Riley Reiff to Dolphins at No. 8? Are you kidding?

Riley Reiff is a good football player, OK? I have nothing against the offensive tackle from the University of Iowa. I have watched a couple of games in which he has played and he's always performed well enough.

And that, coupled with his size and ability and smarts, is a reason he's considered a top of the first round type of talent. But to the Dolphins? Are you kidding me?

God, I hope not.

Seems Reiff to the Dolphins is a popular stream of thought among NFL draft analysts. ESPN's Mel Kiper penciled Reiff to Miami in his first and only (so far) mock draft. NFL Network talent analyst Bucky Brooks similarly has Reiff going to the Dolphins with the eighth overall selection. And NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche has the Dolphins picking Reiff as well.

I get it.

Reiff is an offensive tackle. He's perfect for the Dolphins to fill the void at right tackle -- even though he played left tackle at Iowa. And, of course, his connections to Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz makes him a natural for the Dolphins because Miami coaches Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman know and respect Ferentz and value his players.

But ...

Riley Reiff, for all his attributes and gifts and the logic of filling an obvious void, would be a terrible pick for the Dolphins at No. 8. Why?

Value.

There is simply not a great deal of value of picking a right tackle in the top 10 selections of the draft. No, there's no rule that says this is a fact. No, there's no philosophy or statistic that has proven this to be the case. But work with me for a second and let me state my case ...

{UPDATE: Since posting this, I got a call from an NFL scout who reads the blog and he told me he has Reiff as a guard. And he said he's not alone in the thinking. So there's that.]

The draft is not only picking the right players, but also getting them in the right round to maximize their value. And in the top 10 a team with so many needs as Miami has should not be investing on a player that neither will score points, nor prevent points from being scored. The offensive right tackle will never, not even on his best day, throw a TD pass, or intercept a pass, or sack the quarterback, strip him of the ball and run it in for a TD. He will never make a game-changing play.

And that game-changer is the only kind of player that brings value to a team in the top 10 picks.

Said another way, I want my team to pick a quarterback, a cornerback, a wide receiver, a 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. I want playmakers drafted in the top 10.

I do not want grunts.

Grunts are wonderful additions later.

Why?

Because grunts don't lead a team to the playoffs or the Super Bowl. Playmakers lead teams to the playoffs or the Super Bowl.

That doesn't mean I am against drafting offensive linemen later in the first round or anytime after that. And some special offensive linemen deserve top 10 consideration depending on a team's relative needs and whether the player is a left tackle or center.

But a right tackle? Or a guard?

In the top 10?

Quick, who was Green Bay's right tackle this year while they went 15-1? Quick, who was the last right tackle to be named NFL MVP or even his own team's MVP?

Yeah, thought so.

A top 10 pick is a premium, premium draft choice. It should be used to select premium, premium NFL playmakers.

And right tackles, no matter how gifted, do not qualify. Reiff, by the way, is No. 77 in the video below.

Comments

[Craig M]

Lou,

I'm not saying your wrong with what you're saying (I'm also not saying you're right) but Henne doesn't move like Tannhill does. I'm really impressed with the athleticism of this kid and I don't think it's got enought press to date.

[Professor Lou]

Craig,
Mobility aside, Tannehill is very inconsistent in his ball placement. He's extremely inaccurate on long passes, telegraphs his passes and runs hot and cold.
If Miami picks up any quarterback in this draft not named RGIII it should be Kirk Cousins. He is perfect for the type of offense Philbin and Sherman will run in Miami.

[TonyCane]

I hope that they draft him. Then we can proudly say that we've drafted an offensive lineman in the first round of three of the last five drafts. And defensive line in the first round in the other two drafts.

[ozkar]

This is how I know We Dolphans SUCK. We let an All Knowner preach Us about a chump like ineffectual henne as if We've never seen chump chad in the nitty-gritty of NFL game.
Why didn't any decent fan wanting RG3 or an upgrade at qb position vehemently scold him? You-all @ this blog are a bunch of cowards whose heart pumps s hit water.COWARDS!
How much of weaklings are We to allow a MORON to enlighten Us about a mediocre qb the likes of chump chad.COWARDS!
If I hadn't been at work I would have stood up.F ucking cowards!

[ozkar]

All you so-called Miami Dolphins fans at this blog are as cowardly as the writer of this blog.You-all let The All Knower(you are blessed to have witnessed me) come to your house and s hit all over the place.Are you truly blind? Do You NOT want to realize that chump chad ineffectually is the reason We're once AGAIN searching for his replacement?
How COWARDLY OF US TO ALLOW ANYONE COME AND RIDICULE AND PREACH TO US ABOUT CHUMP CHAD'S INEPTNESS AT OUR OWN BLOG.
If We are COWARDLY,how can We demand and expect Our franchise's players to excel and win when their fans are a bunc of B ITCHES. COWARDS!

[ozkar]

F UCK YOU All Knower(you are blessed to have witnessed me!
If I hadn't been at work I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU TO F UCK OFF!
F UCKING CHUMP CHAD SUCKS.

[ozkar]

THE COMMENTATORS @ THIS BLOG ARE A BUNCHS OF COWARDLY B ITCHES WHO ARE WILLINGLY BLIND TO SEE THAT CHUMP CHAD'S INEFFECTUALITY IS THE SOLE REASON WHY WE ARE SEARCHING FOR HIS REPLACEMENT INSTEAD OF A PLAYMAKER TO COMPLIMENT OUR TEAM. D A M N YOU C O W A R D S!

[ozkar]

SLEEP COWARDS! MAKE SURE YOU PULL THE SHEETS OVER YOUR HEADS CAUSE YOUR ALL KNOWER BOOGIE MAN IS READILY AVAILABLE TO READ ANOTHER OF CHUMP CHAD'S ONCE UPON A TIME.COWARDS!

[FLA phin]

How did detroit get back to being relevant?ANYBODY?Who did they build with first?YA,I know they sucked for a long time but can anyone tell me their draft picks in the last 5 years?Starting with 5 years ago?And yes this is relevant.

[payuengsnwings]

I say get the best WR possible.

[42lyleblackwod]

Best Pass Rusher must be the first draft position but a Right Tackle is pretty darned important too.After the first two rounds who cares?
Murtha as a starter at RT or RG? From my memory Murtha is Colombo's twin when it comes to quality.

[greg z.]

unless murtha improved dramatically while sitting out last season he is def not the answer nor is john jerry. both are turnstiles while attemting to pass block. bad feet and technique;much like columbo.

[greg z.]

ireland is a baylor alum. rg3 is baylor. i gotta believe we are trading up for rg3;any other feigned interest is a smokescreen. rg3 will be a dolphin. QB is what we are focused on FINALLY! it only took ireland 5 years to realize its a QB driven league.

[Michael]

tiredfinfan, NO, that's not the reason. I heard Brooks on Armando's radio show, and he thinks that Reiff is just the best value at that pick, period. The analyst view their selections as the best pick at the position, not what is in someone's head. Oh and NE has 3 #1's in their line, Madlins, Solders, Vollmer.

[Professor Lou]

Murtha did well at right tackle last year and also did well filling in for Jake Long until he went down for the season himself. There's nothing wrong with putting Murtha at right tackle.
Murtha is 6'7" 315. He's a beast. If Miami wants to draft a tackle there will plenty to choose from in rounds 3 and 4. Right tackles can be found later in the draft. You don't need to get one in round 1.
As for those who advocate taking Reiff as Long's replacement, Long is only going into his 5th season. The same people who are talking about Jake Long being "finished" are also the one's saying Miami could get some trade value for him; like a first round pick. Well, if he's "finished" why would anyone give Miami a first round pick for him?

[Coffee Talk w Home]

G'D Mornin Slaves,

Home guarantees MVP QB Peyton Manning WILL be a Miami Dolphin in 2012

[Professor Lou]

I wonder how many who are advocating taking Reiff are the same people who said that Jake Long never won any championships for Miami.

