Dolphins must make upgrading offensive line a priority in this draft

[Spider-Dan]

You guys are all making powerful arguments as to why Ireland should spend a first-rounder on the OL every year.

So why do we hear so much complaining when he does it?

[MikeO]

I only see a few people complaining. IF we had kept Long then no way do we use a first rounder on an o-linemen this year. With Long gone (which I didn't mind one bit) I have no problem drafting an o-linemen or even trading UP in Rd 1 for one since it is the biggest need on our team.

Some will say CB is the biggest need, but OT is bigger right now today since this is an offensive league with all the rules tilted towards the offense.

[Dave Gray]

It's not my style to say which individual player should stay/go or who should be drafted.  I'm not a scout, I'm not at practice, and I'm certainly not a doctor.  So, while I like Long and would've liked to see him stay, I don't feel like I have enough info to determine whether or not he was worth his asking price, because 1) I don't know the price, 2) I don't know HOW hurt he was, and 3) I don't know what the team was asking him to do and how well he was able to do it.  Once they decided that they weren't going to retain him, I just have to deal with that.

With the info that I have NOW, that we have no LT, I'm OK if you want to trade up to get one, regardless of what you did before.

[el diablo]

It's not my style to say which individual player should stay/go or who should be drafted.  I'm not a scout, I'm not at practice, and I'm certainly not a doctor.  So, while I like Long and would've liked to see him stay, I don't feel like I have enough info to determine whether or not he was worth his asking price, because 1) I don't know the price, 2) I don't know HOW hurt he was, and 3) I don't know what the team was asking him to do and how well he was able to do it.  Once they decided that they weren't going to retain him, I just have to deal with that.

With the info that I have NOW, that we have no LT, I'm OK if you want to trade up to get one, regardless of what you did before.

Well said. Like everyone, we have to live with their decisions. My beef goes back to Martin. I never believed that was a replacement for Long.  If they wanted to plug him in at LT, fine. They had options for RT in free agency. Chose not to go that route. The Albert trade is still a possibility. I'm hoping for it. At least Albert has played in the league. At the 12 position they have options for defense. Albert would cost more. But at least he's a vet, playing along side other vets. They could still get a guard later in the draft with Martin at RT. This way he still plays while developing, without pitting the franchise QB at risk of a blindside hit. But we'll see how this plays out.

[Sunstroke]

I don't care about the money aspect so much. It's not my money, and as long as their bean counters make the beans balance properly, all is well. I like Brandon Albert for what he is...an excellent blindside pass protector (only 1 sack and 4 QB hits allowed in 13 games last year) who isn't much of a road grader in the running game. He's 28 years old, and has missed 7 games in his 5 year career, so I'm OK with his age and durability. If the price in draft pick compensation is reasonable...a 3rd rounder +, then I say "sure, go get him." If it's a second rounder...I may hesitate a little, because I think you can still get a pretty decent tackle in round two who would be younger and on a cheap rookie contract.  I know that Miami definitely needs to add a tackle, either through trade, or in the first two rounds, because whoever they get needs to play immediately.

If I could make a roster wish for Miami, I'd wish that they sign Albert, and use the #12 on Chance Warmack. I'd feel pretty good about Tannehill's safety (and the offense's chance of maximizing production) if I knew he was looking at (L-R) Albert-Incognito-Pouncey-Warmack-Martin up front.

Yeah, that'd be pretty solid.

[Thundergod]

Just no...... You find play makers, you don't keep drafting OTs with your first pick. You find guys in the later rounds for that. CB, WR, and pass rushers should be the focus, not linemen.

My thoughts exactly...