I got this from Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwin on NFL Radio. (Tim was a defensive lineman for the Superbowl Bears and Pat the GM of the Jets-when they were good).
The Miami Dolphins, who sit at twelve, are loaded with draft picks, including two second rounders (10/42 and 22/54). High among their needs is a left tackle. LEFT tackle. There are three top left tackles in this draft. Lane Johnson has similar upside to Joekel and Fisher, but needs more work on technique. Fluker is a right tackle with left tackle potential over time.
They also need a cornerback, but I doubt that Ireland would trade up for him.
Because of their recent free agent moves at the Browns' expense, the 'Fins believe they can contend this season.
I gotta say, if I were Ireland, I wouldn't do this unless I felt that Lane Johnson would be gone by 12. But this is me projecting my own opinion, and you just can't do that. For that matter, there is a good possibility that he, too, will be gone-so if you make a move, you might as well grab the NFL-ready insta-starter instead of the guy who probably needs a year at right tackle. (Again I'd take that, but I'm wierd).
According to the value chart, #12 and #42 overall is about 80 points extra for #6, but this doesn't mean Ireland wouldn't do it. The chart is a general guide, not the Bible. Probably, Ireland would ask for, and maybe get, a fifth rounder as part of the deal.
Tony Grossi would never make this trade, because at twelve, everybody sucks. Going strictly by Walter Football's mock, at twelve the Browns would have to settle for bums like CB Xavier Rhodes, Barkevious Mingo, Safety Kenny Vaccaro, Jarvis Jones--or (here I project again) EJ Manuel. How can you build a team with losers like that?
Sigh...that was sarcasm.
By the way, Walter is pretty unusual in that he has Ziggy Ansah as the first passrusher off the board. This makes sense to me, because he has by far the most upside...but most others have him available at twelve.
Bill Polian said that this is a very deep safety draft too, so a safety will be there in the second. Or a guard, or a cornerback. All of them ready to step in and start.
Once again, many are still listing OLB passrusher as one of the top needs. They're wrong. What we have on the roster other than Kruger is kind of muddy right now, but from among the MANY contenders for playing time, this position will be average at worst, as is.
Outside the box, where Horton and LeBeau live, blitzes come from every position. Even if the current crop of OLB's isn't as terrifying as I believe it will be, it doesn't represent the whole damn pass rush, as many seem to think it does.
I'd trade down--more than once if possible.
And the REAL needs are now free safety (possibly only depth if Gipson re-emerges), outside cornerback, fullback (probably), and future franchise quarterback.
Desirable: ATHLETIC Guard, OLB, another tight end, and...best available whatever.
Pessimism is not realism. Realism is not optimism. This is already a very good, talented team. Accept it.
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