Defensive end Philip Merling is there to replace Jason Taylor.
The team has lost receivers Marty Booker and Chris Chambers over the past year,
but did not take a player to upgrade that position.
Round 1, Pick 1 (1) Jake Long OT 6'7" 315 Michigan
With contract negotiations completed before the draft on a five-year deal worth
$57.5 million, the Dolphins see Long as the answer to their most pressing need.
He started 40 games over the past four years at Michigan and should be able to
make an immediate impact at tackle for Miami.
Round 2, Pick 1 (32) Phillip Merling DE 6'5" 272 Clemson
Merling is recovering from a sports hernia. He started 26 games over the past
two seasons with 12 sacks.
Round 2, Pick 26 (57) (From Chargers) Chad Henne QB 6'2" 225 Michigan
Most predict Henne to begin his career as a backup, but thrust into the
uncertain quarterback situation in Miami, the rookie will have every chance to
compete for a starting spot. Considered a tough quarterback, the Dolphins get
some good value with a late second-round pick, regardless of where Henne ends up
on the depth chart.
Round 3, Pick 3 (66) (From Chiefs through Lions) Kendall Langford DT 6'6" 295 Hampton
The Dolphins continue to address the line of scrimmage. Using their second
choice on the defensive line, Langford is a player that has good size at
6-foot-6.
Round 4, Pick 11 (110) (From Bears) Shawn Murphy OT 6'4" 320 Utah State
The Dolphins traded up to get Murphy. This is a good, solid pick at this point
in the draft. He's versatile on the offensive line. Murphy is mature and has
great size. In Miami, they are going to want to pound the ball and he is not
only strong but tough, smart and can change direction.
Round 6, Pick 10 (176) (From Lions)
Jalen Parmele RB 6'0" 224 Toledo
Parmele is really more of a fullback, but a combination player who can
occasionally carry the ball.
Round 6, Pick 29 (195) (From Cowboys) Donald Thomas OG 6'4" 303 Connecticut
A walk-on discovered on campus working out in the gym, Thomas only got 14 starts
in college, but he has excellent measurables and great size.
Round 6, Pick 38 (204) (Compensatory selection) Lex Hilliard RB 5'11" 228 Montana
Hilliard could have been taken higher without concerns over a knee injury and is
more of a bruising type player in the backfield.
Round 7, Pick 38 (245) (Compensatory selection) Lionel Dotson DE 6'4" 296 Arizona
Dotson has decent size for a defensive tackle. He's not very fast, but he can
play inside with leverage. He's more of a project player that is not in a
position to contribute right away.
Miami Dolphins 2008 NFL Preview
The biggest surprise for us is how well they are playing together all of a
sudden and how much a change at the top has meant to this organization. Still,
the Dolphins have issues, I think that is easy to say when a team is
1-15. The Tuna has entered the building and already you can see a
difference in the way they carry themselves, and in the front office
moves. They drafted Jake Long to anchor their offense, Phillip
Merling to anchor the defense, Chad Henne to be the QB of the
future, and traded away Jason Taylor for picks in 2009. This team is
3 years away, but making all the right moves.
Offense: The offense has looked spectacular at times in the
preseason, dont let that fool you, there are a lot of questions
still, not the least of which is at quarterback. Chad Pennington has
looked very good this preseason and is the starter for now, but we
all know how that has worked out in the past. Jake Long has made an
amazing difference already in the Dolphins line, and they look like
they can control the tempo of games at times. We shall see how that
works out when the regular season starts.
Defense: Miami gave up a lot of rushing yards last year and
then lottwo of their aruably best players in Zach Thomas and Jason
Taylor. That is not a good sign for this year although they got some
2009 picks for Taylor and picked up Phillip Merling with the first
pick of the second round. It could be ugly at times on defense as
they are making a lot of changes.
Overall: The real question we have is who is making the
decisions, Bill Parcells or new coach Tony Sparano. Most will tell
you from the organization that Sparano is leading, but when you step
back and take a look, this looks like a Parcells team.
Having Ronnie Brown healthy and
someone new under center helps, but not enough. No biggie the rest
of the roster is under construction anyway.
