Tracking Dolphins UDFA signings

Written by Daniel Monardo on .

The 2013 NFL draft is in the books meaning the Miami Dolphins and the rest of the 31 teams can sign any player that did not hear their name called throughout the 254 picks.

Players can agree to sign with a team but keep in mind that none of these contracts are official until the ink dries. Several players will be given an invite to camp only and not an actual contract.

Below is the list of the 19 undrafted free agents that have officially signed with the Dolphins:

WR Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State

OLB Mike Clay, Oregon

S Jordan Kovacs, Michigan

WR Taylor Stockemer, Arkansas State

DT Chris Burnette, Old Dominion

OLB Alonzo Highsmith, Arkansas

LB Rob McCabe, Georgetown (waived)

DE Emeka Onyenekwu, Louisiana-Lafayette

QB Clay Belton, Findlay (waived)

S Keelan Johnson, Arizona State

RB Cameron Marshall, Arizona State

DT A.J. Francis, Maryland

WR Jasper Collins, Mount Union

WR Terrell Sinkfield, Northern Iowa

OG Chris Barker, Nevada

FB Ina Liaina, San Jose State

DE Tristan Okpalaugo, Fresno State

OT Patrick Ward, Northwestern

C Sam Brenner, Utah

*LB David Hinds, FAU

*Signed a contract with the Dolphins following a tryout at rookie mini camp.

We'll continue to update this page if we hear reports on additional Dolphins UDFA signings.

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How did the Dolphins do on day 2 & 3 ?

Written by Daniel Eliesen on .

Jeff Ireland has been very busy making trades and picks on the 2nd and 3rd day of the NFL draft. The Dolphins used their picks taking

Round 2 pick 22 (54): Dolphins selected CB Jamar Taylor, Boise State.

The Dolphins received an 85.5 grade from NFL.com as many had Taylor as the 3rd ranked CB in this draft.

Daniel Jeremiah ‏@MoveTheSticks16h

MIami just selected one of my favorite players in the draft, Boise St CB Jamar Taylor. Consistent player on every tape I studied. Rock solid

Josh Norris ‏@JoshNorris2h

More Dolphins: I've ranked Jamar Taylor as the top senior CB since the Senior Bowl.

Jamar Taylor said on himself " I play with swagger. I'm kind of chippy. I like to talk stuff and have fun. I love to play real agressive".

Sounds good to me.  I absolutely love the value of this pick. We will have a profile on Taylor shortly further going into all he has to offer.

Round 3 pick 15 (77): Dolphins selected OT Dallas Thomas, Tennessee

Thomas projects most likely as a RG, it will be interesting to see where they put him. Thomas is versatile and can probably be moved around. Thomas played LT and Guard at Ten. Thomas is 6'5 300 pounds who has had some injuries however Dolphins felt comfortable with his medicals. 

Omar Kelly ‏@OmarKelly13h

For those wondering, Tennessee LG Dallas Thomas, who the Dolphins selected in the 2nd round, is rated by PFW as a 2nd RD talent.

Round 3 pick 31 (93): Dolphins selected CB Will Davis, Utah St.

Phins traded back into the 3rd round to double dip at the CB position. Most people like Davis's tape however are not sure warranted the price tag of trading back up for him. Ireland stated he was eager to grab another CB after 2 had just been taken before Davis.  

Rob Proffitt ‏@aqua_and_orange12h

Will Davis led the NCAA in passes defensed with 22 last season. PFW was given a 2nd/3rd round grade. Davis is a small school stud who had very impressive tape. 

SI's Tony Pauline passes along word that Utah State senior CB Will Davis is receiving first-round grades from "several" scouts.

"I see Will Davis as a corner. I see he has corner skillset....he has the skillset to play in this league," Ireland on Davis.

Round 4 pick 7 (104):  Dolphins selected LB Jelani Jenkins, Florida

Dolphins continued to build their defense playing a player who will contribute on special teams right away and is known for strong coverage skills. Many had Jenkins as one of the top cover LB in the draft.

Round 4 pick 9 (106): Dolphins selected TE Dion Sims, Michigan St.

Dolphins address a need and take TE Dion Sims. Sims is seen more as a blocking TE than a pure pass catcher.  Mike Mayock says that Sims is one of the best inline blockers in the draft. Sims won't explode on the stat sheet but the Dolphins needed blocking support after Fasano left in free agency.

Round 5 pick 31 (164): Dolphins selected RB Mike Gillislee, Florida

Just what the doctor ordered. Dolphins find great value in a player that will come to camp and compete right away for carries. Gillislee has the lead dog at Fla and showed a lot of talent being able to lead a strong running game against some of the best defenses in the SEC. Gillislee can also make plays out of the back field and should take over Daniel Thomas in the depth chart in no time. Mike is a bigger back and also has a nose for finding the endzone.

"I think he's an underlooked, bigger back who does everything well with not one spectacular trait. He'll help out his teammates. He catches the ball well. The Senior Bowl opened my eyes on this kid." -- Mike Mayock

There isn't a lot of milage on him so he should have fresh legs to enter the NFL.

Chris Kouffman @ckparrot 2h

Now there's a pick I love. Mike Gilislee to the Dolphins. LOVE IT.

Evan Silva @evansilva 3h

Thought Mike Gillislee showed a real mean streak in blitz pickup at UF. Violent blocker. Carried offense on his back last year.

Round 5 pick 33 (166): Dolphins selected K Caleb Sturgis, Florida

Carpenter was way too inconsistent and expensive, Sturgis can be a legitimate upgrade to the roster.

