Could Dolphins Skip #1 Pick?

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel brings up a very interesting possibility that hasn’t been talked about very much. That is the Dolphins, with the first overall pick in the draft, just letting the clock run out.

Under NFL rules, it’s entirely legal. Miami could then pick another spot to make their first selection in the first round, probably somewhere in the top ten.

Why would they want to do this? Well, it’s simple. They don’t want to pay a ton of guaranteed money to who they pick, which always happens with the first player chosen. Right now, they’re negotiating a deal with Jake Long and Vernon Gholston, and will do the same with Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey later, to avoid a hold-out. But, if they can’t reach an agreement with one and think it’s too big of a risk or they don’t want to spend so much on an unproven player, than just maybe………

It’s comical how no one wants the formally coveted first overall pick. Despite their best efforts, the Dolphins were unable to find a team willing to take it, with all owners having the same concerns.

If Miami was to just let the clock run out, than they could take someone later in the first round, most likely sooner than later, and pay them less money. If they don’t have someone that they’re set on getting, which it appears they don’t at the moment, than getting one of the four players they’re interested in later in the top five wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

However, them doing this is highly unlikely, as it would set off a chain of unfortunate events.

Remember the mass hysteria in Miami when they picked Ted Ginn Jr. last year? Well, that would be nothing compared to what it would be like if they didn’t get the first pick. The fans suffered through a one win season in 2007, and want to get at least something positive out of it. All it would do for the fans would send a message that they’re just thinking about being penny-wise, not about winning.

Also, the league, specifically commissioner Roger Goodell, would be absolutely furious with them. This pick is what starts and sets the stage for the rest of the draft, and in some fan’s minds, is the biggest reasons to watch the draft. This article says that the rule that teams could give up their pick for a later one could even be changed if the Dolphins were to do this.

Ya, it doesn’t sound like the Dolphins would be making very many friends by doing something as unthinkable as this. But then again, considering how absurd these rookie signing bonus’s have gotten and how Miami doesn’t want to start their rebuilding effort out with a huge contract on the books, maybe it’s possible. Boy, what a commotion it would cause if it actually happened.