The Dolphins are going to have it, so who will they take, or will they trade out?

Options, IMO...

-A QB. John Beck is 26 and hasn't shown anything.
-Glenn Dorsey. Their aging along the D-Line and GD might be the best overall prospect in the draft.
-Jake Long. Still need a LT.
-Darren McFadden. Trade Ronnie Brown? Draft D-Mac then trade him? Use both HB's?
-Trade down. Falcons, Jets, or Raiders could want McFadden...

Anything I've forgotten?

If I had to guess now, I'd say Long. What do you guys think?

if i were them i would take dorsey or trade down. i dont know if jake long is as good as joe thomas who went # 3 last year so dorsey should be the pick. also there are no qb's worth taking number 1

I just asked my friend this, because I really have no clue where they will even look to first. After last year though, I have no faith in Cam Cameron to make a good decision. I'd go with Dorsey. They should entertain trade offers for Jason Taylor.

If Cam Cameron stays, then I believe that the Dolphins will select Darren McFadden rb Arkansas. Ronnie Brown just is not an elite back and Darren McFadden can be the next LTomlinson. I also think that they need to bury the baggage that Nick Saban left behind-- Start fresh with the BEST AVAILABLE PLAYER in the draft---Darren McFadden--thanks for listening--rich from newport

Something that too many of you may fail to see is the absolute prohibitive cost of moving into the top three in the draft. With that said, you have to have a trading partner--I REPEAT--you have to have a trading partner in order to trade down. Anyone can say--OH THEY WILL TRADE DOWN--BUT in recent years it has not been the top three that were unwilling to trade down BUT noone would pay the ransom that a top three pick requires in a trade up to that spot. So when talking about Miami or the Patriots--remember-YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TRADING PARTNER WILLING TO PART WITH THE RANSOM THAT YOU WILL REQUEST--I don't see it happening in the first three picks this year so be ready to have Miami and New England forced to pick in the top three and pay that hefty salary to a rookie--Just my opinion--rich from newport

Trading down, trading up, all have become more difficult as teams get more and more conservative and risk averse, and the trades that will take place and their will be some, will be more common in the mid rounds and less common in the early rounds. Not as sexy but more doable.

Ronnie Brown was one of the best players in the league this year before he went down.

New guy to this board. I am a Dolphins Fan. Good Mock Draft posted today and I appreciate the in depth comments and analysis regarding the number one pick. Although Glenn Dorsey is an incredible defensive talent, I believe the trade potential is more promising for McFadden for two reasons. First Dorsey has been injured much of the year. That sounds like a huge risk if I am about to spend major bucks for a #1 pick. Secondly, McFadden has the intrique, mystique and probably will be the Heisman award winner as well. So for a team anxious for a Super Bowl push, or just one in need of the perhaps the best running back from the SEC since Bo Jackson, McFadden makes tremendous sense. Conversely, what makes the most sense for a team in need of numerous players is a trade down scenario. Therefore, I think the fins select McFadden and trade down if the right package comes along. Most logical appears to be a Dallas scenario which would have to be heavily laced with picks, but perhaps a player or two as well, and the Dolphins will end up picking near the end of the first round. If the right package does not come, we will be perfectly satisfied with selecting Darren McFadden and prepare to employ the best 1/2 RB package in the NFL with Ronnie Brown and Darren McFadden . (A side note: I believe McFadden to be the more complete back than Peterson, and the guy is only 20 years old).

Good insight! Glad to have you aboard. Look forward to more posts!

Yeah, I think they go with the best OT prospect available. Glenn Dorsey is the man, but I don't see the emphasis for their offseason being as much on defense as it is on offense. DMC would be a terrible pick for them, with Ronnie and Ricky already on roster. I honestly don't think they'll be able to find any suitors for a move down the boards, as the #1 pick always carries such a high price (both financial and value-wise) and there really isn't a stud #1 guy that anyone will be willing to move up for. DMC is the closest thing, but teams know that Miami isn't going to take him, so they'll wait till #2 or #3 to move up, I think.

I agree regarding McFadden, he will soon be battling Petersen for which will be "THE Man" at RB when LaDanian slows down, and platooning him makes sense, backs with his running style take a hellacious beating, I suspect the Miami "brain trust" will not see it the same way. For them the perfect scenario is to move down and get the best OT available but moving down will likely prove exceedingly difficult. However Jones does covet McFadden and DeSean Jackson and he might part with a couple of young players and a pick or 2 to get one of them.

