Dolphins lock up Top Pick

[A.E]

Good news Dolphins fans, you only have one more week of wearing that paper bag on your head. Even better news, no matter what happens in Week 17, you have your choice of any top College Football player in the country.

Sunday's loss the undefeated Patriots has ensure that the Dolphins have secured the rights of the first overall selection in the 2008 Draft. Quite a stepping stone for Miami to build off of and quite a decision new VP of Football Operations, Bill Parcells is going to have to make. "It's not the kind of thing you ever really want," said quarterback Cleo Lemon after Sunday's game. "But it's where we're at right now as a team, I guess. Hopefully, we can make the best of it."

The Dolphins evaluation of the top choices has most likely already begun. Darren McFadden, who is expected to forgo his final College season, is expected to be the most coveted prospect. Having drafted Ronnie Brown in 2005, out of Auburn, the Dolphins have an interesting dilemma. The Franchise could opt to rebuild the defensive line by drafting the massive defensive tackle out of Louisiana State, Glen Dorsey. Jake Scott, out of Michigan, could also be a wise pick by Parcells and Co. as many scouts believe Scott is the type of franchise tackle that NFL teams dream of.

Not since the common draft began after the 1967 AFL-NFL merger, have the Dolphins had the top pick. In 1966, the Dolphins selected Illinois running back Jim Grabowski in the AFL draft. Subsequently, Grabowski was also drafted first overall by the Green Bay Packers in the NFL draft. Grabowski opted to play for the NFL in Green Bay.

Through Week 16, the 2008 Draft will begin with the following:
1. Miami
2. St. Louis
3. New York Jets
4. Atlanta
5. Kansas City
6. Oakland
7. Baltimore
8. New England (from San Francisco)

Another interesting note is that the Dallas Cowboys have 2 first round picks in 2008, having acquired the rights to Cleveland's pick in exchange for the 2007 pick that landed Brady Quinn in Ohio. -AE

 

[jarrod2323]

Let the speculation begin........

 

[bulls12]

Through Week 16, the 2008 Draft will begin with the following:
1. Miami
2. St. Louis
3. New York Jets
4. Atlanta
5. Kansas City
6. Oakland
7. Baltimore
8. New England (from San Francisco)

Wouldn't the Falcons have a higher pick than the Rams since the Rams beat them?

 

[A.E]

Wouldn't the Falcons have a higher pick than the Rams since the Rams beat them?

Nope. There's other factors that go into the tiebreakers and as it would stand right now, the Rams are in a better position.

 

[Yankees2772]

Many people will lean towards Dorsey, but I wouldn't... Sure, they need a DT... But their D still has Taylor, Thomas, Porter, and Crowder, and surprisingly, their D has been playing well lately.

IDK what I would do - IDK if a QB is worth that pick, and IDK if a team that bad should take a backup (McFadden).

They do have Beck from last years draft, and Ronnie Brown is very good, plus Chatman is a good backup, so I think they probably will go with Dorsey, but maybe they'll think about going elsewhere.

 

[dez]

They should try to trade the pick, they need WR's a QB an O-Line, basically a new Offense.

Like Yanks said their D is solid, but Dorsey is always a safe pick, but will he stay healthy? Im not sure how many injuries he's had throughout his career at LSU but thats always something to think about.

 

[Yankees2772]

In the NFL draft, you can't worry about injuries... It's all about risks: they've got so much to worry about with all these "busts" lately that being "injury prone" doesn't mean as much as it did 5 years ago.

 

[A.E]

The Dolphins need skill positions...but you can't pass up on a solid D-Lineman like Dorsey. The guy has the potential to be as dominating as Warren Sapp was or both Williams in Minnesota are now. A good centerpiece to build off of for the future.

I have enjoyed watching Jason Taylor and Zack Thomas through the years but let's face it, those 2 are getting old and the injuries are starting to pile up.

I wouldn't be disappointed to see McFadden taken by the Fins at #1 either. McFadden has reminded me a lot of LT back in his TCU days. Wouldn't count on a QB be taken at #1. Don't forget that the Dolphins were so sure of John Beck that they passed on Brady Quinn last year. I wouldn't expect them to suddenly lose faith in Beck that fast.

 

[dez]

In the NFL draft, you can't worry about injuries... It's all about risks: they've got so much to worry about with all these "busts" lately that being "injury prone" doesn't mean as much as it did 5 years ago.

How can you not worry about injuries? that makes no sense, if the guy is injury prone then he's a bust.

 

[A.E]

How can you not worry about injuries? that makes no sense, if the guy is injury prone then he's a bust.

Although I'm not really picking up what Yankees is putting down, I will point out the fact the Adrian Peterson was "injury prone" at Oklahoma. We have yet to see if he is a "bust"...but so far it sure doesn't look like it.

As far the draft, a lot of times it is a "crap-shoot" when it comes to judging talent at one level and assuming it will pan out in the next. Peyton Manning was sure to be a great NFL quarterback, he had all the necessary mechanics, the smarts, and was already running a pro-style offense at Tennessee. It wasn't hard for the Colts to figure he was as sure as you can get with the #1 pick. Alex Smith on the other hand, completely the opposite. Not only was he really young when he came out, but he was running a spread offense, competed in a non-BCS conference, and hadn't proven himself as much as Manning.

When it comes to the draft, I tend to follow these rules:
- Don't ever draft a QB out of the Pac-10
- Stay away from RB's out of the Big-10
- SEC WR's are typically not as good as hyped up to be'
- LB's out of the ACC don't last long
- Don't ever draft kickers

...more times than not, these principles prove themselves to be accurate.