2010 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins Should Select Dez Bryant

Bill Parcells has a history of drafting defense first. With the Miami Dolphins defense still in the rebuilding phase, it is unlikely that Parcells will favor an offensive “diva” such as Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant over a desperately needed outside linebacker, free safety, or nose tackle in this year’s NFL draft.

But this year, Parcells and the likes of general manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano should not pass up on Bryant, if he were to fall to them with the No. 12 pick in the draft.

I don’t see what is wrong with bringing in a “diva” in the first place. The Miami Dolphins could use some personality on the roster. The most interesting people involved with the team are the owners. Maybe it is time the Dolphins rolled out the red carpet for someone that actually plays for the team, and can bring some of the cameras from the luxury box back onto the field.

Bryant is unanimously the top-rated receiver in the draft, and the Dolphins have a major need at wide out. After Ted Ginn, Jr. has failed to develop, drafting a receiver with all the tools to be great is necessary to make up for the past failure.

With Bryant on the roster, Ginn would have the chance to lay low on the depth chart and develop, similarly to New Orleans Saints' receiver Devery Henderson, a highly-touted second round pick back in 2004 who finally developed into a game breaker this season.

The Dolphin offense struggled last season, failing to get chunks of yards when it counted most: critical second and third-and-longs. Bryant would give quarterback Chad Henne a true No. 1 receiver to target in these situations.

Young quarterbacks do not have the ability to make receivers better; they need good receivers to help them grow. Henne is entering his first full year as a starting quarterback, and it is important to give a young quarterback a bona fide receiver to throw to in order to properly help him develop into the future franchise signal caller.

But Miami has so many holes to fill on offense it may be hard to take a receiver in the first round. As the saying goes, though, the best defense is a good offense. Bryant could help the defense significantly.

Late in games last season, the offense was constantly coming off the field and was forcing the defense to come back onto the field after less-than-adequate rest. The defense was burned out and constantly gave up late scores that would lose the game for Miami.

Having a receiver that can pick up big chunks of yards at a time would help the defense stay off the field, and maybe more importantly, the opposing offense. This is a staple of Parcells football: winning the time of possession battle.

It is not the most likely scenario that Bryant will end up a Dolphin as Parcells has taken only one receiver in the top three rounds while with the Dolphins and in his previous role as head coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

The front office, however, has met with Bryant and is reportedly interested.