The 2022 NFL draft kicks off in just over 24 hours, and news of meetings between the Miami Dolphins and prospects continues to trickle out from various outlets.
According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the Dolphins met with both Alabama linebacker Christopher Allen and Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick recently. Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson also reported this week that Miami virtually met with Arkansas defensive tackle John Ridgeway.
The trio of SEC defenders could all find a role in Josh Boyer’s defense to help continue the impressive performances that they were putting up during the second half of the 2021 season.
Allen, who is expected to go in the middle rounds of the draft, could’ve been a higher selection if he didn’t break his foot in the season opener against the Miami Hurricanes last season and miss all of 2018 due to a knee injury. That’s why his numbers (54 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery) look a little light.
“Two injuries robbed Allan of valuable game experience and dulled some of his development,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said about Allen. “He’s a physical specimen with the strength to hold his own at the point and rid himself of single blocks with twitch and technique. However, he often seems lost in terms of play recognition and what he needs to do to get in on a play. He has some upfield rush charge but isn’t a natural bend-and-trim rusher, so building out a more thoughtful, diversified attack is a must. Allen has the traits to play edge in odd or even fronts but additional development is critical if he wants to become more than just a quality rotational defender.”
Kendrick transferred to Georgia for his final season after three years at Clemson. In total, he finished his collegiate career with 104 tackles, 14 passes defended, seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one sack. He’s projected to go in the late rounds.
“Cornerback with four years of playoff experience and two national titles under his belt,” Zierlein wrote about the Bulldog. “Kendrick has played against some of the best wideouts in the game but has a history of struggling in some of those matchups. He lacks speed and strength to stay outside but his quickness and route recognition should help him move inside as a nickel. He’s athletic and capable underneath with excellent ball skills but can be exploited by long speed and needs safety help in those matchups. He’s unreliable as a tackler, but concerns over character and maturity appear to be a bigger issue for him. Talent and those concerns need to be weighed, but Kendrick has CB3/CB4 potential in the right scheme.”
Ridgeway played at Illinois State before transferring to Arkansas for the 2021 season. He started 11 games, putting up 39 tackles and two sacks for the Razorbacks while taking on a number of double teams in arguably the toughest conference in college football. Ridgeway is projected to be selected in the middle rounds, but he could provide some help with keeping opposing rushing attacks to a minimum for Miami.
“College nose tackle with the size and length for consideration along the interior or as an odd front defensive end,” Zierlein wrote about the nose tackle.” Ridgeway is more wrestler than gap-eater when taking on blocks as a nose. He’s likely to be coveted by traits-based evaluators eager to develop the physical ingredients into a more polished product. While most of his experience has come at nose tackle, the sum of his parts might make more sense as a 3-4 defensive end, where his long arms and natural power would become more beneficial as an edge-setter. Regardless of position, he won’t offer much help as a pass rusher, so rotational lineman with upside is likely to become his tag as a Day 3 prospect.