All criticism and praise is welcomed! As for my own mock, here's a scenario I could see playing out.. Round 1 Chris Long DE Virginia (I really like Glenn Dorsey, however several things have me leaning towards Long. Number one, Dorsey's knee injury and health issues. I think he's going to be a very productive player in the NFL for whoever drafts him, but I also can't help but find some level of concern over that knee. Secondly, a wrinkle of the Parcells defense are the DE/LB hybrids. Long has the ability to fit in to the new defensive scheme to a tee. Adding on to that, I look at the quality of DE in this year's draft that Miami could potentially draft versus the DT and truth be told, beyond that first round talent (Gholston, etc), there's really not going to be a player of Long's value available in the second and subsequent rounds. On the flipside, while there's an obvious gap between Dorsey and the other DT, I feel Miami can still get a viable player for the position in the second, third and even fourth rounds. Also, I think he's going to go with the familiar voices --i/e Al Groh-- and take Long. When you mix Long's personal potential in with his bloodlines and the fact that Groh called Long the second best defensive player he's ever coached, considering the quality defensive players Groh has worked with in his career, I think Long is Miami's pick. You team Long up with Jason Taylor and a revamped defense and run with it.) 2nd (Pt 1.) Antoine Cason CB Arizona (Filling a big need with a seasoned and polished shutdown corner with good intangibles.. Smart and safe pick. I've spoke volumes about Cason on this board and will continue to do so. I think he's one of the better shutdown CB to hit the draft in recent memory and will immediately and long term make Miami's secondary better.) 2nd (Pt. 2, San Diego) John Carlson TE Notre Dame (I'm thinking Notre Dame's crappy season combined with his own subpar numbers in the season will move him down the draft charts. I could see both Davis and Rucker going before him. Another potential steal for the Dolphins here, this guy's got everything you look for in a TE-- good route running skills, good hands, reliability and good blocking skills. He also is a hard worker and a good team leader, which will certainly sit well with the South Dallas 40 crew.) Round 3 Chad Henne QB Michigan (The third round pick is the one I'm most stumped on. I could logically see them going with a WR if one drops or one of the DT here just as quickly as they take a QB. That being said, even though they gave the public vote of confidence to John Beck, I still think that the rumors of the Irish Tuna duo having their eyes on Henne merit paying attention to. He was highly productive against top competition in college (hold the Appalachian State jokes please LOL) and has some good intangibles. I don't see him falling past the third so I think Miami snatches him up with this pick.) Round 4 Red Bryant DT Texas A&M (A wide body, good run stopping DT who never quite got the recognition he deserved in college. I think with some time under his belt (i/e Jason Ferguson holding down the fort for the next year or two), the Dolphins could have themselves a real sleeper on their hands.) Round 5 Trent Green (Thanks Cam and Randy.. Maybe you guys can figure a way to spring for a neurologist too when you wind up picking Green up to QB at your next job with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders..) Round 6 Marcus Monk WR Arkansas (With Darren McFadden stealing a lot of the headlines, Felix Jones doing more than hold his own and a chaos filled handful of years on the coaching staff where passing became optional in Fayetteville, Monk still stands out to me as a productive, big framed (6'6) red zone threat that like Hardy would serve as an ideal compliment to Ginn at WR in the Dolphin offense. In spite of having the previously mentioned road blocks and a knee injury which hampered him in 2007, Monk had a pretty productive college career and is one I envision being a solid and productive WR on the next level. ) Round 7 Barry Richardson OT Clemson (One of the more intriguing OLinemen in the draft, Clemson's Richardson has some definite traits a team looks for in a QB. On one hand, he's a tremendous pass blocker, experience against top competition, good size (6'7, 330), offers some versitility and an ability to be a shutdown Offensive Tackle on the next level. He's one of those type of linemen that once he's got the defensive player locked in, the battle is over and there's no getting by him. We're talking about the same player that held Mario Williams without a sack in 2005, was named by The Sporting News as the ACC's "most dominant offensive lineman" and the nation's fourth best offensive lineman overall in July, was a 1st team all ACC offensive lineman in 2006 and was named a 2007 first team pre-season All-American by Athlon, Playboy and Lindy's. However, on the flipside of things, he plays incredibly soft and has a virtually non-existant killer instinct. He's also a classic underachiever, all of which will drop him to the late rounds. I personally saw enough of him in college to know if he can be coached up and develops ANY kind of toughness, he'll be a hell of a steal. I figure, if Miami goes the veteran route and picks up a Flozell Adams, Richardson would be the ideal player to groom as his ultimate successor. He's got that unlimited potential, but just needs to develop some before being set loose.)
nice draft ........ Round 7 Barry Richardson OT Clemson i feel Barry may go a lot high in the draft.............. a FA QB is what i would like to see along with draft a ol below the 3rd round But great job
Everything about your mock makes sense to me except the third rounder. Unlike Mueller, Tuna doesn't have a tendency to take a QB every year, especially when he spoke so highly about Beck. I really think that if we addressed DL and CB in the first 2 rounds that we would look OL in the 3rd. With the articles that we've seen lately about just not having enough 'talent' on the OL, it's about time we invested in it. It seems logical with Parcells' montra... Otherwise, I really like that draft and wouldn't complain if things turned out that way.
