In looking at what the Dolphins should do with the No. 1 overall selection, drafting Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long makes the most sense.
I think we can all agree that Arkansas running back Darren McFadden has the potential to be the best player in this draft. But it's the one spot the Dolphins don't have a need for with Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and Lorenzo Booker already on the team. Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan is not a No. 1 overall selection, and I'm not sold on Virginia defensive end Chris Long or LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey being tremendous impact players.
Jake Long would fill a huge need for the Dolphins since their offensive line is a mess. He can play either tackle spot, and with Miami's quarterback situation -- Josh McCown is the likely starter or second-year John Beck -- they need time to throw. Brown, the Dolphins best player on offense, is coming off a torn ACL and might not be ready to start the year. And if the Dolphins are to have any success on offense, they will need to run the ball well.
If Long can live up to the potential of being the next Orlando Pace or Jonathan Ogden, the Dolphins will have made the right move. If he turns into the next Robert Gallery, then Miami missed out. But if you have the chance to take a player who can lead your offensive line for 10 years, that's the way to go. And I think Jake Long can be that type of player.
