Top Overall Pick Warrants Top Character

The Dolphins have major needs and are not far removed from a first year expansion team. This is the sad truth, and coaches, players and fans all must accept that if Parcells is successful at returning the Dolphins to the playoffs, he will need more time than what one draft and free agency market will provide.

This team has way too many needs to be turned around in a single offseason.

The Dolphins may win 4-7 games next year, there is only one way to go but up.
First of all, let’s assume the Dolphins are unsuccessful at trading out of the first overall pick; the first pick can be narrowed down to six players. Of the top six players, 50% of them are defensive linemen.

In alphabetical order:

Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU-6’2” 316lbs
Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC-6’1”-305lbs
Chris Long-DE-Virginia-6’4”-275lbs
Jake Long-OT-Michigan-6’7”-315lbs
Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas-6’2”-210lbs
Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College-6’5”-224lbs

Regardless of position and player drafted, the Dolphins will probably hope to make sure the drafted player meets all or almost all of the following criteria.
1. Can make an immediate impact on the field this year.
2. Will be a long term solution as starter for Dolphins
3. Will be a difference maker on the field affecting play of other positions positively
4. No Health or nagging injury concerns that will affect development at the next level
5. Very hard worker and player never taking a down off.
6. Impeccable character off the field, a leader

So of the six best players and six characteristics of the low risk pick at the #1 overall pick, which player meets these criteria above the and also fills the greatest need?

Over the next few days I will make a legitimate case as to why each of the above six players should be the number one overall pick based on draft depth, team need and anticipated output and overall impact to the 2008 Dolphins.

Team Needs(In Order of importance) :
QB, DT, OT, DE, CB, LB, SS, WR, RB, TE

Draft Depth( In order of deepest positions available)
WR, CB, DE, RB, LB, DT, SAFETY, OT, TE

Positions that could improve the team the greatest in the first year for Dolphins
RB, DT

Example, RB Adrian Peterson 2007 Vikings, and NT Haloti NGata for 2006 Baltimore Ravens.

Everyone already knows what Peterson did, but Ngata is less visible. The Ravens defense improved from 12th overall to 1st in 2006 and gave up one touchdown less per game. Ray Lewis had a tremendous year over year improvement from 2005.

Lewis and fellow LB Scott combined for 206 tackles, 15 sacks and 5 turnovers because Ngatas ability to eat up blocks at the front. Remember all the credit Zach Thomas gave Daryl Gardner and Tim Bowens for all the those tackles Thomas accrued from 1996-2000? Daryl Gardner was JJs first ever pick for Miami for this reason.