Dolphins rookie report: Beck’s standing out

By Adam Best  |   Friday, July 27, 2007  |  Comments( 10 )

Miami Dolphins
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NFL rookie classes are a mysterious thing. For the most part, every year each franchise and its fans come away from April's draft grinning ear to ear, at least until early September. Ignoring the front office's and homers' contention that each and every Miami Dolphins draft class is God's gift to draft classes, just how good is the team's '07 group of picks? Obviously, it can't be any worse than last year, but that's not saying much. Here's an early look at the rookies who look poised to make a difference this upcoming season.

WR/RS Ted Ginn (first round) - It's hard to evaluate Ginn right now because he's unsigned. Still, with his kick return skills, he has to be the rookie whom the Dolphins' brass is the least worried about.

QB John Beck (second round) - This is the player everyone involved with the Dolphins should be excited about. So far he's shown a strong arm and pinpoint accuracy. It might be his non-physical attributes, however, that are the most encouraging. Not only has Beck, a former BYU star, sought out and embraced veteran quarterback Trent Green as his mentor, but he's assuming a leadership role himself. During Oklahoma drills this week Beck was fired up, rallying both his offensive and defensive teammates. Beck's to-date progress couldn't be much more hopeful.

C Samson Satele (second round) - If offensive line guru Hudson Houck says Satele's ready to start at this point in the summer, then he's ready to start. Barring injury, Satele will be the No. 1 center for the Dolphins come Opening Day.

RB Lorenzo Booker (fourth round) - Booker has failed to impress as a return man thus far. Who cares? Ginn will assume that responsibility as soon as he signs anyway. The biggest rave everyone has has about Booker up to this point is about his speed. There's fast and then there's on-the-field fast. Apparently, Booker is on-the-field fast. Look for Booker to back up Ronnie Brown as a change-of-pace runner in '07.

DT Paul Soliai (fourth round) - The 6-foot-4, 340-pound-plus behemoth showed great athleticism for a man of his size. He was probably the most dominant player during Oklahoma drills.

FB Reagan Mauia (sixth round) - "The Juggernaut," as he's called, surprisingly showed a natural knack for running the football. How did his blocking skills look? Well, those are going to need some work.

G Drew Mormino (sixth round) - Mormino didn't exactly draw inordinate raves at camp this week, but nobody seemed to be discouraged by his play either. Expect him to challenge Chris Liwienski for the starting left guard spot.

WR David Sutton (undrafted) - Not only has Sutton been the offseason's best surprise for Miami, apparently he's the team's best dunker (even better than Michael Malone, Moses Malone's son). He's still drawing rave reviews, and with his blend of size and athleticism could, he very well make the team. He's reminiscent of the San Diego Chargers' Vincent Jackson, a former Cam Cameron project.

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