Then and Now: The Progression of the Miami Dolphins' 2009 Draft Picks

We all know that any successful team builds through the draft. Whether a team drafts skill players, big ol' linemen, or players for depth, every pick is important.

This is a pick-by-pick analysis of the Miami Dolphins' 2009 Draft Picks.

Round One (25): CB Vontae Davis

Preseason Grade: A

2009 Statistics

38 Tackles

Three Interceptions, One Touchdown

Eight Pass Deflections

This pick has paid off for Miami. Vontae has solidly filled the void left by veteran Will Allen after he was put on injured reserve.

Although at times he has played like a rookie, he has made some big-time plays for this Dolphins secondary.

Current Grade: A

Round Two (44): QB Pat White

Preseason Grade: C-

2009 Statistics

0-of-3 Passing

14 Carries, 50 yards (3.6 avg)

One Fumble

This pick still makes me scratch my head. For everything else this team needed at the time and still needs now, you have to ask yourself if there was another quality player who could have been taken other than Pat White.

Granted, he does give this team playmaking ability; however, the Dolphins still insist that he is going to play his natural position of quarterback. I don't think White will compete for a future spot at quarterback, which is why he probably won't be on the team after a few seasons.

Current Grade: D-

Round Two: (61) CB Sean Smith

Preseason Grade: A

2009 Statistics

33 Tackles

11 Pass Deflections

During the offseason and training camp this move looked like it would pay out with so much upside. It still has, but Sean Smith has definitely shown he is a rookie by some of his play this year.

He has yet to make his first career interception, while he seems to often put himself in bad positions with the ball in the air. Like Vontae Davis, Smith has made some great plays but hasn't made an impact in the turnover column like many thought he would. This is still a great pick at this position though.

Current Grade: A

Round Three (87): WR Patrick Turner

Preseason Grade: C+

2009 Statistics

N/A

The so-called expert Mel Kiper was baffled by this pick. I am not. Turner is a big-bodied receiver who had great hands in college and made plays down the field. He is the kind of receiver Miami needed in the red zone coming into the season.

Turner has yet to be activated this season because his lack of performance in practice. Although the staff needs something for him to get playing time, this guy might just need a little game time to showcase his stuff.

Failing to reach his potential in this offense, Turner is on the bubble next season and needs to dig deep to show this staff he is worthy.

Current Grade: F

Round Four (108): WR Brian Hartline

Preseason Grade: C+

2009 Statistics

21 Receptions, 311 Yards, Three Touchdowns

Before the draft, Hartline worked out with the Dolphins, and Chad Henne grew especially fond of the young receiver during that workout. Though they did have a connection during the practice session, there were still better receivers on the board when he was drafted.

Hartline has lived up to his name, showing heart when this team needed it most. He came through big against the Patriots less than a week ago and seemed to spark this team. 

He has played with a high motor and has come through in the clutch. It isn't certain where he will be on the depth chart next year but expect him to make a competition out of it.

Current Grade: B+

Round Five (161): TE John Nalbone

Preseason Grade: C

2009 Statistics

N/A

John Nalbone was drafted at a position in the draft that could have turned some tremendous upside. Nalbone was relatively unknown in the draft, but Bill Parcells and company saw something they liked from this small school prospect.

Nalbone has yet to see the field this season. He was in the mix during training camp to compete for a roster spot but failed to impress any of the coaches during the time.  

It is unlikely that Nalbone will make any push to stardom on this team and will probably be trying out for another franchise next season.

Current Grade: D

Round Five (165): FS Chris Clemons

Preseason Grade: B

2009 Statistics

Nine Tackles

Although the stats do not show it, Clemons has been a ball hawk this year when given the opportunity to play.

He has gained praise through his limited time in passing situations and on special teams. He has been a great fill-in guy in some different defensive packages.

All signs are pointing towards Clemons competing for the starting free safety spot next season, as Gibril Wilson continues to struggle in passing situations. Wilson, who played in Oakland last season, is more suited to playing a position like strong safety.

This was a great late-round pick for the Dolphins.

Current Grade: B+

Round Six (181): OT Andrew Gardner

Preseason Grade: B-

2009 Statistics

1,000 Pancake Blocks! (just kidding)

* No common statistics are kept for offensive linemen

Gardner has not played enough to really change his grade at this point. He was a good addition from a depth standpoint, and he is a versatile lineman. He has played in one game this season due to injury on the offensive line.

Current Grade: B-

Round Seven (214): LB J.D. Folsom

Preseason Grade: C-

2009 Statistics

One Tackle

Folsom was a depth pick for linebacker, but he isn't the typical Parcells type of linebacker. At only 230 pounds, he is a little undersized for an NFL player at his position.

Folsom has appeared in one game this season and has made one tackle on special teams. Likely a career backup, Folsom now sits deactivated and on the Dolphins' practice squad. He beat people's expectations just by making the team.

Current Grade: C

Overall

Of all the hype that goes into the Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland draft picks, this turned out to be just an average draft.

You can afford to have one of these every once in a while, but it will come back to haunt Miami if they don't draft better players with some of their picks.

It was either a hit or miss with all of these picks, with the majority of them being misses. There is a lot of talent coming out of college this year, and after the 2010 NFL Draft we will really see if Miami is building for the future or if their personnel woes will continue.

Needs for 2010

Wide Receiver

Miami is continually plagued by its lack of a go-to receiver. Teams are able to jam the current receivers on the line and interrupt the pass game, which allows them to put eight or more defenders in the box.

A true No. 1 receiver will allow Miami to stretch the field while being a constant threat in the run game with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

Inside Linebacker

Channing Crowder simply cannot do it on his own. Having another starting-caliber inside linebacker next to Crowder would do wonders for his play.

I am one of the few people left that still respects Crowder's play. He just does not get enough help with Akin Ayodele or Reggie Torbor playing next to him.

Outside Linebacker

Miami needs to groom another outside linebacker so this group isn't vulnerable after Jason Taylor and Joey Porter lose the ability to play on every down.

Cameron Wake hasn't proven he can play on every down, and players like Quentin Moses and Charlie Anderson are simply not starting-caliber players.

Free Safety

Burnt Toast, I mean Gibril Wilson, is a strong safety playing at free safety. He does not have the speed or pass coverage ability to do such a task, which is why Miami needs to either draft a true free safety or find one in free agency to compete with current rookie Chris Clemons.

In my opinion, safeties are the most important part of the defense.

For example, look what happens to Indianapolis after they lose Bob Sanders. Their defense yields to opposing offenses and loses swagger. Insert Sanders back into Indy's lineup, and they play like a whole unit again.

Offensive Line Depth

Miami has a solid starting unit with Jake Long, Justin Smiley, Jake Grove, Donald Thomas, and Vernon Carey. The problem with that is there seems to be some injury problems with this unit.

Miami needs solid offensive line depth so they can assure they will not lose the ability to fight in the trenches if any combination of players misses any period of time.

The most important component of Miami's offense is their running game, which takes a huge hit if there are injuries on the offensive line.