The Miami Dolphins have the first overall selection as a result of a terrible season, but there have been some very good things that happened to the team after finishing 1-15. Bill Parcells was hired as an executive vice president and hit the ground running by making several moves to help improve the Dolphins chances for the ’08 season. In just a few weeks he’ll have to make probably the hardest decision he’s had to make in years. This crop of draft prospects doesn’t appear to have a clear #1 pick as most years do. Chris Long, Jake Long, Glenn Dorsey, Matt Ryan and Vernon Gholston have all been rumored to be on the top of Miami’s draft board. None of them would be a bad choice, but there’s not a huge drop off in talent either.
Parcells has always been a master at spinning what his intentions are involving big decisions. Many have speculated that Miami would trade the top pick and still select a player they covet with a lower choice, but now is when talks start to heat up between player’s and teams with the first selection about a possible contract. It’s not unusual to see a team agree to terms before the draft even begins. That’s why other NFL execs need to sift through the garbage rumors and pay close attention to contract talks reported by the media. I’m certain that Parcells may counter by negotiating with more than one candidate, but they’ll be sure to take special interest on any deal regarding the player they truly want in their uniform next season. If there are no such reports being made up to draft day, then the possibility of Miami trading the top pick is very real.
The only problem for the Dolphins is - like I mentioned earlier - there is not a drop off in talent between the top five prospects this year, so any suitor could be making an unnecessary move just to ensure they land a player that may fall into their lap anyways. I don’t see the Dolphins trading out of the top five picks unless someone makes them an offer they cannot refuse. It’s a tricky situation for the people involved, but that’s why this is a fun time for fans. Would we even be talking about the Dolphins if it wasn’t for the NFL’s second season?