Grading the Phins Draft

The long awaited draft weekend has ended, and after much speculation about nothing, we now know who the new Miami Dolphins are. Parcells, Ireland and Sparano went into the draft with the plan of attacking Miami's needs. Their draft strategy was simple, there is quality in quantities. While I trust this regime wholeheartedly, I disagree with some of the picks. Then again, I don't get paid millions of dollars to draft for any NFL franchise.

Entering the draft, Miami's biggest needs as analyzed by most were CB, WR, OLB, and NT. It's safe to say Miami addressed these needs, although not necessarily in the way that most of us wanted or predicted.

Miami had a weak secondary entering this draft. They addressed the cornerback position with not one but two stud players at the cornerback position. With their 25th pick, they drafted Vontae Davis, who has the best physical tools of any corner to come out of college in the past three years. They also drafted Seasn Smith with their 61st pick in the draft. Smith could be considered a steal, as many many mock drafts had him going in the first round. In addition, in the 5th round, Miami drafted FS Chris Clemons. Clemons is going to ensure that the safety position remains covered throughout the season. He was probably the best pick the Phins made in day 2.

The second position of weakness was wide receiver. It would be unreal to say that it wasn't addressed, because it was. Now, do I think that it was addressed properly? NO!! The Dolphins obviously could not have known or avoided the wide receiver run that took place during the late first round to the early second round. That run wiped Nicks, Britt, and Robiskie, and the other top receivers where gone since before the 25th pick. Since they couldn't take any of those receivers, they took back to back receivers in the 3rd and 4th rounds. That though, is not even what I criticize. I criticize who they took with those picks. The Dolphins took Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline. Now, I've done much scouting and analyzing of this draft, and I can honestly say that those guys would have easily been there during the 6th and maybe even the 7th round.

The third position of need, Outside Linebacker, was addressed in the 7th round. Yeah, the 7th round... I can't believe it either. Even more surprising, when the 7th round came along, I was surprised at the remaining prospects, and dared to get excited. Hell, Beckwith was there, so was Worrell Williams.. but noooo, they took JD Folsom... who??

The fourth position of need... wait, need? The front office doesn't seem to think so.

On the bright side, although I initially didn't like the pick, the Dolphins drafted Pat White. Now, after thinking alot about this pick, White might just be a great addition. He's going to play some Wide receiver, return some kicks, and take somewhere around 7-10 snaps at QB per game. That's not bad, especially if he becomes a successful utility player in the NFL, ala Antwaan Randle El.

Another couple of great picks were Chris Clemons and John Nalbone. Clemons addressed not only our future at safety but insurance at a poosition that lacked it. Nalbone is also not only insurance at the Tight end position, but someone whom the trifecta will groom, and now it doesn't force them to sign any of our two free agent tight ends next offseason if this kid comes along.

Overall, Miami's draft was not great, but it can be if just the two corners we selected pan out. We really don't know how well this draft really goes until 2-3 years down the line, and so, grading the teams picks, specially right now after having seen the players play ZERO NFL games, is pointless, but I'll do it anyways. My final grade for the Miami Dolphins 2009 NFL Draft is: C

2009 NFL Draft: Day 1

We conclude a busy day of drafting with an overall expression of what we liked and disliked in the first couple rounds of the draft.


- Oakland drafts Darius Heywerd-Bey with the #7 overall pick. Ahead of Crabtree... They may be the most retarded franchise in the NFL. Detroit gets unlucky, Oakland is just retarded. To cement my opinion, they go out and draft Michael Mitchell in rd 2. I have never heard of the guy, and ESPN didn't even have footage on him. Kiper estimates they could have waited until rd. 5 atleast to have drafted him... I'm glad in not a Raider fan.

- New England screws Miami, twice! They took Ron Brace, Darius Butler.. both Miami targets... I hate them!

- I can't believe that Rey Rey and Everette Brown fell to the 2nd round...

- If it only cost a 6th for TB to move up 2 slots in the 1st round, couldn't Miami have given up a 6th and moved up 4-5 slots in the early 2nd to land Brace? Butler? Brown? Maualuga? Ridiculous!

Now to Miami's picks"

25th Pick- Vontae Davis... Love it, a physical monster. He'll excel under this regime, and I expect he will be a stud corner for years to come.

44th Pick- Pat White... I know not what to say about this pick. I don't want to deliberately question the great and well trusted minds that run this organization, but, cmon... how much can the wildcat do? White brings versatility, but I'm interested in seeing how he will be used..

56th- was traded to Indianapolis for their 61st overall and their 5th round pick.

61st Pick- Sean Smith... Great Pick, 2 corners in day 1 which could shore up our secondary. This was also a value pick, and Smith should have gone much earlier.

Overall: I would have liked to see some different names on this list, but considering that a ton of great player went right in a span of 5-7 picks before our 44th, we kind of got screwed. The wide receiver run in the late first-early second killed the chance for Miami to pick up a stud receiver.

For Day 1: C/C+ Grade.