Why Having the First Overall Pick in 2008 is a Bad Thing...
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by Ssj3alucard
As seen on 3rdstringsafety.blogspot.com
As John Beck threw up yet another interception on Sunday, The Miami Dolphins sealed their fate as the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. The gift and the curse of getting to select any player coming from the college game you like is the consolation prize for being the worst team in the league, and anyone who has watched the Dolphins know that they fall into that category.
However, there’s one problem with drafting a franchise savior in 2008. There isn’t one to be had.
That’s right ladies and gentlemen; we are looking the worst draft crop since the days of Alex Smith being drafted first overall by the 49ers. There isn’t a single player in this draft that is worth drafting first overall, and that creates a problem on many fronts. If the use their pick to take any player, they are using money on a player who probably isn’t worth the money that they are paying them. The other option is to try to trade their pick and move down in the order, but with no one who teams covet at the top of the class, it will be hard to find a buyer to sell to.
Let’s look at the options that Miami has come April:
1. Take a Quarterback: The first overall pick has been a quarterback 6 out of the last 8 years. The logic is that the quarterback has more impact on the game than any position on the field, and they are always in short supply. Off the field, the quarterback is always the face of the team, and probably it’s most marketable player.
Well, that’s all great, but if he isn’t any good then you’re setting your team back anywhere from five to eight years. This year, there is not a true top quarterback in this draft. The closest thing to it is probably Boston College’s Matt Ryan. He was somewhat of a one year wonder, as he lead a BC team back from obscurity this season. The problem with Ryan is that he seems to be somewhat of a finished product. He doesn’t have great ability, but has solid leadership skills. By taking him first, people will be expecting Peyton Manning, and getting Matt Hasselbeck. Which they may already have in Beck, last year’s second round pick.
2. Take the Best Available Player: This sounds like a slam dunk, but really isn’t. The best player in this crop is LSU’s Glenn Dorsey. Dorsey dominates one side of the ball and is a factor in every game that he plays in. The only problem is that he is a defensive tackle. While a position of importance, it’s not something that is considered a priority with the first overall pick. To make it worse, Dorsey would be out of place in the 3-4 defense that the Dolphins currently run. His strength is creating havoc in the backfield, while he would be asked to take up blocks to free linebackers in Miami.
3. Trade Down: There is a huge, Hail Mary, shot in the dark, band is on the field miracle that the Dolphins can pull off. If Arkansas running back Darren McFadden comes forgoes his senior year and enters the draft, there just may be a team that is willing to trade up to grab him. After all, look at the success that Adrian Peterson is having in Minnesota, and he was a highly touted rookie like McFadden. This would be ideal for Miami, as they could draft several more players and speed up the rebuilding process that they are going through.
While there is no doubt that situation three would be the most beneficial to the Dolphins, it’s more likely that situation number two will happen. That means that Miami will be left with an overpaid defensive tackle playing in a scheme that doesn’t fit his talents. It’s a recipe for disaster and something you never want from a top-5 draft pick.
Just ask Jets Fans.
