Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins had a solid draft. They added some key pieces in areas of need. They are a better team now than they where before the draft started. However, as the reality of these nine new players set in, I can’t help but think about what might have been. Had a few related scenarios gone differently, we might be looking at a different team today.
This is not a post mock where I’m just disagreeing with the selections made in favor of my own. There were some aspects of the draft that had me scratching my head.
Let’s start with the first pick, Dion Jordan. That required the Dolphins to trade up with the Oakland Raiders to the number three spot. I am in no way against the selection of Jordan, but I can’t help but feel that the trade up was to select left tackle Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher. As we all know, either player could have gone first overall leaving the other one to be selected second. So I look at Jacksonville and they (according to Pro Football Focus) have a top 10 left tackle already on their team in Eugene Monroe. However, with all the other needs they have, they still draft in an area of strength. They don’t try to trade out of that spot or take Jordan themselves. They take Joeckel. I believe that is how Jordan ended up in Miami.
The Dolphins have a legitimate need for a pass rusher, but there was more talent at the defensive end position than the two superior left tackles that went to the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars.
What if the Dolphins where able to get a Luke Joeckel and then select a true 4-3 end in the third or fourth round ? Would Joeckel, Jamar Taylor, and a Damontre Moore (for example) have been a better Dolphins draft ?
Tony Graham is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @tonyphintalk, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
