2019 NFL Draft: Worst pick for each AFC East team
Miami Dolphins: Andrew Van Ginkel (151st overall)
New Miami Dolphins edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel has the best name on the team. In picking him, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier had the right idea. Miami needed an edge rusher, but Van Ginkel just isn’t the right guy.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
As an edge rusher, Van Ginkel doesn’t possess the qualities the Dolphins need after losing Cameron Wake, William Hayes and trading away Robert Quinn. What Van Ginkel does is give the Dolphins a player who can drop into short zones with good length and anticipation. Unfortunately, he doesn’t offer much upside as a pass rusher, leaving the Dolphins without any reliable options on the edge to help out the struggling Charles Harris.
There was an edge rusher who flashed elite traits still available for the Fins. Oregon’s Justin Hollins (Broncos) is an edge player with traits similar to Shane Ray, who the Broncos tabbed in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Why Hollins? Well, he’s long with 33-inch arms on his 6-5, 246-pound frame. He also ran a 4.5 second 40 at the combine, bench pressed 25 reps of 225 pounds and posted a vertical of 36.5 inches. There isn’t a player on the Fins front seven with those athletic traits.
Moreover, like Van Ginkel, Hollins can drop into zone coverage as well. Unlike Van Ginkel, Hollins has a great get off and closing speed. When playing the run, he displayed great closing speed, meeting the back to the edge. Grier gets an A for effort. But this was a missed opportunity to get a guy with elite traits and major potential.