The fact of the Dolphins draft remains this. This was a 3 tackle draft. Outside of Gallery, Andrews, and Carey, there were no tackles that would help Miami THIS year. When Andrews went off the board, Miami simply made a move that ensured they got Vernon Carey. They approached this draft with the mindset that they had to get one of the top 3 tackles, and considering that Gallery never was an option, it was between Andrews and Carey. I'm not going to pretend to know who they would have picked had both Andrews and Carey been on the board. I've got a feeling it would have been Andrews, but it wouldn't shock me to see that Miami had Carey rated even with Andrews or a bit higher. With their first pick, Miami got the position they absolutely had to address.
Their second round pick is Wade Smith. They have essentially used their first two picks in the 2004 draft on their starting tackles, or the players that will be their starting tackles in 2004 and beyond. Wade Smith was a 1st team All-Rookie performer last season and has improved his size and strength this offseason. He will do nothing but gain from the experience on the field.
With their third round pick, they were able to move back and pick up two players that will make a contribution to the team this year. First, with the 4th round pick, they got a late first to early second round talent in Will Poole. A great value, and unless you wanted to go into the season with Korey Banks as the dime back, it was a minor need. This is a player that will contribute immediately in the dime package, as the dime corner played 28% of the snaps last season, as well on special teams. Poole can even return punts, so don't be surprised to see him get a look as the punt return man.
With the 5th round pick acquired in the 3rd round trade, they took Tony Bua. A year from now, many are going to look at this pick and say the same things they have said about Zach Thomas in the past.
Miami had a fine draft. They came out of the draft with 3 players that were considered 1st day prospects, and another player that will prove to be one of the steals of the draft.