Ryan Tannehill
If quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the eighth overall pick, can develop behind Matt Moore and David Garrard, there may not be any more “hard knocks” in Miami’s future. If Tannehill is a bust, the remainder of the draft on the surface is very solid. Second round pick Jonathan Martin should start at right tackle. The first of two third round selections, Olivier Vernon, is a developing pass rusher. Michael Egnew, the second third round pick was a star as a junior when he had an NFL quarterback throwing to him. Explosive Lamar Miller may prove to be the best 4th round selection in this draft. Right on down the line, Jeff Ireland and his staff made some good value picks to continue the ongoing rebuilding process. Ryan Tannehill threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to sixth round pick BJ Cunningham in his first OTA practice. However, he also showed inexperience and has tossed more than one interception. He has a tendency to stare down receivers between the hashes and forces the ball into coverage. Improvement is needed in his accuracy, “feel” for the position, decision making, game management, and overall consistency. A good backup, he may start with developmental time. Jonathan Martin has been unable to practice because of an NFL rule that keeps underclassmen off the field until their class graduates. Smart and competitive, he needs to get stronger. He has a wide body and has good short area quickness. He plays well on his feet and understands blocking angles. Talented enough to be a first year starter at right tackle, he shows good change of direction and plays with good knee bend. Olivier Vernon projects to play right defensive end where he feels the most comfortable. After just picking up the game in high school, he started only 16 games at Miami and is still raw. In addition he was suspended for six games last season for impermissible benefits. A good athlete, he has an explosive first step. He has quick reactions, feels pressure on the move, and possesses long arms and strong hands. Michael Egnew is a big target who is deadly catching the ball in the seams of a defense. He can take a hit and has good concentration to reach and extend for the ball. He lines up at all receiving positions and in the backfield. His length, long arms, and leaping ability make him a unique weapon and opponents find it tough to match up to him in the red zone. He is athletic and determined after catch. Lamar Miller is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in 2011, but he impressed the coaching staff with his athleticism and receiving ability. His explosive speed was impressive even though he was in shorts. A one year starter, he is experienced in a pro style offense where he was the featured ball carrier. He has good body lean, vision, and running instincts. He is patient to let the play develop. Work is needed on pass protection and route running. Josh Kaddu’s class hasn’t graduated and, like Martin, he has not been on the field. An athletic linebacker, he projects to the weakside in a 4-3 scheme. Active and fluid in his play, he doesn’t stay blocked and is sudden to disengage and shed. A run and hit linebacker, he will be an asset on all special teams’ coverage units. He works to finish long and short pursuit but needs to get more functional strength at the point of attack. BJ Cunningham flashed the ability in OTAs that made him the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. A physical receiver, he can play all the receiver positions. He has good focus and concentration. A good route runner, he has good field awareness. Quicker than fast, he is a tough and competitive addition to the receiving corps. Kheeston Randall is projected to rotate between defensive end and defensive tackle. He has the tools to play any position on the defensive front. He has the size and strength to absorb blocks and keep the linebackers clean. Not explosive, but he is not easy to move. He is a two-down run player. Rishard Matthews may be the steal of the Dolphins’ draft if he can catch the ball more consistently in practice. Built like a running back, he is tough and can step out of a tackle. He has good run after catch ability and is good in space showing skills as a punt returner. Matthews has the size and grit to compete for the ball inside the hash marks as well as possessing good foot and body control. GRADE: AVERAGE.
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