Want a rookie starter? Draft an OT or LB

It's no secret the Dolphins need the coming NFL draft to provide them with two things: Starters. Stars.

This post is about finding starters. The fact is it is simply easier to find starters at certain positions than others, particularly if you want them to get into the lineup quickly.

The chart below from the folks at Draftmetrics shows that 53 rookies ended up starting in the NFL last season. Most of those were defensive ends, which is surprising when you figure that since 2002, the defensive end position has yielded 41 players who started as rookies -- behind linebacker, offenisve tackle, safety, cornerback and wide receiver.

Those 53 rookie starters represented the most of any draft in the last 10 years with the 2002 draft coming in second with 52 rookie starters. Draftmetrics defines a starter as a player who started at least eight games at his position.

Oh, yes, I know what you're thinking: The Dolphins need a starting QB. Well, last year was good for that. But traditionally QBs don't step up as rookies as you see in the chart. They are not the least productive position to yield rookies starters -- that belongs to the fullback spot -- but they're down there as you will see below:

 

	QB	RB	FB	WR	TE	C	G	OT	DE	DT	LB	CB	S	All
2002	2	3	1	3	4	2	4	5	4	3	6	3	6	46
2003	2	1	2	4	1	3	4	3	2	3	4	5	4	38
2004	1	1	1	6	1	3	2	5	3	4	8	6	4	45
2005	1	2	0	4	2	0	7	6	3	1	8	7	6	47
2006	3	2	1	2	3	1	4	8	7	4	6	3	8	52
2007	1	2	2	5	1	0	4	5	4	2	5	8	5	44
2008	2	4	0	3	1	0	1	7	4	2	2	4	2	32
2009	3	1	0	5	2	3	2	5	2	2	6	5	5	41
2010	3	2	0	4	4	3	2	8	3	4	6	4	7	50
2011	4	0	1	6	3	3	6	5	9	5	7	2	2	53
Total	22	18	8	42	22	18	36	57	41	30	58	47	49	448

s

Comments

[Not a loser]

Which of you here really wants to be associated with this group of pathetic bloggers?

[scott from delaware]

WE NEED A WIDE RECEIVER WITH THE 8TH PICK FLOYD FROM NOTRE DAME WOULD DO, AND THEN A PASS RUSHER!

[oscar canosa]

Where did you read that quote from McShay , JSLA?

[JS_in_LA]

Where did you read that quote from McShay , JSLA?
Posted by: oscar canosa | April 12, 2012 at 08:42 PM

This morning's radio interview with Colin Cowherd. Cowherd tore him up. It was sad. I'm not even a fan of Colin, but McShay's arguments sounded gradeschool.

[oscar canosa]

So why you worry the Dolphins are going to draft Tannehill, JS? I said it yesterday in the other blog and I know you read it. Hmm..

[oscar canosa]

What an experience, chatting with the same person on Diff. blogs in real Time!

[Cluezo]

Why would anyone think McShay has a clue? He is a talking head, not a GM, nor would any team pay him a dime for his opinion.

[JS_in_LA]

Oscar, I worry about drafting Tanny because all the talking heads, and media hounds are baying for him to be our pick.
Pressure on Ireland to do the popular thing if he's unsure.
I'm trying to put the word out that some of us fans are not in agreement.
I do have faith in Philbin to get the guy he wants, IF he knows who he wants. But I don't trust Sherman.
I'm waaaay too wound up about this draft. I really shouldn't be. I get disappointed virtually EVERY year. No reason to think this one will be different, other than the hope that Philbin is different.

THAT, and Ireland is actually #2 in successful drafting after Jimmy Johnson (volume of starters). Scary, I know. Both names.

[JS_in_LA]

Cluezo,
I don't like McShay. And I think he's wrong about Tannehill being a top 8 pick.
But he's one of several schmucks that bark up a certain tree, and then that noise gets turned into gospel for the general public.
I don't have ANY draftnik I trust yet. I average out the talk, and see what sticks.
WalterFootball has been the most accurate to date, but their lineup right now looks sketchy for QBs.

