Trading Places
Last year Dennis Hickey had his first chance to be in charge of a war room during the draft process, and he was not shy to pull the trigger on making trades. Not only did he trade back twice in the second round, but many sports gambling fans were worrying if he would trade himself completely out of the second round. Now in hindsight those two trades in the second round led to the Dolphins drafting Jarvis Landry late in the second, and made Hickey look like a genius by landing a starting, play making receiver that has tremendous upside and lots of toughness. Hickey made other trades throughout the draft, which means phins fans should be prepared for Hickey to make more trades during this upcoming draft.
Since the Dolphins have multiple positions that they need to improve on, trading back in the draft to accumulate more picks makes a lot of sense, as long as your not losing out on players that are still on the board that you really want on your team. Belichick has made a career out of trading back in the draft. Miami also has a few expensive players on their roster that will be more financially beneficial for the phins if cut after the draft, so it might be worth using them as trade bait. Brian Hartline was a back to back 1,000 yard receiver in 2012 and 2013, but did not fit well in Lazor’s new offense. He is also going to cost a lot against the cap, so Miami may be able to at least use him as some minor draft trade bait, along with other potential productive cap casualties.
Since Miami has the 14th pick in the draft they are in an awkward situation. They do not pick soon enough to select some of the hands down best players in the draft, however they do pick early enough for a team that picks in the 20’s. Generally these teams made the playoffs last year, and want to trade up to Miami’s number 14th pick to select that one player still left on the board that can help them go further in the playoffs, since they may only be one or two players away from being a Super Bowl contender. Since the phins do have multiple areas of need, trading back with the 14th pick may be a smart move, since they can get two potential starters for the price of one. But if someone does fall in the draft to their 14th spot that the Dolphins love and need, then they should pull the trigger on him. What does the rest of phins fans think about the Dolphins trading or not trading out of the 14th selection in the draft?
I am always a fan of trading down to accumulate as many draft picks as possible. However; if one of the top 3 WRs are there @ 14 (Cooper, Parker, White), I believe Miami and Hickey needs to pull the trigger on one of them. If not, trade down get your defensive tackle and add an extra 2nd and/or 3rd round pick(s). I thought Hickey did a great job last year, even though I thought he could have traded down in the first round with the Saints (who traded up w/the Cards one pick behind the Fins) and still landed James while adding an extra second and or third round pick(s). I have faith that Hickey has a plan and will continue to improve the roster through the draft. Looking forward to the start of the NFL calendar year and draft.
Hickey did a wonderfull job last draft in getting 2 all star starters
Much better than Ireland ever did
So let’s trust that hickey will have the right plan for the draft this year again
We do have many holes to fix but a mixture of free agents and draft can improve the team
Ireland signed 2 free agent linebackers that are not very good players
Hickey now has to fix the problems that Ireland has burdened the team with
It’s too bad that some players will be cut after the draft but we need to worry about the team and not individual players
Go hickey
Sad thing is, I never once had any confidence in Ireland, he was Parcell’s right hand man, which was why he was in that position originally. He was unimpressive during hard knocks, throughout free agency periods, as well as the drafts. He may have drafted Tanny, but then again, Wilson was there to be had in the third round. I am a Tanny supporter though!
Yes agreed Ireland was always a henchmen and never impressed that he could led an organization
It is clear after one Draft that Hickey is better then Ireland
This description of Fins’ draft circumstances is akin to purgatory. It is yet further evidence of how poor this roster is in terms of talent and quality depth.
What does it say about a team when it has so many holes and needs and veterans that are not worth their cap hit?
Exactly. Way to go Ross!
I don’t see Miami’s roster in as bad a shape as you do, or make it out to be. Yes, there are several over paid vets on the roster, I do not think you will see them on the roster come training camp.
I agree with you Dunner, I think there is a few positions that need to be upgraded, but nothing like some teams that are rebuilding. 2 quality starters in free-agency and 2 quality starters from the draft and this team can be a playoff team
This is exactly what happens to fans when a team becomes a perennial loser like the Fins. We accept medocrity. This roster sucks and their record proves it. When was the last time the fins made the playoffs?
Thank you.
Please explain why you even bother to read this blog. All you do is complain about everything. Your not the coach, your not the GM, your an arm chair critic. You really should just cheer for another team, what I am talking about you do not even cheer for this team anyway. All you do is complain about everything. No one is forcing you to read this, no one is forcing you to be a Dolphin fan, so what is your deal?????