[Coffee Talk w Home]

Home then has Jeff Ireland drafting @ #8 DE Coples

Go Phins!

[Coffee Talk w Home]

If only Ireland listened to Home and drafted offensive lineman now #77 on San Fran Mike Iupati instead of pedophile dancer Jared Brokendick who sat out his entire rookie year w a twice broken leg.

Mike Iupati would have been right next to Jake Long for the the next decade.
Mike Iupati mauls DL and then gets to the 2nd level and takes out LBs.
Much of San Frans offensive success was do to the outstanding blocking of Mike Iupati

The fish missed on that pick

[DC Dolfan]

Lou, that's a good question. But I'd hesitate to call those people hypocrites on its face. There's actually sound reasoning to take a lineman one year and not take one another. It's all about what you have on the team vs. what you need.

As an aside, I'm one of those who has said that about Long, and I don't advocate taking Reiff (so I'm consistent). But, last year, if they weren't going to take a QB in the 1st round, I was fine with them taking Pouncey (I would have rather gotten a QB though).

The needs of our team, at this moment, to me indicate that Reiff would be a somewhat waste of a pick. To me it's like building a castle to house your old jalopy Sanford & Son pickup. Doesn't make sense. We have this line filled with 1st-rounders, protecting Matt Moore (a historically .500 QB), and a lack of many playmakers on either side of the ball.

Therefore, I'd try to get some playmakers at key positions (like Mando said, either players who have the ability to score, or those that have the ability to defend the other team from scoring). So QB, WR, TE, OLB, S. Those are the holes that should be filled with the best and brightest, and then find your grunts in later rounds (like many if not MOST teams do). Take a look at the best RT's, and you'll find them in all rounds (1-undrafted). Spread out, not most at the top. Now take a look at elite teams, or elite QBs, and you'll see MOST of them up at the top of their respective drafts. That should tell us something (at least about RT vs. QB).

Mando's right, it's not about getting a good player (or a starter). It's about getting someone who might be special, or at least move the team closer to their goal (which should be becoming a SB contender). I think a playmaker will do that more than a grunt everyday of the week (though you still need the grunt to round the team out).

[Coffee Talk w Home]

Home would be fine w powerful quick DL Poe who is shining at the combine (like to see Poe develop and be a Pro Bowler for the Dolphins) or Boston Colleges outstanding tackling machine and smart LB Luke

[Coffee Talk w Home]

Home would like to see DT Poe on Miami, consistently Pressuring and Sacking Tom Brady

[Kris]

Profesor Lou,

I believe that most advocating for Reif @ #8...are also quantifying that statement with the AQUISITION of P. Manning in FA...

Its APPLES and ORANGES man....you can't even compare the 2 schools of thought...

[Texas_Dolfan]

I don't agree with your assessment of Tannehill.

Saying Tannehill is "extremely inaccurate" is excessive, saying he's "inconsistent" is true. But I believe those inconsistencies are due to a lack of experience.

I say somewhat because I feel like he's still very raw therefore "inconsistent". IMO he needs a good QB coach and experience. This kid is going to have a Gabbert kind of rookie season if he starts out of the box. If he goes to a team that has plenty of talent to cover up the lack of experience then he could have a better season than Gabbert.

He's basically played 20 games in college is all so he is more a JR than a SR. He had 7 games a as a JR then in his SR year he threw for around 3800 yds and had 29 TD's. He did have 15 int's too but that is due to lack of experience.

Tannehill isn't going to blow the doors off year 1 but give him some time and he'll be a very good NFL QB.

If we were to sign Manning then picking up Tannehill would be the best QB option in this draft. I think out of the box Cousins will be a better QB but given a few years Tannehill will pass him by.

Just my humble opinion.

[Coffee Talk w Home]

In 6 days
The reality of MVP QB Peyton Manning signing w the Miami Dolphins in 2012 WILL BE THE TALK OF THE NFL

In bout 3 weeks the deal WILL be inked

[Coffee Talk w Home]

U gotta love DT Poe

and his quickness for a 346 lb man running a 4.9 in the 40

and his power benching 225 lbs for 44 reps

Would be an awesome draft getting DT Poe in Miami

[Mark in Toronto]

I agree with Kris, if manning is our qb, and murtha or Jerry aren't deemed suitable, then Reiff or martin would be an appropriate pick.

[Kris]

Texas_Dolfan...

I like your post...but when we start getting into the "how many games" some one played....or..."he is really a jr and not a SR".....it sound s like Henne ALL OVER AGAIN....

If a guy can play.....he can play....

[Coffee Talk w Home]

Sign four time NFL MVP QB Manning

and then draft defense in the first, possibly trade back just 2 or 3 picks and grab and Xtra pick ;)

[Coffee Talk w Home]

Murtha is one of our best linemen and IS healthy

Sign Center Saturday w Manning

move Pouncey back to guard

Reinsert Murtha

DRAFT DEFENSE DE or DE and def a CB if u can get one of the elite cuz seansmithsucks

[Coffee Talk w Home]

* or DT

[Kris]

Exactly Mark....

Thats why comparing the taking of Long...to the taking of Reif makes no sense....IF....Manning is part of the equation....

[Texas_Dolfan]

Kris,

I can see where some folks would think that but I feel like the comparison to Henne is way off. I know a lot of people on here have said give Henne more time and he'll be a good QB. Sorry, but I am not one of those people.

I would compare Tannehill more to Gabbert than Henne. Henne played all 4 yrs of college, Gabbert only played 2 full years and is much more like Tannehill. Gabbert was also considered inconsistent coming out of college with a strong arm and very good athletic ability.

[Kris]

Texas...

I don't watch a lot of college...but....the comparison to Gabbert isn't very encouraging...

Gabbert thought he was going #1...and he is EASILY the worst of the bunch of all the 1st RD QBs taken....

I watched Jacksonville games...he was terrible...if Jacksonville had a better QB...they would have been in the hunt....

[NHFINSFAN]

Has anyone asked Philbin who he would like with the #8 pick?

[Kris]

NH....

Do you think Philbin would give you a straight answer if he was asked....

[Coffee Talk w Home]

Miami WILL NOT be seriously addressing the QB position in the 2012 draft

PERIOD

[Coffee Talk w Home]

No need

MVP QB Peyton Manning is a LOCK 4 Miami

[robert kramer]

If they waster anothe top 10 pick on a lineman, I will be through with this team. I've been a loyal and die hard fan like many for over 40 years since I was a kid in '72. If Ross lets this happen then he might as well get every hasbeen to walk his dang red carpet because I'll never invest a dime or my time into this team again.

[DC Dolfan]

Brian Billick wrote an article saying Miami or Washington would be bad landing spots for Manning. And we know Billick is spot on in his analysis all the time.

So what's option 2 fellas?

[Daniel Son]

Ozkar, you are uneducated and stupid. You should be banned from the internet.

[Mustache Man]

DC, option 2 is Matt Moore. He's Steve Young in the making. Only difference is that Matt Moore has been a vastly superior QB at the same point in his career.

[Mustache Man]

Robert, you are lying. The games are entertaining and you will watch regardless of who the team drafts.

[Mustache Man]

Where's today's piece, Mando? Give it to us!

[Mustache Man]

DC it's not fair to say Moore is a .500 career QB. Everybody gets a pass for their first 16 games or so. What was P. Manning's record after 16 or 18 games?

Steve Young's was 3-16 or something like that and his completion % was about 53%.

Moore completes 61% and is 6-3 should have been 8-1 in his last 9 games, just now rounding into form, getting ready to take off.

Moore should get another year.

[Mustache Man]

Hey by the way, what is the great Cam Newton's record so far?

First 16 games don't count.

