dlockz
Hall Of Famer
Figured it would be interesting to look back at 2004 draft since three to four years is a good amount of time to truly judge draft.
I actually thought this was a pretty good draft for us with the exception of trading our 4th round pick to move up one spot thus forcing us to move down in the third to get more picks.
What the pundits were saying prior to draft
Dolphins looking hard at Phillip Rivers Qb or Shawn Andrews T
Phillip Rivers started rising prior to draft from possible second rounder to mid to upper first rounder. Some on this board were criticizing the possibilty of drafting Rivers because of a quirk in his motion and possibbly understrengthed arm. I defintely was hoping for either of these guys or Wilfork.
Thought maybe we should take Udeze since Ogunleye was a holdout possibility. Was also a big fan of Darnell Dockett and was shocked he did not go mid first round.
We started draft with a 1st, 3rd,4th, 5th,6th and three 7ths.
I will base my picks on our original picks and assuming no trades except
possibly the ones we did.
My initial Mock
1-Shawn Andrews T
3-Nathen Vasher CB
4-Jacob Bell G
5-PK SAM WR
6-Bobby McCray DE
7-Stacy Andrews T
7-Jared Lorenzon QB
7-BJ Johnson WR
Our Actual draft Draft
1-Vernon Carey (mia) T
4-Will Poole (USC) CB
5-Tony Bua (Ark) LB
6-Rex Hadnot(hou) G
7-Tony Pape (Mich) T
7-Derrick Pope (Ala) LB
My draft based on my board
1-Vince Wilfork Dt
3-Will Poole Cb
4-Jacob Bell OG
5-Kelly Butler T
6-Jeff Smoker Qb
7-Tony pape T
7-Derrick Pope LB
7-Bobby Mccray DE
Best Possible Pick by round
1-Vince Wilfork Dt
3-Nathen Vasher CB
4-Jared Allen DE
5-Rex Hadnot G
6-Shane Olivea T
7-Jason Peters TE
7-Willie Parker RB
7-Wes Welker Wr
did not include Cory Williams DT because its doubtful after taking Wilfork we took another DT
3-
1-Vernon Carey T
Initial Impression
I thought it was a slight reach based on BPA but position wise was best lineman left. Did not feel that Smiley was much of a drop from Carey that we needed to trade up. Wilfork and Udezee were still there and so I figured we were in a no lose situation. Was a big fan of trading down trying to trade down with San Francisco. Rookie year was quite dissapointed that he played very little on a weak line. Looked like a possible bust after rookie season.
After 4 years.
Played very well at RT in his third season was moved to left tackle where he was easily our best lineman. Will probably never be an elite left tackle but has been a pretty solid player on the left side while a near pro bowler on the right side.
4-Will Poole CB(USC)
Was quite dissapointed when we traded out of the third round which basically sealed that we were not getting a Qb prospect once again (Matt Scwab).
Was thrilled that a player with first round grades was left on the board and sweated out whether we would get him. I also liked Nathen Vasher alot but Poole looked like a stud. Played great his rookie year in limited play and easily made it look like we could trade one of our stud corners.
After 4 years
Got imjured and spent two years on IR. Was the cut , so never played again after promising rookie year. A real shame because he looked like a star in the making. Never regained form after injuries and was actually cut from the CFL
this past season without ever playing a game.
5-Tony Bua(Ark) LB
Initial Impression, Hated the pick from the beginning he was a hard nosed player with no position in the NFL so was at best a special teamer. Basically not big enough to be a linebacker and too slow to be a safety. Basically did nothing during the season except special team then was placed on IR after 7 games. Really wanted Kelly Butler here.
After 4 years, was moved to safety his second year in training camp. Was a final cut and never made another NFL squad. Was cut last year from a CFL team after 4 games.
6-Rex Hadnot(Hou) C
Initial Impression, did not like that we traded up to get another guy I felt was going to be there at our pick. He did play center and guard during his career at Houston and seemed to be a fairly underrated guy. Was dissapointed we passed on Shane Olivia but Hadnot has been a steal. Started 7 games as a rookie.
After 4 years, has been a solid starter since his second year, was moved to more natural position of guard last year and has started for the last three years.
7-Tony Pape (Mich)T
Initial Impression was very pleased that Pape fell to seventh, was projected as a possible second by some scouts. I thought he was a great value pick at the time.
After 4 years Never truly played for us was injury prone and played well in NFL Europe. Is currently with SD Chargers although still has never appeared in a game.
