Company

With the Miami Dolphins on the clock with the first overall selection in the upcoming draft, Bill Parcells and company have already stated that they will not be selecting Matt Ryan out of Boston College.  While it was reported yesterday that the ‘Phins have begun talks with the University of Michigan’s Jake Long, another Big Ten star has entered in to the equation.

Official contract negotiations with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston were started this week, according to a source. Coincidentally, Long and Gholston are represented by the same agency, CAA, but have different agents.

Long and Gholston are believed to be two of the five prospects the Dolphins have thoroughly investigated in case they don’t trade away the top pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, which takes place on April 26-27.

The Dolphins are obviously trying to avoid a holdout-type situation that Oakland faced last season with JaMarcus Russell.  But as good as I thought that Gholston was last season, even I’m surprised to see his name being tossed into the ring as a possible top selection. 

I know that Jason Taylor isn’t exactly a spring chicken and that the defense couldn’t stop anyone last season, but some feel that Gholston’s speed against the Big Ten competition was only relative, and will not translate to the higher level.  Is this a risk worth taking if you’re Miami?  I personally would love to see the big guy get the call, but I can’t imagine it being very likely.   

Dolphins begin contract talks with potential No. 1s Long, Gholston