The top 5 offensive line prospect for the Miami Dolphins to consider beyond Day 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft
Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins have three main problem areas: the offensive line, the linebacker corps, and defensive backs—primarily the safety position. The team has done a lot in the NFL's free agency period to address each position of need, but they will need to supplement those pieces in the draft if the team wants to build on their success from last season.
This free agency period has seen the Dolphins offensive line go through a bit of upheaval, with several pieces added to help bolster the unit. For the first time in several years, the Dolphins offensive line wasn't terrible. They were far from great, but it was a marked improvement. Now, there is once again a level of uncertainty within the unit.
In early March, starting left tackle Branden Albert was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a pair of trades that ended in the acquisition of tight end Julius Thomas. With Albert gone, the team slides 2016 first-round pick Laremy Tunsil outside from his guard spot, leaving a hole where he was. On the other side of the line, Jermon Bushrod re-signed with the team, providing a bit of stability at the guard spot. But is that a good sign?
Bushrod was one of the worst guards in all of football last season according to Pro Football Focus' player grades. It was his first year at the position, so the thought is that he will get better with more experience. But Bushrod is already a seasoned veteran in the league. Is his performance last season simply who he is? Is that the best he has to offer?
Regardless of whether Bushrod improves, it's clear the Dolphins need to draft someone to supplement the talent on the roster. Fans aren't going to be content with Bushrod, Anthony Steen, Ted Larsen, and Kraig Urbik at the position. I think it's clear that the Dolphins aren't going to spend a Day 1 pick on the position, so let's take a look at the top 5 guys who can be had in days 2 and 3.
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1. Ethan Pocic, C – LSU
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Miami Dolphins are heading into a season with relatively few questions at the tackle position. Starting right tackle Ja'Wuan James has blossomed into a solid NFL-caliber starter. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil was thought to have All-Pro potential at the position during the 2016 NFL Draft. They are good there.
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The Dolphins are in need at the guard spot, something I've mentioned already. But that's not where I'm going to start. I'd like to start with the elephant in the room, the one that no one seems to want to address.
We all know that, when healthy, Mike Pouncey has been a dominant center in this league. But that's been a huge caveat lately, unfortunately. Pouncey missed a large portion of last season with a recurrence of a hip injury suffered the previous season. In fact, Pouncey has been dealing with various injuries the majority of his time in a Dolphins uniform. It's time to start thinking about his replacement.
The best option for replacing Pouncey with the 2017 NFL Draft is former LSU lineman Ethan Pocic. Pocic was a "do everything" type during his days in Baton Rouge, getting game time at tackle, guard, and center. In the NFL, he projects best at the center position and is the type of guy Miami would love.
He plays with a grit and determination you love to see from your offensive linemen. Pocic is quick off the ball and uses his hands very well to get leverage on the defenders. He's an athletic lineman who is adept at getting to the next level and attacking a linebacker. He's not a great zone blocking fit, but should work well in Miami's power running scheme with Jay Ajayi.
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2. Taylor Moton, OT/G – Western Michigan
Corey Davis stole the show during his career at Western Michigan, and rightly so. Davis is arguably the best wide receiver in the draft, and will almost certainly be a top-15 selection. But he's not the only prospect from Western Michigan who is going to hear their name called at some point during the 2017 NFL Draft.
Western Michigan came out of nowhere this season to become one of the top small programs in the nation. They achieved a top 15 ranking, and earned an invitation to the Cotton Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers. Pretty good for a school out of the MAC. A large part of their success is due to their offensive line being one of the best units in the entire country, a unit led by their monster right tackle, Taylor Moton.
Moton was playing out of position this season as a tackle. His more natural position, and the position he'll likely play in the NFL, is inside at guard. However, Moton held up nicely outside for the Mustangs this season. He's faced some elite competition over the course of the past two years, shutting down the likes of Dawuane Smoot and T.J. Watt.
