2008 Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Team Needs
June 8, 2008
Bill Parcells said it best when saying, “You go 1-15 and you need a lot of help.” Both offensively and defensively, the folks in Miami need a complete overhaul. It does have some young guys from last year’s draft who have the potential to develop into solid players. Expect the 2008 Miami Dolphins to look very different from their ‘07 disaster starting on Draft Day.
2008 Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Needs:
1.) Defensive Tackle
The Dolphins have yet to decide on playing the 4-3 or the 3-4 heading into the year, but there is a drastic need of interior DL either way. The Dolphins finished last in the league in run defense, allowing 153.5 yards per game. NT Keith Traylor is likely to retire, leaving the Dolphins very thin at this spot. Although the Dolphins would like to get a couple pass rushers, the need of interior linemen to eat up blockers and free up linebackers is a must.
2.) Middle Linebacker
Zach Thomas is likely out after his 13th season in Miami. Thomas was pushed around too much in ‘07 and his small size at this position is not what Bill Parcells is looking for. Channing Crowder has bounced around between the middle and outside, but he’s clearly a better fit on the edge. If Miami stays with a 304, the need for an interior presence on the second defensive level becomes even greater.
3.) Tight End
David Martin was brought in from Green Bay with the expectations he would provide a vertical threat to the offense. It hasn’t happened yet. Justin Peelle and Aaron Halterman are other options in Miami, but neither give the coaching staff the confidence that they can get it done on Sundays. An athletic target to stretch the field would be a big weight lifted off their shoulders.
4.) Wide Receiver
The Dolphins traded their best WR in Chris Chambers to the Chargers in the middle of ‘07. They wanted to get younger across the board and felt that rookie Ted Ginn Jr. was on the verge of stardom. Ginn showed flashes of becoming a star, but his inconsistency at the position leaves many questions in Miami. Marty Booker will by 32 years old by the start of the season and his age is a big concern after this year. Derek Hagan provides little depth, but he’s not a starting option. The Dolphins need a big, physical presence on the outside to be a target in the red zone. Ginn brings the speed, but Miami needs a big move-the-chains guy beside him.
5.) Quarterback
Trent Green could very well retire after suffering a damaging concussion to the Texans in Week Five last season. Cleo Lemon is an unrestricted free agent who is only there to try and stop the bleeding. John Beck flopped as a rookie in his five games under center. The only reason why a quarterback isn’t a bigger need is that Beck is only coming into his second season and there remains hope he can get it done. With not many top-notch QB’s available in this year’s draft, the Dolphins will be reluctant to spend a higher pick on one.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:
New head coach Tony Sparano will have the Dolphins showcasing a ground-oriented offense until the quarterback and receivers prove worthy of stretching the field through the air. QB Matt Ryan of Boston College would be a good first-round choice, but the Dolphins have too many concerns defensively to pick up Ryan. TE John Carlson of Notre Dame, TE Craig Stevens of Cal, WR Jordy Nelson of KSU and WR Marcus Smith of New Mexico are the kind of targets the Dolphins could use on the outside. OT-OG Mike Gibson of Cal is a linemen they could use on Draft Day.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:
The Dolphins want to run a 3-4, but the team’s deficiency against the run may not allow them to. The 4-3 is the likely choice to start the season and when outfitted with appropriate personnel, the Dolphins “D” is heavy on stunting. OLB Vernon Gholston of Ohio State, ILB Marc Magro of West Virginia and ILB Darren Mustin of Alabama are ideal fits for what the Dolphins like to do with their linebackers. DE Kendall Langford of Hampton, NT Frank Okam of Texas and SLB Lawrence Jackson of USC are a few other names the Dolphins may be calling on Draft Day.