NFL Draft Info - Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins 2010 Draft Focus: Linebacker

By Keith Beebe

Given Bill Parcells' love affair with the linebacker position, it's somewhat surprising that he hasn't drafted a premier player at the position since arriving in Miami. Of course, there's no time like the present, and I can't remember the last time the Dolphins needed linebackers this badly. Since transitioning to the 3-4 defense, Miami's achilles' heel has been its linebacker corps, which has been unable to create consistent pressure off the edge and stuff the run by sealing off gaps. They're also terrible in coverage and lack the kind of killer instinct necessary to dominate the second level of defense

Fortunately for Dolphins fans, it's almost guaranteed the Dolphins' front office upgrades the linebacker position during this year's draft. Consider this: since landing in South Beach, Parcells and Jeff Ireland have overhauled the Dolphins' offensive line, defensive line and secondary, which were all black holes for the Dolphins at one point or another. So it's very likely Parcells will approach this draft like the linebacker Toys "R"Us that it is and get exceptional talent at both the outside and interior position.

And there's a ridiculous amount of linebacker talent in this draft -- so much, in fact, that it's difficult to narrow down the players that are the best fit for the Dolphins. Nevertheless, I think I have a good idea of which early-round linebackers are most likely to be in aqua and orange next season. And the nominees are ...

Rolando McClain -- ILB, Alabama

What a revelation, right? McClain's draft stock has basically rocketed into the stratosphere over the last six months, and unless he has an epically bad combine, I don't see his hype fading anytime soon. The man plays the linebacker position with the demeanor of the Terminator and does a great job of diagnosing plays. And as if those attributes weren't enough, he's also great at stuffing the run and blitzing.

Now, McClain is by no means a perfect prospect -- his tackling form can be improved, and his ability to go from sideline to sideline has been questioned by multiple scouts. There's also talk that his 40-yd dash time might reside in the low 4.6 range, which is only slightly above average for the linebacker position.

Honestly, though, I don't care about McClain's few shortcomings at the position because, in my eyes, he's a knockout prospect. His combination of athleticism and intellect is extremely rare, and most of the holes in his game can be -- and will be -- corrected by the time he hits camp. And let's not forget that McClain will be under Mike Nolan's tutelage if Miami takes him with the No.12 pick.

Brandon Spikes -- ILB, Florida

What a break it would be for the Dolphins if they could land this guy in round two. Of course, I don't think Spikes would be too happy about slipping into the second round, given that he was projected going to the Dolphins in the first round of the 2009 draft before deciding to return to school for his senior season. Nevertheless, his loss would be Miami's gain, and Spikes, a 6'3, 250 pound beast, is the kind of player that would turn Miami's pourous second level of defense around in a hurry.

Believe it or not, Spikes' instincts at the inside linebacker position might actually be better than Rolando McClain's, and despite the fact Spikes has only average speed, he is an absolute play-maker in coverage. Spikes is also a bona fide leader whose diagnostic skills are lightning fast, making him a force against the run.

Supposing Spikes runs in the 4.7 range at the combine, it's likely he'll suffer the same fate as fellow inside linebackers Rey Maualuga and James Lauranaitis and slip out of the first round, which would make him an outstanding value for the Dolphins in the second round.

Brandon Graham -- DE/OLB -- Michigan

Basically a human bulldozer rushing off the edge, Brandon Graham has become a first-round candidate thanks to a dominant Senior Bowl performance, as well as several outstanding performances during the '09 season, (especially against Ohio State, in which he spent more time in the Buckeye's backfield than most of Ohio State's tailbacks).

Graham's only listed at 6'1, but he comes in around 270 and possesses a fierce bull rush maneuver. In a lot of ways, he's similar to Dwight Freeney, which means he has the build and athleticism to play the edge in a 3-4 scheme.

Jerry Hughes -- DE/OLB -- TCU

My favorite outside linebacker in this year's draft class, Jerry Hughes is an absolute monster rushing off the edge. At 6'2, 260, he's certainly big enough to qualify as a 3-4 "elephant," and is also extremely difficult to block one-on-one, making him an attractive prospect for a Dolphins defense looking to create pressure from the outside linebacker position.

Hughes currently projects as an early second-round prospect, and that's where I expect him to stay. If Miami shores up their inside linebacker position in round one, they could very easily grab Hughes if he's still available when the Dolphins make the 43rd pick.

Ricky Sapp -- DE/OLB -- Clemson

Another favorite of mine. Ricky Sapp is possibly the most impressive athlete at the linebacker position in this draft, but is currently teetering between the first and second round.

Boasting a ridiculous low-4.5 40-yd dash time, Sapp is outstanding in coverage and a pass-rushing nightmare, but could use a few more pounds on his tall, lean frame. Regardless, a player of Sapp's caliber would add some much-needed versatility to Miami's inept linebacker corps -- and would be an outright steal should he slip into the middle of round two.

Sergio Kindle -- OLB -- Texas

Probably one of the bigger "boom or bust" prospects in this year's draft, Sergio Kindle has the ability and athleticism to become a premier pass rusher off the edge in the NFL. Unfortunately for Kindle, he also has a tendency to look absolutely lost during plays from time to time. When he's on, though, there's few offensive linemen who can actually take him one-on-one, and when you combine his speed and power with his developing array of pass-rush moves, it's easy to imagine a linebacker connoiseur like Parcells trading down in the first round to draft the powerhouse Texas outside linebacker.

Bottom Line: I love the premier linebackers in this draft class, and can see the Dolphins taking two of them within the first three rounds. Miami's inside linebackers are terrible, and their outside linebackers, with the exception of Cameron Wake, aren't much better. And since Mike Nolan has his Elvis Dumervil-type player in Wake, expect him to add an emotional leader like McClain or Spikes and then bring aboard another linebacker to solidify the strong-side position, regardless of whether or not the Dolphins retain Jason Taylor.