What's up everyone? I'm a lions fan and I've watched the dolphins here and there this past season and a little in '08 and have started becoming a fan. From what I've seen it looks like Miami has an up and coming defense and quarterback. Not to mention that the wild-cat looks even better than '08! Anyway, I had a few questions about the team for a number of reasons. I'd like to get caught up No.1 and on a Lions' board, we're doing a mock draft where a member is the GM for a team and you select for your team through the first 3 rounds. Obviously, I am the Miami GM. I was wondering if I could get ahold of some of your bigger needs and what kind of players you think your team has a realistic chance at in the draft this year. What I have so far is that I think you guys would definitely be looking at a true No. 1 receiver, possibly a runningback (later rounds), guard ( ? ), and linebacker. Is any of this correct/realistic? Any help would be awesome! Thanks.
Yeah that's pretty accurate. Runningback is debatable. With Ronnie often injured and Ricky getting older, it can be considered a need. However at the same time I'm not sure a late round pick is any better than what we already have in Cobbs/Hilliard/Sheets. Guard is also debatable based of the health of Justin Smiley.
Welcome! As far as needs, I'd think you're safe with a #1 WR, both ILB/OLB, FS, and maybe NT in that order. Personally, I'd prefer to see us address the LB corp, but it'd be awefully hard to pass up Dez Bryant if he's there at 12.
Is there one side of the ball that could/should be addressed more than the other? I'm not sure how the offseason has been going for you guys or how it looks to go for you as far as FA and trades go. It looked liked neither side was any farther from the other to be "championship" caliber. Honestly, I was thinking of Dez Bryant in Round 1 but from what it sounds like, Brandon Graham may not be a bad pick either? Actually it looks like Rolando McClain wouldn't be a poor choice. What are your thoughts on Spikes at MLB? Has he kind of fallen off the wagon a ways or would he be a welcome addition? Talk about him was rampant last year on lions boards until he stayed for his senior season and since, it has been non-existent.
We're drafting Tim Tebow.....couldn't help that one. Linebacker is a the key for us probably, especially with Mike Nolan in the fold and what he likes to do in that regard. Someone who can drop into coverage a good deal. Wide out is an option and Arrelious Benn may be the ticket in round 2.
A ball-hawking safety in the mold of Ed Reed is up there in need as well. If Eric Berry falls to us he's the pick and Earl Thomas should be strongly considered. Spikes 40 time will probably be his deciding factor because if he runs in the high 4.7s or slower his stock will surely fall. McClain may slide as well if he records a poor time.
Linebackers x 2 hope demaryius thomas sticks around after the defense gets fixed Welcome to the board!
LB is of huge concern. All four positions could be replaced if the right players came along. (McClain, Spikes, Graham, Kindle, etc) NTs a concern with Ferguson likely retiring. Safety play is ugly at best. Yeremiah made the pro bowl but don't be fooled there. We need a great FS, bad. Yeremiah will probably last another year at SS. Our offense could use another weapon. Could be at TE, WR, or RB really. Doesn't really matter. We just need another guy we can count on out there. Oh and the lions should totally trade us calvin johnson. I mean, it would solve our problems. Wouldn't help them any but come onnnnnnnnnnnn. Dudes a beast.
I wouldn't worry about rb the first three round but if it was a mock with 7 rounds yea but guard and rb I wouldn't do in the first three. Maybe FS, WR, and ILB or OLB
rd 1) ilb rolondo mcclain rd 2) solb greg hardy rd 3) te dennis pitta rd 4) wolb george selvie rd 6) nt jeff owens rd 6) wr emanuel sanders after that whoever you want
This. Just depends who is on the board for those first 3, when #12 comes around. I expect us to realistically go NT first though unless that's been wiped off the slate. If it weren't for our propensity to pick QBs in the second round, I'd say next would be ILB, and then WR. Last year we doubled up on some of our critical positions (CB specifically), so expect that again this year maybe. And I wouldn't be too surprised if there were an FA move that made one of those 3 positions less important. But that's pure speculation and a lot of prayer. Good luck with the Lions, I feel for you guys, the same boat (but worse) as we were in in 2007. But hey, it's proven that you can get out of it with a little bit of work.
First off...welcome LF32, glad to have you on the PHINS.com. You've come to the right place for all things related to the Miami Dolphins. Second, and to answer your question above...definitely defense! We ranked 25th overall (IIRC), and couldn't stop anyone from throwing on us down the middle and deep. ILB, OLB, FS & NT are all need positions, as is WR and TE. My hope is we take McClain at #12 if he's still there, then take BPA at need positions the rest of the way. Weatherspoon (if still available) vs. best WR might make the most sense at #43. Good luck, and don't be afraid to come back and ask for thoughts on specific players as you are progressing through your mock.
The FA are very slim pickings. I expect us to sign a NT, and perhaps go after Dansby, if he is available. I see little chance of drafting Dez. Graham is a Manster but, at 6'1" and 30" arms, does not fit the mold of a 3-4 LB. I am not sold on McClain. I believe Spikes may be a better Pro. Spikes has that "altitude of attitude" for an ILB. I just wish he was a little faster. I am hoping we can trade down, and get Kindle or Graham in the first. Spikes would be a VG second round addition.
Depending on FA, my guess is they go for a OLB in the first round, especially if McCain has gone. Then any of LB, Safety or WR
Welcome, I'd definitely say our biggest needs are: 1. ILB 2. WR 3. OLB 4. NT/FS If Rolando McClain is there at #12, I'd take him unless someone like Dez Bryant or Eric Berry (miracles, right?) drops.
Welcome to the best Dolphins fan site on the net, glad to have you. Good luck with your mock. Let us know how you do.
i would agree with those players but disagree with the order maybe Linbacker, WR, Safety, NT, TE in that order
Welcome you've found the best Dolphin site anywhere. You've also found the best bunch of people with football knowledge.
I could see us going after two linebackers this year. If there is a big nose tackle maybe 2nd or 3rd round the new Def Cord will be a big factor. A good #1 wide reciever is hope for us here on the forum. as far as running backs we are in good shape when they all get healthy only a late one maybe. I don't see a TE at all myself unless maybe very late round the front office sees a missed gem.
Thanks for all the help. Like I said, I didn't see all of every one of Miami's games but from what I saw, I liked. It sucks that you have as many needs as you do but at least your line is good enough to keep your QB on his feet, not to mention open holes for a RB. The way I'm thinking right now, I'm looking at LB or WR in Rd. 1. Bill Parcells doesn't typically take WR's there though. The last one was Terry Glenn in '96, while he has taken 6 LB's in the first round. Lol, no way bro. You'd have to give up your next 5 first round picks for us to even think about it. He's our only threat just about on the entire team. We had a good '09 draft with 5 of our picks getting starts and extended playing time so we're more hopeful than ever. If we can get another 2 consecutive drafts like that, we're gonna be a good team. Now we just need to get some free agents over here. . .
Needs that need to be addressed this year are ILB, FS, OLB and WR. NT, RB are concerns but maybe we can make do til next year. At #12 if McClain is there he has too be the pick I think. Dez Bryant, Sean Witherspoon, Cj Spiller, Brandon Graham are some of the other people I could see us taking. I'd say that FS and ILB are our worst positions but you may not find value there in first round.