7- Derrick Pope(Ala) LB
Initial Impression pleased that another player I liked was available this late in draft. wanted this player all the way. Had 44 tackles as a rookie and started three games. Was basically third steal in draft at this point.
After 4 years
Was a valuable special teamer in back up for most of his time, was forced to start 9 games last year and had 64 tackles. Has more than lived up to his draft position.
My view after draft.
Although I though Carey would be a solid lineman thought he was not the best player left on the board and carried close to a second round grade. Losing out on Andrews really bothered me but was all about wilfork after that trade. Part of me also liked the idea of taking Steven Jackson since I graded him as a top 10 pick but Ricky looked too good at this point and we needed other pieces. Was extremely bothered that we got fooled by Minn therefore losing our 4th round pick. We had no second round pick so I was not in favor of wasting a pick with so many high rated players left. I thought Poole was heaven sent drop and would be a great nickelback that would turn into a starter. Bua had bad pick written all over it and made little sense. Hadnot seemed like an ok pick but thought there were better lineman left. Out two second round picks I thought were great value and were graded much higher.
I gave our draft a B- due to wasting a draft pick, would have been worse for that but got great value in Poole, Pape and Pope and a solid player in Carey as well as a versatile lineman in Hadnot. Only hated the one pick Bua. Could have been a great draft without the wasted pick and the choice of Bua.
After 4 years this draft basically grades a C due to trading a pick that was not needed and the lack of any real production from Poole(injury) and Bua(why did we pick him). Carey has developed into a stud T more so from the right side and is our best lineman. Hadnot has been a solid starter which is alot more than you can expect from a 6th round pick. Pope has also been solid player for a 7th round pick.
My draft
would have gave us a stud DT in Wilfork.Jacob Bell a good guard that started 14 games as a rookie and has shown to be a a pretty good starter in the NFL. A servicable T in Butler that could backup and has started 21 games in the league. A pretty decent DE in McCray that is one year removed from a 10 sack season. Still would have Pope a solid late round pick.Poole would have still had a dissapointing end after one year due to injury and Pape would still not do anything. Smoker would have been a decent flyer as a developmental Qb but he basically never did anything in the NFL and is currently in the Arena League.Just to put Smoker into context he is 2 months older than Beck is. In retrospect i would give my draft a B.
The most perplexing overlooked player from that entire draft to me was Jason Peters who everybody passed on although he was rated a first day pick by many.Now a probowler for Buffalo at T.
Here are some media reactions to that draft.
Good Moves: The best value pick this weekend was the Dolphins' fourth round selection of CB Will Poole. Another great pick was seventh rounder OT Tony Pape.
Bad Moves: G/OT Vernon Carey will be a decent player, but Miami didn't need to trade up to acquire him. Also, there were a few questionable Sunday additions.
Potential 2004 Starters: G/OT Vernon Carey, CB Will Poole.
Dolphins Grade: C
Needs: OT, OG, S, LB, DT
The Dolphins got a bit snookered by the Vikings in giving up a draft pick to move up one spot for Vernon Carey. The Vikings played the potential for a Patriots trade off against the Dolphins and it worked. Miami did absolutely need Carey to help their OL, so they did fill a need with a talented player.
The Dolphins found some talented players on the board in day 2 with Will Poole being a potential 4th round steal. Tony Pape and Derrick Pope could be nice steals in the 7th round as well, but the Dolphins really didn't come out of this draft with a bang.
This was graded at three years
26. Miami Dolphins
Grade: D
The selection of Vernon Carey, who has turned into a solid starter at right tackle, was a quality pick and a good way to start the 2004 NFL Draft. But the team didn’t have another first-day pick, and the results reflected that situation.
Will Poole, a fourth-round defensive back out of USC, contributed part time as a rookie, but hasn’t see the field since. Fifth-rounder Tony Bua, another defensive back, showed promise as a rookie before being injured, and is out of the league now. The Dolphins did hit pay dirt in round six, picking up a starting center in Houston’s Rex Hadnot. But all-in-all, Miami’s 2004 draft class was a bit disappointing.
More Media grades to draft.
Miami Dolphins: B
Unnecessarily moved up a spot to draft Vernon Carey and lost a fourth-rounder, but landing Will Poole on the second day was an excellent value, if he can stay out of trouble.
