Dolphins hope to feel more than a cold draft

By Adam Sweeney  |   Saturday, January 24, 2009  |  Comments( 4 )

Miami Dolphins
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It's amazing how much of the Miami Dolphins' success in 2008 can be attributed to taking pieces from the Dallas Cowboys. The additions of executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, head coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland -- who is hard at work alongside Parcells as they study draft talent at the Senior Bowl -- sparked the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history. The similarities between the swimming D's in Miami and the Big D in Texas don't end there. Both rebounded from a 1-15 record in short amounts of time to make it to the playoffs, the Dolphins this past year and the Cowboys in 1991.

A playoff appearance is impressive, but if the Dolphins hope to follow in the footsteps of the three-time champion Cowboys from the '90s, they will have to upgrade in key areas. To do that, the Dolphins should borrow from the strategy guide of former Dallas and Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson.

Johnson, like the rest of the recent Cowboys transplants, left after owner Jerry Jones failed to recognize his value. Are we noticing a pattern here? Anyway, the most efficient and effective way to improve your team is through the draft. It is a concept the New England Patriots understand and the Cowboys, when they had Johnson, used to be aware of. The Herschel Walker trade to the Minnesota Vikings for a still-unbelievable five players and eight picks set the foundation for a team that would dominate for nearly a decade.

The Dolphins may be short of the pieces currently, but they have the guys up top to turn into a Super Bowl contender.

With that said, here's a look at four potential big-time players Miami has a chance to select 25th overall in April's draft.

(The Dolphins' main areas of concern are on the defensive side -- particularly in the secondary, pass rush and linebacking areas. They also would be a juggernaut on the offensive line if they address their hole at left guard. For the sake of argument, we are going to assume the Dolphins pass up wide receiver prospects in the first round.)

DJ Moore, cornerback, Vanderbilt (junior)

Miami's secondary got torched to the tune of 227 passing yards a game, so a playmaking cornerback fits the agenda. If Moore is there, Miami would be foolish not to grab him. Moore also returns kicks. The shutdown corner has unlimited potential, something that many scouts will become aware of at the combine. This may prevent Moore from falling to the Dolphins.

Aaron Maybin, defensive end, Penn State (sophomore)

Linebacker Joey Porter had a fantastic 2008 season, notching 17.5 sacks and 47 tackles. The question is: How much longer he can play at that level? How quickly some forget that Porter had only 5.5 sacks the year before. We're not doubting the man, though, as fellow backers Zach Thomas and Junior Seau excelled for long periods of time. But Porter could use some help getting to the quarterback. Maybin could be that guy, having registered 12 sacks in only his sophomore season. If the speedster from Penn State is still there, the Dolphins would have to take more than a look at him. Maybin represents a bit of a project for whatever team takes him, but he could pay off in a big way if Sparano and company can get him to perform at a high level. Maybin is prone to errors, however, as evidenced in this year's Rose Bowl loss to the USC Trojans. It's something the Dolphins will definitely have to consider when making the pick. However, Parcells may prefer a player who can assimilate to the 3-4 defense easier (Virginia Cavaliers LB Clint Sintim comes to mind).

Duke Robinson, guard, Oklahoma (senior)

The addition of Robinson would only open more holes for running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. It also would allow Chad Pennington even more time to pick apart defenses. Robinson has the talent and experience to be a staple of the offensive line for years to come, having started every year of his college career for the Sooners. Plus, Robinson is a mammoth (6-foot-5, 335 pounds), so nobody is moving the big fella. If you're going to choose a guard, you can't do any better than Robinson this year.

William Moore, free safety, Missouri (senior)

We're focused on playmakers today and this 6-1, 230-pound safety is one of them. Moore is a heavy hitter like Cowboys strong safety Roy Williams, another Big XII alum. Unlike Williams, though, Moore is not a liability in pass coverage, tying for the national lead with eight interceptions last season. With other safeties like Florida State's Myron Rolle electing to not enter the draft, Moore is a high riser. The Dolphins would likely need to move up to get Moore, but it would be worth it. The Ravens' Ed Reed proved to Miami in Round 1 of the playoffs how integral a dominant safety can be.
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About Adam Sweeney

Adam Sweeney spent 4 years as an opinions and arts & entertainment columnist with the Lone Star Lutheran, also working with Sports Illustrated.com. Along with his work on Realfootball 365 he currently is a contributor for Film School Rejects, SLAM Online, Talkhoops.net, and C-Heads Magazine.
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CommentsComments: 4  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
sensi		10:09 AM
01/24/2009
Hey Adam, I say stay with the O or D Lines for now. Duke Robinson teamed with Jake Long would be a great fit for us. I believe...
No.2
JimmyD		06:50 PM
01/27/2009
I like Moore. That is a solid pick at safety. I saw him play quite a bit in the big 12 and he is a game changer. Miami could use...
No.3
Adam Sweeney		06:41 AM
02/02/2009
Hey Sensi, I am always up for picking the big nasties, as Keith Jackson called them. Alex Mack, the center you are referring to,...
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