Aqua4Ever04
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The draft is a topic that is beaten to a pulp here at Finheaven from January all the way up to the draft itself in late April. The debates are well warranted, it’s informative, interesting, and extremely entertaining. This year, the Dolphins have a few “high value†picks including 4 picks in the first 64 selections of the 2008 draft.
The most intriguing pick is the first selection of round 2 which has the Dolphins picking at #32. At this point, a load of talent is already off the board but there is still a plethora of gems in the field. It’s imperative that the Dolphins identify the best man for the pick, and land a player that will be a name stay for 6+ years for the team.
With that, here’s a list of players I believe Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and the rest of the Dolphins staff will have to decide over in the war room on April 26.
(Keep in mind this is based off the assumption that Chris Long is the #1 overall pick.)
Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt- Of the 6 listed, Chris Williams likely has the lowest probability of surviving the first round. Chris Williams, along with Jeff Otah and Ryan Clady, might be the best premier left tackle prospect in this entire draft. Williams is big, strong, and excels in all areas of protection and run blocking. If Williams is drafted, it’s likely that the team will eventually slide Vernon Carey back to the right side and start Williams at left tackle.
Anthony Collins OT Kansas- Anthony Collins will be there at #32 and will be a very hot option if Williams is off the board. Like Williams, Collins is a big left tackle prospect that would be a huge benefit to the Dolphins offensive line. If Collins is drafted, it’s likely that the team will eventually slide Vernon Carey back to the right side and start Collins at left tackle. The best way to predict the future is to look at the past and the past tells us that Parcells likes drafting from the inside out. If I were a betting man, which I am, I’d put the money on an OT at #32.
Godser Cherilus OT Boston College- The difference between Cherilus and Williams and Collins is that Cherilus is likely a right tackle in the NFL. This selection could mean the signing of Flozell Adams is in place but, then again, the other two players could sit behind Adams for a year as well. Cherilus has big, long arms, but I’m not sure he has the quick feet required to play left tackle. This might be a slight reach at 32.
James Hardy WR Indiana- Getting away from the offensive line now, James Hardy would be the premiere option at wide receiver. Hardy is 6’6’’, he runs a 4.55 40 yard dash, and caught 36 touchdowns in 3 years at Indiana. His huge frame and soft hands make him the perfect compliment to Ted Ginn in what is suddenly the weakest receiving core in the NFL. If the Dolphins decide to eschew the offensive line at #32, Hardy is the sexy pick (if he’s still on the board.)
Antoine Cason CB Arizona- Antoine Cason has kind of been up and down draft boards all draft season. Cason is a little undersized, but he packs a punch. In a game vs. Oregon this past season, Cason had an interception return for a touchdown, a punt return for a touchdown, a forced fumble on Jonathan Stewart (a first round pick), and shutdown Jaison Williams all night long (a very good Pac-10 receiver.) After that night, I was convinced that Cason will be a terrific NFL player. The reason he slides into the 2nd round is because of the incredible depth of the corner position in the 2008 draft.
Fred Davis TE Southern California- This has been my choice for #32 for the past couple of months. There’s a possibility Davis goes to Seattle in round 1 but if not, he likely falls into round 2. His athleticism makes him a mismatch for any linebacker and his strength makes him a mismatch for any defensive back. He will be a star tight end in the NFL but I think there are other options that should be considered before Davis at #32.
I expect one of these names to be called when the Dolphins make there 2nd round selection. Another attractive option here is to move down in the 2nd round. With all these great players available, there’s a chance that other teams will be calling the Dolphins throwing extra picks at them in an attempt to land this 32nd pick. If Miami can move down a few spots and acquire a 2nd day pick, it should be done; if not, take Chris Williams. And if Chris Williams is gone, I’m on the Antoine Cason bandwagon.
And as an added bonus, here is my updated (to the second) mock draft.
