Ten players including Brian Flores and the Miami Dolphins fell in love at Senior Bowl 2021

Reese’s 2021 Senior Bowl wrapped up on Saturday afternoon, and when the clock showed a whole bunch of zeros, Brian Flores and the Miami Dolphins coaching staff claimed victory.

Which in 2021 could only mean one thing.

A shower from Reese.

The national team won a contest 27-24, but for Flores and Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, watching some of this year’s top prospects up close was the real win.

Flores spoke about the value of being able to coach the Senior Bowl this season.

“It was great. We had a great week with these young players. They worked really hard. A lot of them made great impressions not only on our staff, but there were obviously teams from all over the world. the league. But we have to spend the most time with them. We saw them in meeting, we saw them take things from meetings to walkthroughs to practice. I thought they were all doing well. good for themselves and then went out and competed today so it was a good week.

He added.

“Yeah, there were quite a few guys who we thought could potentially help our team. We’re not going to delve into the names of these guys, but there were a lot of talented players. I thought Jim Nagy and the Senior Bowl staff did a great job of bringing talented players here for us to train and a lot of them did well.

Unfortunately I can’t tell you who the dolphins are officially liked this week in Mobile, but I can try to speculate based on what kind of players Miami is looking for and who I believe have stood out this week.

Here are ten players Brian Flores and his staff PROBABLY fell in love with at the Senior Bowl.

(Note: you can probably make a pitch for each player, but these are some of the highlights of this weekend and some of my favorites. If a player has a * next to their name, it means Flores trained them to the Senior Bowl. ENJOY)

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* Creed Humphrey, offensive lineman, Oklahoma *

This list will not have ten players that you have never heard of. It would be silly. No, it’s the best senior bowlers who I believe may be most beneficial for the 2021 Miami Dolphins – and beyond.

Humphrey was a fan favorite in the final draft season when many believed the Dolphins would draft the 6’5, 312-pound bully of Oklahoma. He may have decided to stay another season, but that won’t stop him hearing his name called on day one.

Flores and her team took a close look at Humphrey in Mobile, which means the Dolphins should understand how valuable a guy like Humphrey would be alongside the rest of Miami’s young offensive line.

Ted Karras is nice, but he’s not – and never will be – Creed Humphrey.

* Demetric Felton, Running Back / Wide Receiver, UCLA *

Listed as a running back at UCLA, Felton’s course in running and lighting up quick feet immediately stood out during all three days of practice. It also didn’t hurt that he was proving he could create separation easily – something the dolphins desperately need.

In 2020, Felton amassed 827 total yards in scrum and 8 touchdowns.

He did it all, and the result is quite simple:

Felton is a playmaker, and the Miami Dolphins are in desperate need of playmakers.

“&% * $, Send it.”

* Rashad Weaver, defensive lineman, Pittsburgh *

I thought Patrick Jones would be the defensive lineman I was talking about early Monday morning – but he didn’t have the training week that many expected.

(Note: he played much better on game day and should always be a target for the Dolphins.)

Jones’ teammate Rashad Weaver, however, has performed above expectations this week.

He was beefy against the run, flashed a variety of passing moves and put the edge on like a seasoned vet.

Weaver also fits the mold of a typical Brian-Flores defensive end, making him the perfect target for the Dolphins on Day 2.

Cam Sample, Defensive Lineman, Tulane

The sample was first brought to my attention by NFL draftnik Phillip Dillingham on Twitter. He told me to keep an eye on Sample throughout the week in Mobile, Alabama. I can say with confidence that the whole football world will remember his name after this week’s performance.

Cam Sample looked dominant one rep after another, and he did it in different ways. No matter where he lined up or who he lined up against, he dominated one offensive line prospect after another.

And I think he showed Brian Flores and his team that he is a smart, tough and competitive player, just as Flores and her team seek him out.

* Michael Carter, running back, North Carolina *

Michael Carter has looked explosive all week in Mobile, and his speed and ability to do a little bit of everything definitely caught the attention of Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. Carter ran for 60 yards in Saturday’s All-Star Game, a performance that stood out among other prospects in the Draft.

“First of all, he’s a great kid. He’s a hard working kid. He’s smart, he’s tough, and he’s been productive today and really productive throughout the week. He played well. He’s a guy who had a great career for UNC and he’s a great back.

Carter has all the tools to be a great NFL running back. He is quick, decisive and can play in the passing game. But if it were up to me, I’d be much more interested in his North Carolina teammate JaVonte Williams.

* Quinn Meinerz, offensive lineman, Wisconsin-Whitewater *

By now we’ve all heard the story of how Quinn Meinerz broke his hand and tried to convince coach Flores to let him play in Saturday’s game. Flores decided it was in Meinerz’s best interests not to play, which may have been the only battle he lost all week.

(He got dressed and was ready to play.)

In practice, Meinerz has dominated some of the draft’s top prospects, including Pittsburgh’s Patrick Jones.

His stock project is currently through the roof, and like Humphrey, it would also be an (IMO) upgrade on Karras on the Dolphins’ offensive line. He also fits the type of player Brian Flores is looking for.

Smart, robust, competitive.

The fit makes too much sense.

Amari Rodgers, wide receiver, Clemson

Like Felton, Rodgers has shown quick feet, a sharp road and sure hands this week, which are many of the attributes that Miami’s receiving corps was sorely lacking in 2020. All week, defensive backs struggled to put on hand over Clemson’s quick WR, who stacked one successful rep after another.

Last season, Rodgers caught 77 balls for 1,020 yards and 7 touchdowns with the Tigers.

Don’t sleep on Amari Rodgers.

* Ian Book, Quarterback, Our Lady*

I can’t believe I’m writing this, but unless the Dolphins can get Ryan Fitzpatrick to stay and coach Tua Tagovailoa, they’ll need to find a replacement quarterback this offseason.

Fitzpatrick has made it clear he wants to start, and I’m sure many teams will take the opportunity to bring in the grizzled veteran.

While I’m not a huge fan of Book, it’s clear that he caught Brian Flores’ attention and shares some of the qualities he looks for in a young signal quarterback. Best of all, he wears a visor which as you know is the recipe for success with any young QB.

Ian Book as a backup for Tua Tagovailoa?

Unlikely.

The Dolphins will be far better equipped to call on a proven veteran than to rely on Book. But as far as catching a last minute plane on a guy with potential, I wish Brandon Doughty more than I ever did.

** DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris, friends from Tua, Alabama **

Photo by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

You know I couldn’t write this article without talking about the friends of # Tua. If the Dolphins decide to hold onto their draft capital, Najee Harris (RB1) and DeVonta Smith (WR1) could very well be the targets. But it’s not necessarily because of Tagovailoa. No. It has a lot more to do with both players being at the top of their respected positions.

And while the two players didn’t make it to Saturday’s All-Star Game, they made their presence known all week at the Senior Bowl – which you can imagine Coach Flo and his coaching staff on.

Others: Dillon Radunz, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Kadarius Toney, Cade Johnson, KJ Britt, Ifeatu Melifonwu and many more!

Which players marked you last week in Mobile, Alabama?

Let us know in the comments section below!