WR should not be first draft priority for Dolphins

By Adam Sweeney  |   Thursday, March 12, 2009  |  Comments( 3 )

Miami Dolphins
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We can assure you that the Miami Dolphins' Tony Sparano, Jeff Ireland and Bill Parcells are already focusing on the 2009 NFL draft. If you listen to the rumors, there seems to be momentum building for the Dolphins to take Florida speedster Percy Harvin with the 25th pick.

As you may know, this columnist has been banging the drum all offseason for Miami to grab a game-changing receiver. Even if the Dolphins won't admit it, they don't have a clear No. 1 threat right now. However, Harvin is not the answer to this question. After Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree and Missouri's Jeremy Maclin leave the board early -- and you know they will -- the talent at receiver drops substantially. Harvin hangs in talent limbo at the moment. Instead of asking themselves if he is a first-round talent, the Dolphins should be wondering if Harvin is right for them.

Harvin is blessed with speed, elusiveness and the knack for making big plays. He reminds many experts of the Eagles' DeSean Jackson, which isn't surprising when you consider the pair's stature and special teams talent. But doesn't Miami already have a player in that mold in Ted Ginn Jr.? How does it help the Dolphins to continue adding small and speedy receivers? Harvin, a 5-foot-11, 185-pounder, became friends with the bench in his college career because of injuries. If he thought he was getting blasted in college, wait until he comes to the NFL.

Another concern for the Dolphins is Harvin's lack of polish when it comes to route running. It's the price you pay when operating in Urban Meyer's system at Florida. While Harvin's constant movement on the line may have served to confuse opposing college defenses, it also has boggled scouts' minds as to whether he has the ability to perform sharp patterns in the same manner as Ohio State's Brian Robiskie.

Is Harvin an exceptionally gifted athlete? Absolutely. He has solid hands, can be a deep threat and will possibly end up having a significant career in the NFL. He just doesn't strike us as the next Steve Smith. A first-round pick should be used on a guy whom you expect to play every week. Harvin's injury questions, sloppy route running and lack of familiarity in a pro offense should all raise eyebrows.

The time for the Dolphins to grab a receiver is in the draft, without question; however, it shouldn't be at pick 25, and it shouldn't be Harvin.
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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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