SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick #44

by Dan Kadar on Apr 12, 2009 3:00 PM EDT in SB Nation Writers Mock Draft

No. 44

MIAMI
DOLPHINS
Pick by The Phinsider

Robert Ayers
Defensive end
Tennessee

The second round of the SB Nation writer's mock chugs along with Miami being back up. Matty I from The Phinsider had to settle on Darius Butler in the first and continues looking defense here.

This draft has played out different than most would have expected. Having addressed the team's most glaring need with the 25th pick (cornerback), the Dolphins are now in position to select the highest rated player remaining on their draft board. And there's no doubt about it that Robert Ayers, a player expected to go in round one, is that guy.

At 6-foot-2, 272 pounds, Ayers is a pass rusher who the Dolphins will likely project as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Ayers has the size and athleticism needed to play the position. In fact, Ayers could potentially play both the weak side or the strong side in Miami's 3-4 defense. He'll need some work, obviously, to make the conversion - but would make an instant impact as a 3rd down pass rusher right off the bat - something the Dolphins definitely need.

MTD thoughts: While I'm not completely sold on Ayers being able to transition to 3-4 outside linebacker, I seem to be in the minority there. I may not view it that way, but Matty views Ayers as a steal there, and I can respect that.

Mocking the Draft's Top Five Remaining Prospects - OT Phil Loadholt, QB Josh Freeman, CB Alphonso Smith, RB Shonn Greene, TE Chase Coffman

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Comments

i think ayers wouldnt really be suited to be a 3-4 LB

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 12, 2009 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

I like the pick

much more knowledgeable people then us say he can make the trasisition one being M. Mayock who adds in 3 years he will be the best defensive player taken in the 2009 draft if Ayers wasn’t there I might have been inclined to grab a second corner, A. Smith if not Ayers Matty would you have taken a second CB?

25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC

by Blaze453 on Apr 12, 2009 6:13 PM EDT reply actions

i would take 2 CBs. they could use them. but a good pick anyways

by Joe Goodberry on Apr 13, 2009 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope we can land Toler on the second day

and take Butler with our first

"How can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?"

-From the Unforgiven III off of Death Magnetic

by Patssuck456 on Apr 14, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

good pick

I agree with the pick, the guy is the top player left and is a good value pick.

On a different note, I know trading out of a pick isn’t allowed in this mock, but if this were the real draft I have to feel that the longer a player like Freeman remains on the board, the more & more likely it is that one of the teams that needs a QB pulls the trigger and makes a trade.

by JohnPaul on Apr 12, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

Ayers

Would seem like a 3-4 end, rather than an outside backer. Plus, the Dolphins don’t really need a pass rusher right now do they? Joey Porter sure seemed like he fit the bill last year.

Thats Good For Another Jacksonville... First Down.

by Bestjagfan on Apr 13, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

Porter wore down

towards the end of the year and when he did our pass rush deteriated. Parcells lives by the pass rush I expect LB/pass rusher to be #1 pick unless all targeted players are gone

25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC

by Blaze453 on Apr 13, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

how was Matt Roth?

I was very excited (Iowa fan) to see that he didn’t just make the position change successfully he became a starter.

I got Summer hatin' on me cuz I'm hotter than the sun. Spring hatin' on me cuz I ain't never sprung
Winter hatin' on me cuz I'm colder than Y'all. And I will never, I will never, I will never Fall.
-Lil Wayne, Mr. Carter

by shake n bake on Apr 13, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions