2008 draft picks

Here are the players Miami selected in this year's draft:

1st round - Jake Long, OT (Michigan)
2nd round - Phillip Merling, DE (Clemson) and Chad Henne, QB (Michigan)
3rd round - Kendall Langford, DE (Hampton)
4th round - Shawn Murphy, OG (Utah State)
5th round - no picks
6th round - Jalen Parmele, RB (Toledo) and Donald Thomas, OG (UConn) and Lex Hilliard, RB (Montana)
7th round - Lionel Dotson, DT (Arizona)

Dolphins did well on first day of draft

For the first time in recent memory, the Dolphins had what I believed to be a good first day of the NFL draft. In addition to top pick Jake Long, they selected Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling and Michigan quarterback Chad Henne in the second round. Merling was projected to go in the middle of the first round, but he slipped after suffering a hernia injury (which he's expected to fully recover from). Evidently, the Dolphins think of him as Jason Taylor's heir apparent. Henne was the QB the Dolphins were most likely to pick after they made Long their first choice in the draft. All three picks were solid, and the team didn't reach for a player they shouldn't have, like they did in recent years with Ted Ginn, Jason Allen, and Eddie Moore.

Rounds 3 - 7 are tomorrow, and once again, the Dolphins will start off the day with the first pick in the third round.

Jake Long is the #1 pick

The Miami Dolphins signed Univ. of Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long to a 5-year, $57.75 million contract, confirming that he will be the first player selected in this weekend's draft. Long's contract includes $30 million in guaranteed money.

While I would have preferred that the Dolphins trade for more picks, this was the best outcome if they had to choose someone at the #1 spot. Jake Long is not a reach, like Ted Ginn or Jason Allen were, and by signing him before the draft, the team can focus on getting him ready for the season.

Dolphins begin negotiating with Jake Long

The Miami Dolphins have reportedly begun contract talks with the agent of Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. Although it does not guarantee that the team will select Long with the first pick in the upcoming draft, signs do point in that direction. The Dolphins are hoping to avoid a long holdout by signing their top pick early. On the other hand, the news may be a red herring to throw off other teams, prompting other teams who covet Long to try to trade with the Dolphins for the top pick.