#15 Miami Dolphins
What They Need: The Dolphins are a team without a set identity. They went fishing for Jim Harbaugh this offseason only to settle on incumbent head coach Tony Sparano. Miami likes to pound the ball, but they brought in star receiver Brandon Marshall last year and are trying to develop the talented but inconsistent quarterback Chad Henne. I don’t think they’ll go quarterback with this pick because Henne has showed some flashes, and drafting Ryan Mallett or Jake Locker would be a big risk. Running back is a need with oft-injured Ronnie Brown approaching the age of 30. The offensive line is unspectacular outside of Jake Long. The Dolphins could use a receiving threat opposite Marshall. Though Davone Bess is solid, he best fits as a slot receiver. Defensively the Dolphins have a good core of players in their prime. Karlos Dansby is a star linebacker and is flanked by last year’s breakout pass rushing demon Cameron Wake. The corner position is in good hands with youngsters Vontae Davis and Sean Smith displaying lots of talent. The defensive line is solid but could use a true impact player. Miami tried to get more dynamic in their front four by drafting defensive end Jared Odrick with their 2010 top pick. Time will tell what kind of player he will be after missing most of last year with an injury.
Who They Might Pick: Temptation might get the best of the Dolphins who really need to energize a fan base that hasn’t had a ton to cheer about lately. That could mean drafting Mark Ingram, the running back from Alabama. It wouldn’t be a bad pick; Ingram is very talented and I think he’s ready to contribute right away. I just feel that good running backs can be found in later rounds. Defensive line, pass rush, and offensive line are more pressing areas to address. Phil Taylor, the behemoth from Baylor would be a great fit for the 3-4 nose tackle position. Robert Quinn or Aldon Smith would be pass rush options to bookend Cameron Wake. Mike Pouncey could play guard or center, and would help solidify a solid line. He and Jake Long playing next to each other would be a scary duo.
My Advice: Take Phil Taylor. He’s a monster against the run that can push the pocket, and he isn’t just a big fat guy. Athletic for his size, Taylor can really make an impact for a talented defense by keeping Dansby clean and occupying blockers to free up Wake on the outside. With Wake, Dansby, and the return of Odrick, adding Taylor could create a nasty front seven.
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| For the fifteenth selection, the Miami Dolphins take Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor. |
#16 Jacksonville Jaguars
What They Need: I know David Garrard played well last year, but quarterback is still a need. At 33 years old, Garrard has never shown that he can really lead a potent offense. Still, I don’t know that there will be a passer available at this spot that would be worth taking. Maurice Jones-Drew locks down the running back spot, so there’s no need to add a guy in the backfield. Receiver is definitely a need, Mike-Sims Walker is their best wide-out, and while talented, he is a bit unpolished. The Jags have invested high picks in the offensive line recently, so I think they’ll be content with what they currently have there. The defense seems to overachieve given the talent on that side of the ball. Defensive tackle is a strong point with young studs Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton filling up the middle. Derrick Harvey has been a disappointment at defensive end, and Aaron Kampman has torn up his knee twice, so he can’t have much left at age 31. Adding a pass rushing end could make the defensive line a really strong unit. The linebackers are a solid group; Kirk Morrison’s the best of the bunch. Rashean Mathis can still play at corner but is getting older. The secondary could use some help.
Who They Might Pick: Quarterback, receiver, defensive end, and secondary are their biggest needs. I don’t think they’ll want to reach for Mallett or Locker here, and Julio Jones and AJ Green should be gone, so I think the defensive side of the ball is where they’ll spend this pick. If Robert Quinn slides this far down the Jags would love to take him. Yes, he missed all of last year, but his talent is undeniable, and a year off of football might just mean he’s extra fresh for next year. Aldon Smith fits the same type of pass rushing need, though I think he’s more suited to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 system. A more all-around type defensive end could also be a possibility here, and that would open the door for guys like Cameron Jordan from California, who scouts love, or Ryan Kerrigan from Purdue. Adrian Clayborn and JJ Watt could probably play 4-3 defensive end as well, but seem like better fits in the 3-4. If they want to address the secondary, corners like Jimmy Smith from Colorado or Aaron Williams from Texas could be available. Smith would be a good value at this spot, while Williams would be a bit of a reach.
My Advice: You may have noticed that I often advocate drafting to build on an existing strength. I believe that if you can make one unit of your team really strong that will make all the other units on the team better. I also believe in building a team from the inside out, meaning that I think the offensive and defensive lines set the foundation for every team. If a team develops a sensational pass rush, the corners and safeties get better and the linebackers have more freedom to make plays. If you develop a really good offensive line the running backs have wider lanes to run through, the receivers have more time to get open, and quarterbacks have more time to find those open receivers. I advocate for the Jaguars to combine those two tenets; draft for a strength that happens to be on the interior. Take Robert Quinn, the defensive end from North Carolina. Quinn has big-time potential and would complement the young talent at defensive tackle. Alualu, Knighton, and Quinn would represent three talented starters on the defensive line all younger than 24 years old. He may not be available at this point in the draft, but he could slide because he hasn’t played football in a year.
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| With the sixteenth pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars take Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina. |
--from Adam
(images from zimbio.com)
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