NFL Draft ‘08: Dolphins Should Trade Down
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Just about two weeks before the National Football League Draft in NYC, Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins have begun contract negotiations with former Michigan OT Jake Long. This doesn’t necessarily mean the Dolphins have ruled out other prospects. It just means they’re talking with Jake Long, who has long been considered one of the top five prospects in this year’s Draft class.
Miami could be using these talks to increase contract leverage with other potential picks, although offensive tackle is certainly a need for this team. They’ve got holes to fill on both sides of the line. But they’ve got a lot of other needs, too. One could argue they’re in a “best player available” mode. And if there’s a superstar on the board, it’s Arkansas RB Darren McFadden. He is considered perhaps the best player available (check out Darren McFadden on the cover of the new ESPN Magazine), but honestly, the Dolphins have greater needs at other positions as long as Ronnie Brown is healthy (check out my recent interview with Ronnie Brown). Then again, that one-two punch at RB would be hard to pass-up. Of course, they’ll need blockers. Oi. It’s complicated, isn’t it? The Dolphins are also believed to be interested in Virginia DE Chris Long, Boston College QB Matt Ryan, Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston and Louisiana State DT Glenn Dorsey. Of course they are.
If I were Bill Parcells, I would trade out of that first pick. Miami is hardly one player away from being where they need to be, so stockpiling Draft choices, saving cap space and building a future for this team would make more sense than taking one player and hoping he turns out to be all he’s been hyped to be. That being said, would there be any takers to move into that number one spot? Sure, but at what price? That is the question. The going rate is roughly $65 million with half of it guaranteed in cash for a player who hasn’t done anything at the pro level. And check this out. During the past 20 seasons, only one team that went first in the Draft won a playoff game that same season. Really makes you want to go first, doesn’t it?
This much we know. Someone’s going to be the number one overall pick and he’s going to get a boatload of money for that honor. Will he deserve it? Only time will tell.
Tags: Chris Long, Darren-McFadden, Glenn Dorsey, Jake Long, Matt Ryan, NFL Draft, Vernon GholstonRelated Stories
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2 opinions for NFL Draft ‘08: Dolphins Should Trade Down
Carl
Apr 14, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Trade down.
And if they can’t afford to trade down, then sit there for a few picks and let other teams jump in front.
People get so caught up in the hype about big-name players that they ignore more important “boring” issues like the salary cap.
It is so expensive to pay a $60million contract for the best player at a position that it cripples a team’s ability to pay for other positions of need.
Even if they missed Jake Long, fine, take Clady or Williams.
For every Joe Thomas there’s a Robert Gallery. You’re better off hedging your bets and taking the 2nd or 3rd best guy at a position so that you can afford to fill other needs.
Ignore the draft value chart. It was made in an era when salary differences were smaller.
Over the years, salary & bonus differences between top first-round choices and mid first-round choices have grown MUCH FASTER than on-field contribution differences.
What does this mean? Trade down, fill more holes, and let some sucker team overpay for a big-name prospect thinking they got a better value.
Of course this won’t happen because stupid teams can’t figure out how to build through the draft. As a result, they keep ending up with high draft choices and can’t affort to build a complete team because they tie up all their money in big-name rookies (too many of whom are busts).
Smart teams like the Colts and Pats already know that the best dollar-per-value is in the late first round and early second. They win too much to end up with high draft picks, but if they did get those picks they’d obviously trade them.
Dolphins, Jake Long Close to Draft Deal
Apr 21, 2008 at 8:51 pm
[…] contract agreement between the Miami Dolphins and former Michigan OT Jake Long is nearly in place. Miami began talks with Jake’s agent, Tom Condon, about two weeks ago and Mr. Condon has been in South Florida to meet with Dolphins […]
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