The Miami Dolphins, under new GM Bill Parcells, had first-overall-pick-to-be offensive tackle Jake Long sign on the dotted line earlier this week. the move, last seen in 2006 with the Houston Texans and defensive lineman Mario Williams, is designed to save money and provide security for the picking team.

In both cases a lineman is taken over  “cant miss future star running backs.” In both cases the fans are robbed of the drama over who is taken first overall. As for the decision to sign the player early, it seems to be the way to go. Williams and Long’s signings are sandwiched around 2007’s Jamarcus Russell,  who held out so long his rookie season was a wash. In William’s case, after one year the decision to pass on Reggie Bush seemed terrible. after two years it seems like the Texans are geniuses.

Jake Long will be the first offensive tackle taken first overall since future-hall-of-famer-and-former-Buckeye Orlando Pace. The only other tackle taken first overall was hall-of-famer Ron Yary in 1968. Since Pace 8 quaterbacks and 2 defensive ends have been taken. Long will be the first Michigan player taken first since 1941 and he will enter the NFL as the highest paid tackle in the league.

Taking a tackle in the top 5 is, in a word, unsexy. Most true fans agree, however, that left tackle is the second most pivotal position on the offense after quarterback. In fact, its arguable that it is the MOST important since few top quarterbacks can survive without an offensive line while many mediocre quarterbacks have thrived behind a great line.

 

The question is do great tackles really deserve to be taken in the top 10? do top 10 tackles hit? well, in last year’s probowl 4 of the nine tackles selected were top 10 picks. But, its an imperfect science since 4 were 2nd round picks and one went undrafted.

 

Also, offensive lineman are able to stay in the league much longer than any position besides kickers and punters. This means that if you hit on the player you get longevity at the position. But, the downside is that the list below only includes one of the 4 players selected to the last probowl. Where as for the AFC, 12 of the 15 quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers were taken since 2000.

 

the following list provides an analysis of the top 10 offensive tackles taken since 2000.

 

2000

#3 Washington Redskins (from San Francisco)

      Chris Samuels, Tackle, Alabama (pro-bowler)

 

2001

#2 Arizona Cardinals

      Leonard Davis, Tackle, Texas (pro-bowler)

 

2002

(zero pro-bowl tackles so far from this class)

#4 Buffalo Bills

      Mike Williams, Tackle, Texas (bust)

#7 Minnesota Vikings

      Bryant McKinnie, Tackle, Miami (FL) (starter)

#10 Cincinnati Bengals

       Levi Jones, Tackle, Arizona State (was an alternate for the pro-bowl)

 

2003

#8 Carolina Panthers

       Jordan Gross, Tackle, Utah (Carolina’s 2008 franchise player)

 

2004

#2 Oakland Raiders

Robert Gallery, Tackle, Iowa (solid guard on a bad team, but picks 3-8 are pro-bowlers)

 

2005 (none selected top ten)

#13 New Orleans Saints (from Houston)

       Jammal Brown, Tackle, Oklahoma (pro-bowler)

 

2006

#4 New York Jets

       D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Tackle, Virginia (has played well, will continue to start)

 

2007

#3 Cleveland Browns

       Joe Thomas, Tackle, Wisconsin (pro-bowler)

#5 Arizona Cardinals

       Levi Brown, Tackle, Penn State (solid starter so far)

 

the most interesting thing to note is that the only year with three taken in the top ten is the shakiest year.

 

Decision:

Offensive linemen, despite the many misses above, still statistically hit more times than skill positions. Miami now has a player who could possibly anchor their line for 15 years. They will give their current quarterback and running back corps a try. They could have drafted a defensive lineman, but they decided that offensive line will better equip their quarterbacks and running backs to succeed. Offensive lineman are essential to every play so the tape on them in college is a lot more extensive than any other offensive position.

 

Miami made a smart pick by position its just a matter of Long’s talent. The only knock against him is that he may not be as polished as previous top 10 tackles, including rookie probowler Joe Thomas, who also came out of the Big 10 and was selected #3 in last year’s draft. Thomas is the highest-drafted probowler from that class so far.

 

another note: Jake Long will also get $30 million guaranteed, which is DOUBLE what probowl quarterback Carson Palmer got in 2003.