1. (1) Chris Long DE Virginia
2. (32) Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
2. (59) Shawn Crable OLB Michigan
3. (64) John Carlson TE Notre Dame
4. (96) Dwight Lowery CB San Jose State
6. (160) Jaime Silva S Boston College
7. (192) Mario Urrutia WR Lousiville
The most intriguing pick is the first selection of round 2 which has the Dolphins picking at #32. At this point, a load of talent is already off the board but there is still a plethora of gems in the field. It’s imperative that the Dolphins identify the best man for the pick, and land a player that will be a name stay for 6+ years for the team.
With that, here’s a list of players I believe Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and the rest of the Dolphins staff will have to decide over in the war room on April 26.
(Keep in mind this is based off the assumption that Chris Long is the #1 overall pick.)
Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt- Of the 6 listed, Chris Williams likely has the lowest probability of surviving the first round. Chris Williams, along with Jeff Otah and Ryan Clady, might be the best premier left tackle prospect in this entire draft. Williams is big, strong, and excels in all areas of protection and run blocking. If Williams is drafted, it’s likely that the team will eventually slide Vernon Carey back to the right side and start Williams at left tackle.
Anthony Collins OT Kansas- Anthony Collins will be there at #32 and will be a very hot option if Williams is off the board. Like Williams, Collins is a big left tackle prospect that would be a huge benefit to the Dolphins offensive line. If Collins is drafted, it’s likely that the team will eventually slide Vernon Carey back to the right side and start Collins at left tackle. The best way to predict the future is to look at the past and the past tells us that Parcells likes drafting from the inside out. If I were a betting man, which I am, I’d put the money on an OT at #32.
Godser Cherilus OT Boston College- The difference between Cherilus and Williams and Collins is that Cherilus is likely a right tackle in the NFL. This selection could mean the signing of Flozell Adams is in place but, then again, the other two players could sit behind Adams for a year as well. Cherilus has big, long arms, but I’m not sure he has the quick feet required to play left tackle. This might be a slight reach at 32.
James Hardy WR Indiana- Getting away from the offensive line now, James Hardy would be the premiere option at wide receiver. Hardy is 6’6’’, he runs a 4.55 40 yard dash, and caught 36 touchdowns in 3 years at Indiana. His huge frame and soft hands make him the perfect compliment to Ted Ginn in what is suddenly the weakest receiving core in the NFL. If the Dolphins decide to eschew the offensive line at #32, Hardy is the sexy pick (if he’s still on the board.)
Antoine Cason CB Arizona- Antoine Cason has kind of been up and down draft boards all draft season. Cason is a little undersized, but he packs a punch. In a game vs. Oregon this past season, Cason had an interception return for a touchdown, a punt return for a touchdown, a forced fumble on Jonathan Stewart (a first round pick), and shutdown Jaison Williams all night long (a very good Pac-10 receiver.) After that night, I was convinced that Cason will be a terrific NFL player. The reason he slides into the 2nd round is because of the incredible depth of the corner position in the 2008 draft.
Fred Davis TE Southern California- This has been my choice for #32 for the past couple of months. There’s a possibility Davis goes to Seattle in round 1 but if not, he likely falls into round 2. His athleticism makes him a mismatch for any linebacker and his strength makes him a mismatch for any defensive back. He will be a star tight end in the NFL but I think there are other options that should be considered before Davis at #32.
I expect one of these names to be called when the Dolphins make there 2nd round selection. Another attractive option here is to move down in the 2nd round. With all these great players available, there’s a chance that other teams will be calling the Dolphins throwing extra picks at them in an attempt to land this 32nd pick. If Miami can move down a few spots and acquire a 2nd day pick, it should be done; if not, take Chris Williams. And if Chris Williams is gone, I’m on the Antoine Cason bandwagon.
And as an added bonus, here is my updated (to the second) mock draft.
1. (1) Chris Long DE Virginia
2. (32) Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
2. (59) Shawn Crable OLB Michigan
3. (64) John Carlson TE Notre Dame
4. (96) Dwight Lowery CB San Jose State
6. (160) Jaime Silva S Boston College
7. (192) Mario Urrutia WR Lousiville
