Draft Analysis: Miami Dolphins
Posted: Monday June 08, 1998 12:49 AM
John
Avery 1st round, 29th overall
Running back,
Mississippi
Comments: May have been a bit of a reach in
first round, but Dolphins get their man. Not sure he can be every-down guy,
but can go the distance any time he touches the ball. Needs to improve
overall receiving skills out of the backfield. Will compete for starting
spot in crowded backfield ... also excellent return guy. Patrick
Surtain 2nd round, 44th overall
Cornerback,
Southern Mississippi
Comments: Rated high on most NFL
draft boards. Has excellent size, and better than average man-to-man cover
skills. Not flashy, but gets the job done. Will battle 1996 rookie Sam Madison for starting
right cornerback spot. Kenny
Mixon 2nd round, 49th overall
Defensive end,
Louisiana State
Comments: Had some off-field and injury
problems at LSU. Underachieves at times, so expect Johnson to ride him
hard. A lot of holes here at defensive end, may be counted on to start as a
rookie. Brad
Jackson 3rd round, 79th overall
Linebacker,
Cincinnati
Comments: Somewhat undersized but very athletic
with a lot of range ... Jimmy Johnson-type guy that can run and should be
excellent on special teams ... has strong basketball background and could
develop into pass coverage nickel-type outside linebacker ... he will make
his living early in career as backup linebacker and special-teams
performer. Larry
Shannon 3rd round, 82nd overall
Receiver, East
Carolina
Comments: Big target with excellent speed and
leaping ability. Had mediocre senior season due to ankle problems. Dolphins
need him to become big-play guy. Needs to become a lot tougher at NFL
level. Lorenzo
Brommel 4th round, 102nd overall
Defensive end,
Clemson
Comments: A developmental project but certainly an
interesting one ... excellent edge rusher with good intensity ... could
develop into excellent NFL nickel pass rusher, not what you want as a run
blocker but has ability to improve ... developmental guy that could be a
great middle-round pick at a position of need. Scott
Shaw 5th round, 143rd overall
Guard, Michigan
State
Comments: Slow-footed guard who fell in the NFL draft.
His feet are only average, and he needs to become a better position guy.
Not good enough to start as a rookie. Nathan
Strikwerda 6th round, 171st overall
Center,
Northwestern
Comments: Not a typical Dolphin pick, but he
is a very smart player that does not make mistakes and could fit in nicely
as a backup center or possible guard ... needs to get stronger and more
explosive but he is a solid position-type player ... could be stable
backup. John
Dutton 6th round, 172nd overall
Quarterback, Nevada
Comments: Will compete with Stan White and Damon Huard for the No. 3
quarterback spot. Has enough talent to be the heir apparent to Marino, but
it will take some time. Has a lot of raw skills but needs to improve his
overall mechanics. Jim
Bundren 7th round, 210th overall
Guard, Clemson
Comments: Will add depth to offensive line -- big, strong
physical guy that played tackle in college but lack of athletic ability
will move him to guard on NFL level ... solid lock-on guy that should stick
as backup guard.
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