Mock Drafts Around the Net

by Matty I on Mar 13, 2008 12:04 AM EDT in News Comment 15 comments

For the first time since free agency began, let's now go around the internet and see who the various mock drafts have the Dolphins taking with the #1 overall pick:

-Mel Kiper: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

-NFL Draft Countdown: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Make no mistake about it the Dolphins desperately want out of this #1 pick and will do everything they can to trade down but the problem is there might not be much of a market. Their best chance at making a deal would be if Atlanta fell in love with Matt Ryan, which is probably why they are putting it out there that they are looking at the B.C. quarterback as well. Ultimately this pick will come down to Chris Long, Jake Long, Vernon Gholston, Matt Ryan and Sedrick Ellis and I think Howie's boy would get the nod. Not only is Long a perfect fit for Miami's 3-4 scheme but he also possesses the type of intensity and non-stop motor that Bill Parcells covets.

-Footballs Future: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Miami needs help in a lot of places. Long had an impressive career at Michigan and followed it up with a fine combine. He has the ability to anchor the offensive line for years, which is a must for whoever lines up under center.

-Don Banks of SI.com: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Long only enhanced his chances to go first overall with an impressive showing at the combine. With the draft still two months out, he remains the most sensible choice from this vantage point. But I came away from Indianapolis with increased respect for USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, and his strong work at nose tackle in the Senior Bowl could tempt a Dolphins team that seems certain to transition to a 3-4 defense. Don't discount Ellis, because a dominant nose tackle is so pivotal in a 3-4. At the moment, I'd say the arrow is pointing down on Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan's chances to be the Dolphins' pick, but we still don't know their verdict on John Beck's potential.

-Pete Prisco of CBS Sportsline: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

-The Sports Xchange: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

-War Room Report: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

The Dolphins have many options with the first overall pick, with three defensive players that would fit their scheme well - DE Chris Long and DTs Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis. All three players would be ideal players to man the critical front of the 3-4 defense. The Dolphins could also look at OT Jake Long, who would provide an anchor on the left side of the offensive line for the development of a young quarterback. Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland may not want to start their era with QB John Beck, making Boston College QB Matt Ryan a real possibility here. With the plethora of options, the Dolphins would prefer to trade down and pick up additional picks. However, the depth of the draft will make it unlikely that a trade can be reached, and if the Dolphins stay at #1, Virginia DE Chris Long appears to be the current choice. Long, who was amazingly productive playing in a 3-4 defense at Virginia, could step in from day one and be true difference maker at the 3-4 end spot, which is rarely found.

Due to the length of this post, you'll have to click "Read More" to see the rest. I always hate to do this, but it had to be done.

-Rivals.com: Matt Ryan, QB, BC

The Dolphins have already bolstered defense with several free agents. Bill Parcells will focus on offense with the team's early selections, beginning with their future leader and cornerstone performer.

-Huddlegeeks: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

This big man is one of the most dominating players in college football and will add some youth to an aging Dolphins defense. You have already seen big changes in the Miami roster this offseason, but the addition of Dorsey to the roster will be the biggest.

-DraftTek: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

-Draft Ace: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Despite speculation that the Dolphins are interested in Matt Ryan, it just isn't going to happen. Bill Parcells doesn't take offensive players that early in the draft. The last offensive player he took, Terry Glenn, was a decision made above him and it drove Parcells out of New England. Dorsey and Long are options, but if they run a 3-4 defense, Long is the better fit.

-Consensus Draft Services: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Bill Parcells has been active during the early stages of free agency. Missing out on Calvin Pace, however, could be a sign of what the Dolphins do with this pick. At the combine, Chris Long was spectacular. He ran a 4.75 40-yard dash and was extremely impressive in all of the drills. Long showed the type of athleticism that a 3-4 OLB needs, and could end up playing in that spot for Miami. There are some who still believe he could line up as a DE in a 3-4, but that versatility is definitely not a negative. I still think the Dolphins are shopping this pick, but if they stay put I think they go with Long.

-Fantasy Football Jungle: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

This draft was actually pretty hard to make. There were quite a few instances where I had a tough time deciding between two or three prospects. This was one of those instances. The Dolphins really want to trade down but I don't really see that happening. I really can't see them getting much value for the number one pick this year since most of the top five to ten players could be picked anywhere in that range. Teams aren't going to need the number one pick to get some of the best players. The Dolphins' offensive line hasn't actually been that bad, so I don't think they'll go with Jake Long here. Therefore, I think The Dolphins will end up picking Chris Long. While Glenn Dorsey is probably a better player, Long is definitely one of the top 3-5 players available this year and Dorsey isn't a good fit for the 3-4 the Dolphins will try to run next year, plus his injuries are starting to concern some. Long is a phenomenal defensive end who would fit perfectly in the 3-4 scheme. He's got a great motor, is solid against both the run and the pass, and has a great combination of size, power, and quickness.

