I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the players that turned out to be the best and the worst picks at each position in the draft over the last 10 years.

(I left out the 2011 and 2012 drafts.  It’s too early to judge them)

Elite, franchise changing players have been available at each of the 32 positions in the first round.  Major busts have occurred at every slot as well, some of which set organizations back several seasons.  No pick is a sure thing, but every pick has potential.  Only time can tell.

Here’s the best and the worst picks at every slot since 2003.

 #1 Overall Pick:

Best:  Eli Manning, Giants 2004

Eli Manning has become the best #1 overall selection since 2003.

Eli may not be in the conversation for league’s best quarterback, but it’s hard to argue for a better top overall pick in the last 10 years.  He’s a 3-time Pro Bowler and has 2 more Super Bowl rings than you.

Worst: Jamarcus Russell, Raiders 2007

No explanation needed.  Maybe the now 308-pounder will make a comeback as a nose tackle.  Maybe not.

#2 Pick

Best: Calvin Johnson, Lions 2007

The 3-time All-Pro was chiseled by the football gods and sent to Detroit to represent the prototype wide receiver for all eternity.

Worst: Charles Rogers, Lions 2003

One of the biggest busts in NFL history.  Took the elite athletic intangibles few human beings possess and used it to batter women, smoke marijuana, and pop pills rather than play football.

#3 Pick
Best: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals 2004

See Johnson, Calvin.

Worst: QB Vince Young, Titans 2006

A 2-time Pro Bowler can’t be a total bust, but with the third overall pick, Tennessee was hoping for a franchise QB that would be under center for a long time.   That didn’t happen.  It still turned out better than if they chose Matt Leinart, so at least there’s that.

#4 Pick
Best: DeBrickashaw Ferguson, Jets 2006

This came down to Ferguson or Philip Rivers.  Ferguson is a 3-time Pro Bowler who has anchored the Jets offensive line since he walked into the locker room.

Worst: Aaron Curry, SEA 2009

Seattle passed on Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing to take Curry, who many draftniks declared to be the safest pick in the draft.  They were wrong.

#5 Pick

The Jets traded up to pick Mark Sanchez in 2009.

Best: Sean Taylor Redskins, 2004

Taylor only played 3 and a half seasons before his death, but his talent was unquestioned.  The 2-time Pro Bowler was elite.

Worst: Mark Sanchez, Jets 2009

The Jets traded up and hoped for a franchise quarterback.  They got butt-fumble highlights.

#6 Pick
Best: Vernon Davis, 49ers 2006

It took Davis a few years to breakout, but he’s now one of the best tight ends in the league.

Worst: Vernon Gholston, NYJ 2008

Gholston in 2008, Sanchez in 2009.  When first round picks are busts your team is usually reeling a few years later.  Gholston had 42 career tackles and was practice squad fodder for the Bears by 2011.

#7 Pick

Best: Adrian Peterson, Vikings 2007

The 5-time All-Pro and 2-time Rushing Champion will go down as an all-time great.

Worst: Troy Williamson, Vikings 2005

Minnesota passed on Roddy White and Vincent Jackson to take Williamson in the top 10.  He had 4 touchdowns in 5 years.

#8 Pick
Best: DeAngelo Hall, Falcons  2004

3-time Pro Bowler has been a solid starter his entire career.

Wost: Derrick Harvey, Jaguars 2008

Harvey had 92 tackles in 4 seasons, and was cut in Bengals camp last summer.

Ted Ginn Jr. is terrible.

#9 Pick

Best: Kevin Williams, Vikings 2003

The 5-time All-Pro and 6-time Pro Bowler made the NFL 2000′s All-Decade team.

Worst: Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins 2007

From the moment it was announced, Dolphin fans were livid that this pick wasn’t Brady Quinn.  That would have been awesome, too.

#10 Pick
Best: Terrell Suggs, Ravens 2003

A 5-time Pro Bowler and 2011 NFL Defensive POY.