At this point Miami would be smart to trade down if they can. They need more than a little help. They might have to take less than fair value for #1 to do it though

Not taking DMC would make just another mistake. If they don't trade him we would have the best running back duo in the league. We really need to get younger on the defense but there is plently of help deeper in the draft. We also have 2 2nd round picks. I think we need to get a TE on the first day to really open up the offense. Martin and Peelle can't get it done as starters in this league.

I can't see how you take McFadden when you have four very skilled & different backs in Brown; Williams, Chapman & Booker. Selecting a back here doesn't mprove this team and personally, I don't think McFadden is gonna be as productive in the NFL as college. I see him pulling another Bush episode. The best thing for Miami to do is trade the 1st pick to Cleveland for Anderson and a couple of picks. Improve that QB play, get a WR to play opposite Ginn and focus on improving that secondary, LB's and d-line.

Oh, and add a LT and RG while you're at it.

Dolphins will trade to Dallas for their 2, 1st rnd picks plus more and pick up Brandon Pettigrew TE with the 1st of the 2 and Aqib Talib CB with the 2nd. This is wishful thinking but a small possibility if the 2 JR's come out.

Looking at the Vikings, it's not a bad idea to have Ronnie and Darren in the same backfield. Parcells does believe in having two backs too. Depends if he's confident in Chatman as the #2.

I agree that taking McFadden would not be in Miami's best interest, or something I'd expect Parcells/Ireland to do. If they keep the pick, I like the DE Long, not Dorsey as the pick. However, I see them trading the pick to someone enamored with McFadden. Someone earlier posted he's the next LT. That I doubt, he runs too high, but he is dynamic. He reminds me more of Eric Dickerson in his running style, and hopefully, for whoever drafts him, he'll be able to play as long as Dickerson did, because RBs who come into the NFL with his running style are more susceptible to injury, and usually don't have a very long career.

U can't draft McFadden if you're the Dolphins. They have far too many needs, and RB is their strongest position. Personally, I like Gado and Chatman. They're solid for #2 and #3 RBs. The Dolphins should draft Dorsey, who is the best prospect in this draft, and could make a huge impact for a very bad defense. The Dolphins need the player who could make the most impact for their defense with the #1 pick, and Dorsey is that guy. If he could make as big an impact as Haynesworth, he's worth that #1. Either that, or trade it for some good veterans, which Parcells might want to do.

I didnt bother to read through everything here, but IMO the Fins would be great if they took one of three players, jake long, chris long, or dorsey. All three would help the oline or dline where they need help.

I agree. They need help on all of those positions. However, I think Dorsey is the best prospect out of the 3.

Sorry, but I dont agree. Long is a great pass rusher and can stop the run, its a 2 for 1.
But when I really think about it, it is a toss up. Only B/c Dorsey is such a force.

Dorsey has a very good chance to make a bigger impact than Long at the next level. Dorsey plays with an intensity that Long doesn't possess.

I went ot see DMC live at the Cotton Bowl and left very unimpressed. Dolphins aren't taking Dorsey!!! Why would Parcells pay $60+ million for a DT? Neither Gado or Chatman are staters in this league. Brown starting with Booker & Chatman giving him breathers we will be ok, but don't think Parcells is not going to look at strengthening RB. History shows he likes tough durable backs. I think they are going to try and trade down. If they don't trade the 1st overall I now think they go QB Ryan or DE Long. Parcells has always believed that the 2 hardest positions to fill are QB and pass rusher.

Also, trading with Dallas is out of the question. We just raided their entire coaching staff.

Just got word that the Dolphins have agranged for private meetings with both Longs and Matt Ryan.......no Vernon Gholston, who seems to be the new favorite to go number 1.......

What do Dolphin's fans make of this???

Anchoring the Dolphins D & O Lines is the focus. Of course Gholston is intriguing but you can't miss with either of the Long boys. They are solid NFL players for 10+ years. Gholston as good as he is still a bigger gamble. Both Longs are big, athletic, and tough. Just the ingredients the Dolphins are looking for.

After listening to Sparano's interview today I am starting to think the pick will be Dorsey. (if they can't trade out) My thoughts are they might be thinking of putting Dorsey at the Left DE spot on the 3-4. With that the line up would be Dorsey on the left, Feguson as NT and Holiday on the right. Porter L. OLB, Torbor inside with Crowder and JT on the right. Maybe this is just me BUT this would be one hell-of-a front 7. We have plenty of depth there after that or what Sparano called "snap eaters".

