My First Mock (Three Rounds) NT With First Pick? v1.0

[finomenal]

[FONT=&quot]DISCLAIMER[/FONT][FONT=&quot]: I'm not a draftnik. I'm not a huge fan of college football either, so I don't know most of these prospects too well. My predictions below are based on my research; what I've heard and/or read from respected people in the know, including the "Big O", Orlando Alzugaray (a Miami area talk show radio host), footballsfuture.com, nfldraftcountdown.com, ckparrothead and Boomer of Finheaven fame (of course), and a variety of other media sources.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]After taking all that information and trying to pair it with the Dolphins' needs, here's what I came up with:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Round 1[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]#30 (From Tennessee) Ron Brace, NT, Boston College 6'3, 324[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Round 2[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]#44 (From Washington) Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech, 6'7", 266 or (best OLB available)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]#56 Jarius Byrd, CB, Oregon, 5'10", 207[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Round 3[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]#87 Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly, 6'6", 229[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Reasoning behind mock picks:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]#30 Ron Brace[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]This gives us the young NT we need to spell Jason Ferguson and take over and be the anchor after he retires. Yes, I know we need a #1 WR and CB, but good nose tackles are hard to find and rare, so just like a QB, if you find one that you like and you don't already have one, you take him. Without a good to elite NT, the rest of the 3-4 defense crumbles. We need to look no further than the 2008 regular season game vs. the Ravens. As soon as Ferguson got an injured oblique, the Ravens took full advantage and ran the ball right up the middle, torching the defense for 122 yards rushing. Willis McGahee ran for 105 yards @ [/FONT][FONT=&quot]5.5[/FONT][FONT=&quot] yards per carry, and Le'Ron McClain ran mostly in short yardage situations for the other 17 yards.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]#25 in this mock was traded to the Tennessee Titans who need a WR badly and select Hakeem Nicks. According to the NFL draft value chart [/FONT]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2410670[FONT=&quot], the #25 overall pick is worth 720 points, and the #30 overall pick is worth 620 points; therefore, the cost to the Titans for trading up 5 spots in the first round would be about a 3rd rounder, which is 124 points. The more draft picks, the better. We would have the leverage in this deal because we could stay @ 25 and take Brace. The #25 overall pick could be a hot commodity considering teams like the Titans and Giants need a #1 WR. We might even be able to get an additional late round pick (5th round or lower) because the Titans, who were one game away from the AFC Championship game, are already a very good team. A WR could certainly help put them over the hump. The Giants are also a potential trade partner, as they too need a WR in the worst way.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Additionally, look at the 10 teams who pick after #25:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Baltimore Ravens[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Indianapolis Colts[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Philadelphia Eagles[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]New York Giants[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Tennessee Titans[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Arizona Cardinals[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Pittsburgh Steelers[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Detroit Lions[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]New England Patriots[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]St. Louis Rams[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]These 10 teams all either have a franchise NT already, or run a 4-3 and wouldn't be looking for a NT anyway. I thought this would be interesting to highlight since Ron Brace is looked at as a NT prospect. That being said, it's possible the Dolphins could trade down even further to acquire more picks. Of course, you don't want to trade down too far because you never know who might trade up, but it's something to keep in mind.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]#44 Michael Johnson[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Just looking at his dimensions alone (6'7", 266) are enough to make you salivate. Our pass rush was pathetic last year, and it's imperative that we inject pass rush into the D. Joey Porter as the only legit pass rushing threat won't cut it. We don't know what Cameron Wake is yet. We can't bank on him. Best case scenario is Wake and Johnson both turn out to be beasts. That's a very good problem in the 3-4, as you need a good stable of linebackers. Because of the importance of another pass rushing OLB in the 3-4, I could see this spot being an exception when it comes to trading up to select the guy they want. Michael Johnson brings a lot of bulk, speed, quickness, the ability to force fumbles and defend passes with his large frame.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]#56 Jarius Byrd[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Of course, there are other corners I would rather have in this draft, but IMHO, the front 7 must be rectified before we can move on to CB, and Byrd seems to fit the bill. I like what I read about his athleticism, footwork, and awareness.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]#87 Ramses Barden[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]It's no secret that the Trifecta loves the towering wide receivers, and Ramses is every bit of that. From what I read and hear, it sounds like he'll need some development. He looks like an intriguing prospect in this round.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Thoughts?[/FONT]

