The Miami Dolphins’ front office and coaching staff are taking the opportunity to evaluate dozens of potential additions to their roster this week in Mobile, Alabama as a part of their duties coaching the Senior Bowl. And while every player is given the same coaching on the field, all players are admittedly not going to be given equal attention. That’s okay for Miami — because there are some heavy hitters in attendance.
Running back Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith of Alabama are good examples. Harris has taken part in some individual drills, whereas Smith has been on the shelf with a finger injury and will not partake physically in any of the action this week at all. But, as a Heisman Trophy winner, everyone’s eyes are on Smith anyway — especially after he teased he and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had discussed the chance to “run it back” in the NFL earlier in the week.
Is the feeling mutual?
The Dolphins certainly are making it seem as though it is. When asked what the Dolphins are looking for this week in their evaluation process, head coach Brian Flores offered a pretty distinct punch list.
“We’re looking for guys who are tough, smart, competitive. Guys who love to play and love to practice,” he said.
Now, compare that to what Flores said yesterday when specifically asked about Smith and you’ll see why Dolphins fans were once again whipped up into a frenzy watching practices.
Sounds like Brian Flores has been impressed by his conversations with DeVonta Smith at the Senior Bowl. Tells ESPNU he would've liked to see him practice, as you can imagine. pic.twitter.com/svTqDnkTlT
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) January 27, 2021
Flores ran through the full gauntlet of qualities — but that doesn’t necessarily mean Smith should be written in at No. 3 in Sharpie for the Miami Dolphins. What it does mean is that Smith certainly falls into the bucket of players who will qualify for the Dolphins as ones to target. Whether that means Miami covets him so deeply that they must draft him at No. 3? That’s a different story all together.