Dolphins Double-Team Alabama Pro Day

Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier both were on hand to watch Crimson Tide prospects, a few of whom could help the Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins were well represented at the Pro Day of one of college football’s most respected talent producers.

Both General Manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel were among numerous Dolphins staffers at the University of Alabama’s Pro Day on Thursday, on hand to evaluate the 15 Crimson Tide prospects entering the 2023 draft.

Quarterback Bryce Young, who is projected to be an early first-round pick, and pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., who is viewed as one of the best defenders in the 2023 draft, were the main draws to the well-attended Pro Day.

Young reportedly had a solid showcase. Anderson, who ran a 4.6 second 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine, opted not to work out Thursday.

There was some intrigue about whether Anderson would perform some of the athletic testing drills after he skipped the majority of those at the combine. He did participate in some on-field drills with Alabama’s linebackers.

Because neither of those players will be within Miami’s range when they are on the board with pick No. 51 on Day 2 of the draft, it’s more realistic that the Dolphins used Alabama's Pro Day to thoroughly evaluate the Crimson Tide players who aren’t expected to be first-round picks.

Many of them could help the Dolphins address areas of need on the roster following the first wave of free agency.

DOLPHINS LIKE ALABAMA PROSPECTS

Since Grier officially became GM in 2016, the Dolphins have drafted more players from Alabama than any other program — of course, the fact that this the top program in the country, or one of the best, plays a role in that.

Starting with running back Kenyan Drake in Round 3 in 2016, the Dolphins have drafted five Bama players in the past seven years.

Draft was followed by DB Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2018, QB Tua Tagovailoa and DT Raekwon Davis in 2020, and WR Jaylen Waddle in 2021.

Alabama has two safeties viewed as top 100 prospects in this draft class, and history says safeties typically last till the second day of the draft.

TWO ALABAMA SAFETIES CAN HELP DOLPHINS

There are a lot of really intriguing tools that Brian Branch brings, which explains why some evaluators rank him as this draft’s top safety.

Branch, who tallied 90 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions this past season, is a loose athlete who is fantastic in man coverage, and has the ability to come downhill and tackle. Much like Minkah Fitzpatrick, a Pro Bowl safety the Dolphins drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft before trading him to Pittsburgh, he is versatile and can play nickel or safety.

Had Jordan Battle come out last year, some evaluators feel he would have been a potential first-round pick. But he returned to school and had a solid season, contributing 71 tackles and one interceptions.

Battle does everything at a high level, from tackling, man and zone coverage as well as creating turnovers. He could be a Day 1 starter at the next level because he's scheme diverse.

The Dolphins have Brandon Jones, who is recovering from an ACL injury, and newcomer DeShon Elliott, who was signed this month as a free agent, in the fold, competing to be the safety paired with Jevon Holland. But the Dolphins have never shied away from addressing a position with depth on the roster in the draft.

Grier’s approach has always been to address every need during free agency so he can select the best prospects when Miami is on the board to make their selection.

GIBBS COULD BE ROUND 2 STEAL

Alabama tailback Jahmyr Gibbs, who is considered one of the top five tailbacks in this draft class, does not have the weight to hold up in pass protection, and handling a featured back's workload is a concern.

But Gibbs is an elite pass catcher who gets up to speed and changes directions quickly, similar to Alvin Kamara. The Georgia Tech transfer best fits in a scheme that utilizes its running backs in the pass game, and that was a missing element for the Dolphins last season.

Tight end also should be on Miami's radar because of the position's current lack of depth.

Cameron Latu primarily was used as a blocker at Alabama, but emerged as a favorite target of Young the past two seasons, catching 56 passes for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has good length and soft hands in the pass game. His breaks are slow-developing, which suggests that he’ll probably be a late-round selection.

Offensive tackle Tyler Steen, a former St. Thomas Aquinas standout, carries his size and weight (6-6, 315 pounds) better than most people. He has very good lateral movement and showed great strength when asked to shoot his hands. The Dolphins typically give hometown prospects a long, lengthy look.

D.J. FLUKER UPDATE

Another offensive lineman who was in attendance was former Alabama offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, an NFL journeyman whom the Dolphins signed back in the summer of 2021. Fluker showed up to the workout in the best shape of his career, but seemed a bit raw from a technical standpoint, according to some onlookers.

However, it shouldn't prevent a team with offensive line needs like Miami from signing him to a minimum contract.

"I need a second chance and everyone deserves one," said Fluker, who missed training camp with Miami because of a knee injury and ended up receiving an injury settlement. "God forgives people who sin every day. He gives people a chance every single day. But it's up to you what you do with it."

BAMA LOADED WITH DEFENSIVE PROSPECTS

Linebacker Henry To'oTo'o had two solid seasons with the Crimson Tide after transferring from Tennessee. He earned second-team All-SEC honors in his first season with the Tide, leading the team with 112 tackles (8.5 for loss with four sacks) and breaking up two passes in 15 starts. He was a first-team all-conference pick as a senior, starting all 13 games (93 tackles, eight for loss with 2.5 sacks).

Because he’s viewed as “average in coverage” by some evaluators he’s assessed as a solid backup to below-average starter in the NFL, which means he’ll likely be a day three selection.

Cornerback Eli Ricks isn’t a burner, which will hurt his upside as a draft prospect, but he has natural ball skills, size, and instincts to create turnovers. Coming off a down year in 2022, if Ricks can return to his freshman form, he’ll be coveted by zone-heavy teams, which many feel the Dolphins will become under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Defensive lineman Byron Young was an underrated part of Alabama's defensive line. He’s not the same caliber of athlete as Christian Barmore, but was more effective than Phidarian Mathis, who was a second-round pick of the Commanders last April. He's stout against the run, which would fit what Miami’s looking for from defensive linemen in this 3-4 front.

Defensive tackles DJ Dale and Justin Eboigbe also participated in Alabama’s Pro Day. Both are viewed as possible middle- to late-round selections.

DOLPHINS LIGHT ON PICKS IN 2023 DRAFT

The Dolphins will need to get creative with this rookie class because this isn’t like years past where Miami had draft picks stocked away.

Miami only has four draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Zero on Day 1 because of the Bradley Chubb trade, and Miami forfeiting a first-round selection for being caught tampering with quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton.

The Dolphins own two Day 2 selections, pick 51 (round 2) and pick 84 (round 3) , and two picks late in Day 3, pick 178 (round 6), and 240 (round 7).