For an outfit that won just once two seasons ago, the Dolphins have surprisingly few needs; Parcells did most of the roster re-shuffling last spring (adding quarterback Chad Pennington chief among them), and the results were immediate. This time around, the organization hopes to fill a few specific needs to build on last year's success, and hopefully win its first playoff game since 2000.
Hakeem Nicks. Miami is still waiting on Ted Ginn to have a breakout season, although he's improving (and more importantly, he's not Brady Quinn, the guy most fans hoped the team had targeted in 2007). Part of the problem is that Ginn's rookie season was a wash because it's hard to improve in a one-win offense.
Still, as Football Outsiders' Doug Farrar pointed out on FanHouse's pre-draft podcast, there's more to being a successful NFL receiver than just possessing all the necessary physical attributes. It's a group effort; team's need solid Nos. 1 and 2, as well as a wideout who understands the slot position. Nicks, who has been compared to Anquan Boldin, would immediately upgrade the unit, and his addition would allow Davone Bess to move to the slot full time.
The club lost cornerback Andre Goodman and his five interceptions to free agency. With the possibility of Nicks already off the board when the Dolphins go on the clock, re-stocking the defensive backfield could be a possibility. Illinois' Vontae Davis is a top-10 talent, but off-field concerns could see him slip into the 20s. UConn's Darius Butler -- maybe the best defensive back in the draft -- could also be available near the end of the first round.
The front office could also be in the outside linebacker business. Joey Porter's 17.5 sacks were a nice surprise in a season full of them, but he's 32 years old. Aaron Maybin or Larry English are college defensive ends who'll move to outside linebacker in the NFL. And one or both of them could be available 25 picks into the draft.
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