I was going to start a thread in the draft forum about Dan Williams, but here is as good a place to post it...

With an apparent premium now being placed on the 3-4 NT, and teams not willing to let them walk in free agency and at a steep price (see Wilfork, Hampton, Franklin), at what point do the Dolphins start looking at NT with #12 and more specifically Dan Williams. A player who is being touted at going around that area in the draft, as the third DT in the draft.

I was wondering what the gurus thought about him?? Whether he is a feasible option for us?? Or maybe if we even need to look at NT - how good is or isnt Soliai??

 

Damn, now we're down to Pickett, Ferg, or even a Tank Johnson. I can't see Williams as our pick.

 

Did anyone really believe there was a realistic chance of any one of those 3 becoming a Fin? There's little upside to their teams letting them walk away. All are playing at a high level. Finding a replacement is not an easy task.

 

Why would any of these teams just let these players walk? Then they would be in the same position the Dolphins currently are.

 

Theres a reason I want us to drop back and take Oderick late in the first,he can play NT,and we can stockpile picks

 

As I posted before, Hampton was 50-50, and there was a debate on tagging him. The WRONG 50 won out. LOL

I do not see any rookie who is gonna come in and make a difference this year. They take a year to adapt.

Soliai has the talent to be VG, IF he would only get his head on straight. I'm not counting on that happening. We may have to talk Ferg into trying to make one more year or, even move Starks over.

 

I'm with ya. I had read that Ferguson would come back if asked. So that's my hope for this next year. Also that Soliai keeps working and that we draft someone to step in eventually.

 

I don't know much about it, but I've heard that Nt is a fairly deep position in this years draft, is that correct?

I was reading that had it not been for Suh, and I forget the name of the other guy, Williams would be a top 10 prospect. Seems like a pretty good value at #12 then no?

 

Ryan Picket is still a FA. And the chances of him staying a FA are good because of Raji.

 

It would seem that with each big name player that is franchised and taken off the market the more valuable the remaining big name free agents like Karlos Dansby becomes. That may drive the prices up on the remaining startable players available in free agency and out of the price range of what the Dolphins are willing to pay.

 

I think Soliai can become better and start. Rest him with Ferg and that way they both last longer. We can always pick up a huge guy who can command double teams and have some time to develop him.

NT in a 3-4 may be the one of the hardest positions to develop in the NFL.

 

Packers NT Ryan Pickett expects to receive the franchise tag soon, according to a league source. So much for that one.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/02/23/packers-dt-pickett-expects-franchise-tag/

 

We can not take Williams in the 1st round, if we "must" take a NT it better be later in the draft.

 

I think we have to bring back Ferguson now.

 

No question brother. Ferguson and Soliai are going to have to hold the middle. In addition we need to keep our fingers crossed that Soliai develops into what we need.

 

Dont get me wrong here because Ferg has been real good here when healthy
I just don't want to get into another Keith Traylor type situation
In '07 he could barely move in the middle and we were stuck
Soliai to me is spotty at best
he stunted his own development imo

so many holes on defense :sad:

 

I know, killer. We've just gotta hope for the best with this one. I hate for us to have to take a NT early since we really need more than one LB who can contribute sooner rather than later..not to mention we need a starting FS as well.
On the other hand if we address FS and at least one LB position satisfactorily with FA or trade then we're probably ok going into the draft in need of that NT.