Miami (C) Workmanlike draft aimed at replenishing the offensive line. Dolphins moved up one spot to get RT of the future in Vernon Carey, then used two second-day picks on OL. Fourth-round CB Will Poole dropped due to character issues, but could be a bargain
from Mel Kiper
Miami Dolphins: C-
The Dolphins just did not come away with enough players. They did move up to get Vernon Carey, who will be in the mix at tackle, but Will Poole was a good pick after falling down the board a little. I like strength in numbers and Miami did not bring enough quality players into the fold.
This was a first season grade that was given by great blue
Miami: Its never a good sign when a team finishes a season with a top 5 draft pick and its top rookie is an undrafted return specialist. That's pretty much the story for the Dolphins this year as undrafted free agent KR Wesley Walker, who actually started the season at San Diego before being released by the Chargers, was Miami's most productive rookie this fall. As the team's primary kick returner, Walker has averaged over 22 yards on KO returns and an almost 11 on punt returns. And for good measure, Walker also kicked a 29-yard FG and added an extra point when he was forced to take over Miami's PK duties from an injured Olinde Mare early in the season. The Dolphins, though, may have a steal in LB Derrick Pope, a 7th round afterthought, who played in only 5 games, but was all over the field when he did see action positing 37 tackles and a pair of sacks. CB Will Poole, taken in the 4th round, also played well enough when healthy, posting 31 tackles and 5 pass breakups, but was hampered by nagging injuries much of the year. What really hurts the Dolphins' final grade, though, is that OT Vernon Carey, whom they actually moved up a spot to take in this year's first round, struggled to find a niche, although he did start a couple of times as an injury replacement... Grade C
There were 11 pro bowl players that we never got a chance to draft due to our position.
Pro Bowlers that we passed over Notable Players we passed on
Vince Wilfork DT
Steven Jackson RB
Bob Sanders S
Jared Allen DE
Darnell Dockett DT
Nick Hardwick C
Nate Kaeding K
Chris Cooley TE
Naten Vasher Cb
Andy Lee P
Jason Peters T
Willie Parker RB
Other Notable players we passed on
Michael Turner RB
Karlos Dansby LB
Chris Snee G
Max Starks T
Sean locklear G
Matt Schwab QB
Travelle Wharton OT
Shaun Phillips LB
Jerrico Cothery WR
Gibril Wilson S
Cory Williams DT
I actually thought this was a pretty good draft for us with the exception of trading our 4th round pick to move up one spot thus forcing us to move down in the third to get more picks.
What the pundits were saying prior to draft
Dolphins looking hard at Phillip Rivers Qb or Shawn Andrews T
Phillip Rivers started rising prior to draft from possible second rounder to mid to upper first rounder. Some on this board were criticizing the possibilty of drafting Rivers because of a quirk in his motion and possibbly understrengthed arm. I defintely was hoping for either of these guys or Wilfork.
Thought maybe we should take Udeze since Ogunleye was a holdout possibility. Was also a big fan of Darnell Dockett and was shocked he did not go mid first round.
We started draft with a 1st, 3rd,4th, 5th,6th and three 7ths.
I will base my picks on our original picks and assuming no trades except
possibly the ones we did.
My initial Mock
1-Shawn Andrews T
3-Nathen Vasher CB
4-Jacob Bell G
5-PK SAM WR
6-Bobby McCray DE
7-Stacy Andrews T
7-Jared Lorenzon QB
7-BJ Johnson WR
Our Actual draft Draft
1-Vernon Carey (mia) T
4-Will Poole (USC) CB
5-Tony Bua (Ark) LB
6-Rex Hadnot(hou) G
7-Tony Pape (Mich) T
7-Derrick Pope (Ala) LB
My draft based on my board
1-Vince Wilfork Dt
3-Will Poole Cb
4-Jacob Bell OG
5-Kelly Butler T
6-Jeff Smoker Qb
7-Tony pape T
7-Derrick Pope LB
7-Bobby Mccray DE
Best Possible Pick by round
1-Vince Wilfork Dt
3-Nathen Vasher CB
4-Jared Allen DE
5-Rex Hadnot G
6-Shane Olivea T
7-Jason Peters TE
7-Willie Parker RB
7-Wes Welker Wr
did not include Cory Williams DT because its doubtful after taking Wilfork we took another DT
3-
1-Vernon Carey T
Initial Impression
I thought it was a slight reach based on BPA but position wise was best lineman left. Did not feel that Smiley was much of a drop from Carey that we needed to trade up. Wilfork and Udezee were still there and so I figured we were in a no lose situation. Was a big fan of trading down trying to trade down with San Francisco. Rookie year was quite dissapointed that he played very little on a weak line. Looked like a possible bust after rookie season.