 

[#1dolphinsfan]

I think we can get Brace in the 2nd round so i think we will go WR first round probably Hakeem Nicks

 

[3rdandinches]

Just because we need a NT down the road doesn't mean you over-draft a kid to fill that need. That's the quickest way to becoming average besides trading all your picks away.

It's not like we need one for this year or we'll suck, so we do have the ability to grab one that also equals great value where their selected.

 

[finomenal]

I'd like to have Hakeem Nicks too, but my concern is that if we wait until #44, he could already be gone. There are more teams running the 3-4 next year, and Brace is regarded as the #2 nose tackle prospect behind Raji, who will be taken in the top 10. I wouldn't be shocked if I saw a team trade up to get Brace.

 

[finomenal]

Just because we need a NT down the road doesn't mean you over-draft a kid to fill that need. That's the quickest way to becoming average besides trading all your picks away.

It's not like we need one for this year or we'll suck, so we do have the ability to grab one that also equals great value where their selected.

Actually, we do need a NT this year. Besides Ferguson, we don't have another viable option to spell him. Paul Soliai could provide something, but I haven't been too impressed with him. The draft isn't only about who can contribute right now, it's about building a team for now and the future, regardless of what round they're selected.

A 3-4 NT is so crucial that we can't afford to gamble of Ferguson being healthy the entire season at his advanced age.

 

[playmaker1]

It is hard to do Mocks with trades. But I love the fact you actually know and understand the point system in draft trades. Too many people on here just make up trades in their head that would never happen. Props.

That being said, I agree with everyone. Brace could be taken at the end of the 2nd. taking him in the first, even trading down, would be a waste of a pick. I like the Byrd pick, I think he would be a very solid pick and help our secondary. I am still not sure about Johnson, he is a freak as far as size and numbers though.

I am not for taking a WR in the first two rounds.

 

[FinaticalOne]

I'd like to have Hakeem Nicks too, but my concern is that if we wait until #44, he could already be gone.

That's true, but you still don't want to reach for Brace when there is better talent on the board. NT isn't the only position we need to improve, so passing up a more talented player at another position of need for Brace would not be a wise move.

There are more teams running the 3-4 next year, and Brace is regarded as the #2 nose tackle prospect behind Raji, who will be taken in the top 10. I wouldn't be shocked if I saw a team trade up to get Brace.

I think Ireland and Parcells are fine with Ferguson and Soliai at NT where they don't have to worry about drafting a NT in the first round.

There are other positions where we are much more thin at. LB is arguably are thinnest position, we have are starters (Porter, Ayodele, Crowder, and Roth), but after them we have Reggie Torbor, Charlie Anderson, William Kershaw, Erik Walden and newcomers George Tearrius and Cameron Wake. Excluding the newcomers there is no depth behind our starters. Walden and Kershaw were brought in primarily for special teams purposes, so we brought Tearrius and Wake in to help solidify that position. There will be injuries so we have to make this position stronger.

WR is thin too. There are no standout players yet, I'm not knocking Ginn because I believe he needs a strong arm QB (like Henne) to elevate his game to another level. We don't have a big, strong, physical WR. Will Camarillo come back to full strength when the season start? That's another thing we have to keep an eye on. So that leaves Bess, Wiford, London, and Lowber. None of these guys are what we call a physical WR (Wilford was supposed to be but we all know how that worked out). We need a WR who can make that tough catch, last season we threw jump balls in the endzone to Ginn and Bess during crucial times in football games, neither chance was converted.

 

[finomenal]

It is hard to do Mocks with trades. But I love the fact you actually know and understand the point system in draft trades. Too many people on here just make up trades in their head that would never happen. Props.

