During their recent media blitz, the Miami Dolphins head coach, Joe Philbin, general manager Jeff Ireland, and CEO Mike Dee spoke to many of the local newspapers about the state of the team, the future of the franchise, and how Philbin is settling in as the head coach. Along with those topics, the Sun Sentinel today reports that Ireland broached the subject of trading up in the draft.
While not mentioning the possibility of grabbing Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III at the second overall position, the idea of moving up in the draft clearly adds to the speculation that the Dolphins could make a move for the Baylor Bears' quarterback.
The Sun Sentinel's Mike Berardino specifically asked Ireland how much is too much to move up in the draft.

"It depends on what the other team is looking for," Ireland replied. "It's all a matter of what that team that holds that spot that you're trying to get up to is looking for. Right now I don't know what they're looking for. You obviously have to take into account the player you're looking to acquire and how that player affects your football team.
"But right now, we're still in the due-diligence process of trading back, trading up. That stuff doesn't get going until a later date. We're just trying to get our staff in place and try to get them all lined up right now from a players standpoint."
While there is a large faction of fans that really don't see Ireland making a trade in the draft, simply because they don't trust Ireland, there's a history of trades during Ireland's time as the general manager. And, if it was Ireland making the trades, or former Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, there is pattern of Miami being active on draft day. In fact, the Dolphins have made a trade every year since 2008 on draft day. Berardino ran down the trades from each year, grading the moves the Dolphins made.
He also points out, if the Dolphins were going to make the trade, it's going to be expensive. Berardino writes;
"...if you go by the traditional draft value chart and add up the Dolphins' entire 2012 draft, you still wouldn't have enough value (2, 291 points) to offset the 2,600-point value assigned to the second overall pick."
It's been rumored the Colts would be looking for a package including three first round draft picks before they would consider trading out of the first overall pick. For the second slot, the St. Louis Rams could be looking for two firsts, and this year's second, just to start the discussion.
If you were the Dolphins' GM, would you pay that price? Or, would you look to trade back in the first round, trying to find some more picks? Or, would you simply go best player available at the eight or nine spot? Even if that's an offensive lineman?
1 recs | 54 comments
3 1st round picks are probably worth lucks value
i’d do that
FishNFinz - February 2, 2012
if we draft luck, we would be picking 32nd for the next few years anyway
so its almost like its a 1st and 2 early seconds
FishNFinz - February 2, 2012
You’ve gone mad. No player in the game is worth 3 first round picks. No single player, as a rookie, can come in and flip the team. We aren’t 1 player away from a SB. Therefore giving up the next 3 years draft is just stupid. I’d be ashamed to be a Dolphins fan if this happens.
Jared Maier - February 2, 2012
Not next 3 years, just first round picks
Would we alright without Pouncey, Odrick, and Davis for the past 3 years? Odrick was only drafted because Starks was moving to NT, a good CB can be found in FA (Asomugha, Joesph, Cromartie, Carlos Rogers just to name a few last FA) and Pouncey is a good player but the Eagles started a 7th round rookie center so I think drafting one in the second or third wouldn’t be too bad.
I’d rather take a shot at Luck than being irrelevant all the time. Woops, we’ve been that since ‘01. Let’s try something out of the ordinary and actually get a QB who has franchise potential written all over him.
Va FinFan - February 2, 2012
Yeah exactly
If it was JUST 3 first round picks for Luck, it could be potentially the steal of the decade. The reality is, it would be 3 firsts, a couple of seconds, a third and a player – something like that.
I’d still make that trade and put lean hard on the player personnel guys to draft well for the next few years in the mid rounds and UDFA. My opinion is Luck will be an exceptional franchise QB.
zeusmith - February 2, 2012
The Eagles also lost a lot of games they should have won
Paid their star QB millions to watch him get injured,and have half decent players on the rest of the offensive line.
Not to mention they too went all out in free agency and look where it got them.
Sorry but no one player is worth three draft picks, and with the right coaching all three of the first round picks you mentioned could be multiple time pro bowlers if not pieces that can help us win ballgames
dolphinfan4lyfe - February 2, 2012 via mobile
I disagree
We are that close, and there are plenty of nice Free Agents about.
Farorefox - February 2, 2012
Ok, so you wouldn't trade Pouncey, Odrick, and Vontae Davis for say, Tom Brady?
I think it would be insane NOT to do that
PhinPhan910 - February 2, 2012
but Andrew Luck isnt Tom Brady...
dolphinfan4lyfe - February 2, 2012 via mobile
agree...
He has lots of potential… but you never know what that potential has in the future. Ryan leaf anyone? Akili Smith? Jamarcas Russell?
jdelsandro - February 2, 2012
yea, how about either of the Mannings?
