INDIANAPOLIS — A year ago, the Miami Dolphins kept coming up with reasons why they didn't need to use a high draft pick on a wide receiver: Ted Ginn Jr. was about to break out. The receiver-by-committee approach would work out fine. Their offense was built more around the run and the short-passing game than the deep ball.
After the Dolphins passing game ranked 20th in the NFL and their receivers accounted for only 12 plays of 25 or more yards and six touchdowns in 2009, General Manager Jeff Ireland took a different stance when asked about the situation at the NFL Scouting Combine last week.
"We need big playmakers," Ireland said. "We need players that make chunk yardage. We need players that make touchdowns."
If Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant somehow falls to them at No. 12 and linebackers such as Alabama's Rolando McClain and Texas' Sergio Kindle are gone, experts feel the Dolphins might make Bryant the team's first No. 1 receiver since Chris Chambers made the Pro Bowl in 2005. The team's last bona fide star at the position was Mark Duper, who retired in 1992.
Even if they wait until Round 2, this receiver class is deep enough they might still come up with a No. 1. And remember, the only first-round receiver football czar Bill Parcells has ever drafted was Terry Glenn, a pick forced upon him by New England owner Bob Kraft.
"Brandon LaFell (of LSU) could be a No. 1," Sports Illustrated draft guru Tony Pauline said. "Demaryius Thomas (of Georgia Tech) could be a No. 1. Damian Williams (of USC) could be a No. 1. This year it's conceivable you could get that high-end guy later on."
"Wide receiver is very deep in this draft," added Baltimore coach John Harbaugh, whose Ravens are also in need of help at the position.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Bryant has separated himself as the best of this group, which is saying something for a guy who caught only 17 passes last season. Bryant played three games before being suspended by the NCAA for interacting with former All-Pro defensive back Deion Sanders.
Bryant said during his Combine media session that meeting with Sanders wasn't why he got suspended. Lying about what happened was.
