Though I believe that trying to grade drafts immediately is an exercise in futility, I do think it's worthwhile to take a close look at who the Dolphins picked to try to make sense of where the team stands and what the front office was trying to do.
In the first round, as I said Saturday, there was no surprise. The Dolphins greatest position of need was corner, and they picked up their likely starter opposite Will Allen in Vontae Davis. Davis, the brother of Niners TE Vernon, is physical and talented, and though inconsistent at times, he was considered the best pure corner in the draft.
While we're on the topic of corners, though, there was a mild surprise when the Dolphins decided to go with another one before the end of the first day. With their third pick in the draft, the Dolphins traded down to the bottom of round two and took Utah cornerback Sean Smith. At 6'3", Smith is a big, fast, athletic, and durable former receiver.
What does the selection of Smith mean for the Dolphins? It really confirms just how great a position of need corner was for the trifecta heading into the draft. With Andre Goodman gone, Will Allen having only one year left, and Jason Allen continuing to subsist as a giant question mark, Eric Green was brought in this offseason as a free agent, but thankfully Parcells and company don't have any delusions about what he brings to the table.
On my depth chart, I am pencilling in Davis opposite Allen in the starting lineup this season. Behind them, Green and Smith provide the Dolphins with important talent for when opponents line up multiple wide receivers. Additionally, as we look towards the future, the Dolphins have now positioned themselves with a healthy secondary for years to come. The Dolphins will likely decline to resign Will Allen to an expensive contract next offseason, but Davis, Smith, and Green provide a young and talented nucleus that should serve Miami for several years down the road.
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