The Miami Dolphins are in the unique position of being able to draft virtually the best available player who fits their scheme. However, unlike a team such as the San Diego Chargers who have this luxury due to a lack of any one glaring need, the Dolphins simply have so many needs that any good player will be able to contribute. That being said, here’s a look at what the biggest needs are for the Dolphins and how they might address them.

Before I get into that however, I feel I must address the Dolphins quarterback situation. Miami drafted a quarterback in the second round last year, former BYU standout John Beck. Beck may have had a rough rookie season, but he joins a long list of rookie quarterbacks who have struggled that includes John Elway, Steve Young, Drew Bledsoe, and Peyton Manning. While I’m not so bold as to compare Beck to those players, the point is that it is simply too early to judge Beck at this point in his career, and with so many needs at so many positions, coupled with the lack of a true can’t miss type of prospect at quarterback in this year’s draft, the Dolphins cannot afford to ignore the depth at other positions by taking a chance on another quarterback in the early rounds. This draft has depth at WR and CB, which are two high priority needs for the Dolphins, and they must address those needs with their two second round picks. While Bill Parcells may or may not agree with me, I believe that it would be unwise to draft a quarterback early, therefore that will not be how I see the Dolphins addressing one of their needs.

The Dolphins most pressing needs (and there are a lot of them) are as follows: Cornerback, Inside Linebacker, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Safety, Quarterback, Nose Tackle, Kicker. People could argue the order of importance for these positions, but with such a deep draft class, value will be the most determining factor in my analysis.

With the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select OT Jake Long, Michigan. This much we already know, and it’s a wise choice for a Dolphins team that has had a gaping hole at LT ever since the retirement of Richmond Webb. Jake Long may need to work on his technique to be in the same class as Joe Thomas, Orlando Pace, Walter Jones, or some of the other elite protectors, but he figures to be a staple along the offensive line for the next decade. Additionally, his selection allows incumbent Vernon Carey to move back to the right side, where he will be more effective.

The Dolphins could trade fan favorite and team captain DE Jason Taylor on draft day for an extra day one pick. They are demanding a first round pick, and they may get one if a team like Green Bay is willing to give one up. More likely, they take a second round choice, coupled with a fifth or sixth rounder. Assuming this occurs, I will act as though Miami has an extra mid-second round pick to account for this possibility.

With three picks in the second round, including the number 32 pick overall, the Dolphins will be in a great position to fill some key needs. The guy that I think might be available and would be an outstanding addition to the Dolphins defense is S Kenny Phillips out of Miami. While some people are saying that Tyrell Johnson out of Arkansas State has eclipsed Phillips as the top safety in this draft, make no mistake that Phillips has all the tools and ability to be a pro bowl safety in this league. He’s also versatile enough to play both positions. He can cover well enough to provide support over the top, and he can hit hard enough to help with the running game and in blitzing situations. If Yeremiah Bell isn’t back fully from last year’s injury then Phillips could step in for him, or the Dolphins could move Jason Allen to the nickel back position where he’s probably better suited and insert Phillips there. Either way, Phillips would bring a dynamic playmaker to a secondary that badly needs one.

An even better option for the Dolphins at pick 32 is to trade down. It’s possible that a team such as the Chiefs or the Falcons could want one of the sliding quarterbacks badly enough to give up a couple of picks in order to move up to Miami’s spot. Sliding down a few spots would still enable the Dolphins to get a guy like Dan Connor, Limas Sweed, Phillips, Tracy Porter, or maybe even Brandon Flowers, while gaining added picks.

With the projected pick gained from a possible Jason Taylor trade, the Dolphins could be looking at the best available guard, receiver, or cornerback. If CB Charles Godfrey out of Iowa is available, then he should be the pick. While he’s a little raw, he has the potential to be the best pure cover corner in this year’s draft. He has the ability to come in and start immediately, or be groomed in sub-packages while he hones his skills.

With the late second round pick the Dolphins received from the Chargers in the Chris Chambers trade, the Dolphins should be looking at the best available WR. This will likely be one of two sliding prospects; Early Doucet from LSU or Mario Manningham from Michigan. Both are first round talents that have slipped due to injuries and character concerns, respectively. Either one of them would be a great addition to the Dolphins roster and could potentially start this season opposite last year’s first round pick Ted Ginn Jr. Doucet is the likely candidate.

With the first pick in the third round, the Dolphins would be wise to grab the best available guard or inside linebacker. I see OG Roy Schuenning from Oregon State falling that far, and he should be the pick. Schuenning is a tenacious interior lineman who plays with a nasty streak and has that blue collar work ethic that Bill Parcells loves. Schuenning is another player that could start immediately, giving the Dolphins a young and promising line consisting of OT’s Long and Carey, promising young center Samson Satelle, with Schuenning and free agent pickup Justin Smiley manning the OG positions.

In the later rounds, picking up an inside linebacker such as UNLV’s Beau Bell or Arizona’s Spencer Larson would add depth to the Dolphins LB corps. Bell may not fall to the fourth, but if he does, he’d be a steal. He’s got a high motor and flies to the ball on every snap. He falls out of position too often with his aggressive playing style, but the Dolphins could be able to coach him up into a solid starter eventually.

Look for the Dolphins to consider bringing in one of the top Kickers in the seventh round. Art Carmody of Louisville or Alexis Serna from Oregon State are possibilities.

A developmental NT should also be considered late. Should Pat Simms out of Auburn start falling into the mid third round, the Dolphins should consider trading up. He’s raw and needs a lot of coaching, but could be the most ideal fit as a 3-4 NT in this draft. A later round project is more likely however, so look for someone such as Frank Okam out of Texas or Athyba Rubin from Iowa State. Both these players are wide bodied talents who have the potential to develop. Perhaps a developmental QB, another WR, or more depth along the interior lines could round out the other later picks.

So looking at a possibility that fills the most needs with the most value, the Dolphins draft could look similar to this:

1(1): Jake Long, OT, Michigan

2(32): Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

2(Jason Taylor): Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa

2(57): Early Doucet, WR, LSU

3(64): Roy Schuenning, OG, Oregon State

4(100): Beau Bell, ILB, UNLV

6(195): Athyba Rubin, NT, Iowa State

6(204): Wallace Gilberry, DE, Alabama

7(208): Art Carmody, K, Louisville

7(245): Matt Flynn, QB, LSU

This analysis ignores the TE position, but the TE class doesn’t seem very strong this year. While Dustin Keller and Fred Davis are exactly what the Dolphins need, I see them both as third round talents, and they’ll be long gone before then. Rather than reaching for TE, the Dolphins would be better to draft value at other pressing needs.

This draft scenario would have the Dolphins on the right path toward developing into a competitive team again. Infusing youth and talent in the right positions could be just the first step in that direction, and this draft will be part of what shapes the Dolphins future as a franchise. With Bill Parcells in control, you never know exactly what could happen, but it’s almost certain to be exciting. I know that I’ll be watching this weekend, waiting for the next surprising move.