http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3554964
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - Now that the Miami Dolphins have a top-five pick in the NFL draft for the first time in 38 years, new coach Nick Saban wants to trade it.
Saban inherited the No. 2 choice behind San Francisco when he took over a team coming off its worst season since the 1960s. But because the Dolphins have only four other picks, with none in the second round, Saban has been shopping his first-round choice for a package of lower selections.
"We have quite a few needs," he said. "To have the second pick in the draft and then not a pick until the third round doesn't give us the opportunity that I would like to have to solve several problems in the draft."
Barring a trade, Miami will have only one of the first 69 picks Saturday. That wouldn't provide much help for a team that went 4-12 in its first losing season since 1988 and seeks to upgrade in almost every area.
There's further incentive for trading down: While this year's draft is regarded as deep, with the best value in perhaps the second and third rounds, it's considered relatively weak at the top.
Saban bristled at a question regarding surefire picks.
"We can only take the best player who is available," he said. "You know who is out there. Is there a Julius Peppers out there? Do you see one?
"Just because you have the second pick in the draft doesn't mean it's surefire. Everything is time and circumstance."
Other teams are well aware of the Dolphins' circumstances - and their desire for more picks - which hurts Saban's leverage as he tries to swing a trade.
Miami needs a running back, an offensive tackle and better depth at receiver, along with reinforcements for an aging defense. Quarterback A.J. Feeley, who struggled as a first-year starter on a team that ranked last in the AFC in scoring, is among those eager to find out who Saban takes with his first choice.
"I'd like to see a guy on offense," Feeley said. "That's just me being selfish. A skills guy would be nice."
If Saban keeps the No. 2 pick, he may indeed choose a "skills guy" - perhaps a replacement for Feeley.
Even if San Francisco takes one of two highly regarded quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers of California or Alex Smith of Utah, the other will be available with the second pick. Saban interviewed both, attended their workouts and praised their potential.
The Dolphins have used their top pick on a quarterback only twice, and both (Bob Griese and Dan Marino) went on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But Saban is aware of the pitfalls that come with picking a passer.
"The history of drafting quarterbacks in the first round is a 30 percent hit," the rookie head coach said. "I don't know what the odds are on a craps table in Vegas, but I know about that one."
Other options for Miami include one of three running backs: Ronnie Brown or Carnell Williams, both of Auburn, or Cedric Benson of Texas. Brown is the most versatile and Williams the quickest, while Benson was the most productive in college.
Saban expressed no preference for a particular type of rusher.
"Some people buy pink Cadillacs, and other people have a yellow Volkswagen," he said. "Both are very efficient, effective ways of transportation."
The Dolphins finished next-to-last in the league in rushing last year, and even if 2002 NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams decides to end his retirement, he'll likely be traded rather than rejoin Miami.
But by picking a running back, Saban would be bucking a trend. No rusher has been taken higher than 16th since 2001, and none has been drafted higher than fourth since Ki-Jana Carter was the No. 1 pick in 1995.
Saban has repeatedly said he wants to take the best player available, rather than try to fill a specific need. That's why a quarterback might be the choice with the second pick, if Saban is forced to make one.
"You really have to try to look at all this stuff from a thousand feet," he said. "You want to be sure the player that you choose at that particular selection really has that much value to the organization. Otherwise you're making reaches that may be detrimental to you in the future."
Saban inherited the No. 2 choice behind San Francisco when he took over a team coming off its worst season since the 1960s. But because the Dolphins have only four other picks, with none in the second round, Saban has been shopping his first-round choice for a package of lower selections.
"We have quite a few needs," he said. "To have the second pick in the draft and then not a pick until the third round doesn't give us the opportunity that I would like to have to solve several problems in the draft."
Barring a trade, Miami will have only one of the first 69 picks Saturday. That wouldn't provide much help for a team that went 4-12 in its first losing season since 1988 and seeks to upgrade in almost every area.
There's further incentive for trading down: While this year's draft is regarded as deep, with the best value in perhaps the second and third rounds, it's considered relatively weak at the top.
Saban bristled at a question regarding surefire picks.
"We can only take the best player who is available," he said. "You know who is out there. Is there a Julius Peppers out there? Do you see one?
"Just because you have the second pick in the draft doesn't mean it's surefire. Everything is time and circumstance."
Other teams are well aware of the Dolphins' circumstances - and their desire for more picks - which hurts Saban's leverage as he tries to swing a trade.
Miami needs a running back, an offensive tackle and better depth at receiver, along with reinforcements for an aging defense. Quarterback A.J. Feeley, who struggled as a first-year starter on a team that ranked last in the AFC in scoring, is among those eager to find out who Saban takes with his first choice.
"I'd like to see a guy on offense," Feeley said. "That's just me being selfish. A skills guy would be nice."
If Saban keeps the No. 2 pick, he may indeed choose a "skills guy" - perhaps a replacement for Feeley.
Even if San Francisco takes one of two highly regarded quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers of California or Alex Smith of Utah, the other will be available with the second pick. Saban interviewed both, attended their workouts and praised their potential.
The Dolphins have used their top pick on a quarterback only twice, and both (Bob Griese and Dan Marino) went on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But Saban is aware of the pitfalls that come with picking a passer.
"The history of drafting quarterbacks in the first round is a 30 percent hit," the rookie head coach said. "I don't know what the odds are on a craps table in Vegas, but I know about that one."
Other options for Miami include one of three running backs: Ronnie Brown or Carnell Williams, both of Auburn, or Cedric Benson of Texas. Brown is the most versatile and Williams the quickest, while Benson was the most productive in college.
Saban expressed no preference for a particular type of rusher.
"Some people buy pink Cadillacs, and other people have a yellow Volkswagen," he said. "Both are very efficient, effective ways of transportation."
The Dolphins finished next-to-last in the league in rushing last year, and even if 2002 NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams decides to end his retirement, he'll likely be traded rather than rejoin Miami.
But by picking a running back, Saban would be bucking a trend. No rusher has been taken higher than 16th since 2001, and none has been drafted higher than fourth since Ki-Jana Carter was the No. 1 pick in 1995.
Saban has repeatedly said he wants to take the best player available, rather than try to fill a specific need. That's why a quarterback might be the choice with the second pick, if Saban is forced to make one.
"You really have to try to look at all this stuff from a thousand feet," he said. "You want to be sure the player that you choose at that particular selection really has that much value to the organization. Otherwise you're making reaches that may be detrimental to you in the future."
