Miami Dolphins

Dolphins rookie CB McCain confident height won't hold him back

Published May. 20, 2015 5:00 p.m. ET

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One by one, the Miami Dolphins were able to check off important roster needs with each pick in the NFL Draft earlier this month.

The first round selection of wide receiver DeVante Parker was universally well-received by media, fans and draft pundits alike. The Dolphins' next pick in the second round for defensive tackle Jordan Phillips was made with an eye towards the future, while also bolstering a unit that needed extra depth. They also picked up first-team All-Pac 12 selection Jamil Douglas in the fourth round to play left guard.

Memphis cornerback Bobby McCain was the first of four fifth-round picks (145th overall) and though his selection may not have been as widely heralded as the bigger names in the draft, the Dolphins see plenty of potential in him.

"We're just really excited about selecting him, a kid that we had a chance to spend some time with at the East-West (Shrine Game)," said Dolphins assistant general manager Eric Stokes. "Unbelievable charisma and personality. I definitely felt the passion, the toughness and the love for the game."

Identifying players who truly loved football was a stated goal multiple times ahead of the draft by various members of the Dolphins front office and McCain certainly fits the bill. At 5-foot-11 and less than 200 pounds, he makes up for his relative lack of size with a feisty, aggressive attitude that will serve him well on the field.

"I'm really smart," McCain said on what he brings to the team. "I'm not the tallest guy, I'm not the fastest guy, but I'm probably the most competitive guy. I'm not going to back down on anyone; I'm a player with a good head on my shoulders who is going to play with a chip on my shoulders as well. Like I said, I just want to come in, I want to play ball, I haven't played ball in a long time and I'm just a major competitor and can't wait to get back on the field."

He won't have to look far for motivation in his quest to prove to the Dolphins and the outside critics that he has the skill set and the motor to be a productive cornerback in the NFL regardless of his stature. Starting cornerback Brent Grimes, an inch shorter than McCain, has enjoyed a successful career with three Pro Bowl appearances in eight seasons and will help mentor the rookie.

"I can't wait to get in the meeting room and get in the locker room and just learn from everything he knows," McCain said at the Dolphins mini rookie camp held last week. "He's one of the best corners I've seen. I'm excited to get to play with him."

Physical similarities aside, McCain believes he shares many of the same mental traits that have fueled both Grimes and recently retired Cortland Finnegan, who started 12 games at cornerback alongside Grimes last season for the Dolphins.

"It's actually pretty crazy because Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan -- I know the Dolphins just had him and just let him go -- they're actually two of my favorites because they're smaller guys but they're smart guys and they're really competitive guys," said McCain. "They're always going to play with a chip on their shoulder and always compete for the football and they're always going to tackle you and strip you of the ball. They're going to do the little things right, just like I like to do for myself."

McCain certainly did the little things right during his four years in Memphis as a starter, but he also accomplished some big things too. He recorded 136 tackles (108 solo), 1.5 sacks, 15 passes defensed and three fumble recoveries. Most impressively, however, he caught 11 of his 12 interceptions over the course of 22 starts in his final two seasons and returned four of them for touchdowns.

While the first order of business will be to make the final 53-man roster, McCain said he is willing to do whatever it takes to carve out a role on the team. For now that could mean a spot on special teams, where he also flashed potential in Memphis as a kick returner, averaging 25.3 yards per return.

"(He) can play inside, can play outside for us," said Stokes. "He can come in to do a little bit of Nickel and play a little bit on the outside, obviously give us something on special teams. So, really excited to have an opportunity to work with him and add him into the mix with our corner group."

No matter how tall McCain stands, his willingness to succeed and persevere coupled with his positive attitude could keep him in the league for a long time -- just like Grimes.

"It's about the organization," he said. "It's about the team getting a win, and whatever I can do to do that, that will be my job, that will be my role."

You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.