The NFL Combine starts this week and much speculation surrounds the Miami Dolphins’ 1st-round target of the 2019 NFL Draft. The hype is with the quarterbacks. Especially now, with Vegas odd-makers identifying the Dolphins as the favorite to land Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray.
Maybe general manager Chris Grier finds the price too steep this year’s quarterback group and instead chooses to wait until 2020? That scenario is very possible and with the Dolphins likely to part ways with defensive ends Robert Quinn and Andre Branch, another prospect moves to the forefront with the 13th-overall pick.
Michigan standout defensive end Rashan Gary, is a perfect fit for what the Dolphins are looking to do. Gary stands 6-foot-5 and is a listed 282 pounds, yet at that size he still offers plenty of athleticism to play off the edge. Gary can play a multitude of positions. That flexibility is exactly what new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham wants out of his team.
The former Wolverine can easily play as a five-technique in an odd front or can play as an edge defender in even front looks. Gary’s versatility bodes well for Graham, considering what he stated about his desire to run a multiple defense.
Gary has recorded 134 career tackles and 10.5 sacks over his three years at Michigan. It may not seem like a “sexy pick” but adding a truly versatile defensive end to the defensive line would be a great start to a rebuild.
Gary is regarded by several analysts as a potential top-10 overall pick but if he’s on the clock when Miami is drafting, don’t be the least bit surprised if he gets the call.
