A number of other media outlets have “confirmed” it, but Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald had the news first: the Dolphins agreed to terms Thursday with second-round pick Koa Misi. With Misi’s deal done, the Fins’ entire rookie class is under contract.
Misi was a 4-3 defensive end at Utah. He’ll convert to outside linebacker in Miami, where the team employs a 3-4 scheme. Misi is expected to start at strong-side, outside linebacker opposite the winner of a competition between Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake. (For what it’s worth, we expect it’ll be Wake.)
In April, we admittedly weren’t as high on Misi as the Dolphins proved to be. Our outside rusher rankings had Misi 14th, and projected to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 105 overall pick. Tony Sparano’s team took him 40th overall.
Our biggest bone to pick with Misi was his lack of elite production -- just five sacks as a senior. But he’s got plenty of athleticism and suddenness for an edge rusher. It’ll be up to new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to turn Misi’s natural skills into something substantial.