On the 32nd pick of the draft I am thinking there we would pick up the best OT available. This very well could be Gosder Cherilus or a Carl Nicks if Cherilus is taken.

With the 2nd pick in the 2nd round I think we go after the best available CB. This to me could be any 1 of 3 players. Patrick Lee, Charles Godfrey or Justin King.

On Day 2 I believe the Dolphins need some OL depth and / or a potential starter at Guard. Jeremy Zuttah comes to mind. Then some more OL depth in the late rounds.

We also need a scoring threat for the red-zone. A tall TE like Cottam comes to mind. Or a WR like Lavelle Hawkins.

I also think we will be adding a QB and I really like Kevin O'connell.

A good cover saftey would also will be a nice addition and Quentin Demps would be a player that could help us out there and add to special teams.

Now I am not sure how the 2nd day will play out. I am thinking there may be a trade or 2 early on in the third round. With the first day behind everyone there could be a few trades made in th wee hours of the morning. So with that said, I would be a happy Dolphins camper if they picked up ALL the players I list but just not realistic.

So Santa, there is my wish list and I promise I wil be a good boy all the rest of the year.

I would completely agree with you. With a healthy and impressive pro day he will shoot up the charts. You guys would be in a great spot if you got Dorsey in the 1st and Cherilus or nicks 2nd.

Due to the draft being deep at O-line but not DT, thats why they pass on jake long.

I would agree on everything except Glenn Dorsey. He has had injuries most of his career and even though he has played he seems to always be nicked up. I personally like Chris Long, he can play a DE in either scheme. Another intresting thought is Vernon Gholston, JT is not getting younger (neither is Porter) and you are going to eventually turnover the passrushing OLBs.

I like Godfrey and King, they both have all the measurables to go with their football insticts. Everyone you named I feel are sleepers and are being looked over for other players that are bigger or faster but the curent coaching staff keeps stating smart & disciplined players. The guys you named fit that Bill.

Except for the injury questions about Dorsey I really like him there. Sparano named Roth at left end and I think he'd have problems in the 3-4 in that role. So when looking at the picks Dorsey stands out best there. I would think Gholston would be a close second and maybe first depending on those injury questions. IMO C. Long will be a very good player but he fits more of the hybrid DE/OLB. If they are planning on keeping JT then Long would not be my pick. BUT if they're thinking they may trade if the right offer comes along then I would take Long over Dorsey. With any of the 3 I would be happy.

I heard Mayock say recently that he's talked to some NFL guys and they are all saying Jake Long is going to be the pick. That could be a huge smokescreen to see if they get some calls about the pick.

I am still hopefull that we trade out. I would be a happy Dolphin camper if we could.

I appreciate the comments.

Some interesting tidbits from the Miami Herald.

http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/2008/0...irly-early.html

More news fom the Miami Herald. Miami apparently has begun contract talks with Jake Longs agent Condon. Also with the last link I posted this makes sense but I still would like to see a trade.

http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/489210.html

I really, really, doubt you see a trade. No one wants to trade up there.

I do doubt the trade happens I am just hopefull at this point. I would like to see us get a few more picks but wouldn't want to see them trade any of the 2nd rounders. I think the first pick on day 2 will be a pretty hot item.

Do you think they'll start talking contract with Dorsey and C. Long also?

Has anyone else heard or seen the rumor that Jake Long is refusing to play for the Dolphins? I've read it on other forums but have not seen any source.

http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/2008/0...s-precious.html

Here's a link to tidbits of an interview with Jeff Ireland. Looks like the Dolphins have already got calls about the first pick. Ireland might have slipped when he was talking about what he expects from the first overall pick. "This guy is going to be the pillar of your defense," Ireland said of the first pick. There is a lot of poker playing this time of year. If the Dolphins don't trade out of that 1st pick I am hoping they take Dorsey.

Smokescreens???

If they go defense with the 1st pick, and I have sincerely believed they would all along because Jake Long, IMO, is an ORT, not an OLT, and good RTs are not nearly as hard to find and/or groom.

The Dolphins will not, IMO, take Dorsey. They are headed to the 3-4 defense, and he's not that kind of player. The player they select, will be either Chris Long, or Gholston. As a S. FL resident, I have seen the Ireland slip. The "upside" part of his statement leads me to believe Gholston is the pick, as Long is more ready today, with Gholston having the better chance to be "special." Parcells has always tried to reincarnate Lawrence Taylor where ever he's gone, and if you are inclined to believe Ireland slipped, then Gholston is probably the next candidate.

