If there was a common theme to be grasped from NFL draft prospects’ takeaways from meeting with the Miami Dolphins at the scouting combine last week, it was how much they simply enjoyed speaking with new coach Mike McDaniel and his coaching staff.
If a prospect Miami is linked to was asked to list teams he has met with, the Dolphins were among the first mentioned. If asked how conversations with the Dolphins went, several players lit up, making it apparent they would love to get drafted by Miami.
“Hopefully they like me,” said Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller during his combine media interview.
It seems to be a point of emphasis for McDaniel. He already doesn’t have your typical look for an NFL head coach. He’s also bringing his unique, amicable approach to communicating with players.
In an era where the notion of empowering athletes is reaching a new peak, McDaniel appears to be taking a lead in this regard in his first offseason as a head coach. Interestingly, he has used the same “empower” word multiple times in interviews when speaking of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The only problem with making such an impression on draft prospects is that the Dolphins are at the mercy of the other 31 teams’ picks to determine which ones they actually end up landing. A lot of it could go down as somewhat of a wasted effort on players that are several years from having their own option of where to play.
But what if this approach exhibited during the combine last week is just a preview for how McDaniel and his staff will handle free-agent sitdowns next week? Whereas the combine interviews are more so for the prospects to make an impression on teams, in the free-agent realm, the impression the Dolphins make on the player can pay immediate dividends.
The Dolphins will navigate the free-agent market to fill needs along the offensive line, at receiver, inside linebacker, running back or find depth at other positions before determining where holes remain for the late April draft. As they key in on who their prime targets at various positions will be, McDaniel’s approach, which could be considered player-friendly and one that this new generation of players prefers, may work to his benefit.
“I enjoy seeing people face to face,” McDaniel said from the combine. “It’s part of the process I enjoy and I know [general manager Chris Grier] enjoys.”
The new way of the Dolphins is not to say it will surely be a determining factor in free agents’ decisions. Players need to get as much money as they can while the opportunity is there. They need to be scheme fits, fill a need for a team and go to a city where they’ll enjoy living; at least the latter should work to Miami’s benefit. But playing for coaches that are enjoyable to work with has to fit into the equation somewhere.
What were the draft prospects saying from the combine?
Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean found McDaniel and his staff to be personable and not pry into uncovering potential negatives from their personal lives.
“I loved that meeting because we were able to talk ball for a lot of reasons,” Dean said. “There weren’t so many character questions — not saying anything is wrong with character questions — but I love talking about ball and learning about defense and having that love for the game.”
It’s a far cry from the days of former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland asking wide receiver Dez Bryant if his mom was a prostitute in a combine interview.
“They definitely understand what it’s like in the player’s head,” said Kentucky offensive lineman Darian Kinnard, “and it’s going to be a better connection than a coach yelling at you or ripping your [expletive] for something stupid.”
Kinnard called it a “heart-to-heart” conversation with the Dolphins and said he likes how many former players are on the staff. Miami has former standout cornerbacks Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain and wide receiver Wes Welker on the staff coaching those respective positions. Several others played the game at other levels, including offensive line coach Matt Applebaum, who was a lineman at UConn.
Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson said he had a “great” conversation with the Dolphins that involved them teaching him through board work and chalk talk.
Free agent negotiations can begin on Monday with the official start to free agency slated for next Wednesday. The NFL draft runs from April 28-30.
