With the 13th pick in the Pride Of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Miami Dolphins select linebacker Reggie Ragland. Mr. Zebra is the acting general manager for the Dolphins. Below is the rationale for the pick.
The Dolphins went 6-10 last year, finishing 26th in total offense and 25th in total defense. Brent Grimes is gone after falling off badly in 2015. Lamar Miller is gone after years of underuse. Olivier Vernon has been swallowed by a giant pile of money. Dion Jordan has never quite been there. It seems like Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner will always be there. My Dolphins are a severely imbalanced roster with especially dire needs at cornerback, linebacker and guard, and room for improvement most everywhere else.
However, as our new head coach Adam Gase has stated, this is not a rebuilding team. A rebuilding team does not restructure the biggest defensive contract in NFL history. A rebuilding team does not let a 25-year old walk in order to retain a 34-year old and sign a 31-year old. Whomever we draft will be a Day One starter. That is why with the 13th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:
LB - Reggie Ragland - Alabama
Ragland is a pro-ready middle linebacker prospect that can immediately help Vance Joseph's new defense. The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year can stop the run, make the tackle, lead his teammates and even rush the passer. While there are concerns about his less-than-elite athleticism and playing weight, Ragland can make an impact now and get the Dolphins over the hump before Ndamukong Suh's contract awakens and spreads doom over the land. At least we hope so.
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Check out our 2016 POD Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.