Miami Dolphins GM, Dennis Hickey answered questions today regarding this year’s draft class, their ability to adapt to the NFL’s fast pace, as well as their chemistry with existing veterans. Hickey first opened up with a statement regarding his satisfaction with this year’s draft picks.
He said, “We’ve been really happy with our draft picks and our signed free agents leading up to this. They are working hard. They’re in the weight room. They’re hitting the practice field and getting integrated with our veterans into our system and it’s been a really positive last couple of weeks.”
When asked about evaluating draft picks from small colleges, Hickey made a point to dispel any differences about how they’re judged compared to players coming from well known programs and universities. He compared the evaluation process to that of a vacuum.
Hickey responded, “Yeah, and again when we evaluate these guys we evaluate them in a vacuum. We evaluate the individual player and not the individual school. They’ve done a good job of translating. Obviously, for all of these rookies, the pro tempo, there’s a lot of adjustment adjusting to the NFL. But they’ve done an outstanding job and we’ve been really pleased with their progress so far.”
Hickey went in depth about earning a position on his team, rookie or not. He said, “We always talk aboutearning the hat to be able to dress on gameday. That’s playing a versatile role, being able to help on special teams or playing a role whether you are a starter or key backup. Always competing for those roles, and those are hard to earn. That’s what our rookies have to do. That’s what all of the players on our 90-man roster are competing right now to do. That’s what we want, the competitive environment, competing to earn those hats to dress on Sunday.”
Two key draftees who Hickey spoke about individually include 2nd round pick Jarvis Landry (WR) and 5th round pick Arthur Lynch (TE). Hickey was asked if there was a player who reminded him of Jarvis Landry as well as if he expects Landry to play ideally inside, outside and on special teams.
Hickey refused to compare his wide receiver to anyone else in the NFL. “These guys are their own commodities,” he said. “I’m hesitant. These guys haven’t actually played a snap yet, so they are still working through that and making their own brand for themselves.”
Hickey responded, “Yeah, we feel he brings that to the table:” when asked about Landry’s ability to play in different positions on the field. “A versatile skillset to play both inside the slot and on the outside. We feel like he’s definitely going to help us on special teams,” he said.
Hickey also praised TE Arthur Lynch’s potential to become a notable contributor in both blocking and route-running. “He can do both. Obviously, that’s one of the things we like about him that he can block but he can also run routes, catch the ball. He’s a really smart player, has had good production there at Georgia, and he’s done a good job out here. We feel like he brings both to the table,” Hickey said.
He also answered a question about the return game of first year players. The Dolphin’s GM claimed Jarvis Landry can return punts and kickoffs, but only the preseason will tell where they are in their search for an explosive return man.
“There are a lot of guys that have those skills, and that’s what we’re out here doing. And just kind of furtherinvestigating. It’s one thing to do it at the college level. It’s another thing to do it at the NFL level. There’s been multiple opportunities, but again these guys will have opportunities as we go through the preseason.”
More stories you might like