Worst: Matt Leinart, Cardinals 2006

At the time, many wondered why Leinart dropped to the 10th pick.  He should have dropped much farther.

#11 Pick
Best: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers 2004

Another franchise player taken in 2004 with a pair of Super Bowl rings to show for it.

Worst: Aaron Maybin, Bills 2009

Brian Orakpo, Clay Matthews, and Percy Harvin were there for the Bills.  Maybin has a career total of 36 tackles.

#12 Pick

Best: Haloti Ngata, Ravens 2006

Ravens landed a prototype nose tackle who is a 5-time All-Pro.

Worst: Jimmy Kennedy, Rams 2003

Kennedy had 129 tackles in 9 years and was selected ahead of Troy Polamalu.

#13 Pick

Best: Brian Orakpo, Redskins 2009

Orakpo is one of the best OLBs in the league and has 2 Pro Bowl births and counting.

Worst: Brandon Graham, Eagles 2010

Pick number 13 has been pretty solid over the last 10 years.  Graham gets my vote because Earl Thomas and Jason Pierre-Paul were chosen immediately after him in 2010.

#14 Pick

Best: Darrelle Revis, Jets 2007

The definition of a shutdown corner.

Worst: Michael Haynes, Bears 2003

After 3 uneventful seasons in Chicago, Haynes was out of the league.
#15 Pick

Jason Pierre-Paul was a mid round gem in 2010.

Best: Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants 2010

The Giants took a gamble on the “raw” Pierre-Paul and won.  He’s one of the most feared pass-rushers walking the planet.

Worst: Jerome McDougle, Eagles 2003

McDougle was plagued by a litany of injuries his entire career and was out of football by 2009.

#16 Pick

Best: Troy Polamalu, Steelers 2003

A 7-time Pro Bowler who is on his way to a Hall of Fame career.

Worst: Dustin Harrell, Packers 2007

Started 2 games and was out of the league by 2011.

#17 Pick

Best: Chad Greenway, Vikings 2006

Missed his entire rookie season, but in the years since has blossomed into an All-Pro.

Worst: David Pollack, Bengals 2005

Injury limited Pollack to 29 career games, and 29 career tackles.

#18 Pick

Best: Joe Flacco, Raven 2008

When you land a Super Bowl winning, franchise quarterback in the late first round, that’s a win.

Worst: Erasmus James, Vikings 2005

37 career tackles. Last played for the New Mexico Stars.

#19 Pick

Best: Michael Griffin, Titans 2007

2-time Pro Bowler and 2010 All-Pro.

Worst: Kyle Boller, Ravens 2003

Journeyman backup. Not exactly the return the Ravens hoped for with a first round quarterback.

#20 Pick

Best: Tamba Hall, Chiefs 2006

A solid, longtime starter and 3-time Pro Bowler.

Worst: Kenechi Udeze, Vikings 2004

An unfortunate battle with leukemia, and the neuropathy that arose during his recovery limited Udeze’s career to 3 seasons.

The Jaguars picked this guy at WR over Roddy White in 2005.

#21 Pick

Best: Vince Wilfork, Patriots 2004

Another gem from 2004.  Wilfork is a 5-time Pro-Bowler who has anchored the Patriots defense for years.

Worst: Matt Jones, Jaguars 2005

Only played 4 seasons with a total of 2,153 receiving yards.  Roddy White was selected a few picks later.

#22 Pick

Best: Percy Harvin, Vikings 2009

Harvin was already an All-Pro as a rookie, and is one of the most explosive players in the league.

Worst: J.P. Losman, Bills 2004

The Bills needed to draft a quarterback in 2004.  Unfortunately, Manning, Rivers and Big Ben were off the board.  They still felt the need to spend a 1st round pick on Losman.

#23 Pick

Best: Willis McGahee, Bills 2003

A 2-Time Pro Bowler and former comeback player of the year who bounced back from multiple injuries to have a prosperous career.