Matt Ryan? Stafford, Cam or Rivers? or Vick (before the dogs…hell, even now)?
MiamihastheDolphins.... - February 2, 2012
You're probably right...
Instead … Why don’t we give up the next 13 seasons doing what we have been doing for the last 13 seasons since Marino retired. We need to keep our draft picks because we have done so good with our 1st round draft picks every year.
I would easily trade 3 first round draft picks for a guy that we are sure is going to be a franchise QB. That is essentially the consensus on Andrew Luck. They are saying he is the best QB to come out since Peyton Manning. So what if he isn’t. Haven’t we not taken chances for the past 13 years? How far has that taken us?
Andrew Luck is worth 3 1st round picks. Jackie Shipp, Lorenzo Hampton, John Bosa, Eric Kumerow, Billy Milner, Yatil Green, John Avery, Todd Wade, Jamar Fletcher, Jason Allen, and Ted Ginn, Jr(and family). I would trade every single one of those 1st round picks for a franchise QB … Heck I would trade every single one for one more year of Marino… even at his current age…
Jason Scott_90 - February 2, 2012
That is true....
Those draft picks were all busts… how many GOOD 1st rounders have we had in the past 15 years? honestly… Jason made a really good point here..
jdelsandro - February 2, 2012
you wouldnt give up 3 1st round picks for a peyton manning coming out of college?
FishNFinz - February 3, 2012
I'd give up 3 firsts for Luck
Patssuck456 - February 5, 2012
This^^^^ for Luck only!!
D0lphins4Life - February 2, 2012
Right now I want Flynn.
Then trade back and grab Dwayne Allen, an OLB, RT and OG.
BahamaDolfan - February 2, 2012
I would not mind that at all
mikethedolphinsfan - February 2, 2012
Not bad,
But then you’d have Moore as your QB and a crapshoot in 2nd round+ OLB, RT and OG. You could still get that same crapshoot by trading up, unless you traded away your whole draft.
zeusmith - February 2, 2012
No Flynn is QB not Moore
BahamaDolfan - February 3, 2012
so an overpaid verson of Moore then...
#1Heatfan - February 3, 2012
Or a drew brees? No one knows at this point.
BahamaDolfan - February 4, 2012
sorry, but comparing Flynn to Brees in any way is laughable to me...
#1Heatfan - February 4, 2012
Why?
No one knows.
BahamaDolfan - February 4, 2012
thats like saying Pat Devlin could be the next Joe Montana because no one knows for sure.
Brees had a great college career, was the 1st pick in the 2nd round of his draft, and, although he was coming off an injury, was more than proven before the Saints signed him. With the Chargers, he complied over 12,000 passing yards and 80 tds with a 62% completion percentage.
Flynn, meanwhile, had a mediocre college career, was a 7th round pick and is very far from a proven thing. He has 1,015 passing yards and 9tds in his entire career. How can you compare that to Brees who is a Superbowl MVP and a future Hall of Famer?
#1Heatfan - February 4, 2012
Not comparing..
Just saying how do u know for sure he won’t be successful? No one knows that question. Funnier things have happened.
BahamaDolfan - February 5, 2012
The thing about the question of would you do it
is that Free Agency comes first. SOOOOOOOOO If they miss out on Manning (likely) and Flynn, then they have to make a dramatic stab at getting higher in the draft. The front office is going ALL IN on a Franchise QB this offseason so weather it’s a big contract to Manning and slightly above market value contract to Flynn, or a crazy all out trade for Luck/Griffin III.
phinhead - February 2, 2012
I dont think the colts would go for it but......
If you’re gonna dream go big. Like phinhead said, free agency is first so it is a huge gamble not knowing what the colts will do draft day. If you don’t make moves in FA for a QB it could hurt.
AK phins fan - February 2, 2012
Both
Why not sign Peyton and still trade up for RG3? The new rookie wage scale would limit RG3’s contract. He could sit behind Peyton for a couple years and would be insurance if Peyton got hurt. Would love this QB depth chart- #1-Manning, #2-RG3, and #3- Moore.
miamimike71 - February 2, 2012 via mobile
Wont' happen
you don’t give up 2-3 years worth of 1st round picks to sit a guy.
phinhead - February 2, 2012
You do
if he is playing behind Peyton Manning.
miamimike71 - February 2, 2012
Agree
I do agree however that it is a very against the grain situation. But it is up to the GM and Coach. My preference would be to get Manning and draft Cousins in the 2nd round. And take a pass rusher or tackle in the 1st round and 3rd round. And target Desean Jackson and a FS in FA.
miamimike71 - February 2, 2012
On the surface
it is a dream come true and the ideal situation. However, the reality is Manning would likely eat up the majority of any cap space we could create, so no other big FA moves would be possible. Coupled with a move for RGIII, that would also pretty much kill early draft for the next two years for us as well. I think that may be a little too damaging in the long run. I could deal with one or the other, but combined…. I think you are asking for trouble.
PhinNomenol! - February 3, 2012 via Android app
I think you have to do what is the best value
Draft picks are much more valuable than people give credit.Every amazing player on both sides of the ball was at one time a draft pick for somebody. We have to get a qb but can’t sell the farm. If we had the chance to get franchise caliber pass rusher, offensive tackle, and another upgrade at receiver or tight end I would be great with that. San Fran and Baltimore came one play from the super bowl with Alex Smith and Joe Flacco respectively. Peyton and Flynn are possibilities this year. Landry Jones and Barkley are very exciting options for next year. I know a lot of you guys don’t want to hear this but I trust ireland and philbin to get the passing game going. Don’t forget Sherman the oc loves to air it out!
Youngstown_Phinatic - February 2, 2012
Victor Cruz...
begs to differ… he was an undrafted free agent.
jdelsandro - February 2, 2012
As was Davone Bess and earthwake but those guys are the exceptions.
And further proof that the front office isn’t as clueless as most would like to think……….and scream.
Youngstown_Phinatic - February 2, 2012
this is true
jdelsandro - February 2, 2012
Has there been any team that has made a blockbuster trade up
And actually been successful afterwards for a sustained period of time?
All I can think of is teams that blew it all on a pick and then continued to struggle afterwards, with no picks to pull out of it the following years…..
Red Dog - February 2, 2012
I think the Giants have done ok ...
They got their franchise QB… didn’t they?
Jason Scott_90 - February 2, 2012
and the Chargers got Rivers
in that very same trade didnt they?
jdelsandro - February 2, 2012
Yep.... One team has gone to 2 Super Bowls so far...
The other… has lost in the playoffs…. I think I will take the team with the Super Bowl rings…
Jason Scott_90 - February 3, 2012
They didn't get there because of Manning.
They got there with their defense. They don’t beat the Pats without that defense. Last time or this time.
luvs2drnk - February 3, 2012
Put Pat White on the Giants...
And it wouldnt matter who was on there defense… they wouldnt have won.. Eli may not be the majority reason they make it but they did get there partially because of Manning… NOT just cause of there defense… Victory Cruz plays a huge part as well, but Cruz doesnt have a yard this year that wasnt thrown to him by Manning…
jdelsandro - February 3, 2012
Put Philip Rivers on the Giants...
And they might have won more than 2 Super Bowls. I’m not discounting Eli entirely, but everyone else is discounting how important that defense is. Hence holding a Pats team that averaged 32 points a game to 17 in the Super Bowl. Which allowed the Giants to score close to their average (24) and win.
Manning also doesn’t have close to the yardage he threw for if Cruz doesn’t turn those 5-10 yard passes into 99 yard scores.
luvs2drnk - February 6, 2012
agreed
jdelsandro - February 3, 2012
Oh yeah that really good team in New york traded up to the five spot to get broadway mark
Broadway mark sanchize. That worked out well too I think………….. ;-)
Youngstown_Phinatic - February 2, 2012
The answer is no.
Jason likes to use the Manning-Rivers trade but that is not an equal trade. We’d be giving up more draft picks for less of a prospect.
luvs2drnk - February 3, 2012
Since it's relevant right now, Giants traded picks and philip rivers for eli after eli held the chargers hostage
Youngstown_Phinatic - February 2, 2012
While I'd part with two firsts and a second...
I think there’s more value in drafting at our existing position.
cordy_1971 - February 2, 2012
I'm glad I'm not the GM....
Alpha6 - February 2, 2012
Jeffrey is doing a fine job
Just need better execution on the field and better scheme. Talent level is definately going north. I don’t see them signing solai though, we need the $$$$
Youngstown_Phinatic - February 2, 2012
Trade up for Luck
Take a chance, We have been mired in mediocrity for years.
phishsf - February 2, 2012
Just a hypothetical right...
Does anybody actually think the Colts would trade this pick? There is now way the Colts pass on the ‘surest’ and safest QB coming out of the draft since Peyton.
Orange_Cisco - February 3, 2012
I relize that we also must sign are guys that we would like to keep as well. Now let me throw this out as well!
Say we sign our nose Tackle, we then bundle a deal with the carolina panthers. Turn our probowler into the #9 pick I mean carolina needs a NT. why not a Probowler whos in his prime, proven if you will. We then turn our #’s8&9 over to the rams to get the likes of RG3 or maybe we keep both & slay that dragon yes!
wild zion beaver - February 15, 2012
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