INDIANAPOLIS — Years down the road, the Miami Dolphins might have a large enough sample size of successful draft picks made by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to start labeling prospects a “Sully guy.”
Maybe certain characteristics rise to the forefront as those that Sullivan keys in on to make particular players the ones he typically goes for.
What would constitute a “Sully guy?”
“I think guys that are resilient, mentally tough, guys who prioritize winning over individual goals,” Sullivan said, with South Florida reporters gathered around him at the NFL scouting combine earlier this week. “Guys who are smart football players, elevate those around them.”
He wants players who are going to fit the culture he’s trying to establish with the Dolphins.
“The word culture gets thrown out. It’s a buzzword: culture, culture, culture,” Sullivan continued. “But I think, when you sit in the chair that I’m sitting in, you have to be very intentional about the guys that you infuse into that locker room. Because that’s what the culture is going to be built on. And so I want a bunch of guys who love football, who are passionate about football and who prioritize winning and will do what they need to do for the team versus I mentality, if that makes sense.”
The transfer portal in college football has created challenges in identifying some of those traits in players as they enter the NFL.
“Not always easy to find, especially in the environment we’re in with guys jumping around from school to school,” Sullivan said. “That, in itself, kind of cultivates a me, me, me, I, I, I. You have to be very diligent and cognizant of who you’re bringing into the locker room.”
Related Articles
Could Dolphins, with major need on edge, luck into keeping Hurricanes’ Rueben Bain in Miami?
Dolphins’ Hafley speaks highly of Patullo; Sullivan excited about new executive hire
Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ duo of Sullivan and Hafley passing early tests with flying colors
Dolphins’ Hafley, Sullivan lay out expectations for Year 1: ‘More about the process than anything else’
Dolphins’ Sullivan says ‘everything’s on the table’ with Tua; talks Malik Willis and more
Sullivan said the Dolphins’ general draft strategy will be to grab the best available but be positionally conscious come late April.
If Miami was to get involved in trading during the draft, it would probably mean moving back to acquire more draft capital as opposed to trading up for a specific player.
“The more likely scenario is that we’re looking to move back and getting picks,” Sullivan said. “That’s the (former Packers GM) Ted Thompson in me. The more slings in the bag you have, the better chance you have to hit. But then also, it’s the obvious, it’s common sense. You look at our roster, where we’re going to be, I mean, we need picks. But you never know what situation’s going to present itself. So everything’s always on the table, but more likely we go back.”
This story will be updated.