Worst: Marcus Tubbs, Seahawks 2004

Who?

#24 Pick

It’s hard to believe Aaron Rodgers fell to pick 24 in 2005.

Best: Aaron Rodgers, Packers 2005

A franchise quarterback and  NFL / Super Bowl MVP.  Not bad for pick 24.

Worst: Peria Jerry, Falcons 2009

Jerry gets this by default.  The 24th pick has proven to be a solid spot since 2003.  Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Dallas Clark, Brandon Meriweather, Johnathan Joseph and Dez Bryant were all chosen here.

#25 Pick

Best: Jon Beason, Panthers 2007

A 3-time Pro Bowler, and 2-time All-Pro.

Worst: Ahmad Carrol, Packers 2004

Carrol had 3 career interceptions and was in the CFL by 2008.  Were it not for Tim Tebow’s fleeting moment with the Broncos – he might be here.

#26 Pick

Best: Clay Matthews, Packers 2009

A bad, bad hombre who is a 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro.

Worst: Chris Perry, Bengals 2004

He had 2 career rushing touchdowns in 4 seasons.

#27 Pick

Best: Roddy White, Falcons 2005

White has been one of the best receivers in the league for the past several years and is a 4-time Pro Bowler.  Larry Johnson was also selected here.

Worst:  Donald Brown, Colts 2009

It’s not that Brown is a terrible player, he’s just not what the Colts hoped for in a 1st round back.  Hakeem Nicks and Kenny Britt were both chosen a few spots later in 2009.

#28 Pick

Best: Joe Staley, 49ers 2007

The All-Pro LT is the cornerstone of the 49ers offensive line.

Worst: Andre Woolfolk, Titans 2003

Had 3 interceptions in 4 seasons.

#29 Pick

Best: Nick Mangold, Jets 2006

The Jets solidified their offensive line with Ferguson and Mangold both picked in 2006.  Mangold is a 3-time All-Pro.

Worst: Kentwan Balmer, 49ers 2008

Yawn.

#30 Pick

Buster Davis was a bust.

Best: Heath Miller, Steelers 2005

A longtime starter and 2-time Pro Bowler.

Worst: Buster Davis, Chargers 2007

Fitting his nickname is “Bust”er.  Logged 1 more NFL touchdown than me.

#31 Pick

Best: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders 2003

A shutdown corner when he peaked and a 4-time All-Pro.

Worst: Rashaun Woods, 49ers 2004

He caught 7 passes in his NFL career. Seven.

#32 Pick

Best: Logan Mankins, Patriots 2005

A 4-time All-Pro plugged in for the better part of a decade.  Not too shabby.

Worst: Anthony Gonzalez, Colts 2007

Couldn’t stay healthy and finished career with just 7 TDs.  Kinda shabby.

That means no matter what order Ireland decides to fill his roster holes, some of the “need” positions still must be addressed with Miami’s 5 picks in the middle rounds, especially if the Dolphins “double down” on a position or two, which they have wisely done in the past.

Here are 5 players to watch in the middle rounds of the draft.

1) CB Logan Ryan, Rutgers: 5’11, 191 lbs

Rutgers CB Logan Ryan

The Dolphins are searching for zone corners to match Kevin Coyle’s system and this draft is deep in talent at the position. If Miami passes on corners like Rhodes, Trufant, Jamar Taylor and Darius Slay in the first two rounds, Ryan could be a logical choice in the third.

Ryan led Rutgers in pass break ups in both of his seasons as a starter, and totaled 7 interceptions and 161 tackles in that time, including 4 picks and 94 tackles in 2012. He likely would not be competing for a starting spot in 2013, but could be a core special teams guy and offer solid depth with great potential under Coyle’s guidance.

Chatter:

ProFootball Weekly:

Very good size, and well built. Tackle production was outstanding. Assett defending the run. Mirrors off the line. Sound zone defender. Terrific ball production.  Not a quick-twitch, explosive athlete. Does not elevate quickly and is a poor leaper. Loses some 50/50 balls.

