Miami Dolphins 2008 NFL Draft Gameplan

For the purpose of this discussion I am assuming two things.

1. Miami will not trade the #1 pick. It is to hard to predict such a scenario because it would most likely happen the day of the draft. Also there is no way to know if a trade would bring us more picks, players, or a combination of both.
2. Miami will not trade any of their players for draft picks. This is also too hard to forecast. The only way to look ahead to that situation would be to rely on internet rumors, which are hardly ever true.
   

The key to this year's draft will be our first four picks which are as follows:

• 1st Round, #1 overall
• 2nd round, #32 overall
• 2nd round, #58-63 overall (spot to be determined by San Diego's playoff finish)
  
• 3rd round, #64 overall

Because of the lack of talent on our current roster and the quality and depth in this years draft, The guys selected at each of the above spots should be able to come in and start right away, or at least split time depending on the position.

When it comes to team needs, you can list just about every position. I think RB is the only position that is assured of being left alone. Quarterback is also an area that doesn't need to be addressed in these early picks. Here is the breakdown of how I think the picks should be used.

• DL or LB
• CB or S
• OL
• WR or TE

This isn't the order I am suggesting. We should use one of the allotted four picks on each one of these areas. The beauty of having many needs is that you don't have to stretch for a player just because you feel like that is your biggest need. Because we need help at so many positions, each of our picks will bring plenty of options.

This draft scenario would provide an instant impact to both offense and defense. On offense we improve the line and add a skill player. For defense we get help for the front seven and in the secondary.

There is one variant however, that I think would be acceptable and is very possible. This involves removing the WR/TE category and replace it by splitting up the DL/LB category. I say this because we know Bill Parcells is more of a defensive minded boss plus our offense has more good young players than the defense.

It should also be discussed that we are most likely going to play a 3-4 defense, now that Parcells is here. He isn't the coach or GM, but has talked so much about those people having the same philosophy as him, and Parcells is a 3-4 guy.

Now I'll briefly discuss each area.

Front Seven (DL or LB)

There is a very good chance this will be addressed with the first overall pick, or a top ten pick if we can trade down. Obviously the big names are Glenn Dorsey and Chris Long, but don't forget about Sedrick Ellis of USC or Vernon Gholston of Ohio St. If we opt to do the variant, where this category is split, I'd look for a linebacker taken with either of our second round picks. I like the idea of a young guy playing along side Zach Thomas in the middle, to learn the game from him.
Secondary (CB or S)

Earlier in the year I thought this was going to be our biggest need. The unit did get a little better though as the season went along. Will Allen was a very underrated corner and Jason Allen finally found a position and spot on the field and played admirably. Also, Yeremiah Bell, who missed the entire season due to an ACL tear, will be back. He had a great 2006 season and we should see him return to form. The guy I like the most is Aqib Talib from Kansas, but we would have to get lucky for him to slide to #32. If not, the CB class is deep and there should be good options throughout the first three rounds.

Offensive Line

Our O-line did play well early in the season but they tailed off towards the end. They deserve a lot of credit for the success of Ronnie Brown and the other backs success but they did break down in pass protection quite a lot. Most likely we will be looking for a tackle. It will then be interesting to see if the person selected plays at RT, or if they replace Vernon Carey at LT and move him over to RT. Jake Long is a guy who could be selected #1 overall or in the top ten if we trade down. I would have no problem with this, he is a beast.

WR or TE

Our players at these positions strike me as the kind of guys who would be selected near the end of a pick up game. Let's be honest, none of them are too great. Ted Ginn and Greg Camarillo showed some promise and should stick around but the others all have issues. Marty Booker has too many drops and the other guys can't get open. The name I'd love to see on the Dolphins is James Hardy from Indiana. He is 6'7", 220 lbs, the perfect big physical receiver we need to go along with Ted Ginn. I pray he falls to that 3rd round pick or we get greedy and take him in the second round.