I'm not sure if it was a slip about thinking that first pick is going to be defense or a smokescreen. To me he could have been recently dealing with defense in draft meetings and just came out that way. Not sure it had to do with the 1st pick.

I agree with you about Long and that he is better suited for right tackle. I'm not sure why but he seems a little slower sliding to the left and not quite as athletic as a LT should be. I do think he'll be a very good RT tho and an awsome run blocker.

I also believe they are headed to a 3-4 from listening to Sparano list the line-up in an interview a week or so ago. What do you think about Dorsey playing DE in the 3-4 and not NT??? Dorsey is a "Pillar" haha.

I hadn't seen your comments in a while and always enjoyed them. Glad to see you're back nyyjones.

Back on February 28th, someone on this site in their mock draft predicted that Gholston would be the #1 overall pick, when virtually everyone thought it would be Chris Long or Matt Ryan.

Anyone know who it was?

Of course...it was ME!!!

Thank you for the compliment, dolfan75070. I went to visit my children and grandchildren, and had a very nice vacation. Did some camping and fishing. Anyhow, I've watched Parcells for a long, long time. I have, of course, seen him when he's obvious...like calling out certain players for their poor performances. However, I've never seen him be as "obvious" as he is presently appearing. I think the Jake Long thing has been a smokescreen all along...although he would still be a player who would definitely help them. No, he will take a defensive player.

As far as predicting Gholston as the overall No1, I have a lot of reservations about him. He, IMO, will never be a LT...nor even a DeMarcus Ware. His hips are too stiff, he overruns plays and gives up containment too much, is not really instinctive, and is not very good against the run. That doesn't take into account his most publicized weaknesses of not playing consistently, or hard on every play. IMO, I wouldn't want to be in Miami's place with the No1 overall pick this year.

Gholston might well pan out, but he is a long ways from being a sure-fire thing. Uncannily reminds me of Vernon Davis, the TE the 49ers took a few years ago. Played well enough during the season for teams to take notice, then wowed everyone in shorts at the combine and became something like the 7th pick of the draft. Hasn't done anything since. IMO, Jake Long is much closer to sure-fire than Gholston.

Sounds like a nice vacation. It was well planned too as you're back just in time for the draft.

All bow to the master!!

No it wasn't!!! Guess again!

All points lead to Chris Long then!

Gholston is an OLB and not going to be LT. Jake Long is a RT and Dorsey has the creeky body of a 30 year old man (he is tough and plays hurt, which is too often for me, to be the number 1 overall)

Now that Miami has made Jake Long, an OT the No1 overall selection in the draft, let this be a lesson to some other teams who need a lot of work to become good. Consider Bill Parcells the teacher. The lesson...build your team from the inside out...not the outside in. With FA and the draft, Miami will go into this season with much better lines, both offensively and defensively. And that, is the secret to winning...controlling the line of scrimmage...something Parcells knows. I like long, and being a long time Giants fan, I can tell you he is going to turn into an OLT in much the same mold as an OLT who used to play for Parcells, one Jumbo Elliot. Not a bad deal, IMO.

Now that Parcells/Ireland have taken an OT in the 1st...I have 5 dollars that says they take a DT with one of those 2nds, or their 3rd at the latest...someone like Pat Sims. I also think Miami will take at least one more OL in the draft, a G to play next to Long, as Parcells builds his Oline this year. With Carey now moving to his more natural position of ORT, and Smiley next to him, along with the young C, Satele, the right side of the line is set. They still need a OLG to play next to Long.

The Fins could then begin to concentrate on the D in earnest in next year's draft. They'll plug a few holes in the D this year, but I think next year will be a D draft for them once Parcells, Ireland, and Saprano see what they have, and still need.

Teams that could learn the lesson of how to build a winner by building from the inside out include: Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, and Oakland. Atlanta especially, with 3 2nds, should not consider Ryan in the 1st...they can get a QB to groom this year, perhaps one that's even starting by the end of the year in the 2nd.

nyyjones...I believe it would make more sense to grab a couple of skill position players in the 2nd. There are a few DTs in this years class which will be there with the 1st pick in the 3rd. Agree that we need to build the lines on both sides but we really need a TE & a CB. There will be many lineman in this years draft I think we can afford to wait until the 2nd day to focus on these players.

So happy to be here and to have Jake Long, I hope he pans out and becomes a great pleyer for our team for years to come.

You like the pick?

a little...

the rest of the draft will really define in what direction this team is going to go, we really can't afford any busts, I know they happen but if it does then we are in trouble, almost every position on this team needs help.