What ifs of the Dolphin drafts!

Yesterday I started thinking about the infamous 2007 draft where we got supposed superstar to be Ginn.  I know that the Fins could have drafted Brady Quinn but I started wondering who else they could have had...  This led me to look back at the drafts since 2000.

I had no clue that the team could have drafted Reggie Wayne, Matt Forte, Ocho Cinco, and a ton of other players without missing on their current stars.  Here are my results...

Starting with 2000.  Their first round pick was pretty much non-existent.  It was traded to the Carolina Panthers so we will jump to 01.

2001:  This will always be considered the year of Michael Vick, he was the first pick in the draft.  The Fins picked Jamar Fletcher (DB) with their first pick (26th).  The Miami Dolphins have problems at WR.  #30 just four short picks later a guy named Reggie Wayne was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.  Today he is arguable the best WR in the game.  Pick 32 was a guy by the name of Drew Brees and 36 was Mr. Ocho Cinco.

2002:  Thanks to the Ricky Williams trade (pre Mary Jane days) the Fins did not have a first round pick.

2003:  Guess what…Yet again, no first rounders!

2004:  This was the year of Eli Manning.  The little brother came into the league with a stir for sure.  The Fins traded up to get Vernon Carey with the 19th pick.  If you are trading up the Fins could have traded up to get Big Ben who went at #11.  Stephen Jackson went at the 24th pick.

2005:  This is where the Dolphins truly showed that they were reeling.  They had the second pick in the draft.  Luckily they didn’t have the top because that was the biggest bust in recent history in Alex Smith.  The Fins got Ronnie Brown with their pick.  I can’t hate on this pick because he has been a bright spot on some very weak teams since.  However they passed on Braylon Edwards, Cedric Benson (rather have Ronnie), DeMarcus Ware, Shawne Merriman, Aaron Rodgers (wow, could you imagine), Jason Campbell, and Roddie White.  Running Backs are a dime a dozen.  Aaron Rodgers very well could be a top 10 quarterback.  I would rather have him.

2006:  This was the year of Vince Young, Matt Leinart, and Mario Williams.  The Texans were ridiculed time and time again for their pick of Williams but looking at it now, they made the right choice.  The Fins picked Jason Allen with their first pick at 16.  They could have had Laurence Maroney, Santonio Holmes, DeAngelo Williams, or Joseph Addai.

2007:  This is the draft that I have the biggest problem with.  This is the year of Ginn for the Fins.  It was the shock of the draft as Brady Quinn dropped to the Dolphins at 9, only to pass on him for Ginn.  They said they wanted someone that would be a dual threat and a player for years to come…Not so much!  They passed on Marshawn Lynch, Dwayne Bowe, Robert Meachem, and Anthony Gonzalez all in the first round.

2008:  After the worst season in Dolphin history the crew had the top pick.  The new regime was ready to turn this team around and with the first pick they took Jake Long who has played well up to now.  He has played well but listen to the others that they passed on…  Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco both sat back and waited for their pick.  They have truly out-shined Long and could have put the Fins in a much better position to win, but taking either with the top pick (at the time) would have been extremely laughable.  Just as a note, they passed on Matt Forte twice in this draft.

2009:  The Dolphins won their division the previous year and were stuck with the 25th pick.  They picked Vontae Davis.  It is unsure how these picks will end up in the long term.

As you see the Fins very well could have a team full of superstars.  Of Course hind sight is 20/20 and there is no way to predit the play of the likes of Matt Forte who truly outplayed what many expected.  The Fins have began the season at 0-3 and very well could get a high draft pick next season.  It will be interesting to see which areas they address first.  If Henne does well they may feel that they truly have found their future field general.  They could seriously consider taking a RD with their first round pick (Ronnie and Ricky are aging fast), and a WR with their second.

I hope the Fins can turn things around and make a run.  Go Fins!