Moton is going to be perfect for a power rushing attack. He's a beast at 6-5 and nearly 320 pounds. He's got power for days, and is dominant when he latches on to the defender in front of him. He's going to need some significant work with his balance and footwork to hold up at the NFL level in pass protection, but he has the talent to get there.
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3. Nico Siragusa, OG – Utah
Donnel Pumphrey, in spite of his small stature, set the NCAA career rushing yardage record this season. Over his career with the San Diego State Aztecs, the diminutive back rushed for an astonishing 6,405 yards. Pumphrey doesn't get those yards without some stellar blocking in front of him. The line blocking for him was led by 2017 NFL Draft prospect Nico Siragusa.
Siragusa continues the theme of massive, power-blocking interior linemen that would work wonders in the Miami Dolphins running game. At 6-4 and 319 pounds, Sirgusa has more than enough size and strength to man-handle opponents on the inside. After an impressive Combine performance that saw Siragusa among the top positional performers in most tests, he should easily land in the mid-round range.
Though limited in his skill-set, what Siragusa does well, he does very well. He's a monster on the inside of the line and will drive just about anyone out of the hole. He's not someone you're going to ask to pull around the line, and doesn't have great skills at the second level of a defense. Where Siragusa excels is at the initial point of attack. He's going to open a hole for your running back. Just don't ask him to do more than that.
Of all the options for Miami beyond the first round, Siragusa is my least-favorite choice. He's going to be limited in the NFL, and thanks to an impressive Combine performance, is likely going to be drafted a little higher than where he should be valued. That being said, he's going to be a very good power-running guard, something Miami needs.
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4. Jessamen Dunker, OG/T – Tennessee State
The 2017 NFL Draft is absolutely loaded with small-school talent. It's one of the best, if not the best classes I've ever seen for talent coming from the lesser-known schools. There's small-school talent up and down the board at every position, and the offensive line is no different. One of the most athletic men at the position this year is Tennessee State lineman Jessamen Dunker.
Athletically, Dunker is at the head of the 2017 offensive line class. There's not much he can't do on the football field. He's got good strength and power to be able to deal with the guys he's going to face on the inside of an NFL defensive line. He's also got the footwork and agility to hold up in pass protection, and can play either inside or outside at tackle.
That kind of versatility would do the Dolphins wonders, as there are some significant question marks about the depth on our line. Taking a step back from the questions at the guard position, who steps up if either Laremy Tunsil or Ju'Wuan James is lost to an injury? Dunker could not only challenge the current guards for a starting spot, he could be that guy to come in at tackle in a pinch.
What's going to drive Dunker down people's draft boards is not only the fact that he played his college ball at Tennessee State, but the circumstances around why he played there. Dunker started his college career at Florida, a much more fitting school for someone of Dunker's talent level. However, Dunker was arrested for grand theft during his redshirt freshman year and ended up transferring. If his off-the-field issues check out, though, he could be a steal in this draft.
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
5. Julie'n Davenport, OG/T – Bucknell
Continuing the theme of small-school talent, and the theme of massive power-blocking guards, is Bucknell's Julie'n Davenport. Unheralded coming out of high school, Davenport didn't have any offers from major schools. But has worked to become a likely Day 2 selection in this year's draft.
Thanks to the competition level Davenport faced at Bucknell, Davenport is still fairly raw as a prospect, but he's got the traits you look for. He's strong throughout, and uses his hands fairly well. Davenport dominated the competition for four years, earning all-conference accolades in each of his four seasons. He did everything you ask from a small-school kid.
Unlike most of the names on this list, Davenport is likely going to be a better pass blocker than he is a run blocker. He pulls very well for someone of his size, and has nice speed and agility when asked to pull or get out in space on screen plays. He's not refined in his run-blocking techniques and will likely struggle with the massive size difference he'll experience early in his NFL career.
No matter what direction the Dolphins decide to go in for the draft, it's undeniable that there is a ton of talent up and down the draft board. Whether they decide to draft an offensive lineman early, or hold off until the later rounds, the Miami Dolphins draft should produce a talented offensive lineman.
