http://bleacherreport.com/tb/a3Jtx by Edgar Thompson (Please join me for a live chat at 1 p.m. Monday to discuss the upcoming draft and the Dolphins’ latest moves. Click here to ask a question.) The Dolphins’ complex is as secure as Fort Knox when it comes to draft information leaking out. But back in February, one NFL scout caught wind of the the team’s interest in Georgia Tech pass rusher Derrick Morgan. Two months later, the scout has no doubt the team is going to select Morgan with the No. 12 pick if he’s available Thursday night. “I 100 percent do,” the scout said. “He’s the guy. I can’t guarantee it, but if I was a betting man I would put my money on Morgan. “To me, he fits the mold like a glove. It’s perfect.” The 21-year-old Morgan, a college defensive end who would move to linebacker in the Dolphins’ 3-4 alignment, is an athletic 6-foot-3, 268-pound pass rusher who’s also stout against the run. “He’s got the size that the (Bill) Parcells regime demands from the rush linebacker,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “I don’t know if he’s an elite pass rusher, but he’s close.” Morgan can play in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, which places him the radar of several teams ahead of the Dolphins, including Cleveland (No. 7) and Jacksonville (No. 10). If Morgan is gone, Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams might be next in line as Miami looks to beef up its defense. But the Buffalo Bills, slotted at No. 9, will switch to the 3-4 in 2010 and could beat the Dolphins to the punch. This could leave Texas safety Earl Thomas the best option, though ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay says, “I don’t see them taking a safety in the first round,” McShay said. “When you’re picking at that spot, you have to take advantage of it with a pass rusher or possibly a nose tackle.” McShay said University of South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul could be a wild card – “a freakish athlete” who played just one season at the Division-I level. Speaking Saturday on ESPN Radio, draftnik Mel Kiper Jr. predicted the Dolphins would select TCU’s pass rusher Jerry Hughes, who had 26 sacks the past two seasons. But with Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall in place, there’s little debate defense is the No. 1 priority with the draft four days away.
I have believed for some time that morgan would be our pick. Until hes off the board, i still believe that.
I've been starting to buy into the idea of trading down a little and regaining that second rounder. I keep feeling that Taylor Mays would be a good value pick for us in the second half of the first round. We'd have to either trade with the Cowboys or stay ahead of them though because I think that might be a target for them.
I think that an OLB/DE is absolutely going to be the pick. Some may think that Hughes is a reach at 12, but it appears that Morgan, Graham, Kindle, JPP, Hughes are all about equal in potential and all have some qualities that fit the 'Bill' at OLB. I don't know that Williams is exactly what they are looking for in a NT and certainly the issue with NT is the time it takes to grow into the position. I think they feel even a guy like Jeff Owens in the 4th could do what they want. FS is the WC for me. IF Berry happen to fall to us I think they'd be very tempted, but it certainly is not their norm for selections in the first round. I also am not sure how much they like the two guys they have in Culver and Clemons... To me, selecting Thomas or Berry at 12 could be the 'surprise' of the draft. I'm not over enamored with Thomas, but many others (who are probably smarter than me) don't completely share that sentiment. But if I had to bet your paycheck on something for #12....I say OLB. BTW, I think in their heart of hearts they'd want to be able to trade down to the 20's somewhere and get additional pick(s), preferably one in the second, is the way they'd really want to go. But back in the real world...it takes two to make a trade work...
i don't see us taking Williams at all .... to me he isn't even on the draft board. thomas is there -- but he isn't on mine as he is just a tad short. i'd take my chances and wait to get the leftover of Allen / Burnett / Wright / Jones .... plus he is likely our trade bait. i don't see us taking JPP in rd 1 .... and Hughes becomes a possibility if we trade down.
I tend to agree. I too think it's either OLB/DE or FS. I'm leaning towards Thomas though. Although if Berry is there at 12, there's no way they can pass him up. It's just extremely doubtful he lasts that long. My issue is that I've seen many writeups that trash on Morgan's ability to transition to a 3-4 OLB. With any 4-3 DE that has to make a transition, it's just not something that is normal for them. So, there's always going to be a projection to how scouts/GMs/coaches think they will be able to make the transition. On the other hand, there's no transition involved for FS.
Wow I didnt realize he was 270?!?!?!?!?! I would be pretty physiced at either Morgan or Thomas.....pass rushing or pass defensed, and I am pleased...
I'd be happy with Morgan. He's a specimen, and this team needs a pass rush. Maybe this is why the team wanted to wait until after the draft to discuss Jason Taylor?
wow you think? that is a no brainer really we will be drafting multiple OLB's in this draft to replace the old castaways imo taylor will be a last desperation in case it doesnt work out an afterthought so to speak.
I wouldnt mind a trade back at all if it landed us an OLB and RB Toby Gerhart! But if Berry is there at 12, we have to take him unless we get an incredible offer.
The only thing we know for sure is that we don't know anything for sure. That said, it's hard to even entertain the thought of selecting Jason Paul-Pierre or Jerry Hughes. If we sit at #12 there is no way we are not selecting Derrick Morgan, Dan Williams or Earl Thomas depending on who is still there. I still think if there's a possibility of trading down then Tuna will find it. They want that 2nd rounder back something fierce.
IMO Brandon Graham is a much better player (OLB) than Morgan, so is Eversen Griffen. I think Earl Thomas is better than any OLB who'll be available and Dan Williams shouldnt even be in the discussion. Im 98% sure that anyone who says they are 100% sure of what another team is going to do is 99% talking outta thier arse.
I like Graham better than Morgan also, but Morgan is more of the 'Bill' type guy. That said, OLB is by far our most needed position. You've got to figure if they can't finagle a trade down (which probably will be unlikely, everyone wants to do the same), and either Berry or Thomas are sitting there, there might be some hesitation given the depth of the LBers in this draft...that said, would a guy like Worilds still going to be there in the 3rd round ?? I don't know for sure...leads me to believe that IF they can't trade down, they almost have to go OLB. I can't see them being too enamored with Anderson/QMoses and Wake as the starting OLBers...
"100 Percent" their pick...? Ireland would never let this info out intentionally and would be firing or severing ties with someone who did. Morgan is a Fine OLB, but the news of this leaked info is shocking for many reasons.
That was a little over the top. However, reading other posts from you I guess it's expected. As for no brainer, not true. If they FO doesn't get a QUALITY OLB via the draft, they'll be beating down JT's door IMO. Just straight cancelling the meeting makes me wonder if the FO has something almost in the books.
It's 100%...his opinion. IMO, almost nothing leaks unless someone WANTS it to leak. I have no way to quantify this, obviously, except to quote Jeff Ireland before the 2008 draft: "A defensive player...errr, player that will make an impact for a very long time."
IMHO the pick will be what Parcells and Ireland decide is our biggest and most immediate need. But everything could suddenly change if trades are made of draft picks and or players. Not having a second round pick makes it more difficult to decide who to draft because of favored players being picked over in the first and second rounds. I still wonder if Dez Bryant is still there, they might pull a draft and trade or maybe they will have a better chance to trade down in the first round and recoup the second rounder.
yes, i think Morgan is the reason .... why, because they can move JT back to WOLB - a position he is better suited for .... and i am sure he would be more inclined to come back for that position (even though he'd rather stay in MIA than go anywhere else anyway due to family -- yes FAMILY and roots, not some loyalty deal like a lot of folks keep intimating).
