Tag: Ryan Hayes

2023 NFL Draft: The best draft steal for every NFL team

Every NFL draft has its selection of steals — those players who could surprise despite their low selections — and here’s one for every NFL team.

One of the many reasons the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII was the job that general manager Brett Veach did outside of the first round of the 2022 draft. Three defensive backs (Bryan Cook in the second round, Joshua Williams in the fourth, and Jaylen Watson in the seventh) were difference-makers all season, and seventh-round running back Isiah Pacheco became the team’s bellcow back down the stretch. Also, second-round receiver Skyy Moore joined Pacheco with touchdowns in that Super Bowl victory over the Eagles.

First-round hits are nice, but it’s almost worse to miss in the first round than it is better to win there from an opportunity cost perspective. If you want to refresh your roster at a championship level, you had better get those picks right on the second and third day. Veach and his staff did that, and it was the difference that made all the difference in the end.

Moving to the 2023 NFL draft, we’ve selected one second- or third-day pick for every NFL team who could have a similar impact on their NFL roaters sooner than mater. Each of these players have reasons for their relatively low picks in line with their tape, stats, and talent, but these are the kinds of finds that can turn a team around over time.

3 takeaways from the Dolphins’ 2023 draft class

What we learned from the draft.

The 2023 NFL draft has concluded after seven rounds and 259 players selected. The Miami Dolphins had four picks this year, selecting three players on offense and one on defense.

With a limited number of picks, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel had to be precise on who they chose to draft. Deciding who to draft often comes down to whether or not a team views themselves as a contender.

Miami has made it no secret their goal is to win now, and it appears they did a good job selecting players for the near future.

Here are three main takeaways from the Dolphins’ 2023 draft class:

Where did each Dolphins draft pick rank on pre-draft big boards?

A look at the rankings before the weekend’s draft.

After any NFL draft, fans and analysts want to know how a team fared in their process. Did they make the right selection? Did they reach?

One way that many look at this is by going back to before the three-day event and seeing where the team’s eventual picks were ranked by analysts and experts.

For the Miami Dolphins, they only had four selections, so they had to be solid in their evaluations.

Draft Wire: Top 150
Pro Football Focus: Top 200
CBS Sports: NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
The Athletic: Top 300

Winners and losers from Dolphins’ 2023 draft

Who’s in a better situation, and who’s not?

During the 2023 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins only had four draft picks, and they used all four to select some talented players who could all have a role in their first professional season.

South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith, Texas A&M running back Devon Achane, Stanford wide receiver Elijah Higgins and Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Hayes are all set to wear aqua and orange, and they’ll have an opportunity to earn jobs this summer.

However, with the moves made, others will be affected. Here are some winners and losers from Miami’s draft class.

4 things to know about new Dolphins OT Ryan Hayes

Get familiar with the former Wolverine.

With their final pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Hayes.

Hayes joins a Dolphins offensive line unit that really should have two positions open for competition – left guard and right tackle. However, general manager Chris Grier has stated that he expects Austin Jackson to be protecting Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side.

Before Hayes steps on the field at Hard Rock Stadium, here are a few things that Dolphins fans should know about their new offensive tackle:

Best photos of new Dolphins OT Ryan Hayes

Wolverine views.

After selecting South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith in the second round, Texas A&M running back Devon Achane in the third and Stanford wide receiver Elijah Higgins in the sixth, the Miami Dolphins added another piece to Mike McDaniel’s offense by drafting Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Hayes in the seventh.

Hayes, who was a two-time member of the All-Big Ten second team, was a two-year starter on the left side for the Wolverines. However, with the Dolphins, his only pathway to being a starter is on the right side or with a slide to the interior.

Some have projected a move to guard due to his arm length, which could allow him to compete for an opportunity against Liam Eichenberg and Dan Feeney.

Now that Hayes is set to be a Dolphin in 2023, let’s take a look at some of the best photos from his collegiate career.

WATCH: Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier’s draft call with new Dolphins OT Ryan Hayes

“Are you cool with us drafting you?”

With the 238th pick, their final in the 2023 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Hayes.

Hayes was a two-year starter at left tackle for the Wolverines, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in both of the last two seasons. He was also a big part of a unit that one the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in 2021 and 2022.

When the pick was made, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel called Hayes to inform him that he’d be wearing aqua and orange in the near future.

McDaniel is hilarious. In these draft call videos, he’s had a little joke or quip that’s been pretty funny.

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Where every Michigan football draftee ranked coming out of high school

Development-U!!!! #GoBlue

Michigan football had the second-most players (9) drafted in the 2023 NFL draft. Alabama and Georgia had 10 each.

The Wolverines had four players go during the first two days of the draft, and the maize and blue even had a kicker drafted in the third round. Jake Moody was the first kicker to get drafted in the first three rounds since 2016.

Not every Michigan player drafted this year was a star coming out of high school. Some were lower-rated players that got a great education and the coaching staff helped mold them into a star in college and an NFL player now.

We are going to go back in memory lane and show you where every player was ranked at coming out of high school before their Michigan career began. For this exercise, we are going to use the 247Sports composite rankings.

Grading each of the Dolphins’ 4 picks in the 2023 NFL draft

The Dolphins made four selections. How did they do?

Due to tampering findings and trades for a number of players, the Miami Dolphins entered the 2023 NFL draft with just four picks, and they used those exact four without moving around.

Miami brought in four players who should be given an opportunity to earn a roster spot and a role in their rookie season.

As we wrap up the draft coverage, we’ll take a look at each pick that the Dolphins made and assign a grade to that decision.

Everything new Dolphins OT Ryan Hayes in his introductory media availability

He’s open to moving inside, if needed.

The Miami Dolphins finally attacked one of their biggest roster needs on the final day of the draft with their last pick, as general manager Chris Grier selected Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Hayes 238th overall.

Hayes joins an offensive tackle group that has some talent, but definitely has some questions as well. Left tackle Terron Armstead missed games and dealt with injuries last year while right tackle Austin Jackson played in just two games and has yet to prove himself as a starter at the position.

With that said, Hayes could be involved in the competition at right tackle or left guard, but at the very least he could provide depth, whether that be on the roster or practice squad.

After his selection, Hayes took some time to meet virtually with the South Florida media, and he answered some questions about his collegiate career and future with the Dolphins.

Here’s everything the former Wolverine said: