Dolphins UDFA Scouting Reports
With the 2022 NFL Draft wrapped up, the Miami Dolphins have turned their attention to signing undrafted free agents.
The Dolphins are hoping these players can help round out a rookie class that includes their selections of Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall (drafted at pick 102), Texas Tech wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (drafted at pick 125), California outside linebacker Cameron Goode (drafted at pick 225), and Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (drafted at pick 248).
Here is a brief breakdown and quick scouting report on the rookies the Dolphins picked up after the draft Saturday.
Verone McKinley III, defensive back, Oregon
McKinley was a two-year starter for the Ducks defense and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation’s best defensive back. He finished tied for the FBS lead with six interceptions in 2021, and he recorded six pass breakups.
The 5-10, 198-pound safety projects best as a potential slot cornerback with the versatility to play in deep zones in a cover-two heavy scheme. He’s smart and has a nose for turnovers, but he’s small and doesn’t have blazing speed.
Miami’s safety room is pretty full, but McKinley’s ability to play in the slot or on special teams might give him a chance to make the roster.
Kellen Diesch, offensive tackle, Arizona State
Diesch spent four seasons at Texas A&M before transferring to Arizona State as a graduate transfer before the 2020 season. He then proceeded to lock down the starting left tackle spot, starting in 19 straight games.
Diesch has a reputation as an athletic offensive tackle who is capable of pulling out into space in the running game and handling speed rushers in the passing game. His NFL combine numbers back up his pedigree as he recorded 4.89 40-yard dash and 4.43 20-yard shuttle.
The 6-7, 301-pound offensive lineman only has 32¼-inch arms, meaning he might be better off playing inside for the Dolphins. His athletic ability makes him a perfect scheme fit for new head coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme.
ZaQuandre White, running back, South Carolina
White spent two seasons with the Gamecocks after transferring from junior college before the 2020 season. Before that, he played linebacker at Florida State for two seasons. He served as a rotational back for South Carolina, and he recorded 583 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns this past season.
The 6-foot, 206-pound running back is an explosive player capable of planting his foot in the ground and jetting upfield to create big plays. He profiles as a potential third running back in a rotation with more experienced running backs. White is still learning to follow his blocks and to execute certain rushing concepts correctly.
Blaise Andries, offensive lineman, Minnesota
Andries was a mainstay on the Golden Gophers offensive line, starting in all 46 games he played. He’s also incredibly versatile as he’s got experience starting at every spot on the offensive line besides center.
The 6-6, 308-pound offensive lineman does his best work in the running game. He understands how to win positioning early in reps and has enough power to move defensive linemen off their spots.
His extensive experience playing multiple positions could make him an important backup for a Dolphins team that has dealt with injuries on their offensive line in recent seasons.
Elijah Hamilton, defensive back, Louisiana Tech
Hamilton spent four seasons at Vanderbilt, where he appeared in 41 games and was named a team captain before transferring to Louisiana Tech. He finished the 2021 season with 23 total tackles and one pass breakup.
The 6-2, 205-pound cornerback has good speed and size to play on the outside in the NFL.
Ty Clary, offensive lineman, Arkansas
Clary has started in the majority of the Razorbacks’ games since stepping onto campus as a freshman in 2017, including seven starts this past season. He’s got experience playing both guard and center.
Clary is known as a smart offensive lineman who understands how to win with leverage in the running game.
Tommy Heatherly, punter, Florida International
Heatherly spent three seasons as the Panthers' primary punter after transferring from junior college before the 2019 season. He recorded 21 kicks inside the 20-yard line and 27 punts more than 50 yards.
Heatherly finished 2021 with a 47.1 yard average per punt, which helped him earn the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year. He figures to be a long shot to win the punting job after the Dolphins signed veteran Thomas Morstead as a free agent.
Kader Kohou, defensive back, Texas A&M-Commerce
Kohou played in at least 11 games every season since 2017 for the Lions. He finished with 24 total tackles and six pass breakups in 2021 and earned an invite to the 2021 Hula Bowl.
The 5 -11 was named the 2021 Lone Star Conference Defensive Back of the Year. He runs a 4.5 40-yard dash.
Jordan Williams, defensive tackle, Virginia Tech
Williams spent three seasons as a rotational member of the Clemson Tigers defensive line before transferring to Virginia Tech this past season. He played in 12 games in 2021 and recorded 33 tackles, four for tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
The 6-5, 285-pound defensive lineman is a good athlete with the quickness to penetrate against the run, but his body type might make it difficult for him to find a long-term role in the NFL, according to NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein.
Owen Carney Jr., outside linebacker, Illinois
A former standout at Miami Central High, Carney started out as a defensive end at Ilinois before switching to outside linebacker for his fifth season.
After a disappointing 2019 season, Carney had 5 and 6.5 sacks in his final two seasons. At his listed 6-3, 275, Carney looks like an oversized edge defender.
Carney Jr. was a consistent presence for the Illinois defense the second he stepped on campus in 2017. Carney Jr. was productive at Illinois, but his body type and athletic profile might make it difficult for him to stick on the Dolphins roster. He’s a little too small to be a pure defensive end, but he’s also might not be fast enough to play linebacker.
Deandre Johnson, outside linebacker, Miami (Fla.)
Johnson spent four seasons at Tennessee before transferring to the Hurricanes this past season. He started in 10 games this past season and led the team in tackles for loss with 8.5 while finishing with 4.5 sacks.
Johnson certainly looks the part of a 3-4 outside linebacker with his mobility and length, though the SI Fan Nation sister site NFL Draft Bible scouting report on him suggests concerns about functional strength and the lack of pass-rushing moves.
Ben Stille, defensive tackle, Nebraska
Stille spent six years with the Cornhuskers where he was a productive mainstay on their defensive line. He started in 20 straight games to end his career and finished with 42 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and three pass breakups.
The 6-5, 290-pound defensive lineman does his best work in the running game thanks to his ability to stack and shed blocks at the point of attack. He lacks athletic upside, and his pass rush production has dropped significantly since his sophomore season.
Tanner Conner, wide receiver, Idaho State
Conner burst onto the scene in 2019 after playing in a limited role the three previous years. However, his best season was easily 2021 as he finished with 34 receptions for 685 yards and three touchdowns. Conner also participated in track and field while at Idaho State.
The 6-2, 230-pound wide receiver blew scouts away when he attended The University of Washington’s pro-day. He recorded a 4.37 40-yard dash, jumped 39.5 inches in the vertical, and jumped 10 feet, 7 inches in the broad jump.
Connor profiles as a deep threat at the next level with the size and speed to create mismatches on the outside.
Braylon Sanders, wide receiver, Mississippi
Sanders was a rotational starter for four seasons with the Rebels. In 2021, he recorded 24 catches for 549 yards and four touchdowns and had back-to-back seasons averaging more than 20 yards per catch.
The 6-foot, 191-pound wide receiver is a downfield speed threat who has struggled to stay on the field due to injuries. Sanders made some impressive catches with the Rebels, but he’s not a polished route runner, and his contested-catch finishing is below average, per his NFL.com scouting report.
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Dante Collinelli is the director of scouting for BlueChip Scouting.
