Needing lucky No. 11 in draft
Big stars, busts have been taken there — along with everything in between.
DAVIE — For those still unsure about whether Ryan Tannehill is the answer for the Dolphins, how would Ben Roethlisberger look in a Dolphins uniform?
If you’re wondering how the Dolphins’ highpriced defensive line could produce bargain-basement sacks, would J.J. Watt be an acceptable addition?
And if you’re down on DeVante Parker, might someone along the lines of Michael Irvin be a welcome replacement?
Of course, none of those three will be a Dolphin in 2018 … but comparable talent could be.
And, more to the point: For the sake of the Dolphins’ future, it pretty much needs to be.
The Dolphins hold the No. 11 pick in the draft, and the names Roethlisberger, Watt and Irvin should come to mind, because all were selected in that slot — a position that has been a gold mine over the years.
(Warning: For some unfortunate souls, it also can be a landmine. But more on that in a minute.)
The Dolphins have chosen 11th once, in 1969, coming away with defensive end Bill Stanfill, a cornerstone of the No-Name Defense on the two Super Bowl-winning teams and member of the Honor Roll at Hard Rock Stadium. If you were to offer Adam Gase a guy capable of 18.5 sacks in a season, which Stanfill had in 1973, Gase might find that acceptable.
Linebacker Patrick Willis, a tackling machine for the 49ers whose career was cut short by injury, was a No. 11. So were All-Pros DeMarcus Ware and Dwight Freeney, who between them have 264 sacks.
If you wanted to keep your quarterback in one piece with those headhunters around, calling on Pro Bowl tackles Taylor Lewan or Leon Searcy (yup, both 11s) would be advisable.
So too is doing one’s homework, which should keep the brain trust of Mike Tannenbaum, Chris Grier and Gase occupied the next few months. The first round is fraught with poor options, and drafting as high as No. 11 only raises the stakes.
Jay Cutler’s Dolphins career will come and go with only one forgettable season, costing Miami $10 million. But what if his price also were the 11th overall pick, which is what the Broncos paid in 2006?
Maybe it’s time for the Dolphins to choose another QB, but can they afford a replay of
the Daunte Culpepper experiment (Vikings, 1999)? Or another Jerry Tagge, whose career rating was 44.2 after the Packers thought he’d be the answer in 1972?
Those are the extremes. A majority of 11s end up somewhere in the middle, ranging from the very good (Wilber Marshall, Bears, 1984, or Dontari Poe, Chiefs, 2012) to the OK (Anthony Smith, Raiders, 1990).
For sheer bizarre entertainment, let’s revisit 1979, when the Saints took Texas punter Russell Erxleben at No. 11. They got what they deserved: After five years of Erxleben averaging 40 yards per punt, they saw him join the Lions, where he averaged 52 yards in 1987. Oh, but did we mention that was for his only kick in his final season?
Even when teams do the right thing, the results may not show it. UM’s Dan Morgan was a solid linebacking addition to the Panthers in 2001, but injuries shrunk his career into seven seasons. Packers fans had to wonder what could have been for Tim Lewis (1983), who had 16 interceptions in four seasons. Then came Sept. 22, 1986, when the Packers were playing the Bears. Lewis, 24, collided with receiver Willie Gault and didn’t regain feeling in his extremities until he was in the hospital. He was forced to retire.
The Dolphins’ season ended 6-10, so all fans have to look forward to is the draft. And, perhaps, another Big Ben, another Playmaker, or the latest installment from the massive talent well of the Watt family.