SBNation:

Breaks up a ton of passes. In zone coverage, uses his eyes well to recognize when to break off of one man and onto the next assignment.  Needs to continue to work on cleaning up his footwork.  Most of his struggles appear to come when he’s playing off the line of scrimmage in man coverage.

 

2) CB/S Sanders Commings, Georgia: 6’0, 216 lbs

Georgia DB Sanders Commings

Commings is another potential zone friendly player that could offer depth at both corner and safety. He won’t solve Miami’s secondary issues, but could be a great option as the second player in a “double down” situation. The Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly seems convinced the Dolphins will draft a safety. It seems logical they might be looking at a player that could play corner as well with the proper guidance.

Chatter:

ProFootball Weekly:

Built like a pumped up safety. Heavy hands to jam receivers at the line. Matches up with tight ends. Goods hands, works hard and takes game seriously. Short arms and tweener traits. Limited range and could struggle on an island.

 

3) TE Levine Toilolo, Stanford: 6’8 260 lbs.

Stanford TE Levine Toilolo

The arrival of Dustin Keller in Miami doesn’t mean the Dolphins are set at tight end. Keller may be the receiving seam threat the team has craved, but he only signed a 1-year deal. There is also a void of blocking tight ends on the roster. If the team passes on Tyler Eifert in the first round or Gavin Escobar in the second round, Toilolo is a favorite of mine in the fourth round. He could be a great compliment to Keller, and a solid red-zone option. Zach Ertz got all the love at Stanford this year, but Toilolo was the blocker that opened up many of his plays.

Chatter:

ProFootball Weekly:

Rare size. Big short to intermediate target. Good base and bulk to block inline. Athletic bloodlines.  Doesn’t dominate. Could struggle to separate. Limited after the catch.

NFL DraftScout.com:

Some have compared Toilolo to Marcedes Lewis. Toilolo lacks the burst, but he is a brute after the catch. He suffered a torn ACL in 2010 and must reassure teams that he is completely over the injury.

4) OT / G David Bakhtiari, Colorado: 6’4 300 lbs

Colorado OL David Bakhtiari

Help along the offensive line is the Dolphins’ biggest need entering the draft, and I expect multiple linemen to be selected. If Miami isn’t able to land Lane Johnson in the first round, it will likely mean Jonathan Martin will man the LT spot in 2013. There are athletic, zone blocking lineman options after the first round, but none that will walk in and compete for starting LT spot. That means several players may be in play in the later rounds to compete for the RT spot, and the RG spot, which needs upgrading as well. Incumbent John Jerry isn’t ideal in the zone blocking system. Justin Pugh, Kyle Long, and Terron Armstead may be fits in the second round, but even if one of them is taken, it would be wise to pick up another scheme fit player in the middle rounds. Bakhtiari is athletic, quick footed and may fit the bill.

Chatter:

ProFootball Weekly:

Played LT in college, maybe better suited inside in the pros. Clean shuffle and slide. Easily climbs to the second level. Lacks ideal height and build, and can get over powered.

SBNation:

Established himself as one of the Pac-12′s most physical and consistent offensive linemen over his three seasons at tackle for the Buffs. Strong grip and latch to control rushers when obtained. A move to Guard is likely in his future.

5) G Jeff Baca, UCLA: 6’3 302 lbs.

UCLA OL Jeff Baca

The days of selecting mauling, space clogging offensive linemen in the Sparano era are over, and Baca is another lighter, more athletic guard prospect that may warrant consideration for Miami’s scheme. Baca is versatile and saw playing time at every position along the Bruin’s OL at different times in his career.

Chatter:

ProFootball Weekly:

Stout at the point of attack and can get to the second level. Lacks weight room strength, and may lack mental toughness. Very athletic, and projects best at guard in a zone blocking scheme.

