Assessing Possibilities: Mike Mickens

A couple of days ago we looked at LB/DE hybrid Nick Reed, and how, for a 7th round pick possibility, he may become a true contributor of an NFL football team who may dedicate some time to develop him.

Today I wanted to focus on what I consider will be a sleeper at the position which Miami needs to fill the most in the coming draft.

Mike Mickens, CB, 6-0 184lbs.
40 Time: 4.53/ Vertical: 35 1/2

- First team All-Big East 2006
- Second team All-Big East 2008

Mickens was a dominant corner for most of his career at Cincinnati. He is a great athlete with a nose for the football. He can run with the best of them. His 4.53 40 time during his pro day was with him at 85% back from arthroscopic surgery, and had he been 100% he would definitely have been in the low 4.4's. Mickens plays tougher than he looks, and is not afraid to tackle the ball carrier.

He has a nose for the football, and is a playmaker. He has above average hands for a cornerback, and is a natural when the ball is in his hands. He has a second wind, and possesses the speed to make up for any mistakes. He is the type of cover corner that can blanket a receiver. He's as close to a ballhawk as you get for a corner. His burst to the football causes QB's to hesitate when throwing to his side. He has a second gear if the opposing Wideout tries to go deep on him.

At Cincinnati, Mickens improved every year. He is very coachable and is very confident in his abilities. He has played a variety of defensive schemes, and understands and excels in all of them. He was extremely good in a zone scheme where there is heavy blitzing, and in cover 2 with a safety shading him. This allows him to take more risks and make more plays.

Possible negatives with Mickens are that he plays with huge attitude, and although that may be great, he will draw penalties from time to time, and will get called for holding beyond 5 yards in press coverage every once in a while. Mickens's size gives him trouble when he attempts to come off blocks to make plays in the running game. His tackling technique is flawed, as he leads with his shoulder rather than arm wrap the ball carrier.

Mickens is the type of cover corner who has both the tangibles and intangibles to translate his skills effectively into the NFL game. He is a high motor, no quit guy, who's very dedicated to being successful. With the proper coaching and the right players around him, Mickens can develop his skills and become a very good corner in the National Football League.

Overall: I like Mike Mickens to come into the NFL and possibly steal the nickel or dime spot from anyone on any team. With Miami's thin depth at corner, I feel he can come in and possible take the nickel spot right away, and may have a legitimate shot at the number 2 spot by the second half of the year. His draft position may have taken a hit due to his injury, but judging by what he managed to do at the Cincinnati pro day at only 85% I think he'd be worth the pick if he fell into the fourth round.

Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0

The NFL Draft is 11 days away!! It's becoming quite a difficult task for me to sit straight in my chair, but while I try to hold that under control, I will drop my Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0.

This draft may change a couple of times in the coming days since the week before the draft gets extremely hectic when it comes to players value shooting up and down.

• 1st rd. (25th Overall)- With the 25th Pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois. As I've made clear before, I strongly believe that if Miami (who owns the toughest schedule in the NFL) is to at all come close to competing this season, they need to cover the hole they have in their secondary. Davis is the best corner in the draft and can likely take over Miami's number 1 corner spot by the second half of the year. That said, he may as well not be available at the 25 slot. If that's the case, I imagine Miami will look at Darius Butler or Sean Smith. I highly doubt Miami will draft outside the corner position in this slot in the draft. It is more likely they trade down.

• 2nd rd. (44th Overall)- With the 44th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select WR, Hakeem Nicks, UNC. First and foremost let me establish that I think he will be the perfect complement to Teddy Ginn. He's not as fast, so he doesn't post the deep threat, but he is your dream possession receiver, and a great blocker. He will help Miami's pass and run offense immensely. Like Davis, it is extremely possible that he may have been drafted by the 44th pick, and if that's the case, then I don't believe Miami will draft WR. I imagine they may be looking for an OLB, where the likes of Larry English, Clint Sintim, or even Worrell Williams.

• 2nd rd. (56th Overall)- With the 56th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select OLB, Clint Sintim, Virginia. This pick is very dependant on how high Tuna and his front office are on Cameron Wake. If they feel he's a project, they'll take an OLB early. Sintim has played the 3-4 in college and been successful, and will be used in the same slot he was in college if drafted by Miami. He will rush opposite Porter. My only issue with him is his pass coverage skills. If Miami happens to be high on Wake, and believe he's ready to play (who am I to argue with Parcells and his track record), then I can see Miami going after another corner to shore up that passing game once and for all. Possible targets might be Alphonso Smith or DJ Moore.

• 3rd rd. (87th Overall)- With the 87th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select OT, Jamon Meredith, South Carolina. Miami has 2 great left tackles. This is not necessarily a position of need, rather a position of want. If Carey or Long go down, Miami has no insurance. Drafting Meredith will not only provide insurance, but in the 3rd rd, he may as well be one of the better players available, and he'll be able to spell the Tackles from time to time. I doubt Miami will draft another WR, or a NT here, and if my assumptions are correct, and if they go corner twice with the first three picks, it won't happen again here. Other possibilities may be Jarius Byrd if they don't draft a corner in rd. 2 or another tackle, Fenuki Tupou, Lawrence Sidbury.
  

• 4th rd. (108th Overall)- With the 108th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select CB, Mike Mickens, Cincinnati. Mickens is a true cover corner who possesses the raw skills necessary to become a legit star in the NFL. He has the height and weight that Parcells likes, and his negatives can be fixed through coaching. Assuming Miami does not go corner twice on day one, they'll be taking a corner with this pick. Other options might be CB Greg Toler, NT Sammie Lee Hill.

• 5th rd. (161 Overall)- With the 161st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select NT, Terrence Taylor, Michigan. Taylor was once a first round prospect who struggled along with everyone else at Michigan last year. He lacks a bit in height, but his shape and conditioning will be fixed once he goes pro. He will be a legitimate run stopper in the NFL. Other possibilities here may include ILB Frantz Joseph.
  

• 6th rd. (181 Overall)- With the 181st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select SS, Otis Wiley, Michigan State. This is basically and insurance pick. Bell is 32 years ol and has an extensive injury history. He managed to keep it together last year, but it never hurts to have someone who can come in and perform in his place were something to happen. If not, a safety to groom. Other Possibilities may include C Dallas Reynolds, ILB Dannell Ellerbe.

• 7th rd. (214 Overall)- With the 214th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select ILB, Nick Reed, Oregon. Reed will more than likely not compete for a starting job, but he'll be a project. Has great work ethic, and may make the team on special teams. At this point in the draft, Miami might be drafting for the best player available.

• 7th rd. (237th Overall)- With the 237th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select OG/OT George Bussey, Louisville. This pick will provide Miami with versatility depth at the O-line. He's also a player who has been injury free throughout college, and has trememndous upside if coached well (which he will be) in the pros. Again, there may be a ton of other options at this point in the draft.

Well, there it is, the 7 round Dolphins Mock Draft. Feel free to comment on what you would change or not.