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

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Comments

[fin4life]

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!

Sad.

Ozzie Oslo | April 13, 2012 at 06:33 AM

I guess you understood even less about what Billick meant. The comparison had absolutely nothing to do about their individual rise before the draft at all!!

1) Unless you live on another planet or just started paying attention to the draft or College Football you'd know that Jamarcus Russell was being called the most freakishly gifted QB to come out of College ever, period end of story!! He led a high profile team at LSU (recruited by Saban)that was always in contention.

2) In 05 his 1st as a starter (beat out M.Flynn) they would finish 10-1 in the top 5. In 06 they went 10-2 and he was voted the top College player of the week on 4 separate occasions throwing for 3,000 yards 28 TD's and only 8 picks, winning a BCS bid to play Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl were he ran Brady Quinn out of the Stadium 41-14 if memory serves.

3)Billick was comparing them from a physical stand point were he even stated for the 100th time on the 10th different channel that Tannehill could be the type of potential that gets Coaches fired. To me he was talking about his own personal exp. after having been the one to trade back into Rd.1 in 03 for Cal's Kyle Boller who was a can't miss and would bomb with the worst of them in history which later caused the slide of Aaron Rodgers in 05 with some questioning if they were simply products of their Coaches O system out at Cal U., I suggest you wait for NFL Net to repeat that piece for the 100th time and pay a little closer attention to what he actually said before posting baseless and untrue facts about J.Russell and who he was prior to the 05 draft!!

[Dennis]

The dolphins should try to get two players in the first round this year. We need a DE and a QB. I would trade down take Weedan in the first round and also trade back into the first round and get a DE.

[Sargo]

fin4life, 8:24 I agree all the way, get Tannehill while we can.

[fairlyodd]

Just fill the damn holes we have on the squad! We have no chance of even smelling success this season, so why get our panties in a bunch over rookies starting this year? We already have a starting quarterback in Moore or maybe Garrard if he steps up (which I doubt). Take a quarterback in the later rounds and sit his arse on the bench or on the practice squad. I still like Kellen Moore even if most of you think he would be a bust, but we have absolutely nothing to lose this year and he would be pretty much a walk-on anyway. Lets fix this mess with the draft and fill the positions that were vacated first. Draft a quarterback next season since we will have a better shot at getting a higher pick with our terrible record. I say we may be lucky to have 2 wins regardless of the schedule.

[JackSparrow]

@Dennis 09:15

I like that. Best available need at #8. And that ain't QB.

Look at trading back into the first round for Weeden or Tannehill.

If Tannehill is gone then I'm more than content with Weeden in the 2nd round. Should be no reason why we can't get Weeden in the 2nd.

You know the guy is pissed off and ready to play because Tannehill got an artificial bump over him.

[JackSparrow]

On November 15, 2010, Jamarcus Russell, worked out for the Miami Dolphins with four other quarterbacks (Tom Brandstater, Tommy Grady, J. T. O'Sullivan, and Patrick Ramsey) to replace an injured Chad Pennington on the Dolphins' roster. Ramsey was eventually signed.[34]

What that Tuna's year to sign or Ireland's?

[DC Dolfan]

Either way, they made the wrong call. Should have signed Jamarcus so the Miami Dolphins could be awarded once and for all WORST QB DECISION-MAKERS ON THE PLANET!!!

[DragonFly34]

Jeffery will not pk a QB at #8. Jeffery signed Garrard and theres no reason to pk a QB, unless Luck falls to #8,,,yeah right.
Jeffery is running the best con game of all times, and I didnt think he was that smart. Jeffery is looking at Coples or Ingram or a WR at 8 and I hope he takes Ingram. Jeffery can take OLmen at #2 or #3, in one rd we have back to back pks which should help a great deal, if Jeffery doesnt trade one.

[TigerSam]

The biggest problem with Ross' decision to keep Mr. Ireland around is not Ireland's moves but him feeling he needs to deliver some sort of results in the mid to near term rather than start anew and make the tough but necessary choices this team needs to make to truly become a perennial contender and not a one year wonder (2008).

This team at 0-7 last year had a precious opportunity to rebuild and still have the fan base support by trading these players: Long, Dansby, Marshall, Fasano.

Long's contract alone is a cap destroyer, with the new CBA and OL class so deep Ireland should have pulled the trigger and gotten precious picks and much needed cap relief.
Think about a potential Long-less line for a second:
Kalil (R)- Incognito - Pouncey - DeCastro(R) - Winston. Backups: Murtha, Jerry, Wynn(R), Adcock(R).

