Unfortunately for the Dolphins, most draft experts agree that this year’s receiver crop is short on elite talent. The draft will feature several solid mid-round players — including many who are showcasing their talents here at the Senior Bowl this week — but no instant stars like a Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald or Julio Jones. “There are two problems with this receiver draft — there’s no dominant receiver, and it’s a problem of size,” said Sports Illustrated draft expert Tony Pauline. “Last year, four of the top five guys were all at least 6-3 and 210 pounds. But there’s not a lot of size in this receiver group. You’re basically looking at a bunch of No. 2 or 3 type guys.” http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/s...want-a-receiver-in-the-draft-there-isn/nT3s9/
I agree. Stedman Bailey is my favorite, but at his size, he is more of a #2. I think he could be a Pro Bowl #2 WR though. One of the best in the league, if he has the right QB throwing him the ball. Getting intrigued by Marcus Wheaton, but he's skinny as heck too. We need to get a Jennings-type guy through free agency or a trade, then get Stedman or another stud #2 in the draft. Add a tight end and we will be fine.
There's an awful lot of WR talent in this draft. Question becomes can Ireland, with a habit of bad drafting at the WR spot, nail it or will he lean on Philbin who's been part of a team that's brought in Jennings, Nelson, Jones and Cobb?
I think Joe Philbin is just as capable of blowing the decision as Jeff Ireland is, especially if it's true that Egnew was a Philbin call. And especially if the hints we've seen are true that Cunningham was a nod to the coaching staff.
Jesus Christ this stuff is frustrating. How the hell are we supposed to accurately gauge Ireland's assessment ability (outside of pass rushers) when we don't even know who the **** is responsible for picking whom? lol. At least he brought in Brandon Marshall, supposedly wanted Harvin, tried trading for Maclin, and was checking out Tavon Austin/Bailey, so hopefully he's on the right track. Still, frustrating nonetheless.
I don't think that it would bother me if the Dolphins used 3 picks on WRs in the 1st 4 or 5 rounds. It sounds a bit much, but I'm curious as to what the plans are with Bess and with Hartline, as per his salary demands. We have to figure out if each is part of the solution or part of the problem. Of course we have to factor in WR FA's, so if we land a good one maybe draft 2 instead. Just bite the bullet, solve the long term problem and realize that if one out of two or two out of three drafted WRs pan out, that's not half bad, especially considering our lousy WR drafting track record and need at the position. Case in point: say that in the 1st 3 rounds we drafted CB Banks #1, a WR 2a, a pass rusher like Lemonier 2b and a Safety like Phillip Thomas 3a. What if there was a Wheaton or Bailey available at 3B? What if there was a Marquess Wilson available at # 4 or a Marquise Goodwin available at the rd 5 pick? Given this franchises multiples misses on drafting the WR position, how much of a crap shoot receivers are anyway and the large number of receivers that seem to be good candidates for rds 2-4, I wouldn't mind a shotgun approach. Bess is what he is, Hartline might price himself out of Miami and then we are left with what, Rishard Matthews and Armon Binns? Marlon Moore? Our draft strength is multiple picks in rds 2-3. One of the draft's strengths seems to be quality WRs that should be available in rds 2-3. If we could do that, then go back in time and not waive Donald Thomas and Rob Ninkovich, we might be ok.
If the value is there I'd be ok with taking a 3rd receiver after having already drafted 2 in the first 3 rounds. After all, Rishard Matthews dropped to the 7th round.
They're all his responsibility. He's the GM. The trade for Brandon Marshall was an abject failure all the way around. I don't think we can afford to grade a GM based on rumors that he wanted this guy or that, nor based on his simply attending a bowl game that happened to be held in close proximity to where his team was playing that weekend. I want Larry Fitzgerald. I'm going to try to trade for him. Boom! I know what I'm doing on receivers. The proof is incontravertible!
I think you misread my meaning, Chris. I was more referring to his eye than his responsibility as GM.
not disagreeing entirely with that. I just want to know whether or not he's on the right track with the types of players he's assessing or is interested in. To me he seems like he is (although I understand that obviously doesn't mean a hill of beans unless the player succeeds).
The three best rookie wide receivers this past year were a guy taken in the supplemental draft that has the same kind of size and probably not as much ability as Cordarrelle Patterson, and two guys who are similar in size to the receivers in this draft in Chris Givens and Ty Hilton. So, I don't buy this idea that a "#1" has to be 6'3", 220 lbs or whatever. Heck, I don't buy into the idea that there is a such thing as a #1 receiver anyway. The #1 receiver is the one who is open, IMO.
People get way too caught up in the "#1" language with respect to receivers, either arguing in favor of having one or arguing that you don't need one. You need talent, and I don't care what you label it from there. As for the size thing, I think there's a reason they talk about it. I don't know about 6'3"/210 lbs but here are the sizes of the 20 most productive WRs in the NFL this year (by yardage): 1. Calvin Johnson - 6050, 239 lbs 2. Andre Johnson - 6020, 230 lbs 3. Brandon Marshall - 6044, 229 lbs 4. Demaryius Thomas - 6032, 224 lbs 5. Vincent Jackson - 6046, 241 lbs 6. Dez Bryant - 6020, 224 lbs 7. Reggie Wayne - 6000, 198 lbs 8. Wes Welker - 5086, 195 lbs 9. Roddy White - 6012, 207 lbs 10. A.J. Green - 6035, 211 lbs 11. Julio Jones - 6026, 220 lbs 12. Steve L. Smith - 5090, 184 lbs 13. Marques Colston - 6045, 224 lbs 14. Michael Crabtree - 6013, 215 lbs 15. Victor Cruz - 5115, 206 lbs 16. Brian Hartline - 6015, 195 lbs 17. Eric Decker - 6031, 217 lbs 18. Stevie Johnson - 6017, 210 lbs 19. Lance Moore - 5092, 182 lbs 20. Mike A. Williams - 6014, 221 lbs There's definitely a size bias in there. Particularly look at the dimensions of the top 5. Add Larry Fitzgerald (6027, 225 lbs) in there somewhere, looks like they kind of have a point about size. (EDIT: Switched over from "listed" height/weight to exactly height/weights as draft prospects, since it's more relevant).
plus Larry Fitz at 6'3 218..... and you could add Randy Moss at 6'4 210..... Bowe 6'2 221..... Nelson 6'3 217.... Austin 6'2 217.