I dont like the chad henne pick. I think you have to go reciever there or linebacker. Also, do you think monk falls down that far?
I don't know if Cason will still be there when we pick, but if he is and we take him I will be one happy man.
Love the mock. I don't think Bryant or Monk are there for us at those spots, but I'd be happy if they were.
Yeah Talib is not a burner with a high 4.45+ time. But he is a playmaker and would love to see him here. He played a damn good game vs. Va Tech, and makes QUICK reactions to the ball on his breaks. Not really sure what will happen with the defense and the scheme. But I would not be unhappy if he ended up here.
I don't think he's anything other than a cover 2 guy. He's a taller Dre Bly with less man skills. Playmaking ability is unquestioned, but systems are systems.
Hey Simon, how goes it? Hope all is well with the family. so, as of today (obviously ) what would you say is the FA targets (Position or Player) and therefore how would that set up our draft targets (Position or Player) for us? Presume you like the Tuna, and Ireland moves. You a Sparano guy for HC? and last what would be your favorite OC and DC guys?
Hey BDH, all good with me......you? FA targets; well, along the DL with Corey Williams and Isaac Sapoaga, in the secondary with Trufant, Asomugha, and Samuel on the top level, but with Jacques Reeves as a likely target. Gibril Wilson? Madieu Williams. On the OL, with Flozell Adams and Stephen Peterman, David Stewart. Bryant Johnson, DJ Hackett, Drew Carter at WR. Lots and lots of targets. In the draft, you can't look any further than Glenn Dorsey IMO, with Chris Long and Vernon Gholston a step down. I'd look for a tight end like Fred Davis, Martellus Bennett or my favourite Brandon Pettigrew, a big CB like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a MLB like Beau Bell. Yep, happy with Tuna, ecstatic with Ireland. I KNOW Sparano is highly rated and it's clear the Pokes players love him. If Rex Ryan didn't get a HC job and came and coached our D, that would be immense. Todd Bowles would be a good choice too. Chris Palmer is a good bet for the OC job.
Family is solid (My oldest is off to Frosh Yr of College).... I think this FA is going to be fun, with Parcells and Ireland. A DL, OL, CB, and WR acquistion would be sweet medicine for what ails us leading up to the draft. When it comes to Dorsey, C. Long, or Gholston I find it very hard to choose between them. I just dont know what to make of JT or ZT (trade talk,etc) but agree we need to draft a MLB and if we had the shot at Bell would be thrilled. I still would like to find a solid Guard or Tackle to improve the youth and consistency of OL if we cant sign one in FA. Dont know a whole bunch about Bowles or Palmer when comparing the two. But, for as low as we were as a franchise just a few weeks ago, things sure have changed quickly it seems. (Reminds me of my Yankees and what took place following the playoff loss right up to all the resignings that seem to have steadied their ship).
This is part of what I swrote in VIP about FA: In terms of FA's, I've been looking at the past few drafts and specifically at the Senior Bowl's and Combines at players Dallas showed great interest in; Kris Wilson, Chiefs tight end is a guy who looks ready to blossom. KC have played him at H-Back to get him in the field because he's stuck behind a Hall of Famer in Tony Gonzalez. Dallas showed a lot of interest in him during the run up to the draft. Jim Leonhard of Buffalo is the sort of hard nosed, hard working guy that Parcells loves and Dallas tried landing him when the draft was over, only for him to go to Buffalo. He's a S and ST maven. He was undrafted and is a RFA, so it will be interesting to see the tender he gets. Depending on what defensive system we employ will depend whether we go after Asante Samuel. Bill loves big corners and playmakers and Samuel fits that bill. I actually think Seattle's Marcus Trufant might be the guy, especially as he's moved firmly into the top echelon of CB's. Whether Nnamdi Asomugha hits FA is another matter, but again, you swing and hit with a kid that good. One CB I do expect us to pursue is Jacques Reeves, a Parcells favourite. His tender will probably be high which will rule us out on Domonique Foxworth, which is a shame. Jason Brown, Stephen Peterman - These two are RFA guards with the Ravens and Lions respectively so it will be interesting to see what tenders they get. With it seeming unlikely Miami will pay the $25/30 million for Rex Hadnot and Chris Liewinski struggling down the stretch, the onus will be on Drew Mormino who's had a year in the weight room and perhaps Vernon Carey, if he moves inside. But regardless, Brown and Peterman are aggressive run blockers who shouldn't be too expensive. Peterman was drafted by Parcells and then tore a knee ligament and Bill was very high on him. He's bright and very tough and has done well in Detroit. Considered a bust in Dallas, it would bring vindication to Parcells if he slipped him in at RG. Madieu Williams - A high character guy, which is odd for a Bengal, Williams' play has tailed off some the past 2 years. But Parcells was sniffing around him in Indianapolis. Williams' up and down play is put down to his brother who I believe has a very bad disability from a head injury and Williams has been looking after him full time and has recently, finally, managed to get him into a special unit to alleviate some of the pressure that comes with being a full time sportsman and a full time carer. Heck of a safety if he's back to his best. ethan Kelley is a 338lb NT with the Browns, who was drafted by the Patriots, but who interviewed twice with Dallas in 2003. Another DT is Anthony Maddox, a RFA with Houston, who's a good player at 300lbs and flies under the radar. You guessed it; he interviewed with Parcells prioir to the draft. With Indy signing Bob Sanders, I think Dallas Clark's situation bears watching. Can they afford to franchise him? Randy Starks and David Stewart at Tennessee are interesting players. Dallas was one of the teams that almost drafted Starks, whilst Stewart is an under the radar RT getting less press than Mo Williams, also a FA. Chris Clemons - It's likely that Oakland try re-signing him, but as an URFA, Dallas lost out in a hard fought battle with the Redskins. He's a situational pass rusher, but he has 9 sacks this season. He works very hard and is relentless in pursuit. Of course, the growth of Abraham Wright may preclude a move for a guy like this, as it's always in our best interest to allow our players to grow. Flozell Adams - I think it's pretty certain that the old Motel will be landing in Miami. When he concentrates, he can still play at a high level. If Miami drafts Jake Long, you could see Adams at LT, Long at RT and Carey at RG. Julius Jones - I don't see anyway that Jones is in Miami. It's been talked about, but I don't see it. Depending on the system, I think the Lance Briggs situation bears watching. As does the Muhsin Muhammad one as he's due $1.7 million of a roster bonus before the season and whilst he's 35, he can still play. Corey Williams - Packers DT. Goes without saying. But Isaac Sopoaga is an interesting guy who's improving with the 49ers and at 325lbs, he's a strong NT target. Drew Carter - Highly thought of WR in Carolina. Reading notes, Dallas almost drafted him in the 4th round, but he fell to the 5th and the Panthers. Just scratching the surface of his ability. Arizona is an interesting team to watch. Bryant Johnson has developed into a good player and would work well in Miami; good hands, great route runner. He's been well coached by Todd Haley. But Larry Fitzgerald is due $15 million next year. And Anquan Boldin is a year away from FA as is Adrian Wilson. Karlos Dansby is a FA this year and I'm pretty sure that Darnell Dockett is a FA next year. Decisions will have to be made on Fitzgerald and Boldin. I'm not saying Arizona will move one, but stranger things have happened. Justin Smiley - Dallas worked him out prior to the draft and whilst he's disappointed in San Fran, he's a tough type that Parcells loves. Billy Bajema - tight end. If Parcells feels like Justin Peelle's 2nd half of 2007 is more indicative of his talents, then a big 260lb tight end like Bajema would fit the bill perfectly in the power run game, He is a RFA however. Travis Minor - Parcells could do a lot worse than bring Minor back. He was grossly misused as a player in Miami and his play as a ST'er was excellent and God knows we need ST help. Oshiomongho Atogwe is developing into the sort of future Pro Bowl player that flies right under the radar. I don't see St Louis giving him anything other than a very high tender, but it bears watching. OJ is a very good player. Damien Woody - He's a FA in Detroit who lost a lot of weight and moved to RT mid season and played brilliantly. So there you go. Just looking around, some sites intonate that Charles Tillman and Quentin Jammer are also FA's. If that's the case, you're looking at 5 pretty good CB's, top or high 2nd tier guys, all of whom play the run well in Samuel, Asomugha, Trufant, Tillman and Jammer. I would make that priority #1 along with a NT and then some of the younger guys I've mentioned. Boom.
With the exceptions of Cason, Carlson and Henne I like this draft. Once again, Cason is TINY folks. I have watched him play here in Tucson. In the right scheme he could be pretty solid, but a true shutdown corner? No-way. His tackling skills are also lacking, largely due to his size (He is listed at 185, I would say much closer to 175 due to the fact that I have seen him standing next to Wilrey Fontenot, and looks smaller- Fontenot is noted as being about 175) Carlson is way over-rated, and i think there are a handfull of TE's that would suit us better Henne? I do like the Chris Long/ Red Bryant aspect though. That would really would help...although, i am leaning towards Dorsey and the top LB available at 32... Cant argue with either Richardson or Monk. Both would be nice picks
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. The one that seems to most generate disagreement is Henne. That third round pick was truly a tough one for me to gauge, because they had a few different directions I thought they might go in. However, Henne to me is a productive QB who projects well on the next level. I see him as a Matt Hasselbeck clone in his best. At worst, I still see him being productive.