-Walter Football: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

-Vic Carucci of NFL.com: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

It wouldn't be a shock to see the Dolphins go with a quarterback because their new decision-makers, led by Bill Parcells, could easily decide they need someone better than John Beck. But is that someone Boston College's Matt Ryan, the presumptive top quarterback in the draft? For now, that's not entirely clear because Ryan didn't throw at the NFL Scouting Combine or play in the Senior Bowl. In the meantime, Long looks to be as safe as any player who could be chosen in this spot. He's one of the most complete and NFL-ready defensive ends to emerge from the college ranks. He had a tremendous performance at the combine. He also has extremely high character.

-Draft King: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

-D & J NFL Draft: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

-NFL Daily: Matt Ryan, QB, BC

-NFL Report: Matt Ryan, QB, BC

-The Football Expert: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

If the Dolphins stay at this position there would be only three players I feel as value here: Darren McFadden, Glenn Dorsey, and Chris Long. With Ronnie Brown as your franchise back and needs elsewhere, McFadden is out, and that comes down to the defensive lineman. For the Dolphins, a team that will utilize a 3-4 defensive scheme, Chris Long is perfect. Glenn Dorsey is a beast in the inside, but his transition to a nose in a 3-4 is questionable. Actually, I see Sedrick Ellis as more of a possibility than Dorsey. But, if the Dolphins do stay at #1, which I know they will try to trade out, Long should be the pick. Long was dominant as an end in a 3-4, which is an extremely difficult position to succeed at. 3-4 defensive schemes need three talented men up front to be successful, and Long is certainly a strong start.

So that's 20 internet mock drafts right there. And if you break it down, 65% are saying Chris Long is the pick. Meanwhile, both Jake Long and Matt Ryan are predicted in only 15%. And there's still one mock draft who believes Glenn Dorsey is the pick. Interestingly enough, nobody will go out on a limb and say the Dolphins will take Vernon Gholston #1 overall.

Thoughts on any of this below...

0 recs | Comment 15 comments

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Comments

1st pick of the 2008 NFL Draft....

What if Miami selected Matt Ryan with the intention of trading to Atlanta and then Atlanta goes in a different direction and doesn't want to partner in a trade? Think Parcells would make a bold move like that? They hold the cards in the draft and typically teams get hyped to make moves as the draft draws closer. Maybe Atlanta becomes a straight up trade option as it gets closer. Would be nice to get a top 3 pick and pick up an extra pick or Hall.

by kevin on Mar 13, 2008 12:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The more I think about it...

...the more I want to see the Dolphins take Darren McFadden. I feel totally confident about Ireland's ability to find Lineman later in the draft. Take McFadden and maybe somebody makes us an offer we can't refuse. If not, then we have quite possibly the best 1/2 punch in the NFL behind what will surely be a young hungry line.

by misterx on Mar 13, 2008 1:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

do u just intentionally skip over Matt Ryan mocks?

...it just seems that u continue to post mocks that don't have the most likely draft pick for MIA...Matt Ryan. Dude, be a little more professional than that, man. That's tacky. I see that u have a man crush on the bust of a pick, beck, but post the Matt Ryan mocks too. There are quite a number of em...including one by the most reliable one of em all...mike mayock! :)

by mred on Mar 13, 2008 2:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shut up

And stop riding Matt Ryan's jock, he's a crappy QB anyway.

by Offer Doll on Mar 13, 2008 4:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matt Ryan

would be an awful choice at #1. Read the diary by gafinfan on the 08 QB class. Ryan doesn't deserve to be picked before the end of round one.

by JMFlyer1454 on Mar 13, 2008 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like most aren't buying the Ryan hype...

Not very many mocks have us taking Ryan, which means nobody's buying into the smokescreen, which means Atlanta probably isn't dumb enough to either.

Ireland and Parcells are really gonna have to make some noise about Ryan after his pro day next week regardless of how he does. Otherwise we can forget trading down with Atl.