Nfl.com:

As tenacious a blocker as there is in this draft class. Strong punch in pass pro, stuns tackles to knock them backwards and works to move the line, but stronger defenders can push him back with a power rush, and can use their superior strength to rip off blocks or control his upper body.

 

 

Reggie Bush had key blocks from rookie FB Jovorskie Lane on both of his long TD runs against Oakland.

Two things of note.

One: Reggie Bush is still fast. Real fast. As in, able to out-run entire secondaries, fast.
Two: We’ve got ourselves a fullback.

Undrafted rookie Jovorskie Lane was originally a longshot to make the team, but after the first two games we’re beginning see why Mike Sherman wanted to keep his former Texas A&M fullback around.  The guy’s a moose.  He’s a lineman in the backfield.  A 5’11, 275 pound wrecking ball that you can identify on the field solely from the camera’s long shot.  He stays upright, holds his blocks, and helped clear paths for Reggie Bush all day.  Both of Bush’s long third quarter touchdown runs were partly set up by Lane. Reggie obviously deserves much of the credit for the brilliance of both runs. He broke four tackles en route to the first score, and out ran the entire Raiders defense on the second score.  But, Lane had key blocks that set up both runs.

Let’s break it down with shots from each play as they developed.

The play – 8:31 left in the 3rd quarter. Reggie Bush runs off right tackle for a 23 yard touchdown.  He breaks a tackle from an Oakland CB near the line of scrimmage, slips by a DT  and FS  in the second level, and flattens another CB in the secondary.

Dolphin FB Jovorskie Lane, and WR Brian Hartline each pick up critical blocks to open up the play.  Pay attention to Lane (framed) as he meets and completely seals Oakland LB Carl Ihenacho near the line, and Hartline (framed) as he runs to the center of the field to eliminate S Tyvon Branch.

As the ball is snapped the offensive line engages their blocks.  Lane makes his move toward Ihenacho, and Hartline focuses on Branch.  Oakland CB Joselio Hanson (framed) is left alone, but will soon be embarrased by Bush.

Blocks are contained beautifully.  Lane completely absorbs Ihenacho to seal the edge (framed).  If not for this block, Bush is leveled in the backfield before he works his magic.  Hartline also clogs Branch (framed), as Hanson makes his move to stop the play.

It’s all Reggie from this point out.  He runs completely through Hanson (framed), and has a bit of daylight in the second level as DT Desmond Bryant and FS Michael Huff break toward the play.

Bryant over shoots the tackle as Bush cuts inside easily shedding the arm tackle (framed).  Michael Huff prepares to be humbled, and CB Pat Lee decides to try and actually play tackle football.  He too, will fail.

Bush escapes Huff (framed).  Lee realizes he’s the last line of defense.

Bush lays waste to Lee and scores.

The second touchdown run is just as impressive.   Bush and his blockers execute the play beautifully.

The play – 4:11 left in the 3rd quarter. Reggie Bush runs left for a 65 yard touchdown.  Once again, FB Jovorskie Lane serves as the lead blocker, disrupting two potential tackles in the second level.  Bush is also aided by a seam created near the line of scrimmage by blocks from WR Davone Bess and TE Anthony Fasano.

As the ball is snapped Bush and Lane dart left.  Lane (framed) is the lead block for the entire play, but Bess (framed) creates a key block to get the play going.

Bess contains the corner (framed), while Fasano contains the linebacker (framed).  This creates a perfect hole for Lane and Bush to squeeze through to the second level.

Lane and Bush are through the hole.  Lane disrupts Oakland LB Rolando McClain (framed), while Bush kicks into high gear.  Oakland S Tyvon Branch approaches next.

Lane, still on his feet, engages Branch long enough for Bush to squeeze by.

These were two outstanding plays.  In both, we see the elite speed of Reggie Bush, and fantastic blocking by receivers and an undrafted rookie.  If the Dolphins can keep this up, it will continue to bode well for the run game, and may open up the passing game as well.