The Miami Dolphins hit a home run in the 1st round of the NFL Draft last April selecting OT Jake Long.  Long started all 16 games for the Dolphins last season at left tackle and he should be a perennial pro bowler for the Dolphins.  The Dolphins expected 2nd rounder (DE) Phillip Merling to make more of a impact last season.  He played in 16 games (2 starts) for the Fins’ in 2008 and he made 26 tackles, defensed 2 passes and he had a interception (that he returned 25-yards for a TD.  QB Chad Henne was the other 2nd round pick for the Dolphins last season and he appears to be the team’s QB of the future.  He played in 3 games (0 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he completed 7 of 12 passes (58.3%) for 67 yards with 0 TD passes and 0 interceptions (74.0 QB Rating).  3rd round pick (DE) Kendall Langford has the potential to develop into a impact player down the road for the Dolphins.  He played in 16 games (13 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he made 31 tackles, had 2 sacks and he defensed 3 passes.  4th round pick (OG) Shawn Murphy was a huge disappointment for the Dolphins last season as he didn’t make it to the field as a rookie.  6th round RB Jalen Parmele was cut before the season started and he was picked up by the Ravens playing 1 game for them.  Fellow 6th rounder (OG) Donald Thomas won a starting job for the Dolphins but he suffered a major LisFranc injury to one of his feet ending his season in the opener.  6th round fullback Lex Hilliard was another pick that never made it to the field.  In the 7th round the Dolphins selected DE Lionel Dotson who played in 2 games (0 starts) and he made 1 whole tackle.

GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  B-