NFL Draft Info - Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins 2010 Draft Focus: Nose Tackle

By Keith Beebe

Even those who consider the Dolphins franchise to have all the redeeming characteristics of, say, a nuclear winter, are quick to acknowledge the huge potential of Miami's young defense. The Dolphins boast outstanding talent at the defensive end position and have a young, talented corner tandem, but are severely thin at two positions that define the 3-4 defense: nose tackle and linebacker.

One of Bill Parcells' first moves after become Vice President of Football Operations was bring over nose tackle Jason Ferguson from the Cowboys. At 6'3, 310, Ferguson possessed the ideal size to serve as a two-gap nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, though, Ferguson was already in his mid-30s and nearing the end of his career. Nevertheless, he has played well for Miami during the two seasons he's been in South Beach, but the season-ending knee injury he suffered against Carolina in mid-November, as well as his recent eight-game suspension for PEDs, are a reminder that Miami needs to find Ferguson's replacement sooner than later.

Several people in the media thought back-up nose tackle Paul Soliai, a 2007 fourth-round pick out of the University of Utah, could eventually become a starter for the Dolphins, but Soliai was largely ineffective when he took over after Ferguson's knee injury. Soliai is useful in a platoon-type set-up, but isn't the kind of space eater who can consistently stuff the run. In fact, I like to think of Soliai as the perfect back-up nose tackle.

Miami also brings in 6'7 defensive tackle Tony McDaniel on passing downs, but he lacks the bulk to resemble anything close to a nose tackle.

So with all of this mind, let's take a look at the premier nose tackles available in this year's draft and gauge how they'd fit in Miami's 3-4 (which now has Mike Nolan at the helm).

Dan Williams -- University of Tennessee

Williams has made major headway up draft boards since the beginning of the '09 college season, completely surpassing Alabama's Terrence Cody as the best nose tackle prospect in 2010.

At 6'2, 330, Williams is a similar player to what Casey Hampton was coming out of the University of Texas: a mammoth two-gap nose tackle with the motor to shed blocks and disrupt the backfield. Williams is a load to handle, even when double teamed by offensive linemen, and would wreck absolute havoc if he was paired between Dolphin defensive ends Kendall Langford and Randy Starks.

Now that the Dolphins have shored up its inside linebacker position with Karlos Dansby, I believe Williams is the Dolphins' No. 1 prospect -- at any position -- in this draft, and is the franchise-caliber nose tackle Miami needs (plus he kind of looks like Tim Bowens).

Terrence Cody -- Alabama

Just about every mock draft on the planet last summer had the Dolphins taking the immovable Mt. Cody in the first round. Funny how much things can change in six months.

Cody didn't play up to expectations this season, and aside from his two blocked field goals against Tennessee, wasn't the kind of factor a 6'5, 360 pound nose tackle should be.

Granted, Cody is a pure run clogger, but he struggled against single blocks multiple times this season and was outright dominated by University of Florida center Maurkice Pouncey during the SEC Championship Game. And if Cody isn't getting consistently double teamed, his worth as a nose tackle basically plummets.

I would expect the Dolphins to maybe consider Cody if he's still on the board in the second round, but it'd be a mistake to project him as a dominant two-down nose tackle in the NFL. Several draft analysts liken Cody to Jamal Williams, but I think that comparison is a bit of a stretch at this point.

Bottom Line: There's only two big-time nose tackles in play for this year's draft, and Miami can either draft McClain in the first round and consider taking his Alabama teammate Terrence Cody in the second, or take Williams in the first and look to draft Brandon Spikes in the second.

I believe Williams would be a better fit in a Mike Nolan-coordinated 3-4 scheme. Make it happen, Trifecta.