After 4 years.
Played very well at RT in his third season was moved to left tackle where he was easily our best lineman. Will probably never be an elite left tackle but has been a pretty solid player on the left side while a near pro bowler on the right side.
4-Will Poole CB(USC)
Was quite dissapointed when we traded out of the third round which basically sealed that we were not getting a Qb prospect once again (Matt Scwab).
Was thrilled that a player with first round grades was left on the board and sweated out whether we would get him. I also liked Nathen Vasher alot but Poole looked like a stud. Played great his rookie year in limited play and easily made it look like we could trade one of our stud corners.
After 4 years
Got imjured and spent two years on IR. Was the cut , so never played again after promising rookie year. A real shame because he looked like a star in the making. Never regained form after injuries and was actually cut from the CFL
this past season without ever playing a game.
5-Tony Bua(Ark) LB
Initial Impression, Hated the pick from the beginning he was a hard nosed player with no position in the NFL so was at best a special teamer. Basically not big enough to be a linebacker and too slow to be a safety. Basically did nothing during the season except special team then was placed on IR after 7 games. Really wanted Kelly Butler here.
After 4 years, was moved to safety his second year in training camp. Was a final cut and never made another NFL squad. Was cut last year from a CFL team after 4 games.
6-Rex Hadnot(Hou) C
Initial Impression, did not like that we traded up to get another guy I felt was going to be there at our pick. He did play center and guard during his career at Houston and seemed to be a fairly underrated guy. Was dissapointed we passed on Shane Olivia but Hadnot has been a steal. Started 7 games as a rookie.
After 4 years, has been a solid starter since his second year, was moved to more natural position of guard last year and has started for the last three years.
7-Tony Pape (Mich)T
Initial Impression was very pleased that Pape fell to seventh, was projected as a possible second by some scouts. I thought he was a great value pick at the time.
After 4 years Never truly played for us was injury prone and played well in NFL Europe. Is currently with SD Chargers although still has never appeared in a game.
7- Derrick Pope(Ala) LB
Initial Impression pleased that another player I liked was available this late in draft. wanted this player all the way. Had 44 tackles as a rookie and started three games. Was basically third steal in draft at this point.
After 4 years
Was a valuable special teamer in back up for most of his time, was forced to start 9 games last year and had 64 tackles. Has more than lived up to his draft position.
My view after draft.
Although I though Carey would be a solid lineman thought he was not the best player left on the board and carried close to a second round grade. Losing out on Andrews really bothered me but was all about wilfork after that trade. Part of me also liked the idea of taking Steven Jackson since I graded him as a top 10 pick but Ricky looked too good at this point and we needed other pieces. Was extremely bothered that we got fooled by Minn therefore losing our 4th round pick. We had no second round pick so I was not in favor of wasting a pick with so many high rated players left. I thought Poole was heaven sent drop and would be a great nickelback that would turn into a starter. Bua had bad pick written all over it and made little sense. Hadnot seemed like an ok pick but thought there were better lineman left. Out two second round picks I thought were great value and were graded much higher.
I gave our draft a B- due to wasting a draft pick, would have been worse for that but got great value in Poole, Pape and Pope and a solid player in Carey as well as a versatile lineman in Hadnot. Only hated the one pick Bua. Could have been a great draft without the wasted pick and the choice of Bua.
After 4 years this draft basically grades a C due to trading a pick that was not needed and the lack of any real production from Poole(injury) and Bua(why did we pick him). Carey has developed into a stud T more so from the right side and is our best lineman. Hadnot has been a solid starter which is alot more than you can expect from a 6th round pick. Pope has also been solid player for a 7th round pick.
My draft
would have gave us a stud DT in Wilfork.Jacob Bell a good guard that started 14 games as a rookie and has shown to be a a pretty good starter in the NFL. A servicable T in Butler that could backup and has started 21 games in the league. A pretty decent DE in McCray that is one year removed from a 10 sack season. Still would have Pope a solid late round pick.Poole would have still had a dissapointing end after one year due to injury and Pape would still not do anything. Smoker would have been a decent flyer as a developmental Qb but he basically never did anything in the NFL and is currently in the Arena League.Just to put Smoker into context he is 2 months older than Beck is. In retrospect i would give my draft a B.