[oscar canosa]

Rest easy, JS. Ireland is a very practical and cynical Man and he will wipe his asss with whatever the Media or the Fans want. As he should do.

[budtki]

a gamble or garuntee.

select richardson OR floyd and you are garunteed to have the #1 runningback OR the #1reciever available.
gamble on tanehill and you are garunteed to have NIETHER a stud back nor a star wideout, and to have waitsted your top ten pick that should have netted the #1 player at his position on a quarterback that MIGHT be the THIRD best QB available

a sure thing:
sign richardson and garuntee that,
-we will no longer have to watch thomas and bush get pumbled in the backfield
-we will have the missing demension that is third and one
-we will get good compensation for bush
-we will have a beast runningback with an extra gear(unlike ronnie brown)
-we will have rightfully used our top ten pick to get the #1 runningback available(not the third best)

instead of gambling something as priceless as a top ten pick on MAYBE the third best quarterback available, sign richardson and gamble that:
-richardson might be as unstoppable as adrian peterson
-richardson might be the afc east juggernaught
-marlon moore, bess, hartline, clay, and gates might collectilvely replace brandon marshall
-sign richardson AND mallet and gamble that mallet is better then tannehill

[oscar canosa]

Richardson, definitely, Floyd, hmm.. I do have to retire and leave Armando's and Ohio's blogs for now. GN, YG.

[Cluezo]

Rest easy, JS. Ireland is a very practical and cynical Man and he will wipe his asss with whatever the Media or the Fans want. As he should do.

Posted by: oscar canosa | April 12, 2012 at 09:48 PM

Very true

[TonyCane]

Projected Miami Draft, 2012:

Round 1: Offensive Lineman
Round 2: Defensive End
Round 3a: Offensive Lineman
Round 3b: Linebacker
Round 4: Cornerback
Round 5: Offensive Lineman
Round 6: Offensive Lineman
Round 7: Defensive Lineman

[vtmem]

Are we creating a team or rate we just looking for Diva Stars? What do you say Mando?

[Flipper13]

Kinda worthless if u think about it.

[Dolphins Suck]

budtki, you're an idiot, please learn how to spell, nobody understands sh*t that you're saying. And how long did it take you to write all this sh*t? Damn!!

[Dolphins Suck]

Greatest bust potential of any possible first-round pick, damn

[Dolphins Suck]

Kind of like Mike Mayock feels about UM's Streeter, all but said that he couldn't play

[Dolphins Suck]

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at Phuc Yu

[cowkilla]

And all this talk will turn into anger when Ireland drafts an OL with pick 8...then we will all collectively shut our TV's off....

[TheSMF]

TonyCane,
I don't hate that draft believe it or not.
I'm the one person on this blog who beleieve time-to-throw is the most important stat for determining QB success.
Brady stands flatfooted waiting for receivers to get open. So does Brees. So does Rogers.
Dolphins QBs have 1 second.

[cowkilla]

Because we all know that Ireland is predictable amd that he has "say" over Philbin... Ireland will get into a swinging sausage battle with Philbim... And we all know who wins tha

[Lou Costello]

WE'RE AT THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE A

"F A K E"
"P h u c Y u" !?!?!?!?
.
.
YOU PEOPLE ARE HOPELESS.
.
.

[Dolphins Suck]

I don' agree that Tannehill is like JaMarcus Russell. Russell at one point didn't have passion for the game, don't know much about Tannehill, but sounds like he really love football

[David Lee Roth]

V I V A ...ROLLING HILLS SPECKLED WITH ACORNS !!!!!!!!!!!
.
.

[Poster Boy]

I'm back... and I see my little chihuahua Phuc Yu is also back, or is that really "Yu"? "Yu" sounded to smart on that last post for it to be Phuc Yu from this afternoon

[David Lee Roth]

I'm not sure that JaMarcus Russell had
a passion for GETTING OUT OF BED !
.
.

[Alan]

Marino was not a top ten pick in the experts eye's either. Imagine that.

[Poster Boy]

Billick is a loser, probably still mad that he didn't get Dolphins job. Deep down, he probably likes Tannehill, but is trying to persuade Dolphins to screw up at 8

[Dolphins Suck]

Even if Billick isn't messing with Dolphins, Ireland would probably still f*ck it up

[Poster Boy]

Can Phuc Yu come out and play? Here boy, come on, come on, I've got a nice treat for "Yu"

[fin4life]

CBSsports

Ryan Tannehill's rightful place to be drafted? Maybe the late second or third round. (US Presswire)

If Tannehill moved any faster up the NFL's draft boards, he'd be Deion Sanders. Starships don't travel this quickly. Still trying to figure out why. Was it his 1-5 record against ranked teams? Was it his completion percentage that fell last year? Was it his quarterback rating that was lower than Brock Osweiler's?

Or the 19 starts? Or that not too long ago he was a wide receiver.

Maybe it's the remarkable pedigree of Big 12 quarterbacks in the NFL, like Chris Simms, Brad Smith, Colt McCoy or Vince Young. They've been just swell.

Billick: Tannehill reminds me of JaMarcus Russell

I could be wrong, but this is EXACTLY what I've been saying for MONTHS.

odinseye | April 13, 2012 at 12:06 AM

....................................................................................................

The meteoric rise has had me miffed as well, I really liked this kid as a sleeper 3rd round prospect based on his athleticism but WOW!! I don't ever remember somebody flying this high up the charts in 1 months time!! You usually have some redshirt Jr. who declares after only a Seasons worth of College game exp. or the Indy Workout Warrior but there is nothing to hang your hat on with this kid except that the NFL truly has become a QB driven League with teams willing, it appears to throw reason out the window for the slightest of what if's!!

By the way Brian Billick needs a new line that, "Son your potential is gonna get me fired" line is one he's been tossing around for years. He really needs to get over the fact he begged and pleaded with Ozzie Newsome to move back into Rd.1 for Kyle Boller. Everyone seems to forget that Billick was supposed to be an O GURU who built the 98 Vikes O which turned Cunningham's career around from the dead and put up the most points in history (more like luckily having R.Moss drop in your pocket to add to Carter and RB R.Smith) He was a genius I remember who would build the O around the D out in Baltimore!! More like Johnny on the spot on both occasions in Minnesota and with the Ravens D, I loved the Deion and Starship analogy though, LMAO!

[Poster Boy]

Stupid chihuahua, I thought dogs were supposed to be a man's best friend...

[caphayes]

How many years have we been without a real QB? Why does the QB have to be a starter this year? if he solves our QB situation in 2-3 years we would be better off than we have been by 100%.

It is so silly saying that we would be wasting a first round pick if he doesn't start, it's not like we haven't wasted first round picks in the past. What was the wide receivers name that we wasted a first pick on because he had a great family. Or the 2nd round QB that was too short and couldn't pass to save his life, but he could run.

Dam, Ireland go for this guy in a short 1.5 years learned a new position from scratch fast enough to be considered high in the first round. Take a chance on Ryan Tannehil!

[Poster Boy]

Phuc Yu!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Yu're back, now make me laugh

[Poster Boy]

To answer your question about, "how many years without a real QB"? About eleven years, think Marino retired in '01. And like 20+ years without drafting QB in first round.

[Poster Boy]

Phuc Yu, that was stupid and old. Think of something new before I make Yu suck on my manly parts...

