Should The Dolphins Trade Up For Courtney Upshaw?
By Matt Patrick
Wow, last night’s draft was filled with excitement and several unexpected twists and turns. With all of the remaining talent still available, tonight’s draft will be filled with drama for the second and third round picks. The one guy we should all be keeping our eyes on is Alabama’s LB Courtney Upshaw. Like a kid getting “stood up” for the Prom Dance, Upshaw was left in the Green Room Thursday night with no takers. Considering he is ranked a top 20 player in this draft, he is officially on the steal list for tonight. The question is, should the Dolphins trade up to get him?
Late last night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to make a trade with the Denver Broncos to move up and select Boise State RB Doug Martin with the 31st pick. It only cost the Bucs their second and fourth round pick. To move up into the first round and select a potential star as Martin, Tampa Bay did not have to give up the farm.
Miami currently has the 42nd pick. There is no chance Upshaw will last ten picks tonight and fall in Miami’s lap. If the Dolphins want him, they will have to trade up. It would most likely cost us a second and a fourth rounder as well to move up and grab Upshaw. In my opinion, there is no reason for us to not make that deal.
Alabama had the number one ranked defense in college football last year and many will argue that Upshaw was the best player on that defense. He had 52 total tackles last year and led the team with 18 tackles for a loss. He recorded 9.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, and returned an interception for a 45 yard touchdown. Upshaw was a playmaking beast last year and he will be an immediate impact player for whichever team selects him tonight.
It’s no secret the Dolphins are in desperate need of a pass rusher. They released DE Philip Merling earlier this week and lost DE Kendall Langford in free agency. There is no depth on this team to fill the shoes of DE Jason Taylor and it’s vital for Miami to target a pass rusher early tonight. Last year, the Dolphins traded their third (79th), fifth (146th), and seventh (217th) round picks to move up in the second round to select RB Daniel Thomas. So what’s stopping them from trading up to get Upshaw?
What do you think Miami should do?