by
Chris Shashaty, Phins.com Columnist
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So how well did the Dolphins
really do?
I haven’t a clue. Neither do
you.
That’s the NFL Draft for
you, a two day crapshoot. There’s just no way to immediately know if you have
selected a crop of studs or a crop of slugs. With football players, all
athletes really, time is the true judge.
After all, how can anyone
really know how a draft will turn out when the newly minted haven’t even
buckled up an NFL chinstrap yet?
So count me with the group
of folks who believe that day-after draft grades are silly.
“I judge it probably in
three years”, said Dolphin GM Jeff Ireland. “You have to judge them in how they
contributed to your roster and how well they are playing.”
Amen to that. That’s why I like
to focus on strategy versus a team’s overall philosophy. Were they able to move
their vision forward?
The Dolphins’ primary goal
in this draft was to rebuild the offensive and defensive lines, the foundation
of all great teams. They wanted improved size, intelligence, and toughness up
front. On offense, this means building an offensive line that can instigate power
football. On defense, it means building a front seven that can man a 3-4 system
and deliver stops and turnovers.
They seem to have accomplished
this goal.
1(1) Jake Long, OT,
Long, a massive 6-7 and
315lb. mountain of a man, is being counted on to stabilize the left tackle
position for the next decade. The pick makes sense because it plays to the
strength of the offense (running back) and is conducive to the success of a
young quarterback. Furthermore, Long’s presence allows the Dolphins to shift
Vernon Carey back to right tackle, where he’s enjoyed some good success in the
past. Together with Carey, he could give the Dolphins their best tackle tandem
since 1995 (Richmond Webb and Ron Heller). Add in free agent pick-up Justin
Smiley (RG) and rookie center sensation Samson Satele, and the Dolphins have the
makings for one of the best young offensive lines in the game. Provided that Jason
Taylor is still with the team when training camp opens, look for Long to gain
valuable experience early and often on handling an elite NFL pass rusher.
2(32) Phillip Merling,
DE, Clemson
Meet the potential heir to
Taylor, a player who professes to have modeled his game after
2(57)
This was a very important
pick-up for the Dolphins. Rebuilding starts with a winning quarterback and the
Dolphins do not have one. While 2007 second rounder John Beck remains a work in
process, there is some real uncertainty as to how he will turn out. Bill Parcells
and
3(66) Kendall Langford,
DE, Hampton
The immediate concern with
Langford, as with all 1-AA division prospects, is the level of competition they
faced. This didn’t deter the Dolphins in any way, who see Langford as someone
who upgrades the depth at defensive end. “Anyone that is 6-5 and 290 and runs a
4.9 is going to be on our radar pretty quickly”, said
4(110) Shawn Murphy, OG,
Murphy, a college tackle and
the son of former baseball great Dale Murphy, is being counted on to upgrade
the shallow depth at guard. He has excellent size (6-4, 320) and a reputation
as a road grader but isn’t quick enough to continue to play tackle in the NFL. “He’s
another makeup guy we feel real good about”, said
6(176) Jalen Parmele, RB,
With the unexpected trade of
Lorenzo Booker to the Philadelphia Eagles (more on that in a moment) the
Dolphins had a need for competition with Patrick Cobbs as the third running
back. Parmele, a 6-0, 220lb. power back, is a guy the Dolphins hope is in the
mold of Marion Barber. “My strengths are my ability to run with power”, said
Parmele. “I have good power when I run, an explosion”. As with all third string
RBs, play on special teams is important, and the Dolphins like his skills
there. “He has good special teams value”,
6(195) Donald Thomas, OG,
Thomas is also expected to
improve the depth on the offensive line, though he is probably not as close to
being able to make a near term contribution as Murphy is. The Dolphins
leveraged the relationship that head coach Tony Sparano has with
6(204) Lex Hilliard, RB,
Seen as a fullback prospect
in the NFL, the 6-0, 240lb. Hilliard will compete with Reagan Mauia and Boomer
Grigsby (free agent) with the hope of at least sticking as a back-up. “I’ll
play whatever”, Hilliard said. “It may have to be on special teams. I’m ready
to go. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help the Miami Dolphins win”.
Hilliard has had some injury issues in the past (achilles, thumb) but was quite
productive in college (over 1,000 yards rushing in 2007). Said
7(245) Lionel Dotson, DL,
A raw defensive line
prospect who
Other notes: