This is the third of a six-part series counting down the Miami Dolphins undrafted rookies we feel have the best chance of surviving cuts and possibly making the team, ultimately ending on the player we think has the best chance based on study of their respective college game tape.

In the last edition of PICK 6, TE Jalin Conyers was featured at number five on our list.

Coming in at the fourth spot is a player in Ole Miss defensive back John Saunders Jr. who in hindsight flew under the radar, despite us having watched a good deal of his teammate, CB Trey Amos.

Amos was a player who would have been ideal in round two if Miami had gone the route of a corner, but if we’re judging Saunders off of his play the last two years, the Dolphins should be taking a closer look at when the pads come on whether it be at safety or nickel.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD IN FLUX FOR MIAMI

One of the reasons Saunders has a shot is that without anyone on the roster having been a regular starter for the Dolphins last year either at safety or cornerback, opportunity should exist for everyone. As unit ratings are making the rounds this summer in various forms of media, Miami often finds its defensive backfield rated at or near the bottom.

Coaches will be looking – shoot, hoping – somebody unexpectedly shines. Save that Minkah Fitzpatrick will be starting at one spot and Kader Kohou will be on the field somewhere, uncertainty exists practically everywhere in Miami’s secondary.

What Saunders showed in his play last year in Oxford is that he has a nose for the football and for creating turnovers.

SAUNDERS VS. TRADER

The two “Jr.’s” in the Miami secondary ironically have similar traits athletically, though at 6-2, 210, Saunders is much bigger. Though Trader is the player who will get the first crack at playing time (likely at strong safety), it’s Saunders who without knowing better, I would have picked as the player I liked better if asked to choose after watching them both.

There is no disregarding that Trader was his team’s defensive most valuable player, so he clearly brings intangibles to the table that don’t always show up in the highlights or stat sheet.

Neither player is lightning fast (Saunders ran a 4.57; Trader did not run), but Saunders does have the ideal safety size while having played against better competition.

In two years at Mississippi (after transferring Miami (Ohio)), Saunders had 112 tackles, 10 pass breakups and six interceptions in a solid Ole Miss defensive backfield. Trader by comparison had 117 tackles, three interceptions and 13 pass breakups during that same span (2022-23) at Maryland, a team that struggled mightily on defense.

DRAFT NOTES – JOHN SAUNDERS JR.

Below are the notes taken while watching film of Saunders. He is an active player and always looking to make a big play, most notably, he was as effective at punching the ball out in 2024 as any player I think I’ve scouted in college, regardless of position.

– Can only assume he was a UDFA because of his 40 time because he looks good

– Perfect size for a strong/box safety

– Has really good hands. Some of his picks would have been really nice back shoulder catches for a wide receiver

– He looks to punch a ball free as much as he looks to make a tackle ++. Four forced fumbles in ’24 led SEC. If punching a ball out is a trait, he’s elite at it.

– His strong hands show up in pass and run game.

– Doesn’t look too fast but wins with instincts and anticipation. Real good at getting his eyes on the quarterback.

– Unless he’s poor in coverage (hard to tell from tape), he should be good on tight ends.

– He seems good in zone situations; is good at switching defenders with the ball in flight.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS FOR SAUNDERS?

Well aware that this is probably the biggest limb I will step out on in this six-part series, I’m choosing to do so anyway with Saunders as my 4^th-ranked UDFA and giving him an actual shot.

The Dolphins have a lot of players in the mix in the defensive backfield and right now, and Saunders seems to be instinctive. My comfort level in this prediction would be much better if Saunders was a burner because he would definitely make it as a specialist. Then again, if he was a burner, he wouldn’t have been a UDFA in all likelihood.

All that said, if I am going to do what this website is supposed to be all about – having an independent take uninfluenced by others – Saunders looks like a player who can ultimately make the roster. I am not sure how or at what position, but there was too much playmaking going on with him in college for him to be an early camp cut.

At ACR, we see Saunders surprisingly making the 53, assuming the playmaking he showed on gameday in the SEC is what he will show on the practice fields outside of Hard Rock Stadium. If he doesn’t make the active roster, hopefully Miami can tuck him away on the practice squad long enough to facilitate him getting on the field.