Miami Should Draft WR Bryant

If the Miami Herald gets its wish, the Dolphins would use their first round pick, the 12th overall, to draft our #1 rated fantasy football rookie WR prospect, Dez Bryant.

The answer keeps coming back to Dez Bryant, the Oklahoma State Cowboy who is clearly this draft’s premier wideout, but who might still be available at No. 12. He has great size and is the draft’s best deep threat — what Henne and this offense desperately need, and what Ted Ginn Jr. hasn’t become.

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It cannot be overstated that drafting Bryant helps Miami primarily because it gives Henne the chance, the ammunition, to become all he might be. He’ll never be that if Ginn, Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo are the primary targets.

Drafting Bryant, alas, might not be so simple and neat.

It would run counter to Bill Parcells’ drafting history. More than that, Miami might have to be aggressive and move up some in the draft to lock him up. I have seen Bryant projected to be taken as high as eighth. Also, I mostly have seen him going to Denver with the 11th pick, one ahead of Miami.

Moving up to leapfrog the Broncos would cost the Dolphins more than just a swap of top picks, but all indications are Bryant is worth it.

From a keeper league perspective it would only be slightly better to see Bryant go to Miami as opposed to Denver. The difference comes down to QB. If you’ve somehow found this blog you don’t need to be told the long term upside of Henne versus Orton is not even.  However, it doesn’t really matter whether Miami or Denver drafts Bryant, he would be a top 5 fantasy football rookie prospect in 2010 (assuming Denver gets rid of Marshall) either way.

Personally I’d rather see Miami get him just because I could see Henne raising his game more in response than I see Orton doing the same. Teaming Bryant with Henne gives Miami a young and long term passing tandem. Teaming Bryant with Orton isn’t nearly as exciting for the long term. Nevertheless, either scenario is keeper league friendly.

Related:  Dez Bryant not working out at Pro Day – National Football Post – 3/9