Miami Dolphins 2020 NFL draft recap: beef and brawn predominate

By
Kai’Chien Chisholm
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Hey guys, we did it! We survived the days without sports and made it to the 2020 NFL draft. While we all awaited round 1, there were other picks in rounds 2 through 7 that deserve the spotlight. If you missed it, we covered picks 5, 18, and 30 of the Dolphins last Friday after round one.

Pick 39: Robert Hunt, Tackle/Guard – Louisiana Lafayette

As day two started, the main thing Dolphins fans wanted was a running back. Begging for one, actually. After the pick, some fans were upset the team passed on potential running back starters. Hunt was a unique pick for the team and started a trend that continued to the latter half of the draft. He’s a brawler and will run people over.

While he played at Louisiana he started at right tackle, guard and left tackle. He was also first-team All-Sun Belt Conference in 2019, and his backstory is even better.

Hunt is a great person and an amazing player. He dealt with an injury last season but he is a brawler. It’s hard not to repeat that- it’s what he is known for. He doesn’t give up on blocks and demolishes his opponents. He’d slot in very nicely at guard for the Dolphins but his versatility to play both tackle positions will help. He’s the second guy added to protect their long-term investment in Tua Tagovailoa.

Pick 56: Raekwon Davis, DT – Alabama Crimson Tide

There isn’t much more to say about Davis other than that he was a steal at pick 56. Davis is a beast and a perfect selection for head coach Brian Flores’ defense. He had 175 career tackles, 11½ sacks, with 32 starts while playing for Nick Saban. He’s also listed as 6’6 and 311 pounds. He could get a little smaller to continue to play to the potential he had while at Bama, but like Hunt, he has first-round talent.

I can’t lie though. When I watch these defensive players destroy offensive linemen, I feel bad for the guys they demolish. He’s physical and tough just like the pick before him.

What makes this pick even more amazing was the Dolphins’ patience. They let the board fall to them and just picked the best player on their board. It landed them a beast in Davis. In 2017 he was also shot in the leg and sacked FSU QB Deondre Francois the next game for Bama. He’s loaded with potential and Coach Flo will likely make him live up to it.

Pick 70: Brandon Jones, Safety – University of Texas

While I expected the Dolphins to draft a safety at pick 39, they instead did it 31 picks later. The main thing players and draft analysts have cited in Jones is his toughness and grit — the theme continues.

He’s intelligent, tough and physical. This is what Coach Flo wants to build his defense around: players who know and study the game of football. I.e Kyle Van Noy, Byron Jones, Elandon Roberts, Xavien Howard, and Davis are some examples. Now Jones is added to that list. He’s a good pick coming off of an injury and will help anchor the secondary after Reshad Jones’ release.

Pick 111: Solomon Kindley, offensive line – Georgia Bulldogs

The third offensive linemen for the Dolphins was a trade up to pick 111. The team wanted its guy and made the moves to secure him. He started three years at Georgia and played as a guard for most of his starts. Kindley looks and plays like a beast- Again, the theme of this draft. It was another pick to grab protection for their QB investment. Bonus: he’s a Florida boy from Jacksonville.

Pick 154: Jason Strowbridge, defensive line – North Carolina

This is a homecoming for Strowbridge as the d-lineman went to Deerfield Beach High School. He played both d-tackle and d-end for the Tar Heels and will look to solidify his place in either position for Coach Flo and this defense. He was graded as a third-round prospect and fell into their laps in the fifth round. A lot of fans were happy with the selection and he should compete with Shaq Lawson for a starting spot.

Pick 164: Curtis Weaver, edge rusher – Boise State

In Weaver, the Dolphins drafted an edge rusher who had a very down 2019 season. He has the chance to develop under Coach Flo’s system. He had 34 sacks while playing for Boise State along with 47 ½ tackles for loss. He is the Mountain West Conference all-time sacks leader to top it all off. He was even listed by Pro Football Focus as the Dolphins’ best pick in the draft.

Pick 185: Blake Ferguson, Long Snapper – LSU

Not much to say other than that the pick of Ferguson led to the release of fan-favorite long-snapper Taybor Pepper who beat out longtime fan-favorite long-snapper John Denney last preseason. Ferguson’s brother plays for the Buffalo Bills and was coached by Dolphins special teams coach Danny Crossman.

Pick 246: Malcolm Perry, specialist – U.S. Naval Academy

This pick was amazing and one that will be the Dolphins future “Taysom Hill.” Perry also gets to immediately play per new rules in the academy for all armed forces schools. He was listed as a running back when he was drafted, but he will be the ultimate specialist for the Dolphins if he makes the team.

Overall the draft was outstanding. The team made the right picks at the right spots. Not every player will be an all-star, but there’s a ton of potential that will pay off for years to come.

Kai’Chien Chisholm is currently studying broadcast media and wants to become sports broadcaster. He currently works for the ProFootballNetwork and is the Podcast Network Director for the site while running his own podcast.

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