[fin4life]

I will say this though, had Billick not moved up in the 03 draft for Kyle Boller out of Cal. then there is no doubt in my mind that Saban would have taken Aaron Rodgers with the 2nd overall pick in the 05 draft. It was the Kyle Boller NFL hangover that sunk Rodgers to the bottom of Rd.1 landing him behind Favre for 3 years and netting him the keys to the Mercedes Benz of modern O's. Everybody thought Rodgers the JUCO transfer was another of Cal HC Tellford's system QB's and you wonder if drafted by us in 05 when we sat at one point 3-7 with Saban promising change if he hadn't thrown Rodgers in to early making you wonder how the story would have played out. Tannehill needs to go somewhere and sit for maybe 2 Seasons and even if there at pick 8 you wonder if Ireland will run the risk on his GM career.

[Poster Boy]

Here you go Phuc Yu, you deserve a treat for being a good dog. here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glG8KfF-fTE

[Poster Boy]

Tell me what Yu think afterwards. I know you'll like it though

[(null)]

Nice crappy post

[B33RCA53]

#8 Luke Kuechly MLB
#42 Kevin Zeitler RG

[caphayes]

Wow, so he sits for a couple of year, is that why we go year after year without drafting a QB in the first round. Well think of this, as the guy stated above, it's been 11 years since Marino, how did that go for us?

[Jeff Row]

Boy most of you posters just like hating on the dolphins and their players... why are you guys even Fans of the team ? if you really are !... go away, and go away mad if you want who cares! just go away ... we dont need you to be a fan of the team and are glad you aren't going to the games anymore. all yall ever did is (((BOO)) when they do something wrong , and ((cheer)) when the other team scores.. .wait yall aren't fans after all it seems .. yall are just pathatic losers that got nothing to do but complain! GET LOST! Go rout for the Jets or Patriots.. wait yall will be when them teams come down here... I think we are starting to get the picture...YALL AREN"T FIN FANS! and if you are.. Please quit being one! GET LOST .. hope yall have a heart attack stressin' out over your loser lives that have one meaning other then coming on a blog and looking like a idiot and fool ... worse than terrorist I tell you! ..don't let the door hit you on the way out .. Or wait i'll slam it when your on your way out , maybe the door will knock you on the ground ...

[jim]

Why don't you give that sob story to people in Cleveland or Atlanta or Seattle or a bunch of others.

Cleveland hasn't won a sports title since 1964.

Atlanta, represented in all the "Big Four" sports for decades has lost their NHL franchise twice and has exactly ONE Braves title in all those years of competing.

Seattle. Sonics (since relocated to Oklahoma City) in 1979. That's it.

When's the last time Minneapolis won a title?

How about Houston?

San Diego? (which would be never unless you're including the 1963 AFL title).

Miami? Has won a World Series as recently as 2003 and an NBA title just a few years ago.

Yeah, we've had it SO much worse than anyone. Crybaby.

[jim]

And how could I forget Philly?

ONE pro sports title since 1983. One.

[Ozzie Oslo]

Billick: Tannehill reminds me of JaMarcus Russell

Posted by: odinseye | April 13, 2012 at 12:06 AM

Talk about printing something TOTALLY out of context!!! What a dump you are. I read that same article. Billick was talking about how fast he moved up in the draft, and NOT comparing them as QB's!!! You have NO credibility! None!

Secondly, regarding all your quotes from CBSSports, tell me what team owner pays them to scout and make picks? None do because their information has no value to them. They are there only to attract attention from phony, losers like you who look to steal a quote out of context from any hairdo yapper just to create illusion it supports your argument.

Sad.

[Ozzie Oslo]

That was a cut/paste written by Freeman at CBSsports.c om

I just happen to agree with it.

Pretty interesting article. Billick was quoted as saying Tannehill reminds him of JaMarcus Russell. Now that is a SLAM!

Posted by: odinseye | April 13, 2012 at 12:30 AM

Talk about printing something TOTALLY out of context!!! What a dump you are. I read that same article. Billick was talking about how fast he moved up in the draft, and NOT comparing them as QB's!!! You have NO credibility! None!

Secondly, regarding all your quotes from CBSSports, tell me what team owner pays them to scout and make picks? None do because their information has no value to them. They are there only to attract attention from phony, losers like you who look to steal a quote out of context from any hairdo yapper just to create the illusion it supports your argument.