Dunno about you but I Iike that line a whole lot and would have cost the team a fraction and we'd still have plenty of ammo to to grab a QB and LBs. THAT is Ireland's biggest downside, his inability to make the tough but necessary choices when they need to be done, not waiting for the shirt to hit the fan like what happened with Marshall that we all knew it was inevitable.

[JackSparrow]

Oh boy...

They posting around the threads that Tannehill will make a "lengthy" visit with Cleveland.

LOL!!! I bet Jeffy boy bites so hard on that. Probably give up the entire 2012 draft to move up now. But not for RGIII.

Jeff is not a poker player guys.

[TorturedDolphan]

Hey PhishPhucks,

I see you are still the armpit of the NFL. Nor surprise. How did the Peyton / Fisher thing go for? Have you done anything noteworthy this offseason? Oh yeah thats right you got rid of your best WR.

Looking forward to the proverbial t bagging you will take from the rest of the divisions this year. Time to start talking 2013 draft. You guys are good at that.

Hey how about those Heat. Choke. Cough. Gag. Can't beat the Bulls. Stick to sunbathing and whatever else it is you do down there, sports isn't your strong point. Also looking forward to LeSuckWhenItMattersMost choking it up in the playoffs AGAIN this year.

LMFA. You guys blow.

[fin4life]

Jeff is not a poker player guys.

JackSparrow | April 13, 2012 at 11:24 AM

My thoughts exactly when I heard this and I guess you mean he is a poker players guy cause you can bluff him into folding while holding aces or a full house! I believe Minnesota whom I think are dead set on filling their need at OT with Kalil are smelling the blood in the air with their statements about being open to a trade with pick 3 right ahead of Cleveland, call me crazy but this Tannehill frenzy is due in part to teams eyeing Miami's F.O. and Ireland in particular.

[DC Dolfan]

Ha! Some dweeb comes on another team's site to talk smack. And we're supposed to get angry? It's not anger I feel for you Tortured, it's PITY! You're pitiful for coming here to taunt. Shows just how much of a loser you are. Not sure what team you support, but the thing is, I DON'T CARE! And I'll speak for everyone on this site, NO ONE CARES!

Thanks for checking in. Glad we can be your link to community.

[Ohio Dolfan]

Moore needs some more firepower at the WR position. I know it isn't normally the right thing to do, but I say draft Floyd or Blackmon if one of them are available at 8

[DC Dolfan]

Wish we could get him a Gronk-style TE Ohio. However, I have some confidence that Fasano will have his best year yet since he won't be a lineman 99% of the time (like under Sparano). Clay needs to step up too.

[Ohio Dolfan]

Clay showed some signs last year

[DC Dolfan]

He did. But now we demand greatness. He's one year in, should understand the way the game is played, will need to learn the WCO, but we need smart players to get up to speed QUICKLY. Gates too. Instead of hanging in the strip clubs, these guys need to take the playbook to a library and not come out until they have a PhD!

[fin4life]

DC,

I'm hoping Gates will make a leap this Yr. he has the size at over 6' and the world class speed and Clay has the ability to be every bit the player Cooley was once at H-Back more than T.E. If these two get real and work on that Ph D as you put it they could be very good pieces in a W.C. attack.

[ALoco]

DC,,,,,,,,,

YOU SAID ..................(((((((((HE DID, BUT NOW WE DEMAND GREATNESS ))))))))))))))))))) .........

THE USE OF THE WORD (( GREATNESS )) IS WRONG HERE ......

SAVE THAT WORD FOR MONTANA,JERRY RICE OR BRADY ,,,,,,,NOT MR CLAY .

[thavafin]

Really there are just an endless amounts of unknowns right now. And will be until the season starts to play out.

[Ohio Dolfan]

Ha,

Aloco calling DC out on his use of the word greatness was funny stuff :)

But Aloco, I have a beef with you putting Brady in your example and not Marino

[ALoco]

OHIO,

THINK OF THE WORD (( GREATNESS ))...THERE'S NO STRONGER WORD TO DESCRIBE AN ACHEVEMENT ..............

NOW TELL ME WHO USED THE WORD (( GREATNESS )) TO DESCRIBE MARINO ????

BUT BRADY,MONTANA,ALI IN BOXING ....SO MANY DID .......

[ALoco]

ALI THE GREATEST........

MR CLAY? WHO'S HE ?

[klndry]

For all of you douches who think that Matt Moore is not a good/potentially top 5 qb. Last year he was ranked 12th overall. Not bad for a guy off the bench.

[tilo]

call me crazy but this Tannehill frenzy is due in part to teams eyeing Miami's F.O. and Ireland in particular.

Posted by: fin4life | April 13, 2012 at 11:36 AM

You are crazy. Ireland has shown to be very careful, maybe too careful, to not overpay for QB's.

Ireland may make mistakes but he is not dumb like many of you think.

[Ohio Dolfan]

This blog is driving me crazy.......for every 4 posts I try to send through only one works, the others disappear.

Anyway,

Aloco,

I agree we can't expect greatness from Clay.

But we'll have to disagree on Marino. Marino was the definition of greatness on the field hands down. I'm fine with Brady being in the discussion, but Marino did it under more difficult circumstances, Marino played when the defense was allowed to play football too. :)

[Ohio Dolfan]

Aloco,

One example.

October 29th, 1984. Sports Illustrated write up on the greatness of Dan Marino.

Headline reads "With quarterback Dan Marino overseeing a brilliant offense, Miami crushed New England to stay unbeaten"

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1122760/index.htm

[JetHater]

For all of you douches who think that Matt Moore is not a good/potentially top 5 qb. Last year he was ranked 12th overall. Not bad for a guy off the bench.

------------------------------------------------
If you think Moore is a top 5 QB please take your meds. He is slightly above average and a good stop gap - nothing more. 9 games doesn't put in him in the same category as Rodgers, Brees, Brady, Eli, etc.

[ALoco]

OHIO...........I DISAGREE ON MARINO .....

SPORT ILLUSTRATED IN THE BUSINESS OF SELLING MAGAZINES ......THEY CAN SAY WHAT EVER THE DOLPHIN FANS WOULD PAY FOR ..........

[We Have Draft Picks]

"The Dolphins have delayed a decision on right guard (Jake Scott, Kyle Kosier, etc.), possibly until after the draft.… The Dolphins should be able to afford all their top 2013 free agents (including Cam Wake, who continues to sit out the voluntary offseason program) because they’re more than $50 million under the ’13 cap. But giving Wake a big raise this season will be tricky because Miami is just $6 million under the cap."

More than $50 Million under in 2013....LMFAO!!! That's VERY misleading considering Long, Wake, Moore, Bush, & Starks will all be FA's. That money will go very quickly if they expect to keep these 5 players.

I really don't care that Hartline & Smith will be FA's b/c they're both inconsistent & IMO have not done enough to justify why they should be a part of this team going forward.

[DC Dolfan]

ALoco, my bad. I guess you're right. You can't really use greatness to describe a 6-10 ballclub.

ALoco 1
DC 0

[ALoco]

DG.........PEACE .........

Q.........

DID YOU EVER POSTED ON OHIO'S BLOG ?

[ALoco]

DC

[Ohio Dolfan]

Ok Aloco you don't like SI?

How About ESPN?

Quote...."In the pure currency of passing, that Miami Dolphins quarterback was the best who ever was."

http://espn.go.com/classic/s/Marino_retirement_garb.html

[ALoco]

OHIO...MARINO WAS GOOD ....ALL THESE OUTLETS LIKE ESPN OR ANY PAPER OR TALK SHOW HOST WHO'S NEVER FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL HAVE NO SAY OVER MY OPNION ,,,,,,,THEY ALL IN FOR THE DINARO ....................

WE HAVE BRAIN TO SEE AND JUDGE ..... ANY QB HAS HIS GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS ,,,,,,,,,,,,WHEN YOU R GREAT ,THAT MEANS YOU NEVER FAIL TO REACH THE TOP ........AND MARINO NEVER WAS CLOSE TO THE TOP .......

[wu1sabes]

Dolphins should trade back with the Eagles, the Eagles need a starting left tackle and Reiff would give them that. I think Tannehill would still be available at 15 for the Dolphins, plus they would pick up an extra 2nd in exchange for their 4th round pick.
Dolphins would then have
round 1 #15) Ryan Tannehill QB
round 2 #43) Alshon Jeffrey WR
round 2 #46) Ronnell Lewis OLB/DE
round 3 #72) Dwayne Allen TE
round 3 #73) Zebrie Sanders OT

[TigerSam]

Wu,
No way Tanny makes it pass KC, in fact I'm not worry about Cleveland, even as dumb as they've been in the past it would be way too stupid to pass on Richardson.

But I can easily see STL and KC pulling a deal. If Sherman and Philbin really, REALLY think Tanny has IT, then they must take him at 8th or even consider trading up with STL, which I do not forsee may cost us too much to outbid a potential KC attempt.

Personally I do not want to see them trading up but could not blame them if they do have faith in Tanny, after all no one is more qualified than Sherman to make that call. Also STL has so many picks anyway that passing on Blackmon, despite Fisher's history of not picking WRs high, would be a mistake, besides his talent he's one of those few top caliber WRs who's not a diva.

[eyeball]

notice how when odin is not here the word gay never comes up, and when he is here...well...you know...........

[cocoajoe]

Reasons NOT to pick Tannehill:

1) Not NFL ready- will take at least 1 and probably 2 years clipboard time.

2) Add 2-3 years at starter to see if he's the one.

3) That's at least 4 years. 4 years that most franchise's won't be looking for a QB.

I say draft him if you continue to look (Ron Wolfe model) but definitely not if we're stuck with him for the next 4 years.

[Ohio Dolfan]

um

had to vent....new post up

[Edward Wingate III]

Princess Salamander and Coconut Boy will preside over tonights gala ball and reception.

I expect you all to be there and dressed APPROPRIATELY.

[JackSparrow]

Cleveland does not want Tannehill. If they did, they would take him at 22 IIRC. Cleveland is HYPING this dude up. Hoping Jeff Irescum will bit on an acorn.

[Cat Burglar]

Armando, we are all going over to Ohio's blog now. See you there.

[JackSparrow]

If Cleveland was interested in Tannehill they would have moved up and got RGIII.

I must agree they can get him at 22. Well, didn't Brady Quinn go at 22?

And he was second best!

[Modestly Great]

You guys are plain stupid if you think Ireland is going to be influence by the same media hype that wets your underwear. Plain stupid.

[JackSparrow]

By the time Tannehill starts he will be about 28 years old.

That's assuming there is true competition.

[NY "G"]

About the ONLY thing positive that I can see if THE SCOUT Drafts QB Tannehill is that we wont have to see his mug in 2013 as this kid is NOT READY for the NFL.

With THAT and all the expense that THE SCOUT may spend on the desperation pick leads to his firing and we can ALL gather around the Dolphins facilities and sing along to this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQLQ1Rc_Js&feature=related

[JackSparrow]

Guys, if Tannehill is so good then Cleveland would take him at #3.

If they don't take him then they got a shot to take him at 22.

That's what they are banking on. They banking on Miami being desperate to trade up and take him.

Cleveland is in the drivers seat. If they don't take him then Miami might at #8. If Miami doesn't take him at #8 then Cleveland will take him at #22.

THEY KNOW MIAMI IS DESPERATE!

[Ruler of Earth]

It is an accepted fact across all cultures, races, and cultures that you are an absolute nitwit.

[Craig M]

I see Bellicheck picked up the linebacker Carpenter we had here a couple of years ago. The guy was a human turnstile when he played here. Yep, that's some 'genius' BB is. Nary an 'acorns' comment from anyone on this blog. Big surprise!

[Ohio Dolfan]

Craig M,

They are only acorns if Miami does. If BB does it he's a genius

[Vienna Bill]

Craig M--

Always appreciate your comments but would it be ok if I addressed you as "Mrs. Destiny Hudson?"

I know that's not your name and that you are a man. I just think it would be cool, that's all.

[JackSparrow]

And it is accepted fact across all cultures, races and cultures that you are an absolute buffoon.

[FAIL]

It is an accepted fact across all cultures, races, and cultures that you are an absolute nitwit.
Posted by: Ruler of Earth | April 13, 2012 at 03:25 PM

And it is accepted fact across all cultures, races and cultures that you are an absolute buffoon.
Posted by: JackSparrow | April 13, 2012 at 03:47 PM

[Sargo]

I agree odinseye, good poionts, if we don't have to trade up and get him at 8, I'm with you, grab him while you can.

[thavafin]

"Tannehill never one a college level QB competition"

Posted by: odinseye | April 13, 2012 at 04:03 PM

This is not entirely true either bro.

[Nobody]

um
had to vent....new post up

Posted by: Ohio Dolfan | April 13, 2012 at 02:49 PM

Who cares? The answer is in my name...

[caresenoughtocopypasteandpost]

um
had to vent....new post up
Posted by: Ohio Dolfan | April 13, 2012 at 02:49 PM

Who cares? The answer is in my name...
Posted by: Nobody | April 13, 2012 at 04:15 PM

Who cares? The answer is in my name...

[Ohio Dolfan]

Thanks to whoever stuck up for me.....but you don't really need to. :)

When they did that my numbers jumped even more, lol

[Big Mouth Bloggers]

Carpenter is in NE for camp, maybe a special teams gig during the season or a back up.

The Dulllphins needed that bum to play alot & make an impact.

Craig M, as per the usual, is too dumb to see the difference. Continaully dismissing the Belli transactions as stinkers to be able to blindly justify support of his his team & lover Jeff Ireland.