How does the acquisition of Marshall affect the draft?

[CF DolFan]

^^^ Ronnie Brown is on the trade block so I doubt they are worried about franchising him.

I have to ask ... am I the only one that thinks that the moves made by the Jets forced the Dolphins to make the Marshall trade? I mean, it is a very unParcells like trade.  I think this trade was forced and as such completely changes the way the Dolphins wanted to go into the draft.

[Sunstroke]

I have to ask ... am I the only one that thinks that the moves made by the Jets forced the Dolphins to make the Marshall trade?

I don't think the Jets' offseason moves influenced this trade any more than "any" division rival's moves would affect an NFL team. I think the Marshall trade was much more "forced" by past Phins' front office mistakes.

[Philly Fin Fan]

I don't think the Jets' offseason moves influenced this trade any more than "any" division rival's moves would affect an NFL team. I think the Marshall trade was much more "forced" by past Phins' front office mistakes.

I have to agree. In my opinion, here's what it probably came down to (again, its my opinion, obviously, I don't have access to the Fins draft board!):

-They see a huge need for OLB or NT, and were probably looking to address this in the first round.

-There was a need for a playmaking WR who could step in and make an immediate impact and by default, make the other WR's better.

-They probably evaluated any WR's they felt would be available in the second round, and said "They won't cut it. Their impact won't be enough and they won't upgrade our receiving corps significantly".

So what to do?

-Take a look at any players that second round pick might be able to get you via trade. Marshall's name comes into play, a call is made to Denver.

-Denver said "we also want your second round pick next year".

-Fins management evaluated what kind of player Marshall is. Thinks to themselves "OK, if we take a WR in the second round this year, and he doesn't pan out, we'll probably be forced to pick a WR in the first round next year. SO- we can use a second round pick this year, and a first round pick next year on WR's out of college, who MAY OR MAY NOT have immediate impacts and help our team. OR we can use a second this year and a second next year and get a guy we know will be an immediate help to our team."

[Brian Fein]

I disagree with 4life about the RB situation.  Ricky has made it VERY publicly known that this is his last season and he will not be extended.  This IS his last season.

Ronnie, while restricted this year, is being shopped for a trade and unrestricted next year.  I'd say the odds of him returning for 2011 is slim.

I'd rather see them bring in a guy this year for work as a 3rd down back or something, but what to do for this year's roster?  There's already 5 RB's on the team, none of which I'd be comfortable letting go.  So, maybe Lex Hilliard is the heir apparent?  I like Lex plenty, but is he an every-down back? 

Just foresee some trouble approaching if we don't address it soon.

[Doc-phin]

I have to ask ... am I the only one that thinks that the moves made by the Jets forced the Dolphins to make the Marshall trade? I mean, it is a very unParcells like trade.  I think this trade was forced and as such completely changes the way the Dolphins wanted to go into the draft.

You are not the only one.  However, there is an element to this trade that is very "Parcells like".  Even more than the whole Diva thing and a reluctancy to pay big money to players, Parcells seems to understand (and has stated) that you must first win in your division.  The fact that the Jets have pushed the envelope and the Patriots remain the consistant leaders of our grouping, Parcells had little choice but to make big moves to keep pace and give us a chance to win in our division.

Simply put, you can't put together a winning team by accepting a losing mentallity while you are trying to build through the draft.  You have to come into the thing with a want to win now attitude and accumulate young replacement players through the draft that will eventually allow the team to develop a chance for long term success.  Parcells is a master of this and uses a hard stance of "everybody is replaceable" in order to keep his star players from creating a division in the locker room.

[CF DolFan]

I disagree with 4life about the RB situation.  Ricky has made it VERY publicly known that this is his last season and he will not be extended.  This IS his last season.

Didn't Ricky just sign with an agent?

[TonyB0D]

we should either trade down and grab a safety and DL help, but if Dez Bryant is on the board, we should definitely take him.

[Phishfan]

Why would we ever use a number one pick on a received when we just got Marshall? We have to go defense with number 12.

[doctord56]

Well, my brain says that now, with Marshall on board, the dolphins need to go heavy on defense in the draft, looking at NT, OLB, and safety.

But my heart says CJ Spiller....I just see him as a rare, elite, game breaking talent, and paired with Brandon Marshall the fins would have a scary offense..

I agree my brain is probably right....but if they do pick up Spiller in the first round, next year might be fun with a lot of 42-38 Shootouts on sundays.

[dolfan13]

man it would take some brass stones to get spiller with the #12 pick, but it is dreamy to think of what that offense would look like.

parcells and co were definitely eyeballing percy harvin last year, and word is he would have been the pick if he was on the board.

i say if they could get a 2nd rounder for ronnie brown this year, say to the lions, watch out. you could certainly see them targeting cj at #12...

[Brian Fein]

I am hoping for Earl Thomas.  If they can trade down and still get him, all the better.  Maybe Rolando McClain.  But if they pick Dez Bryant, I think I'm going to scream.

[EDGECRUSHER]

If we draft Dez Bryant, we would be a one dimensional team, but it'd be one hell of a dimension.

[dolfan13]

if they can get rid of ronnie for a #2, this is the kind of football player to target at #12: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=5092588

[fyo]

if they can get rid of ronnie for a #2

I love Ronnie, but a 2nd rounder for 28 year old running back with 1 year left on his contract, is... unrealistic. His injury history (although not nearly the problem Tepop would claim) doesn't help either.

Finally, and this is my "why we shouldn't trade Ronnie" argument, Ronnie Brown is simply worth more to the Dolphins than any other team.

[dolfan13]

trade ronnie to pick up draft picks and get spiller with the #12.

they are shopping ronnie, that's for sure... looking at the espn article on cj, if you are going to take a gamble on first round picks on offense, that's the kind of kid you want to roll the dice on.

something tells me they are taking a hard look at him. sure it would be nice to pick up that lost 2nd round pick, but wouldn't make sense to get rid of ronnie, unless you are going to get a more explosive running back. if they can find a trade partner, even a third rounder would be ok if they can get cj in the first to replace him.