Miami Dolphins: Front office deserves a break after good 2018 NFL Draft
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is unhappy with the way the front office handled the draft but his anger is a bit misdirected based on their draft picks
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross expressed his disappointment with the Miami Dolphins front office after the 2018 NFL Draft.
The disappointment from Ross is a bit shocking because he isn’t one these meddling owners. Instead he’s done his best to shell out the funds to insure the Fins are successful, unfortunately his efforts hasn’t wielded results.
Ross likely has had enough, and according to multiple sources, Ross wanted his team to trade back instead of taking Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, according to a Miami Herald report:
"“Stephen Ross stepped in and implored his team to trade back, both to acquire more picks and save money on the first-rounder.”"
The need and want for more draft picks isn’t a bad thing. After all, the Dolphins are a team stuck in football purgatory, the definition of mediocrity. They haven’t been good enough to pick near the bottom of the draft, nor have they been bad enough to pick in the top five over the past few seasons. When you look around the league, teams have been stock piling picks.
In his own division he sat back and watched as the New England Patriots repeat history by getting multiple first round picks and allowing themselves an opportunity to hit on some major talent. The Buffalo Bills, were another team who was able to get multiple picks, including two in the first round, as they continue to push forward to the future with the quarterback they coveted while Ross’ Dolphins stayed put. Still, Ross should give the front office a break with the draft they were able to have, and here’s why.
The 2018 NFL Draft class could turn out to be fantastic for the Dolphins. For starters, they may have filled multiple positions with just one pick in Fitzpatrick. One of the weak spots on Miami’s squad came in the secondary at safety and at nickel corner. They have a box guy in Reshad Jones, but they needed a player with more range in coverage than the guys they currently had on the roster like T.J. McDonald.
Miami has two developing cornerbacks with Xavien Howard and Cordrea Tankersley and a guy in Tony Lippett who’s returning from injury. What Fitzpatrick does is adds depth to the cornerback spot because he can play the nickel and, of course, gives the Fins a true free safety. There were talks that the Fins would move McDonald to outside linebacker, but head coach Adam Gase that it wasn’t happening (per the Miami Sun-Sentinel):
"“T.J. is playing safety. And if we make adjustments we make adjustments,” said Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. “He’s not moving to linebacker.”"
Additionally on defense, the Fins added linebacker Jerome Baker. Baker comes into a situation where he’ll be expected to play one of the two outside backer positions and bring more speed to the defense. While his Ohio State teammate, Raekwon McMillan, may play either the middle or SAM linebacker position. The duo should give the Fins the type of coverage they desperately missed last seasons as the team struggled to cover tight ends.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Fins addd two players who will bring a specific skill set in tight end Mike Gesicki and running back Kalen Ballage. Gesicki is the type of tight end Gase has used in offense in the past, a super athletic guy who can stretch the field and make plays in the red zone. Ballage adds depth to a backfield with the slashing Kenyan Drake and veteran Frank Gore. Ballage is a big, powerful back who isn’t limited to just inside power runs and could be to the Fins what Jay Ajayi was in Gase’s first season.
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To rely on rookies says a lot about where a team is and it’s not always a good thing. Thanks to Ross’ comments, the Fins have no choice to but to plug and play their rookies. Luckily the front office picked some guys who can help out right away. Rookies played a huge part in how the Saints were able to find success last year. Then again, the front office could be wrong and none of the rookies will be ready to contribute early. Like Ross said, “you never with this stuff.”