Saturday Dolphins Mailbag: Byron Jones, Zach Clone, and More

Part 1 of a combine weekend SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:

From Charlie (via email):

Alain, thank you for all the great work you do, and keeping us connected to the Dolphins in this very lean part of the season. My question is regarding our perpetual problems on the offensive line. Do you think it is a coaching issue or a scouting issue? We always seem to draft players that look good on paper and they never meet expectations. Some teams have no problem finding serviceable guards late in the draft. Are we drafting the wrong players, or do we need better line coaching?

Hey Charlie, good question and tough to gauge, except I’d say this: Liam Eichenberg and Robert Hunt both were second-round picks, and Hunt has been pretty good from the start, whereas Eichenberg still has to prove he can be successful in the NFL, yet they’ve had the same coaching. So that speaks to me of scouting if we’re looking to assign blame for the offensive line issues. Just look at how different the line looked last year when Terron Armstead was in the lineup. That’s not a coaching issue. It’s a personnel issue.

From will w. (@Willmvg):

Will the Dolphins be looking for another LB in the same mold as Channing last year, or think they’ll look for a different one?

Considering Channing Tindall didn’t play at all last year and the hope is he gets on the field in 2023, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to draft another linebacker with similar traits. The Dolphins actually need a linebacker with more instincts and playmaking ability.

From Craig M (@Dolfan2334):

Chance the Dolphins trade into the first round and if they did, which of CB, LB or OL do you think they would target?

Hey Craig, I’d say the chance of the Dolphins trading into the first round is pretty slim, considering they’re only starting off with five overall picks in the entire draft. I think the Dolphins need to be trying to pick up picks, not relinquish them. As for what players they would target if they were to move into the first round, I’d say maybe Georgia T Broderick Jones, maybe Clemson LB Trenton Simpson and maybe Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez.

WATCH: UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI TIGHT END WILL MALLORY TALKS ABOUT THE IDEA OF CONTINUE TO PLAY AT HARD ROCK STADIUM

From DouglieDoWrong (@DouglieDoWrong):

Do you expect trade discussions this week, and which Dolphin do you think will be discussed to be traded?

Hey Doug, the combine always is a time when teams engage in trade conversations, but there’s a lot of time when it’s pretty casual stuff like asking whether a team would ever consider trading such and such player. As I look at the Dolphins roster, I think the team would definitely listen to any kind of offers for Cedrick Wilson Jr. and maybe Jerome Baker as well.

From Chris Bustin (@ChrisBustin13):

Hey, Alain. I’m a little confused about what exactly Byron Jones implied by some of his cryptic social media statements. Was he insinuating that the treatment options he received is what might end his career?

Hey Chris, yeah, it sure read like he was suggesting his treatment left him to where he can’t run or jump. There also seemed to be an insinuation he played when maybe he medically shouldn’t have been playing.

Much has changed in 8 years. Today I can’t run or jump because of my injuries sustained playing this game. DO NOT take the pills they give you. DO NOT take the injections they give you. If you absolutely must, consult an outside doctor to learn the long-term implications. https://t.co/g5TTHDQGSY
— Byron Jones (@TheByronJones) February 25, 2023

From Tommy in Hialeah (@Dolphinfan201):

If you had to pick one player or position you feel Phins are tracking. or better to just take BPA?

I’m always of the belief that unless you have a team that’s one player or position away from championship contention, you’re always better off going with the best player because injuries always happen, it’s the best way to build a team for the long run and it creates a better asset. Chris Grier also is on record as saying he’s a firm believe in the BPA philosophy.

From Mark D. Walker (via email):

I’ve been saying for a few years now that we need to improve at middle linebacker, and I’ve read your many statements on this as well. I like Ivan Pace Jr’s play style out of Cincinnati… Just a wrecking ball that seems to be everywhere. He was looking as a 5th round grade, although after the Senior Bowl and depending on his combine performance/Pro Day, I think he may climb the ladder a bit. He seems like he’s got a Zach Thomas type stature and style of play and could be there for us to grab in the draft. What are your thoughts on him?

Hey Mark, yeah, Pace does have a lot of Zach Thomas to him and his projection is the fifth or sixth round, which might put him out of reach for the Dolphins, who have no picks in the fourth or fifth round. Even if they do have the chance to draft him, I’m not sure Pace is much of a fit for the kind of defense that Vic Fangio employs, which typically features bigger linebackers.

WATCH: NOTRE DAME OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JARRETT PATTERSON TALKS ABOUT FORMER TEAMMATE LIAM EICHENBERG

From Joe (@Labduk1989):

Alain- thanks again for your mailbag questions. Random question: If there was a sure-fire QB in the draft and consensus overall first pick (Elway, Luck etc..), why wouldn’t they wait to declare until the supplemental draft? That way the team gets basically a two for one?

Hey Joe, first, there are certain criteria to meet to be eligible for the supplemental draft. It’s not as simple as saying I want to go in the supplemental draft. Also, if a team uses a first-round pick in the supplemental draft, it forfeits its pick in that round in the next general draft. So there’s no great benefit, other than having one extra year for the rookies.

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