Instead of doing team NFL Draft grades myself, I thought that I’d ask team bloggers from some of teams throughout the draft to give their opinions of the new additions that their teams picked up on the weekend, among other things.
First up, fittingly, is The Phinsider’s Matty I, whose Miami Dolphins had the first pick in the draft, and used it on Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long with the first overall pick, which was the start of a successful draft – and hopefully for the Dolphins, gets their rebuilding process kick-started in the right direction.
1. How would you grade the Dolphins’ draft?
I really don’t like giving out grades because I don’t think you can really grade a draft for a few years. But in terms of addressing needs, I give this draft an A. The offensive line had to be addressed and they went out and took Jake Long first overall. They then moved up in the 4th round to take Shawn Murphy, who will likely battle Drew Mormino as the starting right guard.
Next, they addressed the defensive line by getting Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford, which is going to be huge. Remember, this team couldn’t stop the run in 2007. And the addition of Chad Henne improves the Dolphins’ chances of finally having a solid QB. Between Henne and John Beck, I’m confident that one of them will work out as the long-term solution to the QB quandary in Miami.
2. Was Jake Long the right pick at #1?
Jake was absolutely the right pick at #1 overall. Entering the draft, the Dolphins only had 2 offensive tackles on the entire team. Now with Long, they can move Vernon Carey back to his more natural position (RT) and have two solid bookends for years to come.
3. What was the best pick outside of the first round?
Kendall Langford, the defensive end out of Hampton, was a great pick in round 3. He’s a guy who has the size and strength needed to be a great DE in a 3-4 scheme. And the kid is a monster against the run. In 234 running plays in his direction, the opposition gained 64 yards (if I recall that stat correctly). That’s impressive.
4. Are there any positions that the team didn’t address that they should have at some point?
Clearly, wide receiver and cornerback were two areas that needed to be addressed and weren’t. They did, however, bring in a couple of potential WR prospects as undrafted free agents. But the bottom line is that this team has so many areas of need that they all couldn’t be addressed in one draft. I like that Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland addressed the team’s needs in the trenches first. After all, you build a team from the inside out. I look for the Dolphins to them address the remaining needs next offseason.
5. Were there any bad picks?
It’s hard to say the picks were “bad” because we don’t know how things will turn out. But I do question the pick of Montana RB Lex Hilliard. And I say that because 28 picks earlier, the Dolphins selected Toledo RB Jalen Parmele. It’s been reported that Hilliard may be a fullback at this next level, but you can always sign an undrafted FB and use that pick on another area of need. But we’ll have to wait and see how this plays out before we can call it a “bad” pick.
6. Do you think Chad Henne will beat John Beck out this season, and how long do you think it will take Henne to beat out Beck?
I don’t think Henne will ever beat out John Beck. I’m a firm believer that John Beck is going to earn the starting job and never give it up. People don’t realize that the Dolphins were a terrible team with minimal talent around John when John got his chance to start.
The offensive line was playing like crap by the time John got his shot, Chris Chambers was traded to SD, and Ronnie Brown had torn his ACL already. I don’t think that half of the QBs in this league could have played much better than John under those circumstances. And when I watch tape on both Henne and Beck, I’m more impressed with what I see out of John. He’s got a quicker release, is more accurate, and has more zip on his passes.
7. Should they have done the trade for Jason Taylor? Do you think they will at some point before the season starts?
If the Dolphins could have gotten at least a 2nd rounder, then I do feel they should have traded Taylor. But most reports claim that the Dolphins weren’t offered anything better than a 3rd rounder. So no, you don’t trade your best player and the face of the franchise for a 3rd round pick. Will he eventually be traded? I wouldn’t be shocked, especially if a contending team is hit with some injuries along their defensive line. But at least until August, Taylor will be a Dolphin.
8. What impacts do you think the new guys will have?
I think the new draft picks will have major impacts on this team. Jake Long will be a starter from day one at left tackle. I think Shawn Murphy will eventually win the right guard spot. And both Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford will likely be heavily involved in the defensive line rotation to start the year. In fact, by the time December rolls around, I wouldn’t be surprised to see 4 starters from this draft class (Long, Murphy, Merling, and Langford).
9. What’s your realistic prediction for the Dolphins in ’08?
It’s way too early to predict anything. But I think 4 to 6 wins is a reasonable expectation.
As you can see, this guy knows his stuff. A big thanks to him for his insight, and for more from Matty I, check out The Phinsider.