That being said, I agree with everyone. Brace could be taken at the end of the 2nd. taking him in the first, even trading down, would be a waste of a pick. I like the Byrd pick, I think he would be a very solid pick and help our secondary. I am still not sure about Johnson, he is a freak as far as size and numbers though.

I am not for taking a WR in the first two rounds.

Thanks for the props. I'm with you on picking a WR in the first two rounds. Hakeem Nicks is VERY tempting, but we need more "meat & potatoes" before we draft the "sexy pick". And I hope Brace is available in the second round. If he's around with the second 2nd round pick it would be a steal.

 

[jim1]

I'd like to have Hakeem Nicks too, but my concern is that if we wait until #44, he could already be gone. There are more teams running the 3-4 next year, and Brace is regarded as the #2 nose tackle prospect behind Raji, who will be taken in the top 10. I wouldn't be shocked if I saw a team trade up to get Brace.

They'll take Nicks at #25 or they won't take him at all. Sean Smith sounds interesting, but I don't have an educated opinion on him. Bottom line- Nicks, and Harvin to give them something to truly think about if available.

Everyone keeps dumping on Solia, but I see him as a player on the rise. The true, crying need is a #1 WR. OT was avoided in FA last year when the roster almost empty with Toledo, et al being unceremoniously dumped. WR has been avoided this year in FA as well- all signs point to Nicks. I'm still looking forward to seeing Todd Lowber play in camp.

 

[skipp2myloo13]

Brace is overrated for the second. he would be a terrible first round pick. MJohonson is a terrible pick as well, he is Gholsotn but with absolutley 0 college production. If he is so good, why has he NEVER show it at GT. We pick at 25, idk why u think its 30

 

[finomenal]

Brace is overrated for the second. he would be a terrible first round pick. MJohonson is a terrible pick as well, he is Gholsotn but with absolutley 0 college production. If he is so good, why has he NEVER show it at GT. We pick at 25, idk why u think its 30

I guess you would know better than me. I don't watch college football much. Who would you rather have though? Oh, and the #30 overall pick was a hypothetical trade down with the Titans since they need a WR, which would net us an extra 3rd rounder according to the NFL Draft Value Chart.

 

[skipp2myloo13]

I guess you would know better than me. I don't watch college football much. Who would you rather have though? Oh, and the #30 overall pick was a hypothetical trade down with the Titans since they need a WR, which would net us an extra 3rd rounder according to the NFL Draft Value Chart.

ok cool, i didnt see the trade sry about that. that is a good idea, but trades are hard to call, for anyone.
I would rather get a CB with the first-Butler or Smith (i dont think he can play CB, but if the brass does)
second is a whoever falls thing-Guys like Sintim, Ayers, Barwin (prolly wont fall) Britt all our solid pick IMO
the second b-could be a guard depth, a NT, really no recievers here, mocho harris as a nickle. really BPA for the most part

 

[ADavieDolphin]

i like the trade back, but i dont like selecting brace first.. is djmoore/butler/hbey/clay/mau/lau?/percy available? cuz brace isn't crazy impressive, but he is a monster, and i think Sparano will make him angry enough to take on 2-3 guys

 

[PHINANALYST]

more than anything the FO wants a playmaker to pressure the QB .... whether that be from a DE or OLB - doesn't matter at this point ... but would assume the preference is OLB.

given that: You can easily reverse the order of 25 & 44

25 - [OLB] Barwin (i really like), Stintim, English, Brown

44 - [CB] Butler (i really like), Smith

56 - [DE] Johnson, Ayers

87 - [C] Wood

WR in RD 4 .... then another CB and T/G

 

[zach8111]

nope, not a fan of it, Brace probably will be there in the 2nd or get close enough to trade up only losing a later round guy if we really want him.

but i hate the 2nd rounder... Michael Johnson.... He isnt very good. He wasnt even productive in college what makes you think he will be in NFL... He is a combine player where prodays and combines will improve there stock too much... just like vernon gholston.. how did he do last season... he is a freak but all potential... and you dont win with potential