The Annual Dolphins Bust Invitational Went Slightly Better Than Expected

To me, the only context for which you can make sense of this draft is based on an assumption that the franchise has embraced a two-year rebuild. There is no other way to perceive the lack of a wide receiver selection until the sixth round and what appeared to be some luxury picks in the third and fourth rounds. If the front office just accepted that they wouldn’t be able to hit all the positions of need in one draft, some of the selections make a lot more sense. However, it doesn’t explain Miami’s relative lack of involvement in free agency.

But anyway ...

First Round: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Most people consider Dan Marino a once-in-a-generation type of player. Well, more than a generation has passed since he was the Dolphins’ last first-round quarterback, so it was high time for Miami to make this move. Of course, you never like wearing words like “he was a wide receiver a couple of years ago” and “project” when discussing the eighth overall pick, but hey, apparently he’ll get some leeway from the local media because they’re too busy ogling his wife.

With two veteran signal-callers in place in Matt Moore and David Garrard, the sentiment appears to be the Tannehill will get a redshirt year before fighting for the starting job in 2013 (much like Tennessee handled Jake Locker a season ago). The powers-that-be apparently have had a strong conviction on this kid for months, which is about all you can ask for in assessing a franchise quarterback candidate. I like this investment in hope and the future, but as with all picks, check back in three years.

Second Round: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Shocking even myself, I found myself applauding Miami’s second-round choice as well. The pundits also roundly applauded grabbing Andrew Luck’s personal protector with the 42^nd overall pick, especially since he had a first-round grade in many eyes. He’ll get his first crack at right tackle, but he also adds value as a potential replacement for Jake Long, whose injury history, declining play and desire for an enormous contract seem to add up to a hazy future in South Beach.

Some quarters have reported that Martin is “soft,” but they said the same about Richmond Webb, who rode that reputation to seven Pro Bowls, five All-Pro selections, a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1990s and an induction in the Dolphins’ Honor Roll. The bottom line is not only was Martin a tremendous value pick, but also seems to be uniquely skilled to match the Dolphins’ new offense.

Third Round: Olivier Vernon, DE Miami

The world started to make sense again after this “huh?” selection. Vernon left Miami early after being suspended for much of last season, and he’s been labeled “undersized” in addition to inexperienced. At 6-2, 261 pounds, he would appear to be smallish for a 4-3 defensive end, to go along with character and maturity concerns. Pass-rushing is a huge need for the Dolphins, granted, but with a number of quality wideouts also still on the board and considering some felt Vernon would go two rounds later, this one was a bit of a head scratcher.

Third Round: Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

After a modest trade-down, the ‘Fins tabbed a beefed-up receiver to play tight end at No. 78 overall. If the Vernon pick made some sense in terms of need, the Dolphins ensured outright confusion among the fanbase by tabbing a third-string tight end who reportedly can’t block. Sure, this pass-happy era has led to a much greater value assigned to seam-threat tight ends who can also split out, but this one had the feel of a luxury pick with so many other pressing needs on the roster. Of course, Philbin may think he's corraled his version of Green Bay's Jermichael Finley, and in that sense you again have to trust the vision.

Fourth Round: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

For the second straight pick, the Dolphins veered away from need after not only selecting Miller at No. 97 overall, but trading up to do so. Granted, Miller was an underused, explosive player for the Hurricanes, but did not prove himself a capable receiver out of the backfield, which one has to figure his role will involve in Miami. With Reggie Bush and last year’s second-rounder, Daniel Thomas, ahead of him, the smallish Miller will have to establish himself as a return man to bring true value as a rookie.

One can only hope that coach Joe Philbin has a vision for Miller’s future in the offense, because it’s hard not to see a second Hurricanes draft choice as a desperate move to curry favor with a disenchanted and largely disinterested fanbase—especially since the Dolphins hadn’t taken a Miami player in eight years ... you know, back when the Hurricanes were good.

Fifth Round: Josh Kaddu, LB, Oregon

The reaction made it seem as if Kaddu was an iffy pick value-wise, but the shift to more of a 4-3 alignment meant that Miami needed a true outside linebacker. With Koa Misi dancing dangerously close to the “bust” line, there is a great opportunity for Kaddu to contribute immediately on special teams while working into a larger role in the linebacking rotation.

Sixth Round: B.J. Cunningham, WR, Michigan State

After 182 players had been chosen, it would appear that general manager Jeff Ireland finally realized that the Dolphins would need players to catch Tannehill’s passes. Philbin’s philosophy de-emphasizes the need for a No. 1 wideout, and I get that; however, it doesn’t diminish the need for dudes with legs and hands.

Yes, Cunningham is the all-time leading receiver for Sparty, but there’s a reason he lasted this long. Is a he a good-enough route-runner to shine in the West Coast offense as a late-round steal? All things seem possible in May.

Seventh Round: Kheeston Randall, DT, Texas

I know next to nothing about Randall, but he fits three things that Ireland likes, especially in the later rounds: he played in the Senior Bowl; he’s a biggun’ who plays on the defensive line; and he’s a product of a traditional football power. Some say that Randall was an early-round projection prior to a poor senior year for the Longhorns, so he could be a developmental project for the Dolphins.

Seventh Round: Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada

A dozen picks after Randall, Miami closed out their draft by adding an intriguing wideout. Most seemed to like this selection as a late value pick, including a gushing Mel Kiper Jr., and he’ll certainly get every opportunity to shine considering the lack of depth at receiver.

Summary:

The more I read and see, the more I am (slowly) warming up to this draft. Again, there are huge questions as to what the transition to a new system will look like and how far into rebuilding mode the Dolphins truly are, which makes me believe that Miami is really setting its sights on 2013—a dangerous proposition. However, they are also in the process of transforming the roster after Bill Parcells’s failed philosophy of bringing in as many beefy Big 10 plodders as possible; between this year and last year's haul, Miami has taken important steps toward joining the 21^st-century approach to offensive football.

While I took issue with the receiver-drafting strategy (and while it's hard to give this braintrust the benefit of the doubt considering recent draft results), the reality is that if one of Randall and Matthews makes the rotation and the other sticks on the practice squad, Ireland will come out looking like a winning gambler. Without adding undrafted free agents into the equation (Texas A&M wideout Jeff Fuller and Notre Dame running back Jonas Gray are promising), it’s simply unavoidable that this draft will always be measured on Tannehill’s production and how the shaky triumvirate of Vernon, Egnew and Miller pan out.