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The Eleventh Hour Dolphins Mock Draft
We’re hours away from the 2008 NFL Draft and the Triforce has already announced their number one pick by signing the only clear cut franchise player in the class, Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. But what will the Dolphins do with pick number 32 when they are on the clock for the second time? With so many glaring holes left over from the Cam Cameron era, which one should Bill Parcells fill first? Thus I give unto you The Phish Tank’s Eleventh Hour Mock Draft.
Round 2, Pick 32. WR DeSean Jackson, California - The Dolphins have the deep threat receiver in Ted Ginn Jr. and the big blocking receiver in Ernest Wilford but what about the dynamic play-making slot guy? DeSean Jackson will probably never be a number one wideout in the NFL but he’s got great hands and the uncanny ability to make guys miss. He has the ability to score every time he touches the ball. If he gets into the open field, forget about it. He was the fastest receiver at the Scouting Combine in February running a 4.35 forty. Because of his speed and elusiveness, he’d serve as the perfect compliment to Ginn on kick returns and would probably take over for him on punt returns. In a very limited draft class for receivers, if this guy is still on the board when Miami hits the clock for the second time, he’s a no brainer.
R 2, P 57. QB Chad Henne, Michigan - After a dismal 2007 campaign, 2008 is the year that is going to either make or break John Beck’s career as a Miami Dolphin. Even though Parcells isn’t going to give up on Beck from immediately, he is going to be on a very short leash. With Jake Long and one of the best blocking wideouts in the league, Ernest Wilford in front of him this year and with Ted Ginn Jr. and probably another play-making wideout at his disposal, there’s no reason why Beck shouldn’t finally live up to his potential and shine. If he doesn’t, it sure would be nice to have another young guy on the bench that could step in for him immediately rather than having to go to the washed up Josh McCown. Henne is that guy. Behind Brian Brohm and Matt Ryan, he is the best signal caller in the draft. The 6′3″, 228 four year letterman is a sight to behold under center. Henne may not have the biggest arm but he’s a sound and quick decision maker who can make tough throws and fit the ball into tight spots. Henne reportedly impressed scouts at the Combine, throwing the ball extremely well. He had another good showing at his Pro Day appearance. In addition to his on the field skills, Henne is sharp off the field as well. He had one of the higher scores on his Wonderlic, a 22. The only downside to Henne is that he isn’t very mobile and he struggles when the pocket collapses. But with Long, Carey and Wilford in front of him, that shouldn’t be much of a problem.
R 3, Pick 64. CB Patrick Lee, Auburn - Early in the season, cornerback looked like it was going to be the Dolphins’ biggest draft need. Thanks to the late season emergence of Will Allen, they can afford to wait a few rounds but Miami is still in need of a fast and physical secondary corner who can step into the starting role opposite of Allen and it wouldn’t hurt if he could play on special teams as well. Ladies and gentlemen, I present Patrick Lee. An excellent mix of size, speed and agility, Lee is an excellent prospect who still hasn’t reached his ceiling. Lee didn’t start in late in his collegiate career but when he finally did, he made the most of the opportunity, racking up 55 tackles and intercepting 4 passes. He times his jumps perfectly. After running a 4.45 forty, wherever he goes, Lee will surely be a member of the downfield special teams unit.
R 4, P 100. O/ILB Beau Bell, UNLV - With Zach Thomas jettasetting off to Dallas, the Dolphins are in need of a big 3-4 inside linebacker. Thanks to a left knee bruise he suffered at the Senior Bowl, Bell’s name wasn’t heard much during the offseason and thus destroyed his draft stock. The injury kept him out of the Combine and limited him severely at his Pro Day. Originally projected as an early second rounder, Bell could easily fall into the Dolphins’ lap. Bell has the ability to play within any system. He’s a big ball hawking tackler who gets off his blocks and out into open space very well. While he’s a little inconsistent while playing the zone, he’s excellent in man-to-man coverage and he can stay with tight ends. The big question here is health. After starting all of the Rebels’ games in his freshman year, Bell played in only seven games in his junior year. He showed that he can bounce back, though, once again playing in all 15 games in 2007 and winning the Mountain West Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award. If Bell does indeed fall to this far, Parcells needs to jump.
R 6, P 195. DE Kendall Langford, Hampton - Unless Parcells has some crazy well-hatched scheme to deal Jason Taylor on draft day, he’ll probably be back in aqua and orange for at least one more season (much to my and Sean’s shigrin). And as lond as Taylor is around, defensive end won’t be a huge need. But what about when the dancing fool is gone next season? Because he played at a division II school, Langford isn’t getting the kind of recognition he deserves. Scouts say that if he played in the BCS, he’d probably be taken in the first round. Before long, this guy could wind up being one of the draft’s biggest sleepers. The 6′6″, 294 pound Langford, a collegiate letterman in both football and basketball, dwarfed everyone he matched up against in his three years as a starter. Langford is a very instinctive, very versatile player that can play in both the 3-4 and 4-3. There are concerns about his ability to shed blockers and his inability to burst of the line but Langford’s tremendous upside makes him a very solid fifth round pick. Experts say that with the correct coaching, he’ll be ready to start within 1-2 years.
R 7, P 208. S Jamie Silva, Boston College - The Dolphins are in the market for someone to pair with Jason Allen, someone who will impose his will on opposing receivers when they go deep. How about the guy who lead BC in tackles and interceptions last year, Jamie Silva? A first team All-American, its a wonder why Silva isn’t higher on teams’ radars. He’s a true ball hawking safety with decent speed. In a limited class for safeties and with other needs to address first, Parcells could do much worse.
R 7, P 245. RB Omar Cuff, Delaware - With a huge upside, Cuff is a good seventh round depth pickup. The agile 5′10″, 195 pounder is a speedy little guy who runs hard. He also possesses a pair of very soft hands which make him a viable receiving option out of the backfield.
Sean and I will be around throughout the day tomorrow keeping you current on all the happenings at Radio City Music Hall. We’ll also have plenty of post draft analysis afterwards so keep it locked.
Enjoy the draft, everybody.
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