Originally posted by ckparrothead
No I've definitely been thinking along those lines. My surprise pick is a safety at #20 like Sean Jones. A bit of a reach, definitely a need but not one anyone thought we'd use our first on. Fits the Eddie Moore M.O. perfectly, however I do not think thats what we'll see in the first round.
But honestly, they didn't set out in the draft targeting Fletcher in 2001. Actually, they targeted Brees and Chambers and were going to try and pick up a nickel CB later in round 2 or 3 I believe. But they had Fletcher ranked in like the top 15 of the draft I believe, and all the sudden he was there at pick #26. I honestly think they had him rated higher than Nate Clements, Will Allen, and Willie Middlebrooks...CBs taken #21, #22, and #24 respectively.
So what happened is like, they said ok we were going to take a CB later anyway and the best CB in the draft has just fallen to us at pick #26. Do we pick up Brees anyway? In the end Dave was too uncomfortable with the notion of picking up a first round QB because of the controversy it would cause...plus he was a gamble (that in his defense has failed). Other choice was Chambers and I guess they just felt like Chambers was a stretch at pick #26. I still think it was a dumb decision because of Fletcher's temperament...but a dumb decision that I understand.
So thats our only first round drafting experience with Rick and Dave in Miami and the first round is far different from drafting at pick #49 or pick #87. They can actually walk into this draft with a short list and GET one of the dudes on that short list. Its much more targeted. People knew we were targeting Brees and Chambers, back in 2001. We weren't targeting Fletcher, but he was a guy that fell. If we are surprised, it will be Miami taking a guy we didn't expect because he fell too far. I think this year our needs are so varied that we won't be surprised no matter what the pick. There's only so many first round talents out there.
BTW everyone was not expecting a WR last year at our 2nd rounder. Most of the people were talking about a tackle, with the names John Stinchcomb, George Foster, Brett Williams, and Wayne Hunter coming up the most often. We should not have found it so surprising that the phins spent all day trying to trade up to get Foster, Kwame Harris, or Eric Steinbach.