What would you think if the Miami Dolphins did this:

[CJ_18]

CRAZY THOUGHT

The situation has even given some rise to the lunatic notion that Miami might actually purposely let its time expire and in effect swap selections with the second-picking Rams for the lack of clear conviction on whom to draft first, and because that would save Miami millions.

Such a thing will not happen, of course, if only because the defeatist notion would make the Dolphins an even bigger laughingstock in April as they were September through December. But the discussion of it, the mere infinitesimal possibility, reminds us what an unfortunate year it is (relatively speaking) to be picking No. 1.

Every Dolfan/draftnik knows by now that the team probably will settle on Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long at No. 1, with Virginia defensive end Chris Long next most likely.

I say ''settle'' because it is plainly and unequivocally unlucky and unfortunate that a team picking No. 1 overall whose greatest need is quarterback cannot confidently fill that cavity once and at last with a franchise-maker.

In Jake Long, you get a left-side blocker who could be a perennial Pro Bowl player for the next decade. But Richmond Webb was that, spending more time in Hawaii in the '90s than Don Ho, and it didn't move Miami much closer to championship contention.

In Chris Long, you get a guy who could disrupt opposing pockets for a decade. But Jason Taylor has been that (still is, last we heard), and it hasn't closed the gap between ''Miami'' and ``Super Bowl.''

Parcells' draft strategy isn't so much to select the Best Available Long as it is to agree on a contract before the draft -- one that saves money, if possible. Thus you get the feeling the pick could end up being Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston or even LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey if either comes cheaper than either Long.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/496100.html

Adam Schefter was talking about this theory this morning on the NFL Network.

I think it would be an embaressmant to the NFL Draft, the League, all the possible #1 picks, and it would be basically saying: 'The NFL can laugh at us again for the next year.'

What would you think if the Dolphins purposely forfeited their pick?

[ReasonablySober]

This is a bad year to do so for two reasons.

One, everyone knows that the 'Phins are strongly considering at least four players with that top pick. Even if Miami dropped three or four spots down, the agent for the player they eventually select would demand #1 overall money or risk the player sitting out.

But the real reason I don't think it'll happen is that Miami is in position to play the top prospects against each other. The could negotiate with Vernon Gholston and tell him that he could go #1 for a bit of a discount, or he could risk falling to #6. If they truly have a handful of guys, they can negotiate with each and sign the guy that will come cheapest. I fully expect the guy they pick to be signed before the draft.

[Icness]

One, everyone knows that the 'Phins are strongly considering at least four players with that top pick. Even if Miami dropped three or four spots down, the agent for the player they eventually select would demand #1 overall money or risk the player sitting out.

I think this might be a real difficult year for teams to get their 1st rounders in camp on time. At so many positions (WR, CB, DT, DE and T after the Longs, QB after Ryan, RB after McFadden) there is no clear-cut pecking order and guys picked in the 20s are going to demand compensation closer to the picks in the teens and even top 10 than in prior years. And I also think you're dead on--it's still going to get publicized as the top pick and the agent will absolutely negotiatte from that position.

But the real reason I don't think it'll happen is that Miami is in position to play the top prospects against each other. The could negotiate with Vernon Gholston and tell him that he could go #1 for a bit of a discount, or he could risk falling to #6. If they truly have a handful of guys, they can negotiate with each and sign the guy that will come cheapest. I fully expect the guy they pick to be signed before the draft.

I can guarantee you that is exactly what Parcells is doing. Houston did that with Reggie Bush; his people thought they were bluffing and the Texans were serious. Whomever the pick is will absolutely be signed before the draft. If not signed then certainly very close to signing with an agreed-upon frameowrk already in place.

Nice post, my friend!

[Ex-hippie]

Here's something that adds to the intrigue a little: http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/did-gms-v ... pick-17250

Take it for what it's worth, but it's kinda funny.