Even though the playoffs have just begun this weekend, it is never too early to look ahead to the upcoming 2015 draft. The Dolphins are currently sitting in the 14th spot, so they should have the opportunity to select a player that can step in on day one and make a difference.
Best bookie software sites like www.AcePerHead.com would debate that there are two draft-day philosophies, either select the position that is of the greatest need for your team or select the best player available regardless of the position. Last year Hickey went with the safe pick and selected the team’s biggest need; a starting right tackle, which evidently appears to have worked out with Ja’Wuan James. Will Hickey and the Dolphins use the same philosophy in this upcoming draft or will they change it up and select the best player available?
There are definitely a few positions that would fall under the category of need for the Dolphins, such as a playmaking linebacker, Guard, and Corner Back. Usually, guards are not selected as high as the 14th spot in the first round, so it might be wise to use the second-round pick on a guard, instead of over reaching in the first round. In regards to both linebacker and corner back, if Miami does decide to pull the trigger on a player that can play one of those two positions, then it is possible that the Dolphins can kill two birds with one stone and select the best player available, and a player at a position of high priority.
However, there is a dynamic player in this draft that will in all likelihood still be on the board when Miami is on the clock at the 14th spot, but he would definitely be more of a luxury best player available selection than a selection based on need; RB Melvin Gordon III. Lamar Miller played extremely well this year, and really stepped up after the loss of Knowshon Moreno, however he is not a bruising RB, or a back that you can give the ball to 25-30 times a game. In addition in this day in age, teams rely on two running backs to carry the load. So even though Miami does not need a starting running back, they could at least use another solid option at running back to add another dimension to their offense, and having depth is always important.
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Melvin Gordon III was by far and above the best running back in all of college football last season. He was only 41 yards shy of breaking Barry Sanders all time collegiate rushing record of 2628 yards, which was set 29 years ago back in 1986. Gordon played for the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big 10 conference, and in his two games against SEC teams LSU, and Auburn he ran for a total of 391 yards and 4 touchdowns, so there should be no question in regards to the competition that he faced. Gordon was a beast all season running for 2587 yards, with 29 rushing touchdowns and 3 receiving touchdowns. He is a complete back that can gain the tough third and short yard, he also has the speed and vision to break the home run play as well. In every game this season except for the Ohio State game he had at least one run for over 20 yards.
The addition of Gordon in Miami’s backfield would make their running game very dangerous. In addition a dangerous running game leads to an even more dangerous passing game, because the defense needs to respect the run, which would open up more space for the passing game. Back in the day the team that could run the ball late in December and in the playoffs was a team that had a very good chance of winning the Super Bowl. When the Patriots won their 3 Super Bowls they had a very dangerous running game spearheaded by Corey Dillon. The reigning Super Bowl Champions have one of the best running backs in the entire league in Marshawn Lynch. The Steelers had a bruising Jerome Bettis when they won the Super Bowl in 2006. So even though the NFL is now considered more of passing league, a solid running game is usually a key ingredient for winning a Super Bowl. So even though Gordon does not fill a need, he could help make the offense even more potent and closer to unstoppable.