Matt Moore is 27 years old and poised for potential greatness. Not a guarantee but he's shown he has the skills. He gets the team into the END ZONE and he wins.

The 14 fumbles were an anomoly that coaching or luck can fix.

[JOE PHILBIN'S CLIPBOARD]

I have been through all the posts and all the ideas and everything, but the truth is no one in their right mind would want to be in Jeff Ireland's shoes right now!

He is dammed if he's does or dammed if he doesn't. There are so many factors in all this.

What if Mannning doesn't want to play here? What if Cleveland simply has more to give up? What if Matt Flynn isn't the answer in Philbin's mind. What if Tannehil isn't highly thought of by Sherman.

No one is asking these questions!!

[Texas_Dolfan]

Kris,

I want to say I am by no means an expert. And I don't really think I've seen a QB expert out there. We all know a great one after it happens though. :)

But in my humble opinion -

I don't think Jax had a bad year because of Gabbert. They have no WR core. They don't have a #1 WR and they don't have a #2 WR. They basically have a half way decent run game and a Oline pretty much like Miami's last year. And to me that is pretty much all they have. You will see a better QB in jax this year in Gabbert if they get him some weapons.

Remember I said Gabbert and Tannehill were a lot alike. I also said Tannehill would not have a good first year like Gabbert unless he goes to a team with enough talent to cover his lack of experience. Jax did not have enough talent to cover Gabbert's lack of experience.

[Clue]

I think you guys are over estimating Flynn skill set. He similar to Matt Moore in every way. Flynn simply isnt the answer.

[Guy]

Name one weak arm QB who has ever done anything in the NFL? and you fools want Flynn

[Mustache Man]

In other news, we need to bomb the F out of Iran.

[Guy]

Mustache Man, Bombing Iran does nothing excepts create more tension, more and more muslims living in the US will strap bombs on themseleves and setting the off public places

[Mustache Man]

You're right Guy. We need to kill all male Arabs and Persians between the ages of 5 and 45.

[The Crusher]

i WAS angry w/the 2011 phish.we played ourselves out of a chance at luck or rg3(probably),but in retrospect the phins showed the kind of charactor, heart, guts, & toughness that you gotta love.they competed in almost every game unlike the bucs, eagles, colts, cowgirls and sometimes heart trumps great talent and wins championships(ie:60 pirates,69 mets,96 panthers(almost),01 patsies,03 marlins,06 heat).in my opinion,rg3 is too expensive.sign peyton & draft tannehill.@ 75% peyton is better than all but brady,big ben,eli,rodgers,& brees.tannehill gets to sit in meeting rooms for 2-3 years w/the men who coached rodgers & favre and possibly the smartest QB to ever lace em up.

[Craig M]

So now guys are saying Ireland's had FIVE years? Geez, that;s kind of hilarious....next thing you'll be reading he's the one responsible for no Super Bowls in 40 years.

It just gets better and better with some of these guys...

[Mark in Toronto]

DC, billick is a Miami hater. That much has always been known. It didn't make things better when he didn't even get a sniff from us despite publicly begging for a chance.

We will have a better supporting cast here than most of the ones he had in Indy. Its a good landing spot for manning.

[Timmy Tebow]

What's the latest Mando? Give it to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bored. need it.

[greth]

NO BIG12 QB's!!

Name one that has been a success in the past 15 years??? One that has ranked in the top half of the league in the past 15 years????

BIG12 = No defense + spead offenses = inflated stats = NFL failures.

[Timmy "3 Heismans" Tebow]

If you believe in yourself and know what you want, you're gonna make it happen. And if you get on your knees and pray to the Lord, He's gonna make it happen. You're gonna make it happen!

The mighty football dolphins will be a force to be feared in 2012. Write it down.

[Texas_Dolfan]

The good news is a whole lot of stuff about which direction we will go in the draft will start to be cleared up in a week and a half or so.

Peyton decision for Indy will be around the 8th of March and FA starts on the 13th.

Good times ahead!!!