Draft's Second Round A Nightmare For Fins
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins have a second round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft set to begin Thursday. But, based on the team's recent history of second round picks, the Fins may want to try to trade it and move back into the first round.
Miami will release defensive end Phillip Merling Monday sealing up a forgettable span of second round picks for Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland.
In 2008, Ireland's first with the team, he had two picks in the second round and the number one overall pick in the draft. He passed on a franchise quarterback to pick left tackle Jake Long at the top of the draft and then swung and missed hard in the second round.
Ireland's first second round pick was used on Merling, who was a complete bust in Miami that couldn't secure a backup role on the team in 2012. The other second round pick in 2008 was used on quarterback Chad Henne who was not re-signed by the team after two unspectacular seasons as the starter.
In 2009, Ireland and Parcells decided to try to fortify the Wildcat formation by drafting quarterback Pat White out of West Virginia University. The former Mountaineer never completed a pass with the Dolphins and was released.
Ireland and Parcells did better with their other second round pick which they used on cornerback Sean Smith. The former Ute has been a solid cornerback on the edge for the Fins and helped put together a good tandem of quarterbacks along with first round pick Vontae Davis.
The 2010 NFL Draft saw the Fins use their second round pick on converted defensive end Koa Misi. Another former Utah Ute, Misi was expected to slide into a starting outside linebacker job opposite Cameron Wake and wreak havoc on quarterbacks.
He flashed some promise in 2010, but more than likely lost his starting job as the Fins alter their defense in 2012.
Finally, in 2011, the Fins traded up into the second round to select former Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas. The former Wildcat was brought in to be a bruising back to go alongside feature back Reggie Bush.
Thomas battled injuries in 2011, but still rushed for 581 yards on the season. His presence on the roster will likely mean the Fins won't be looking at running backs as long as Bush is healthy as well.
Overall, the Fins have selected 11 players in the second round of the last 10 NFL Drafts. Those picks have yielded just 14.7 starts per player, according to NFL.com.
Those are the picks the Fins have made in the second round. Here are some of the players they have passed on: Matt Forte, Desean Jackson, Ray Rice, Calais Campbell, Mike Wallace, LeSean McCoy, Rob Gronkowski, and DeMarco Murray.
The NFL Draft's first round will be held Thursday night with the second and third rounds being held Friday night.