The most perplexing overlooked player from that entire draft to me was Jason Peters who everybody passed on although he was rated a first day pick by many.Now a probowler for Buffalo at T.
Here are some media reactions to that draft.
Good Moves: The best value pick this weekend was the Dolphins' fourth round selection of CB Will Poole. Another great pick was seventh rounder OT Tony Pape.
Bad Moves: G/OT Vernon Carey will be a decent player, but Miami didn't need to trade up to acquire him. Also, there were a few questionable Sunday additions.
Potential 2004 Starters: G/OT Vernon Carey, CB Will Poole.
Dolphins Grade: C
The Dolphins got a bit snookered by the Vikings in giving up a draft pick to move up one spot for Vernon Carey. The Vikings played the potential for a Patriots trade off against the Dolphins and it worked. Miami did absolutely need Carey to help their OL, so they did fill a need with a talented player.
The Dolphins found some talented players on the board in day 2 with Will Poole being a potential 4th round steal. Tony Pape and Derrick Pope could be nice steals in the 7th round as well, but the Dolphins really didn't come out of this draft with a bang.
This was graded at three years
26. Miami Dolphins
Grade: D
The selection of Vernon Carey, who has turned into a solid starter at right tackle, was a quality pick and a good way to start the 2004 NFL Draft. But the team didn’t have another first-day pick, and the results reflected that situation.
Will Poole, a fourth-round defensive back out of USC, contributed part time as a rookie, but hasn’t see the field since. Fifth-rounder Tony Bua, another defensive back, showed promise as a rookie before being injured, and is out of the league now. The Dolphins did hit pay dirt in round six, picking up a starting center in Houston’s Rex Hadnot. But all-in-all, Miami’s 2004 draft class was a bit disappointing.
More Media grades to draft.
Miami Dolphins: B
Unnecessarily moved up a spot to draft Vernon Carey and lost a fourth-rounder, but landing Will Poole on the second day was an excellent value, if he can stay out of trouble.
Miami (C) Workmanlike draft aimed at replenishing the offensive line. Dolphins moved up one spot to get RT of the future in Vernon Carey, then used two second-day picks on OL. Fourth-round CB Will Poole dropped due to character issues, but could be a bargain
from Mel Kiper
Miami Dolphins: C-The Dolphins just did not come away with enough players. They did move up to get Vernon Carey, who will be in the mix at tackle, but Will Poole was a good pick after falling down the board a little. I like strength in numbers and Miami did not bring enough quality players into the fold.
This was a first season grade that was given by great blue
Miami: Its never a good sign when a team finishes a season with a top 5 draft pick and its top rookie is an undrafted return specialist. That's pretty much the story for the Dolphins this year as undrafted free agent KR Wesley Walker, who actually started the season at San Diego before being released by the Chargers, was Miami's most productive rookie this fall. As the team's primary kick returner, Walker has averaged over 22 yards on KO returns and an almost 11 on punt returns. And for good measure, Walker also kicked a 29-yard FG and added an extra point when he was forced to take over Miami's PK duties from an injured Olinde Mare early in the season. The Dolphins, though, may have a steal in LB Derrick Pope, a 7th round afterthought, who played in only 5 games, but was all over the field when he did see action positing 37 tackles and a pair of sacks. CB Will Poole, taken in the 4th round, also played well enough when healthy, posting 31 tackles and 5 pass breakups, but was hampered by nagging injuries much of the year. What really hurts the Dolphins' final grade, though, is that OT Vernon Carey, whom they actually moved up a spot to take in this year's first round, struggled to find a niche, although he did start a couple of times as an injury replacement... Grade C
There were 11 pro bowl players that we never got a chance to draft due to our position.
Pro Bowlers that we passed over Notable Players we passed on
Vince Wilfork DT
Steven Jackson RB
Bob Sanders S
Jared Allen DE
Darnell Dockett DT
Nick Hardwick C
Nate Kaeding K
Chris Cooley TE
Naten Vasher Cb
Andy Lee P
Jason Peters T
Willie Parker RB
Other Notable players we passed on
Michael Turner RB
Karlos Dansby LB
Chris Snee G
Max Starks T
Sean locklear G
Matt Schwab QB
Travelle Wharton OT
Shaun Phillips LB
Jerrico Cothery WR
Gibril Wilson S
Cory Williams DT
