The Miami Dolphins have a pressing need at left tackle, thankfully this is one of the deepest offensive linemen draft classes in a long time, also free agency kicks off March 11th, 2014. There will be a list of left tackles available that if Miami can sign one of them would alleviate the need to draft a left tackle with the number 19th pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The Two big names that head the list are;
Branden Albert who just finished the season with the Kansas City Chiefs is looking for a multi-year deal. Branden Albert stands at 6'5 316 lbs, turns thirty this season, started 83 of 96 total regular season games, is a former first round pick out of the University of Virginia and has been one of the best left tackles in the NFL, one concern is the injuries that he has sustained through his career.
Eugene Monroe is the other top left tackle at twenty six years old 6'5 309 lbs who was traded from the Jaguars to the Ravens last season. He is a former first round top ten pick and as of right now is nowhere near a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
In my opinion if the Miami Dolphins can sign either of those two left tackles, then the organization can address different needs and one of those big needs is guard. There are three names that come to mind that could possibly be available at pick number nineteen in the upcoming NFL draft.
Zack Martin (Notre Dame) 6'4 308 lbs played left tackle in college, but just about every NFL scout agrees that if he were to move inside could become a special player. Zack Martin has balance, strong hands, good feet and great versatility.
David Yankey (Stanford) 6'5 313 lbs, finishes blocks, plays with a mean streak, keeps his pads level which in turn allows him to be a wall in pass protection, is aggressive in the run game, good footwork and has good explosion off the ball.
Xavier Su'a-Filo (UCLA) 6'4 307 lbs, known to be a nasty blocker with power in the run game, has agility in pass protection, can play in any blocking scheme, athletic enough to pull and block on screen plays and is very quick off the ball. Some scouts have him ranked as the number two guard on the board, I have him rated as a solid second rounder possibly can sneak in the late first round.
If the Dolphins decide to wait on guard, then i think the next logical position pick would have to be a big bodied wide receiver, especially with the Miami Dolphins already having speed at the position with players like Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline. There are a couple of guys in this draft that fit the description and could possibly be available;
Mike Evans (Texas A&M) 6'5 231 lbs he ran the forty yard dash in 4.53, has a big frame, usually wins on jump balls, big red zone target, extremely physical can handle press coverage, good blocker & had a solid showing at the NFL combine.
Kelvin Benjamin (FSU) 6'5 240 lbs he ran the forty yard dash in 4.53, very physical not easily knocked off routes, outstanding at out jumping an opponent for the ball, strong hands, uses body size to shield away defenders, big end zone target, does lack elite speed, but overall has strength, length and the best part has room to grow into a potential number one wide receiver.
A Third possibility could be safety, especially if Chris Clemons is not resigned, there are a few names that would fit our defensive scheme;
Ahmad Dixon (Baylor) 6'0 205 lbs, known to be physical, tackles well and intimidates wide receivers from crossing the middle of the field.
Deone Buchannon (Washington St.) 6'1 216 lbs, likes to step up be a hitter, controls middle of the field and is known to be a physical presence.
Terrence Brooks (FSU) 5'11 198 lbs ran the forty yard dash in 4.41, extremely rangy covers well down field, especially while in zone coverage. Strong closing speed, likes to jump routes, limits big plays by reading plays, maintains gap assignment, sheds blocks very well, but does need to work on holding onto the ball better.
These are scenarios that I believe can occur if and when we sign a left tackle before the NFL draft, but if we do not jump on one of those big name left tackles then I believe we have to take a left tackle with the 19th pick in the NFL draft.
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