RT : Last Fins kicker tidbit: Last year, Sturgis was 3 for 3 on FGs of 50 yards or more. 5-6 from 40 to 49

From @AlexMiglio The didn't have a 6th rd pick and can't trade up in the 7th. 5th rd was their last shot at Sturgis.

Round 7 pick 44 (250): Dolphins selected SS Don Jones, Arkansas State

Don Jones adds depth at safety and will get the opportunity to compete for a backup role behind starter Reshad Jones.

Overall I think this is Jeff Ireland's best draft since taking over as GM. This is the first group of picks that I can say that I am excited by the overall group of players.

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Dolphins draft strategy: target playmakers

Written by Daniel Monardo on .

When the comissioner announced that the Miami Dolphins had acquired the third overall pick, the first player that came to mind was offensive tackle Lane Johnson. I know I wasn't alone there.

Based on the Dolphins draft strategy of the past, it seemed likely that the team would once again draft for need and upgrade at the most glaring hole on the roster. Instead, Jeff Ireland surprised us all and selected Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan who is considered to be the best defensive player in this draft. As it turned out, the strategy was not drafting for need. The Dolphins plan all along was to take the best player available or the player they most coveted, even if it meant trading additional picks.

There are many reasons to be excited about the selection of Dion Jordan. First of all, he's a playmaker. Jordan has the size and speed to get to the quarterback, not only for the sack, but to force turnovers as well. Second, the Dolphins realize that there is only one way to re-take the AFC East crown and dethrone the Patriots; ensure that there is constant pressure on Tom Brady. If Jordan shows even glimpses of Jason Taylor, his pro comparison, the tandem of Wake and Jordan will create chaos on a weekly basis and be a nightmare for the opposition. 

The Dolphins have also scouted Jordan for over two years, in case he declared for the 2012 draft, Miami wanted to be prepared. Due to this extensive amount of scouting, the Dolphins must have been very confident in Jordan's abilities to trade up and select him with the third overall pick. Jordan was the top player on Miami's board, they wanted him, they did what was required to make sure he was a Dolphin.

Following Jordan on the Dolphins top secret list draft board, were not safe selections of offensive and defensive lineman, there were more play makers. Tavon Austin was high on the Dolphins board, not as high as Jordan of course, but there was significant interest. If it weren't for the Bills trying to make certain that Austin did not land in the AFC East, there is a good chance Miami would have selected him. 8th overall is fair value for Austin, however there were better players available at 3rd overall.

One round into the draft, its clear the Dolphins are targeting play makers. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues in the last six rounds and Miami's 9 remaining picks.

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Dolphins trade up to select Dion Jordan

Written by Daniel Eliesen on .

The Dolphins shock the world on Thursday night trading up to the 3rd overall pick to select Oregon DE Dion Jordan. The Dolphins traded the 12th and 42nd overall picks to select the clear number one defensive prospect in the draft.

Jeff Ireland on Jordan "We think the world of the player, and has tremendous upside."

Dion Jordan has been compared to former Dolphins great Jason Taylor and possess the ability to be a difference maker in the league. The Dolphins understood the need and importance of getting to the QB especially when needing to face Tom Brady twice a year and now they went up and solved a need with a highly talented player.

Jordan might only show aspects of the strength of his game early on and might take time to develop but should big a big time contributor opposite Cam Wake.  Per PFW: "natural explosion and raw physical traits."

Jordan on being drafted by the Dolphins: " I was really surprised. I wasn't expecting a trade to go down but I think they made the right move. " 

Here are a couple of reactions to the pick.

RT @ArmandoSalguero: I really, really like this pick of Dion Jordan. Wake one side, Jordan the other?

RT @JasonColeYahoo Pretty cheap trade for dolphins to move up that far. Impressive.

I would say the initial reaction from fans has been positive and I would agree with them. The Dolphins have need to figure out the LT situation however pass rusher was an area of need and they were able to land a special talent. Jeff Ireland needed to be bold and did what he had to in order to make a splash and at fair value 

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Dolphins defense gets a makeover with Dion Jordan

Written by Michael Serrania on .

Tonight during the NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins did something they have yet to do in years: trade up to get an impact player for the future.  With the selection of LB/DE Dion Jordan of Oregon, the Miami Dolphins added a piece that will be a key difference maker to the Miami Dolphins defense.  The move was bold by Jeff Ireland and executed with precision by dangling the first second rounder that was supposedly ready for the Chiefs Tackle Branden Albert and making a trade with the rivaled and hated Oakland Raiders.

Dion Jordan adds a swagger to the Miami Dolphins franchise on defense that has not been seen since the likes of Jason Taylor.  In fact, according to Mike Mayock of the NFL Network, the Dolphins have selected their heir apparent to Jason Taylor. Surely the Dolphins have Cam Wake, but now they have Wake and Jordan.  A dynamic duo that will make it hell and wreak havoc on their opponents.  Not to mention, rack up the sacks and disrupt opposing offenses.

What's brilliant about this move by Miami, is that defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle now can feature Jordan in a variety of roles.  Jordan can stand up as an outside linebacker, rush off the line, cover tight ends, or even blitz up the middle.  The athleticism and size could be a factor for opposing offenses and tip passes or create impact plays to get the ball back to the Dolphins "championship offense."  

Coupled with the Dolphins free agent additions of Dannell Ellerbe and Phillip Wheeler, the Dolphins feature speed on this defense synomous with the defenses of Cincinnati and Baltimore.

However, the makeover is not complete and the Dolphins must find a way to add more to the defense to make it a force in the AFC. The Dolphins are still not done and there are some holes to fill, but the Dolphin fans are seeing a new Jeff Ireland, logos and jerseys, and a new franchise addition in Dion Jordan.

Phins Up! Keep on supporting the Aqua and Orange and they will be making us proud this year!

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