Steven Ridley’s 2018 NFL Mock Draft

With the eleventh overall pick in the 2018 Steven Ridley NFL Mock Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:

Derwin James; Defensive Back from Florida State University.

I understand that losing the likes of Ndamukong Suh should automatically make the likes of Vita Vea the incumbent for this pick. However, given the fact that this is a very deep and talented interior defensive lineman draft with Reshad Jones being on the wrong side of 30, why not augment Miami with the most versatile defensive prospect in the class in Derwin James? While Jalen Ramsey was definitley a “once in a generation” type player, Derwin James is not too far behind. Dare I say it, Derwin’s ceiling just might be higher than Ramsey’s when he came out of college. While the likes of Tremaine Edmunds can play up to three different positions, Derwin can play up to five; Free Safety, Strong Safety, Left Cornerback, Right Cornerback, Slot Cornerback and “Will Linebacker.” Nevermind he can play those five but do so efficiently and sufficiently simultaneously. His best position, as stated, would be strong safety as ReShad Jones is on the “back nine” of his career. While James still does not possess the same level of explosive capabilites that many of us saw in 2016, this does not mean he is not worthy of a top 15 selection. Besides, I am certain that Adam Gase wants to have a tempo setting impact player who can match up with the likes of Rob Gronkowksi on a consistent basis.