DOLPHINS/BUCS 2016 Team Mocks

April 27, 2016

Overall the fan support these days for Florida’s pro football franchises is underwhelming. But then again it’s hard to blame fans for being generally disinterested when you realize how much losing goes on each year by their home teams. Let’s take a quick look this morning at 2 of the Florida franchises.

MIAMI DOLPHINS MOCK
It seems as though the team has gone through another revamp with new HC ADAM GASE and yet another roster purge. The team seems cursed with an owner who in his desire to make headlines doesn’t understand how to build a winning program. Here’s how I would draft if i had control over their 8 Picks.

Round 1, Pick 13 RONNIE STANLEY/OT/NOTRE DAME 6’6/312
Bringing in VFA to shore up their OL has not worked well in recent years. STANLEY is considered a sure thing with a nice combination of pass blocking skills and the size to dominate in the run game if he can develop a bit of a mean streak. Based on his college career this should be a safe pick with a chance to produce a starter right away. PP#13

Round 2, Pick 42 KENDALL FULLER/CB/VA TECH 5’11/187
Retooling their secondary seems like an annual effort. FULLER lost most of 2015 to injury, and if healthy this could be a real value pick. His brother KYLE has been a big hit with the BEARS and KENDALL is a superior athlete with good cover skills. PP#47

Round 3, Pick 73 NICK MARTIN/C/G/NOTRE DAME 6’4/299
Another Golden Domer who can start anywhere in the Interior OL. With recent injuries along the DOLPHINS OL he may get a real shot at winning a full time job right away. Not as athletic as his Pro Bowl brother ZACH in Dallas, but may have an even higher FBI. He’s a grinder who is a better player than an athlete. PP#72

Round 4, Pick 107 KEITH MARSHALL/RB/GEORGIA 5’11/219
Assuming he passed all his medicals at the Combine before he blazed a 4.31/40, he could be an instant fix for the loss of LAMAR MILLER. He’s a complete player with the speed to outrun even NFL defenses. Remember, he was ranked over TODD GURLEY, when they were frosh sensations together at UGA. PP#101

Round 5, Pick 147 KAVON FRAZIER/S/CENTRAL MICHIGAN 6’0/190
Another piece to rebuild the secondary, this time downfield. He’s a solid all-around player with cover skills and a nose for the ball. He’s also a willing tackler and might need to add 10 lbs or so to protect himself at the next level. Has starting potential long term. PP#149

Round 6, Pick 186 DADI NICHOLAS/ER/VIRGINIA TECH 6’3/235
Finding a permanent position for him may be difficult, but rushing the passer is his forte. He may be of help replacing OLIVIER VERNON in that regard. The local boy has been a sack machine for the Hokies and is the kind of guy blockers have to account for on every down. He’s a bit of a lean frame with little chance to bulk up. PP#183

Round 7, Pick 227 DANIEL BRAVERMAN/WR/WESTERN MICHIGAN 5’10/180
This little guy can flat out get open and catch the ball. Had over 100 catches last season. Reminds me a lot of COLE BEASLEY in Dallas. Might be a nice safety valve option in the DOLPHINS talented young receiver corps. PP#222

Round 7, Round 231 BEAU SANDLAND/TE/MONTANA STATE 6’5/253
Don’t let the Montana reference fool you. He started his career in Miami at the U. Still shows flashes of talent and potential. They may have to hide him on the Practice Squad for a season, but he has talent enough to become a second string TE IMO. PP#235

TAMPA BAY BUCS
Let’s move 200 miles up the highway and take a look at another team struggling to regain Play-off status. They got a big piece in that effort in JAMEIS WINSTON last year. Now it’s time to add pieces to the puzzle around WINSTON as he develops as a pro. Methinks the revised BUCS coaching staff will be more ready to plug and play younger guys as they develop.

Round 1, Pick 9 A’SHAWN ROBINSON/DT/ALABAMA 6’4/307
This young man looks even stouter than his size, and has been losing baby fat in the past year or two. He should make a nice compliment to GERALD McCOY/DT, one of the best BUCS and a solid team leader. He’ll rotate in their system, but should be a big help improving the D against the run. PP#9

Round 2, Pick 39 KARL JOSPEH/S/WEST VIRGINIA 5’10/205
Missed most of last season with injury, but is one of the best all-around S prospects around. In 4 games before his injury he had 5 INT last season. He’s from Orlando and will be a local fan favorite with a solid chance to gain a starting job by mid-season, if not sooner. PP#41

Round 3, Pick 74 LENTE’ CAROO/WR/RUTGERS 6’0/211
A team captain who fought injuries last season and still led his team in catches with 39 with a per catch average of over 20 yards. Had the lowest drop rate in the nation at 4%. The team needs another young WR since VINCENT JACKSON is nearing the end as a top flight catcher. Not a flat out speedster, but his 4.49/40 was in the top half of the Combine WR group this year. PP#78

Round 4, Pick 108 JERALD HAWKINS/OT/LSU 6’6/305
Nice, athletic OT who has a chance to replace a couple of long time career back-up talents at the RT spot. In fact, he could end up as being their starting LT in a couple of years. Needs to add some weight room strength and polish up on some blocking fundamentals, but this is a serious upgrade in talent for their depth chart. PP#107

Round 5, Pick 148 DOMINIQUE ALEXANDER/LB/OKLAHOMA 6’0/232
Not totally dissimilar to KWON from LSU, who they got last year. A very good athlete with lots of game time experience under his belt. Should upgrade Special Teams units and eventually find his way onto the field from scrimmage. PP#144

Round 6, Pick 183 GLENN GRONKOWSKI/FB/KANSAS STATE 6’2/239
Mini-Me Gronk, as I call him, can play multiple positions and boost Special Teams units right away. He would also represent an eventual replacement for JAVORSKIE LANE at FB. His versatility will be a big boost at the bottom end of their roster. PP#185

Round 7, Pick 197 ROMEO OKWARA/DE/NOTRE DAME 6’5/265
A talented athlete who has weight growth potential and some pass-rush skills. He could be a very interesting longer term option for the team. If he can add weight he might turn into a full-time player in a year or two. Long arms (34 1/8″) & large hands (10 1/8″) add to the long term excitement. Led Irish in sacks the past two seasons.

PIGSKIN