillman and Deke Cooper are the slated starters. Needless to say, an upgrade would help a lot. The other need on the defense is at outside linebacker. Junior Seau is gone and his replacement, Sedrick Hodge, is nothing impressive. At the very least, some depth at the position would make a lot of sense.
(16) Chad Jackson, WR. Florida
Nick Saban had such an amazing time during his tenure with LSU that he is in love with the SEC and it's prospects. Chad Jackson, an SEC standout, would be a no-brainer for the Dolphins if he managed to fall past the Broncos and the Eagles. Jackson is slightly unpolished in his route-running, but he is a team leader that has all the measureables. His 6'1"/213 size is very good, and his 4.32 speed is truly elite. He has very reliable hands and has shown himself to be productive both in the vertical passing game and in the Urban Meyer horizontal passing game. Ultimately, Chad Jackson will have time to foster his skills behind Marty Booker and Chris Chambers, and when he cracks the starting lineup, the sky is the limit.
(82) Pat Watkins, S. Florida State
The Dolphins could stand an upgrade over Deke Cooper at safety. Pat Watkins is the future of safeties at 6'5"/211. He is an incredible athlete, clocking in at 4.42. He is a leader on the field who seems to find the ball with ease. He supports the run as effectively as he goes up to break up would be completions downfield. Watkins needs to add weight to become NFL-ready, but he has everything necessary to revolutionize the safety position. He has more upside than any safety prospect in draft history. Watkins might have been better served to stay for his senior season at Florida State, so he presents a project case to whomever drafts him. Nevertheless, he would be an ideal option to develop into a dominant future member of the Dolphins' secondary.
(*) Jason Allen, S. Tennessee
If Chad Jackson is off the board by pick sixteen, expect Saban to stay in the SEC, but fill his need at safety instead of wide receiver. Jason Allen is a very interesting prospect. He has only recently come back to near-full strength from hip surgery. Until a recent medical evaluation that said he possessed 100% mobility and 85% strength in his hip, teams were hesitant to invest more than a second round pick. Without the injury, Allen would be competing with Michael Huff for the #1 DB in the draft class. Saban will certainly remember how disruptive Allen was when he was at full strength. At 6'1"/209, Allen has good size. His 4.39 speed and fluid hips allow him to split out wide and cover virtually any receiver in the game. He is the type of playmaker that does not come around often.
Miami Dolphins (9-7)
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(16) Chad Jackson, WR. Florida
(82) Pat Watkins, S. Florida State
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Regardless of how well the Dolphins draft, they are already a better team then they were at the end of last year. Their second round pick is gone, but in return they received one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL: Daunte Culpepper. Considering John Abraham (amazing in his own right at DE) went for a first-rounder, the Dolphins got a steal. Offensively, the team would love to add a receiver to compliment the dynamic Chris Chambers. On the defensive side of the ball, the safety spot is the most glaring weakness. Travares Tillman and Deke Cooper are the slated starters. Needless to say, an upgrade would help a lot. The other need on the defense is at outside linebacker. Junior Seau is gone and his replacement, Sedrick Hodge, is nothing impressive. At the very least, some depth at the position would make a lot of sense.
Chad Jackson is the perfect playmaker to compliment
the abilities of Chris Chambers at recevier
(16) Chad Jackson, WR. Florida
Nick Saban had such an amazing time during his tenure with LSU that he is in love with the SEC and it's prospects. Chad Jackson, an SEC standout, would be a no-brainer for the Dolphins if he managed to fall past the Broncos and the Eagles. Jackson is slightly unpolished in his route-running, but he is a team leader that has all the measureables. His 6'1"/213 size is very good, and his 4.32 speed is truly elite. He has very reliable hands and has shown himself to be productive both in the vertical passing game and in the Urban Meyer horizontal passing game. Ultimately, Chad Jackson will have time to foster his skills behind Marty Booker and Chris Chambers, and when he cracks the starting lineup, the sky is the limit.
Pat Watkins looks like Phil Ivey. With the proper
development, he could become just as dominant as a safety
(82) Pat Watkins, S. Florida State
The Dolphins could stand an upgrade over Deke Cooper at safety. Pat Watkins is the future of safeties at 6'5"/211. He is an incredible athlete, clocking in at 4.42. He is a leader on the field who seems to find the ball with ease. He supports the run as effectively as he goes up to break up would be completions downfield. Watkins needs to add weight to become NFL-ready, but he has everything necessary to revolutionize the safety position. He has more upside than any safety prospect in draft history. Watkins might have been better served to stay for his senior season at Florida State, so he presents a project case to whomever drafts him. Nevertheless, he would be an ideal option to develop into a dominant future member of the Dolphins' secondary.
(*) Jason Allen, S. Tennessee
If Chad Jackson is off the board by pick sixteen, expect Saban to stay in the SEC, but fill his need at safety instead of wide receiver. Jason Allen is a very interesting prospect. He has only recently come back to near-full strength from hip surgery. Until a recent medical evaluation that said he possessed 100% mobility and 85% strength in his hip, teams were hesitant to invest more than a second round pick. Without the injury, Allen would be competing with Michael Huff for the #1 DB in the draft class. Saban will certainly remember how disruptive Allen was when he was at full strength. At 6'1"/209, Allen has good size. His 4.39 speed and fluid hips allow him to split out wide and cover virtually any receiver in the game. He is the type of playmaker that does not come around often.