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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Miami Dolphins
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (9): 25, 44, 56, 87, 108, 161, 181, 213, 237
Wide Receiver – If not for missing the team’s final 5 games
unheralded Greg Camarillo would have led the team in receptions for
sure and likely in yardage as well. Instead the honor belonged to
former #9 overall pick Ted Ginn Jr. whose career seems to be arcing
upwards heading into his third season. The ball was spread around
liberally because there was no true #1 to lean on. Rookie Davonne Bess,
who was not drafted, turned into a nice surprise with 54 receptions.
The aforementioned trio wound up with a healthy 165 receptions. That’s
the good news. The bad news is they totaled 5 touchdown catches and
none of them weigh over 190 pounds. Insert your own nickname for these
lightweights. A big, physical threat is a priority. Free agent addition
Ernest Wilford (Jaguars) was supposed to fill that role, but caught
just 3 passes in 7 appearances. Although it is well known Bill Parcells
is not keen on drafting a receiver in the first round, the team needs
to add someone to battle physical corners in tight spaces. Inside the
20 these small guys are sunk.
Cornerback – Andre’ Goodman signed with Denver and the team’s
response was grabbing Eric Green from Arizona. They got younger in the
process, but Green has only 2 interceptions in 51 games and has
struggled to stay healthy in his four year career. He also lost his
starting job when it mattered most in 2008. Will Allen is in a contract
year and his play will reflect it, but a hot shot rookie taken early on
would be a nice addition to this situation. At safety the team retained
Yeremiah Bell at the strong spot and at the free spot signed Gibril
Wilson (Raiders). There is definitely talent on this secondary and
that’s the best way for a rookie addition to thrive early on – as a
situational role player. Look for good height and the ability to press.
Nose Tackle – This is nothing new. They run a 3-4 and need
someone to plug in the middle of it. Jason Ferguson just completed a
successful first season with the team, but he is 34 with failing knees.
Players have been known to stick around into their 30’s on the interior
defensive line, but finding a nose tackle is extremely difficult. It is
not a position to ignore until one is desperately needed, and at this
point I do not feel like the Dolphins would be comfortable in the event
Ferguson was injured. Notably their 2007 fourth round pick Paul Soliai
was suspended twice in 2008 for violating team rules.
Outside Linebacker – There is no doubt Joey Porter enjoyed a
tremendous surge as part of the team’s dramatic turnaround. He is also
32 and has been talking to reporters about repairing his sometimes
questionable image in preparation for life after football. This does
not mean 2009 is it for him, but the team also needs to do some
preparing. Even with him going at a high level someone on the other
side to help would be nice. The chatter about Jason Taylor returning is
probably just that – talk. He is not the player he once was. Age caught
up to him in a hurry. Now the Dolphins need to search in this draft for
a rush linebacker to learn from Porter. It is worth noting they added
Cameron Wake out of the CFL and believe Charlie Anderson has some
potential. However, they have a lot of picks and with so many players
capable of fitting this spot from the college ranks I find it hard to
imagine them not selecting one in the draft.
Center – It was a good move swapping centers with Oakland and
landing Jake Grove. When healthy he can play at a high level and was
simply stuck on a bad line and struggling offense in general. However,
trading Samson Satele and losing Al Johnson (Patriots) leaves Miami
thin at the position. Luckily for them this draft is very deep at the
position. This is a golden opportunity for them to draft insurance
against Grove struggling with injuries. The line overall has really
been fortified in free agency and now has a lot of talent. Backup
center is really the only hole I see.
Tight End – I had to laugh this time last year when I was
speculating “The Tuna” Bill Parcells would seek out another “Rambo”
which was Mark Bavaro’s nickname. Instead he traded for Anthony Fasano.
Both players went to Notre Dame. Unfortunately there are no “Golden
Domers” available in this draft at tight end. Fasano’s deal expires
after this season and the same is true for David Martin. They do have
Joey Haynos developing after signing him last year as a rookie free
agent, but in the later rounds expect Miami to target someone who looks
a little reckless, hasn’t shaved in a month and would be able to
survive in a jungle for days on end.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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