11 picks
#12, 73, 110, 145sf, 173kc, 174was, 179, 212kc, 219, 252comp
Nose Tackle
Jason Ferguson has several strikes against him. He's old, went on IR last year with a bum quad, and will be suspended half the 2010 season. Assuming he stays in shape, the suspension could actually help his old body stay healthy for what they hope will be a playoff push. In terms of the draft, they clearly know Soliai will not be their future starter to lean on and will be seeking someone to get on the field in front of him for the 2011 season and beyond when Ferguson is gone. I expect them to take a look in the middle rounds because Parcells is averse to drafting tackles early, but anything is possible.
Linebacker
On the inside they made a big move inking free agent Dansby (Arizona) to replace Adoyele (cut) who made 15 starts last year. Other than a little depth considering Crowder has a history of getting banged up, the emphasis shifts to the outside. Porter squawked his way out of town. Taylor keeps hanging on. Even if he does sign on for one more season it will not impact their draft strategy. Moses was tendered (third round compensation) but to this point has seen only limited action. Although Wake is in line to see an expanded role this season they definitely need more help at rush linebacker. This is an area I could see them spending two picks on in the draft, one early and another flier late.
Free Safety
It's funny. The Raiders were widely panned for overpaying Gibril Wilson, signed from the Giants who were defending champs. He was bad, they cut him and the Dolphins quickly swooped in to give him a new contract. Guess what? After one failed season on a defense that gave up 23 touchdown passes and 40 completions of 25+ yards he was cut. I haven't heard a peep about a certain "grocery shopper" losing his touch. Irrespective of my commentary, the point is that another free safety is needed. Clemons would be the starter if they had to play a game today. While this would not be a total disaster, I expect them to pursue an improvement in the draft.
Running Back
The offensive line is in pretty good shape, especially with bad boy Incognito (Bills) added in free agency and Tsoumpas added from the CFL at guard. Now how about a little pop out of the backfield? This will be the final year for Ricky Williams, according to him. A repeat of last year's production (1,121 yards) will put him just over 10K for his very interesting career. I need a stats geek to tell me how many other players have gone half a decade between 1,000 yard seasons (2003 to 2009) if any. His presence has helped overshadow Ronnie Brown constantly getting injured. The former #2 overall pick has played in just 60 games over five seasons and missed basically half of the 2007 and 2009 campaigns. Today's NFL does not require backs to carry a huge workload, but you would like to see him at least reaching 250 carries which he has yet to do. They gave him the first round tender as a restricted free agent to keep him in the fold this season. There is no need to wait until next year's draft to find a new feature back. The time is now.
Tight End
I remember prior to the 2008 draft saying Parcells wanted his "Rambo" (Mark Bavaro) and projecting another Notre Dame product (John Carlson) to them. Instead he traded for an Irish tight end (Anthony Fasano). Two years later Fasano has been serviceable, yet after a subpar season they need a better option. He was given the second round tender as a restricted free agent. Haynos is an exclusive rights free agent and while he has the size they covet, it comes at a predictable price - no speed. Considering their group of "no name" wide receivers a player with an eye for the football seems preferable, but in this offense blocking is not optional.
Cornerback
The concern here is depth. They appear to have struck gold twice with last year's rookie corners Smith and Davis, who sound like agents from an old X-Files episode. Allen got himself a DUI and might be looking at a brief suspension. Free agency cost them Jones (Broncos) who was the team leader on special teams with 19 tackles and an important nickel corner. It seems like a good idea to draft someone late for depth, or at least add a discarded veteran.
Wide Receiver
It is well known how "Tuna" does not like taking receivers in the first round, and I was never on board with them going with Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant at #12. Before he got to South Beach, the Dolphins went with Ted Ginn at #9 overall in 2007. After three full seasons of work he has just 5 touchdown receptions total. Last year he mustered over 40 yards receiving in a game only three times, and one of those was thanks to a 53-yard catch. His major contribution was single handedly beating the Jets with a pair of kickoff return touchdowns, but other than that monster return day (299 yards) his season average was just 21.67. After trading Ginn (49ers) and acquiring Marshall (Broncos) suddenly this receiving corps has bite. Bess, who was signed as a rookie free agent, keeps getting better as he enters his third season. Ginn's ex-Buckeye teammate Hartline just averaged 16.3 yards per catch as a rookie. I did say week ago "it seems like time to trade Ginn and find someone to build around" right? They did both in a span of a couple days, which takes this position off the draft board.
