Category: Draft Issues
March 10, 2008
Dolphins depth: offensive line
It has been troubling how quiet the Dolphins have been when it comes to finding offensive line help. The only think we can conclude when looking at the trifecta's limited moves to supplement the offensive line (CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY) is that they are either adamant about not overpaying marginal talent, or are targeting some elite prospects with their top four picks in April's draft.
Considering Bill Parcells LOVES drafting offensive and defensive linemen, I have to believe the Dolphins hope to find a starting right tackle and left guard in the draft. That plan makes sense because it would create a young and talented line that will grow together, setting this franchise up for the next decade. But will the Dolphins really tip their hand in the draft, limiting their trade options and bargaining power by not signing a veteran offensive lineman who has the potential to start next season?
PROJECTION: I'm a firm believer that the Dolphins won't be able to identify a good quarterback until they establish a strong offensive line. John Beck became rattled last season when teams started chipping away at the line and got to him with the blitz. By the Buffalo game Beck got spooked, and the Dolphins veterans knew they needed a change and called for the return of Cleo Lemon. I don't see much changing unless the Dolphins use some of their top picks to snag some of the elite offensive linemen in this draft.
According to most talent evaluators, this year’s class of tackles is the best in more than a decade. Most analysts believe that eight offensive linemen – Michigan's Jake Long, Boise State’s Ryan Clady, Pittsburgh’s Jeff Otah, Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus, USC’s Sam Baker, Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams, Kansas’ Anthony Collins and Virginia Branden Albert – will be amongst the draft’s top 60 selections if injuries and character concerns don't drag them down. The Dolphins will have an opportunity to take one, if not two of these guys with their three picks in rounds one and two.
Because the Dolphins don't have a chance in hell of moving out of the No. 1 pick, if Parcells wants Long, who is projected as a better right tackle than left by many draftniks, they would have to use it to get him. He won't slip past Kansas City at No. 5. I'm actually in favor of taking Jake Long at No. 1 because I believe its a lot harder to find a franchise offensive tackle than a franchise DE/LB like Chris Long.
Otah is my favorite tackle in this draft because he's a mauling blocker, which is what you like on the right side of an offensive line. I'm told Otah dominated Chris Long this past season and I'd love to see that game. Albert is the only elite guard of this draft, and using the first pick in the second round on this Al Groh product would be wise, but he might not be on the board by then. For the record, I don't think there's a school out there that develops better offensive linemen than Virginia.
If the Dolphins wait till the second day of the draft to address the holes on offensive line, Nebraska's Carl Nicks, Virginia Tech's Duane Brown, USC's Drew Radovich and Chilo Rachal, Newberry's Heath Benedict, Rutgers' Jeremy Zuttah, Georgia's Chester Adams, Arizona State's Mike Pollack, Pittsburgh's Mike McGlynn (really liked his aggressive style at the Senior Bowl) and Toledo's John Greco could be good finds in rounds four and on.
All fit the trifecta's size, arm length, and athleticism criteria, but can the Dolphins really bank on building a line in the draft? Why not act now?
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/draft_issues/index.html
March 10, 2008
Dolphins depth: offensive line
It has been troubling how quiet the Dolphins have been when it comes to finding offensive line help. The only think we can conclude when looking at the trifecta's limited moves to supplement the offensive line (CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY) is that they are either adamant about not overpaying marginal talent, or are targeting some elite prospects with their top four picks in April's draft.
Considering Bill Parcells LOVES drafting offensive and defensive linemen, I have to believe the Dolphins hope to find a starting right tackle and left guard in the draft. That plan makes sense because it would create a young and talented line that will grow together, setting this franchise up for the next decade. But will the Dolphins really tip their hand in the draft, limiting their trade options and bargaining power by not signing a veteran offensive lineman who has the potential to start next season?
PROJECTION: I'm a firm believer that the Dolphins won't be able to identify a good quarterback until they establish a strong offensive line. John Beck became rattled last season when teams started chipping away at the line and got to him with the blitz. By the Buffalo game Beck got spooked, and the Dolphins veterans knew they needed a change and called for the return of Cleo Lemon. I don't see much changing unless the Dolphins use some of their top picks to snag some of the elite offensive linemen in this draft.
According to most talent evaluators, this year’s class of tackles is the best in more than a decade. Most analysts believe that eight offensive linemen – Michigan's Jake Long, Boise State’s Ryan Clady, Pittsburgh’s Jeff Otah, Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus, USC’s Sam Baker, Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams, Kansas’ Anthony Collins and Virginia Branden Albert – will be amongst the draft’s top 60 selections if injuries and character concerns don't drag them down. The Dolphins will have an opportunity to take one, if not two of these guys with their three picks in rounds one and two.
Because the Dolphins don't have a chance in hell of moving out of the No. 1 pick, if Parcells wants Long, who is projected as a better right tackle than left by many draftniks, they would have to use it to get him. He won't slip past Kansas City at No. 5. I'm actually in favor of taking Jake Long at No. 1 because I believe its a lot harder to find a franchise offensive tackle than a franchise DE/LB like Chris Long.
Otah is my favorite tackle in this draft because he's a mauling blocker, which is what you like on the right side of an offensive line. I'm told Otah dominated Chris Long this past season and I'd love to see that game. Albert is the only elite guard of this draft, and using the first pick in the second round on this Al Groh product would be wise, but he might not be on the board by then. For the record, I don't think there's a school out there that develops better offensive linemen than Virginia.
If the Dolphins wait till the second day of the draft to address the holes on offensive line, Nebraska's Carl Nicks, Virginia Tech's Duane Brown, USC's Drew Radovich and Chilo Rachal, Newberry's Heath Benedict, Rutgers' Jeremy Zuttah, Georgia's Chester Adams, Arizona State's Mike Pollack, Pittsburgh's Mike McGlynn (really liked his aggressive style at the Senior Bowl) and Toledo's John Greco could be good finds in rounds four and on.
All fit the trifecta's size, arm length, and athleticism criteria, but can the Dolphins really bank on building a line in the draft? Why not act now?
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/draft_issues/index.html
