2011 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins Draft History Is More Important Than Mock Drafts

Do you really want to see how the Miami Dolphins front office conducts their business on draft day? Look at their history. It's really interesting!

When the 2011 NFL Draft begins, and the Dolphins make their first pick, you can almost guarantee what is going to happen next. 

The Trifecta started drafting in 2008. The strategy became clear: draft the same position multiple times to create depth and competition. The problem is that, as soon as the Dolphins reveal what they will do in the first round, their opponents will know also (namely the Jets and Patriots). Which means that Tony Sparano and Ireland must be aggressive if there are several athletes they are focusing on, or change their approach (possibly stock piling more picks?). 

In 2008 the draft is as follows: 

Jake Long, Shawn Murphy, and Donald Thomas. They focused in on building the offensive line. Unfortunately, Murphy and Thomes are no longer with the Dolphins. 

Phillip Merling Kendall Langford, and Lionel Dotson. The front office then needed to establish defensive ends to create a staunch 3-4 defense. Phillip Merling has shown signs of being a solid end. Langford is solid and Dotson is no longer with the team. Langford pushed the two others out of the way (he was considered a bit of a reach when the Dolphins picked him). Merling is considered a first round pick because the Patriots had the last pick of the first round taken by the NFL because of "videogate." 

Jalen Parmalee and Lex Hilliard. Both running backs have show promise on special teams, except Parmalee was stolen from the Dolphins by the Ravens. Hilliard has a legitimate chance to get some playing time this season. 

The only pick that wasn't where two or more positions were taken: quarterback. Chad Henne (taking only one quarterback has hurt the team's depth now). 

The Trifecta designed their first draft on priorities and were successful because five of the nine are starting or are competing (Merling's state is truly up in the air). 

So what is the lesson learned? The trifecta was building on a vision to establish the run and stop the run. They have been able to stop the run...the offensive line continues to be a sift.  

Next, we have the 2009 draft: 

Vontae Davis, Sean Smith and Chris Clemons. This defensive backfield desperately needed an infusion of youth. All three are starting (Clemons is in competition). Both Davis and Smith were projected to go in the first round. 

Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline. Once again the theory proves correct, depth creates competition. Turner folded and Hartline is a starter for now. Hartline has shown heart and tenacity. 

Lesson learned? The trifecta moved towards building outside of the front seven because they had Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown in the backfield. The Dolphins desperately needed a youth movement in the defensive backfield. 

Lastly, the 2010 draft: 

Koa Misi, A.J. Edds, Chris McCoy, and Austin Spitler. Misi started right away and, unfortunately Edds was injured. The Dolphins really wanted Edds to compete, he still has that chance. I remember many thought Misi could be an athlete who could play inside, outside, and defensive end. 

Lesson learned? The trifecta added depth to a thin linebacker corps. They needed linebackers to set the edge and cover the pass. Unfortunately, injury has yet to fully discover the potential of this group. 

Whether the Dolphins trade out of their 15th pick or not, we can assume we know how Ireland and Sparano are going to pick thereafter. Which means, if they draft a quarterback in the first (or second)...you may see two youngsters in competition with Chad Henne.

How about three rookie running backs? Or three rookie guards drafted? All totally possible. 

You don't need to look to the NFL mock drafts. 

It is always wise to look at the past to predict the future.