If you are looking for a sexy draft, you should look else where. All but 3 of our picks went towards linemen, and even the 3 skills players we drafted are tough, gritty people. Let's start looking at the picks...
Jake Long OT, Michigan- I am a Michigan fan, so I do have a bit of a biased towards the pick, but it's hard not to like the pick. Jake fits the attitude Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano are trying to bring to the team. I'm not gonna go into great detail about Jake because we've been talking about him to death for months now. We know he'll be in camp on time, we know he'll be our starting LT, we know he's a great run blocker, and we know he's being looked as as the anchor to our line.
Phillip Merling DE, Clemson Honestly, he was probably the BPA at 32. Originally, I thought we drafted him to play DE in a 3-4 because of his strength, and his ability to stop the run. However, upon further investigation, I think he's being groomed as a SLB in a 3-4. He's very athletic for his size, and is a bit underdeveloped as a pass rusher, but he's most comfortable playing around 270. I also think that if we start the season as a 4-3 team (which I do believe is a possibility) I could see Merling starting at the strongside DE. From Clemson fans: He's not the pass rusher Gaines Adams is, but is a better all around player.
Chad Henne QB, Michigan Even as a Michigan fan and Henne supporter, I was weary of him at 32, but at 58 I was ok with the pick. If Henne ends up being our franchise QB, I think he'll do fine. His numbers in college might not be too impressive, but you have to remember that at Michigan he was rarely given an open playbook. Henne is a tough player with a high football IQ, and is also a great leader (watch any of his two minute drives in his career). At the very worst, we've got some good trade bait in a couple years.
Kendall Langford DE, Hampton Make no mistake about it, Hampton was drafted to be a DE in the 3-4. I'm not too surprised here because we've shown a lot of interest in him since the senior bowl, but probably a bit we took him a little early. He is a lot like Richard Seymour, and could be a steal for us. Also, after listening to his conference call, I like the guy. He was giddy about being drafted, and went to Hampton because of the loyalty they showed him while he waited on his SAT scores.
Shawn Murphy OG, Utah State Another Stormin Mormon to hang out with Beck. Sparano and OL coach Mike Maser apparantly love the guy. Murphy is a bit of an underrated prospect by most, but others really love his potential. He's 25 so he doesn't have as much time to develop, but he could be our starting LG come September.
Jalen Parmele RB, Toledo Once we traded Lo Booker, I knew it was only a matter of time before we drafted another RB. Although I would've preferred Hart, Parmele is not a bad runningback. He is built much like fellow Toledo alum, Chestor Taylor, who has been a very productive back for both the Ravens and the Vikings. Parmele also has deceptive speed. I could see him having a nice impact on the team next year.
Donald Thomas OG, UCONN After we picked Murphy, I was kind of shocked by this pick, but most of us on the board agreed that we should probably draft 3 offensive linemen, and we did. First team All Big-East and a big reason for UCONN's success this past season. Thomas will get a shot to start (as will Mormino and Murphy), and I'll be honest, I think Thomas will win the spot.
Ken Hilliard RB, Montana At first I did not like this pick, but the more I thought about it, the more I came around. Hilliard kind of reminds me of a FB Ireland drafted last year, Deion Anderson. He's a decent blocker, that is also a very good straight forward RB that can get the tough yards. While I don't know if this spells the end of Mauia's career in Miami, I think Hilliard has a good chance of making the team because he offers more to the offense than both Grigsby and Mauia.
Lional Dotson DT, Arizona I have talked to several fans of other teams (as well as Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown), and they all feel Dotson is a steal. Much like Langford, Dotson was drafted to become a DE in a 3-4. He can add some pass rushing ability from inside too (had 6 sacks as a senior). Dalton has to win the numbers game to make the team, but I think he'll make it (I see Ferguson,Starks,Holliday,Rod Wright, and Langford as locks.)
While some will hate the draft for the lack of big name players, I think we did a decent job setting the foundation for our team. The only two guys I see who aren't locks to make the team are Dotson and Hilliard, but at worst, they will start the season on the Practice Squad. Even though they are not locks, I see both making the squad. As I said earlier, Hilliard offers our offense more than either Mauia or Grigsby (and the FB is a huge part of Henning's offense). I also think Dalton might offer more to the 3-4 than some of our other Dlinemen.
I give the draft a solid B+
Jake Long OT, Michigan- I am a Michigan fan, so I do have a bit of a biased towards the pick, but it's hard not to like the pick. Jake fits the attitude Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano are trying to bring to the team. I'm not gonna go into great detail about Jake because we've been talking about him to death for months now. We know he'll be in camp on time, we know he'll be our starting LT, we know he's a great run blocker, and we know he's being looked as as the anchor to our line.
Phillip Merling DE, Clemson Honestly, he was probably the BPA at 32. Originally, I thought we drafted him to play DE in a 3-4 because of his strength, and his ability to stop the run. However, upon further investigation, I think he's being groomed as a SLB in a 3-4. He's very athletic for his size, and is a bit underdeveloped as a pass rusher, but he's most comfortable playing around 270. I also think that if we start the season as a 4-3 team (which I do believe is a possibility) I could see Merling starting at the strongside DE. From Clemson fans: He's not the pass rusher Gaines Adams is, but is a better all around player.
Chad Henne QB, Michigan Even as a Michigan fan and Henne supporter, I was weary of him at 32, but at 58 I was ok with the pick. If Henne ends up being our franchise QB, I think he'll do fine. His numbers in college might not be too impressive, but you have to remember that at Michigan he was rarely given an open playbook. Henne is a tough player with a high football IQ, and is also a great leader (watch any of his two minute drives in his career). At the very worst, we've got some good trade bait in a couple years.
Kendall Langford DE, Hampton Make no mistake about it, Hampton was drafted to be a DE in the 3-4. I'm not too surprised here because we've shown a lot of interest in him since the senior bowl, but probably a bit we took him a little early. He is a lot like Richard Seymour, and could be a steal for us. Also, after listening to his conference call, I like the guy. He was giddy about being drafted, and went to Hampton because of the loyalty they showed him while he waited on his SAT scores.
Shawn Murphy OG, Utah State Another Stormin Mormon to hang out with Beck. Sparano and OL coach Mike Maser apparantly love the guy. Murphy is a bit of an underrated prospect by most, but others really love his potential. He's 25 so he doesn't have as much time to develop, but he could be our starting LG come September.
Jalen Parmele RB, Toledo Once we traded Lo Booker, I knew it was only a matter of time before we drafted another RB. Although I would've preferred Hart, Parmele is not a bad runningback. He is built much like fellow Toledo alum, Chestor Taylor, who has been a very productive back for both the Ravens and the Vikings. Parmele also has deceptive speed. I could see him having a nice impact on the team next year.
Donald Thomas OG, UCONN After we picked Murphy, I was kind of shocked by this pick, but most of us on the board agreed that we should probably draft 3 offensive linemen, and we did. First team All Big-East and a big reason for UCONN's success this past season. Thomas will get a shot to start (as will Mormino and Murphy), and I'll be honest, I think Thomas will win the spot.
Ken Hilliard RB, Montana At first I did not like this pick, but the more I thought about it, the more I came around. Hilliard kind of reminds me of a FB Ireland drafted last year, Deion Anderson. He's a decent blocker, that is also a very good straight forward RB that can get the tough yards. While I don't know if this spells the end of Mauia's career in Miami, I think Hilliard has a good chance of making the team because he offers more to the offense than both Grigsby and Mauia.
Lional Dotson DT, Arizona I have talked to several fans of other teams (as well as Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown), and they all feel Dotson is a steal. Much like Langford, Dotson was drafted to become a DE in a 3-4. He can add some pass rushing ability from inside too (had 6 sacks as a senior). Dalton has to win the numbers game to make the team, but I think he'll make it (I see Ferguson,Starks,Holliday,Rod Wright, and Langford as locks.)
While some will hate the draft for the lack of big name players, I think we did a decent job setting the foundation for our team. The only two guys I see who aren't locks to make the team are Dotson and Hilliard, but at worst, they will start the season on the Practice Squad. Even though they are not locks, I see both making the squad. As I said earlier, Hilliard offers our offense more than either Mauia or Grigsby (and the FB is a huge part of Henning's offense). I also think Dalton might offer more to the 3-4 than some of our other Dlinemen.
I give the draft a solid B+
