When it comes to the NFL Draft, Dane Brugler is one of the most respected names to cover the event. His years of reporting and work on the NFL Draft for CBS Sports and for NFL Draft Scout are second to none. Today, Dane put out his 7-Round Mock Draft, and in it, he has Miami selecting…
Round 1, Pick #21: Laiatu Latu, EDGE – UCLA
“The Dolphins weren’t scared off by Jaelan Phillips’ injury past, and I don’t think they will shy away from Latu’s either. With Bradley Chubb and Phillips working their way back from injury, Latu and his savvy pass-rush skills can contribute immediately in Miami.”
Latu possesses the kind of rare maturity to his game that you usually see from NFL veterans. He rarely stays blocked by tackles as a run defender and dominates blocking tight ends on the collegiate level. His pass-rush approach is both well conceived and instinctive, and he’s brilliant at taking possession of the rep using clever hands and slippery angles to pry open opportunities. His eyes play beyond blockers, and he feeds off of a voracious motor that keeps him pushing forward as a run defender and pass rusher. Concerns surrounding his neck injury (while at Washington) will certainly come into play when he gets to medical exams, but his durability and play at UCLA are certainly promising. Everything about Latu’s skill set and production is translatable to the NFL, and he could become a Pro Bowler as a 3-4 outside linebacker with a heavy influence on the game.
Round 2, Pick #55: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE – Texas
Talented pass-catching tight end with an exciting floor if he can handle the rigors of the pro game. Sanders possesses an average build, but he has room for more muscle. He flashes as a run blocker, but he isn’t consistent at the point of attack. He can get up the field from in-line or from the slot, beating man coverage at his route stems or separating quickly from turns. He is able to dig in and win combat catches underneath and has proven to be highly effective running the seam or catching intermediate throws into zone pockets. Teams looking for a tight end with a more complete game might pass on him, but his potential to open up the passing game and become a highly productive pass-catcher should be hard to pass on.
Round 5, Pick #158: Khristian Boyd, DT – Northern Iowa
Round 6, Pick #184: Kingsley Eguakun, C – Florida
Slightly undersized three-year starting center whose lack of leverage and play strength could make the NFL game a tough nut to crack. Eguakun has the quickness to get into space as a pulling center or second-level climber but needs to do a better job of dominating those targets once he strikes. He’s a fighter and a strainer at the point of attack but it’s unlikely to be enough when facing off against a willful NFL nose tackle. Bull rushers will cause trouble for him due to his lack of lower-body anchor, but his sets and punch are fairly well-schooled. Eguakun could be a later-round pick but might not have enough marks in his favor to make a roster.
Round 6, Pick #198: Chigozie Anusiem, CB – Colorado St
RS Senior CB from La Habra, CA. 4 year player at Cal, transferred to CSU prior to 2022, wore #7 last season but will wear #1 in 2023. Primarily utilized as a boundary corner at CSU but occasionally rotates to safety. Lean, muscular frame with thick lowers. Elite HT/WT and looks to have very high-level length. Listed 40 time is sub-par, but game speed looks adequate. Quick, twitchy player. Fluid hips. Patient and physical off the LOS. High level hand fighter, does a great job of preventing receivers from getting their hands on his frame. Stays in phase, almost always in great position to make a play on the ball. Smart player, recognizes what offenses are trying to do. Plays through picks and doesn’t lose his assignment in traffic. Calm and steady in man coverage, never looks nervous or frantic. Takes aggressive angles to jump routes, but can occasionally lose a receiver by jumping the route too early. Can do a better job of being patient and careful of double moves. Exceptional reaction speed. Closes on the ball carrier quickly with instincts and speed. Breaks on underneath routes and brings violence on contact. Does a great job of playing through the receiver’s hands and ripping the ball out at the catch point. No interceptions, but always in position to break up passes. Likes to be physical and willing to tackle. Attacks the ball carrier and shows impressive form tackles for the position. Not afraid of open-field tackles or bigger ball carriers. Fights through and around blockers to pursue screens. He is limited film in the zone, and would need to see more reps to fairly assess his zone coverage ability. Impressive conditioning plays every snap. Well-rounded player.
Best fit for an aggressive defense that allows him to jam receivers and play tight man coverage
Anusiem is a smart, physical man corner that is capable of locking down #1 receivers and willing to support in the run game. He projects as someone who can step directly into a 2 deep for a professional team and grow into an NFL starter by the end of his rookie contract.
Round 7, Pick 241: Isaiah Williams, WR – Illinois
Three-year starter and two-time team captain who stair-stepped his production and impact in each season. Williams’ size limits his contested-catch success, but he’s still a tough player. He’s an NFL slot but has aligned around the field at Illinois. He has the makings of becoming an above-average route runner with an expanded route tree, but his 4.63-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine could hurt his stock despite solid testing in other areas. His limited catch radius requires a more accurate quarterback, but he plays with talent and determination once the ball is in his hands. He can be asked to work across all areas of the field and has both gadget and punt return ability. Williams is competitive and versatile but must prove he can play fast to become a WR4 as a Day 3 pick.
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