Miami Dolphins bring in more predraft visitors, including potential center competition

A six-pack of Dolphins notes on a Tuesday:

▪ The Dolphins — in search of competitors for Michael Deiter — have accomplished quite a lot of work on facilities earlier than the draft and introduced not less than a pair to group headquarters.

Amongst these guests, in accordance with The Draft Community: Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Cole Unusual.

“Cole Unusual is any individual that I believe all these exterior zone groups are gonna love,” NFL Community’s Daniel Jeremiah mentioned. “He he can actually transfer. He began 44 video games. Solely certainly one of them was at middle, however then he goes to the Senior Bowl, performed middle all week and was actually, actually aggressive.

“And if you happen to have a look at the Dolphins coach [Mike McDaniel] and the way good he’s and his fame and then you definitely have a look at a man like Cole Unusual, who was trying on the service academies and was an engineering main and is absolutely, actually a superb man, I believe that’s an fascinating match.”

Whether or not Unusual will probably be obtainable at 102 — Miami’s first choose — is iffy. ESPN’s Matt Miller has him going ninety fifth. NFLcom’s Lance Zierlein initiatives him to go within the second spherical and provides this evaluation:

“Extremely skilled inside lineman who does a pleasant job of staying on schedule. He shines over the primary two phases of the block, which suggests he beneficial properties early positioning and will get into the maintain part with correct hand utilization and footwork…. His body and play power are a bit beneath common, however he has accomplished some snapping in apply, so he may land as a future beginning middle for a zone-happy rush offense.”

New Dolphins offensive line coach Matt Applebaum had contact this offseason together with his former participant at Boston Faculty, Alec Lindstrom, the All-ACC middle who may go within the center rounds of the draft. Boston Faculty guard/middle Zion Johnson is anticipated to be gone nicely earlier than Miami’s first choose.

Jeremiah mentioned Kentucky middle Luke Fortner additionally could be a very good scheme match for the Dolphins at middle. This can be a title to observe; Miller has the Dolphins choose him 102nd.

“Not often do you discover a Day 1 beginning middle within the late third spherical, however the Dolphins may strike gold with Fortner obtainable at No. 102,” Miller mentioned. “He additionally has expertise at guard ought to Miami need to kick him exterior a click on in Mike McDaniel’s zone speeding scheme.”

Facilities projected within the third-fourth spherical vary embody Wake Forest’s Zach Tom (who visited with the Dolphins), Arizona State’s Dohnovan West and Virginia Tech’s Lecitus Smith.

▪ Alabama linebacker Chris Allen flew to Dolphins headquarters for a go to this month, a supply confirmed.

Allen was second group all-SEC in 2020 however missed all of final season with a foot harm sustained within the opener.

Allen (6-4, 252 kilos) had 13 tackles for loss and 6 sacks in 2020.

NFL.com’s Zierlein predicts Allen will probably be chosen within the fourth spherical.

Zierlein mentioned “two accidents robbed Allan of worthwhile sport expertise and dulled a few of his improvement. He’s a bodily specimen with the power to carry his personal on the level and rid himself of single blocks with twitch and method…. Allen has the traits to play edge in odd and even fronts however extra improvement is crucial if he needs to turn out to be greater than only a high quality rotational defender.”

▪ The Dolphins, who at all times look so as to add a number of cornerbacks in the course of the draft course of, have visited with Georgia’s Derion Kendrick, in accordance with a supply.

Kendrick had 4 interceptions for Georgia final season and 7 in his profession. He performed his first three seasons at Clemson.

Zierlein has him going within the sixth spherical and sizes him up this manner: “Cornerback with 4 years of playoff expertise and two nationwide titles below his belt. Kendrick has performed in opposition to a number of the finest wideouts within the sport however has a historical past of struggling in a few of these matchups. He lacks pace and power to remain exterior however his quickness and route recognition ought to assist him transfer inside as a nickel…. Kendrick has CB3/CB4 potential in the suitable scheme.”

The Dolphins additionally introduced in Fresno State’s Daron Bland for a predraft go to, in accordance with NFL Community’s Tom Peliserro.

Bland, a local of Modesto, California, performed three seasons at Sacramento State, which canceled its 2020 season because of COVID-19. He then transferred to Fresno State for his closing season in 2021 and had 45 tackles and two interceptions final season, beginning the ultimate 9 video games at cornerback.

Bland (6-2) has “wonderful instincts and ball expertise,” Jeremiah mentioned.

Bland wasn’t invited to the NFL Mix however ran a 4.46 within the 40-yard sprint and posted a 35.5-inch vertical bounce on the Fresno State Professional Day.

Bland informed nfldraftdiamonds.com that “there have been fairly a number of occasions in highschool the place I lived with out water or electrical energy, or needed to keep in a motel and needed to handle my college work and sports activities.”

▪ Amongst gamers with acquainted names who labored out for the Dolphins upfront of the draft:

Cornerback Will Allen Jr., son of the previous Dolphins cornerback.

Allen, an Ivy League standout at Columbia, had three interceptions, 17 cross breakups and three interceptions throughout his school profession. He blocked 5 kicks, second most in class historical past. And he averaged 25.2 yards on kickoff returns.

▪ The Athletic’s Dane Brugler did a full seven-round mock draft and has these because the Dolphins’ picks: Miami of Ohio edge rusher Dominique Robinson at 102; Cincinnati linebacker Darrian Beavers at 125; North Carolina working again Ty Chandler at 224 and Texas Tech guard/deal with/middle Dawson Deaton at 247.

Robinson visited with the Dolphins at their group headquarters.

Miller has Miami selecting the Kentucky middle at 102; Oklahoma defensive finish Isaiah Thomas at 125, LSU working again Tyrion Davis-Value at 224 and Colorado linebacker Nate Landham at 247. Davis-Value visited the Dolphins.

▪ Rely ESPN’s Marcus Spears amongst analysts who imagine the Payments are now not considerably forward of Miami within the AFC East:

“They need to compete with the Payments primarily based on personnel the place they’re now of their division.”