MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was hearing some skepticism in the tone of questions at the end of Day 1 of the NFL Draft.
Yes, offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor is 6-foot-7, 352 pounds. And yes, he can play tackle or guard. And yes, he can move very well for a big man.
But … the 12th overall pick in an NFL Draft?
Watch NFL Draft on Fubo
“Go watch the tape,” Sullivan said. “I mean, I’ll sit down and watch the tape with any of you if you want to. You tell me.”
At his best, Proctor was a monster and a mauler at Alabama.
But critics say he did not reach his potential, did not execute consistent technique and struggled to keep his weight down.
Proctor said he was once 400 pounds, but he has it under control.
“He’s unique,” Sullivan said of Proctor’s combination of size and athleticism. “He’s rare.”
A scouting report by The Athletic compared Proctor to Mekhi Becton, a similarly-gigantic man who did not live up to his status as a first-round tackle pick for the Jets.
Becton has recovered his career a bit following a move to guard.
Sullivan said he would have taken Proctor over safety Caleb Downs, who went 11th to the Cowboys after a deal with Miami.
Sullivan smartly picked up two fifth-rounders to move down a spot. That is, assuming Downs does not end up in multiple Pro Bowls and Proctor lives up to Sullivan’s expectations.
“There wasn’t another one in the draft like him,” Sullivan said of Proctor. “Period.”
Proctor and Patrick Paul would make for some pretty enormous bookend offensive tackles. And Austin Jackson has played guard before.
Perhaps that ends up as the arrangement this season. Or, Proctor could always play guard for a season before moving.
Sullivan believes Proctor will help protect Malik Willis and create holes for De’Von Achane. Sullivan believes Proctor is an impactful people-mover.
Sullivan went into this draft saying he was seeking doubles. And with 13 overall picks there are plenty of chances to aim for the gaps.
But the Proctor pick does feel more like a home-run swing.
For the first pick of Sullivan’s GM career, it was bold.
Alabama/SEC pedigree helps, but skepticism about Proctor’s readiness
There is some skepticism about Proctor’s readiness to be a consistent performer in the NFL, despite his Alabama/SEC pedigree.
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban suggested before the draft that Proctor wasn’t a self-starter when it comes to making the right dietary choices outside the football facility.
But citing his power, Saban predicted if he doesn’t work at tackle, Proctor will be a hell of an NFL guard.
There also is some skepticism about the Dolphins selecting a cornerback, Chris Johnson, from San Diego State, with the 27th overall pick. They traded up 3 slots with the 49ers to select Johnson.
“Somebody mentioned the conference he plays in, whatever,” Sullivan said, referring to the mid-major Mountain West Conference. “I mean, I think at the end of the day, you’re always looking for traits, right?”
Johnson, like Proctor, can play multiple positions.
He is a baller and a play-maker and will be considered a bit less of a potential reach then Proctor, though.
For the record, Sullivan pushed back on any reach suggestion.
Sullivan also said Proctor and Johnson have edge and confidence.
So does Sullivan. These are his picks. And he’s confident he got them right.
We’ll see.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Facing some skepticism, Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan fired back
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
