Dolphins draft 2008:  Ranking the offensive needs

By Joe Mayes  |   Wednesday, April 23, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Miami Dolphins
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With Miami agreeing to terms with former Michigan tackle Jake Long on Tuesday, the Dolphins filled their most glaring offensive need but still have many holes to fill on draft weekend. Because they are no longer on the clock for the No. 1 pick -- which will be used on Long -- the focus now turns to whom Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano will look at with the team's remaining eight selections (Nos. 32, 57, 64, 100, 195, 204, 208, and 245) this weekend.

The following breakdown of the team’s offensive needs are rated on a scale of 1-10 (10 high), with four factors used to establish the ratings:

1. Importance of the position to team’s success;
2. Performance at the position last year;
3. Steps taken during the offseason to address the need; and
4. The level of uncertainty at the position.

TACKLE – 10: Obviously the Dolphins agreed that tackle is the team’s area of greatest need. The addition of Long will allow Sparano to move Vernon Carey back to right tackle, hopefully setting the bookends of Miami's offensive line in place for the next 10 years.

OUTLOOK: Resolved.

QUARTERBACK – anywhere from 4 to 8: QB is clearly the key to turning the franchise around and especially at this position, uncertainty and need are directly proportional. Last year’s performance was a comedy of errors and it is still not clear if John Beck is prepared to step up. The team brought in Josh McCown during the offseason, giving it some veteran protection going into 2008.

OUTLOOK: Who knows? There are lots of “ifs” at quarterback for the Dolphins. If they aren’t convinced Beck is the future leader of the offense, they need to draft a quarterback on Saturday. If the team believes a Chad Henne, Joe Flacco or Brian Brohm can be the future starter, it's positioned nicely to take one of them at No. 32 overall. If, however, the Dolphins believe in Beck or if they aren’t sold on any of the quarterbacks in this year’s class, there’s no need to spend a high second-round pick on a passer. Much about how the front office views Beck will be revealed by how it handles this critical second pick.

GUARD – 7: After Rex Hadnot’s departure as a free agent, the Dolphins signed Justin Smiley from San Francisco to line up opposite Drew Mormino, though Mormino spent his rookie year in 2007 on injured reserve and has yet to line up for an NFL snap.

OUTLOOK: Expect the Dolphins to look for a serviceable guard such as Drew Radovich, Mick McGlynn or Robert Felton with their second pick in Round 2 (No. 57) or in Round 3 (No. 64).

TIGHT END – 7: The Dolphins are shallow at tight end, a key contributor in a typical Parcells (and, presumably, Sparano) offense. They added Sean Ryan during the offseason but could use more explosion from that position, both blocking and to attack the middle of the field against Cover 2 defenses.

OUTLOOK: This year’s TE crop is not particularly impressive, though there are a couple who may still be available in the fourth round. If Brad Cottam, Kellen Davis, Martin Rucker or Craig Stevens are still on the board, don’t be surprised to see Miami take one of them at No. 100.

WIDE RECEIVER – 6: The expectation is that the Dolphins are looking to build a run-first offense, so there isn’t as much urgency to bring in game-breaking wideouts as the talent level might indicate. Ted Ginn, Jr. showed flashes last season and the team brought in Ernest Wilford to line up opposite Ginn. Entering his third season, Derek Hagan should start to produce, but there still remain too many questions at this position.

OUTLOOK: With as many as 10 wide receivers in the draft who appear ready for Sunday football and another half dozen with potential, the Dolphins could grab a wide receiver at No. 64 (Round 3), 100 (Round 4), or even later.

RUNNING BACK – 4: With a retooled offensive line, the question becomes whether the current running backs can produce. Ronnie Brown was off to a good start in 2007 before injuring his right knee against New England and Ricky Williams seemed ready to return to form after his latest suspension; however, he suffered a torn pectoral muscle against Pittsburgh that cut his season short. Until Brown shows that his surgically repaired knee is healthy and Williams demonstrates his commitment to football, there is some question here. Lorenzo Booker will give the Dolphins a playmaker out of the backfield, mitigating the risk.

OUTLOOK: The team may look to add a running back for depth but probably not until the second day of the draft, if at all.

CENTER – 2: Miami appears set with second-year center Samson Satele anchoring the middle. Depth at this position is always helpful, which is the only reason the position merited a rating of 2.

STATUS: The Dolphins will likely look to fill this spot from the waiver wire rather than the draft. They have too many other holes to patch up and just nine draft picks with which to fill them.

Of course, these offensive needs will be competing with those on defense. Thursday’s column will take a look at the defense and evaluate how the Dolphins will spend the rest of their 2008 draft picks.
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About Joe Mayes

Joe Mayes is an award-winning writer with credits ranging from national sports columns to local newspapers and commercial and technical writing. Joe is the host of "The Morning Wrap," a morning drive-time sports talk radio show on WTKE-FM in Northwest Florida.
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