Sad.

[Ray Finkle]

I'd be quite happy to trade down.
I think Matt Moore is a servicable starter and so is Garrard. Both are probably better than a rookie Tannehill. If Tannehill is gone at 8, which is unlikely, then I would trade down to about the 15-16 pick and get WR Floyd if he's there. if we get an extra 2nd or 3rd rounder for the trade then use that to jump back into the 1st round and get TE Fleener. That would be the makings of a great offence.

But if Tannehill is there then I'd probably grab him.

[BDolphin]

Dolphin Management,Take the common sense approach for once and take Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College. It's not like we're a QB away from being a legitimate contender.

[Felix El Gato]

8. QUINTON COPLES DE NORTH CAROLINA

42. DWAYNE ALLEN TE CLEMSON

72. BRIAN QUICK WR APPALACIAN ST

73. MITCHELL SCHWARTZ OT CALIFORNIA

103. KHEESTON RANDALL DT TEXAS

145. AARON HENRY FS WISCONSIN

196. RYAN MILLER OG COLORADO

215. KELCIE MCCRAY SS ARKANSAS STATE

[Matt]

We need PLAYMAKERS! Draft Blackmon with first pick, then get OL. I like Moore, and outside of picking up Weeten in round 2, I would not support reaching for a QB in round 1. We don't have luxury of waiting on a QB to develop and Weeten might be the most "ready" to play anyways.

[inimounts]

I don't care about tradition, and u shouldn't either. Last year showed qbs can start, true, but so will this year. Luck and rg3 are obviously locks, tannehill will most likely start wherever he goes, and wheeden, Wilson, osweiler, have chances as well. I want Wilson, his height is like drew brews, except drew didn't start for four great college years or break the NCAA record in efficiency.

[inimounts]

One more thing, Felix, If we draft any of those players then ireland will have his worst year drafting with us, which I would've thought impossible.

[student1776]

No QB worth drafting. Fix the holes on the team - DE, Safety, WR (unless Philbin thinks Moore has the right stuff), RT, LG (switching Incognito to his natural position of plunging RG), pass catching TE. It will be a 3-13 season so we can draft a QB next year better than any available now.

We ended the season with holes and Ireland opened up more exiting our best offensive player, Marshall (>100 catches, >1400 yards) for political reasons (Marshall spoke the obvious truth about poor coaching), and our safety. What a loser. Great organizations address problems, they do not banish whistle blowers. In any event, it is what it is. Our front office is weak. Hopefully we can fill the obvious holes and lay a foundation for a future better front office to build a first-rate team whenever Ross wakes us.

[Wantin me some gravy]

Fins gonna screw it up im sure. would have been nice to still have marshall on the team, and then draft another big wr to compliment him.But we go and trade him for nothing, which creates another need in the draft. If we dont need a #1 wr, then why are we still looking for one in the draft? Dont care if we get Tannehill or not. Just do not draft another O lineman. No sense of drafting all these linemen when there is nobody to protect. Would rather see a wr or an end drafted. No more O line. And also, I would still love me some gravy.

[Sargo]

Matt, Blacmon will not be available at 8.

[TonyCane]

SMF...understand your point, but the Fins have invested just 3 picks in the top three rounds since 1997 on wide receivers. Between Dave, Saban, and Parcells/Ireleand the priority has been offensive and defense.

Posterboy, 28 years since a QB drafted in round 1

[promichael]

Oh, yes, I know what you're thinking: The Dolphins need a starting QB.

Really; The 12th rated passer in the NFL last season is not good enough and Moore did that with every team targeting the right side of the Dolphins offensive line. Obviously Philbin feels the same way or Matt Flynn would be in Miami instead of in the Northwest. However Armando your correct that the Dolphins should get an immediate impact player at #8 and the OT or pass rusher positions are the best for that. I would still like to see a WR who can create separation drafted in the first round.