Man, it would be sweet to swindle them and get Hall for nothing, wouldn't it?

by madforrit on Mar 13, 2008 2:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LT

It has to be a LT - Jake Long. We have litterly no help on the offesive line and plenty to fill in on the defensive side. Jake Long is my pick.

by JohnDolphin73 on Mar 13, 2008 9:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dont believe those mocks

I belive that if the dolphins can they well trade down,But if they cant there eaitha gonna go with chris long or eaith vernon.We know its not gonna be glenn dorsey he has to many injuries.With sedrick ellis we have are nose tackle set already so take him out of the picture.Matt ryan sucks hes not even worth it And darren mcfadden is to risky to give all that money to and is a position that we are full with already.With jake long there is alot more offensive lineman we can take latter on in this draft so hes not gonna be it.So its comes down to vernon and chris long and the way its goen i believe its gonna be vernon.At first vernon wasnt even in the picture and it was all about chris but little by little hes been sneaken in.Every month that passes it seems that vernon just gets faster and stronger and better.So i believe its gonna be neck to neck untill a week before draft day and vernon is gonna have a workout and blow everybody away,Just watch and see what happens.................................

by lionel on Mar 13, 2008 9:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Given Matty's idea of a

community mock draft, then we'll all have our chance at voting for our picks, including Matt Ryan at #1 if you are so inclined.

The majority of polls, expert opinions, etc that i've seen have miami taking chris long, at least as of now. Those things can and have been wrong before, but what else do we have to go on right now? The franchise isn't talking so we can speculate all we want...

by Natalya on Mar 13, 2008 11:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting read, but

the fact of the matter is no one knows who we are gonna pick. I would love to know where all this "We are gonna pick Chris Long" came from. Is it because Parcells knows his coach? Or is he the jump out favorite because he is Howie's son? Both? I've read nothing that says the Dolphins are in love with this guy.

Jake Long, Why isn't he talked about more? the best OLman in the game, at LT no less. The OL has haunted us for years, any Finfan knows that.

Matt Ryan. Why is everytime something comes out about the Fins and Ryan everyone is quick to discount it? This just in to all the Beck lovers, Parcells didn't draft John and personally couldn't give a rats @ss on what Cam and Randy did, and he was only a second rd pick. By the end of next year dare I say it gulp "John could get cut too?". Or is it Fans here just don't have the balls to draft a QB #1? Always looking at the negative of how much money we would lose than the positive, which would be finding the cornerstone at a key positon for years to come.

I used these 3 because they seemed to be the most talked about. In favor of or not, but you can clearly see the bias of people's thinking (as in this 1) come out when giving thoughts. Most of these draft goes with the hot name and mooch off other drafts.

The point? Not 1 soul knows what we are gonna do. I don't think he will, but if Parcells buys into the hype and picks Chris Long because he is Howie's son, I'm kickin him sqaure in the @ss. Here is my bias opinon, I've been against this pick since the hype started out, a DE (some say LB) in a 3-4 scheme is not a prority and shouldn't be treated as such with the #1 overall.

"It all starts with the Dolphins," an executive with another team said Sunday, "and not a single person here has any idea what they're going to do."

by Neo on Mar 13, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i'll second that

when did the offense get good enough to focus the top pick on defense???

really when was the last time miami had a top 5 offense??? shula right? when was the last time the dolphins focused on drafing offensive players and linemen uh? shula? it's time to fix the offense.

Let's not forget that a good offense and a good running game will keep the defense off the field. so my vote is J Long.

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 13, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know!

We are taking Jake Long!

Too young to remember 72...not old enough to forget about ever other year since!

by JGray on Mar 13, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Moc Draft

Let's just take the best player available and in my opinion it is McFadden or Ryan. They have the best chance of making the biggest impact to our offense.

QBDolphins13

by QBDolphins13 on Mar 13, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Take McFadden

This is not a one year rebuild. None of the skill players in the draft are worthy of #1 money. Draft the most talented offensive player at #1. Keep him and have one of the best 1/2 punches in the game or use him and JT as trade considerations. There will be plenty of interest in both of those guys. If not then bulk up again next year. Either way there is much more upside with this scenario. Hey!!!!! Get off of Matt Ryan...it ain't happenin'!!! Beck or not. And if you want to talk smokescreens and all that jazz...how many "experts" have us taking McFadden?? Not many...

by misterx on Mar 13, 2008 6:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No offensive lin

All, I have to say about taking McFadden. No No No No. We have enough problems with Ricky Williams. We do not need another guy with off the field problems.

by resman on Mar 13, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs