Mandich's Dolphin Draft Analysis

What do you think are the primary needs? Here's the Dolphins broadcaster's thoughts.

By JIM MANDICH | 560 WQAM Sports Radio
This is one of the real great times of the year. We have been doing our homework and the draft is coming right at us.

We have been talking to college coaches, player personnel people, pro coaches and general managers. We are on it and LOVE this time of year.

On Saturday, April 25, this place becomes a madhouse. Unlike last year when the Dolphins were sitting on the first pick and it was a foregone conclusion that they were going to take Jake Long, this year presents itself with a lot more uncertainty.

The Dolphins have the 25th pick in the first round and two second-round picks (Nos. 44 and 56). So, I think, it is going to lend itself to a lot of fun and perhaps some movement.

Now, we know where the Miami Dolphins will not go. They are set on the offensive line and they are really set on the defensive line, as they drafted three good, young players a year ago.

The quarterback position is set. Where the Fins have the greatest need is at cornerback, wide receiver and outside linebacker.

Why is that?

Well they lost Andre Goodman in free agency and that presents a big need on the defensive wing. At the receiver position when you look at Ted Ginn, Greg Carmarillo and the other receivers, they kinda look the same. They don't have that big-phsyical-get-down-the-field-get-up-and-get-it wide receiver. That is their need.

They also have a need at outside linebacker. I am not sure if Charlie Anderson is the answer opposite Joey Porter.

This is a draft where the Dolphins will go with their board because they have so much uncertainty, and so many diffrent ways they could go. They are just going to line them up 1-100. Jeff Ireland and all the scouts are going to stick with that and go right down the list. It's simply quantitative at this time. What kind of number does their guy have? This much I do know: Unlike some of the idiots in the past that were drafting for us, I have great confidence in the Bill Parcells' team. In Parcells I trust. Look at last year's draft. Thay hit on nearly every pick. An awesome draft! And sunday afternoon we are going to know this at the end of the day, the Miami Dolphins are going to be a better football team.

Do you want a name? Do you want a guy that is going to have my toes tingling if the Miami Dolphins are sitting there looking at him? Well, it ain't wide receiver and it's not cornerback. It's the outside linebacker from USC. He has great bloodlines. I would be thrilled if when the commissioner came to the podium and said, "With the 25th pick, the Miami Dolphins select from the University of Southern California, outside linebacker Clay Matthews."