With draft near, Dolphins have needs aplenty

DAVIE, Fla. — General manager Jeff Ireland acknowledges his Miami Dolphins have some “glaring needs” to be addressed in next week’s draft.

“I think they’re pretty glaring to me,” Ireland said Thursday, “so I haven’t really changed too much what I want in this year’s draft.”

But can the draft solve Miami’s problems? And can Ireland be trusted to oversee Miami’s problem-solving process? That’s what Dolphins fans want to know.

Ireland didn’t indicate which way the Dolphins would go with the No. 8 pick of the first round. Miami has a lot of “glaring needs,” with pass rusher, wide receiver, offensive line and safety being at the top of the list. And everybody knows “glaring need” No. 1 – a franchise quarterback.

Again, however, you have to ask whether that problem can be solved in this year’s draft? And is Ireland the right man to make that decision?

Ireland said Thursday the No. 8 pick does “not necessarily” have to make an impact this season.

“You’d like to be able to say that he’d be an impact player this year,” Ireland said, adding that’s the “expectation of a top 10 pick, to have an impact on this team.”

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill from Texas A&M doesn’t appear to fit the immediate-impact qualification. If Ireland decides to go in that direction, it could be a problem for his long-term job security. By the time Tannehill grows into the job, which could be as soon as the 2013 season, Ireland, now entering his fifth season, could be a goner. He’s supplied Miami with players good enough to go 7-9, 7-9 and 6-10 in the last three seasons.

The pressure is on Ireland to make something happen. Now. This year. He needs to fix this thing.

Some would contend Ireland created most of Miami’s “glaring needs.” He handled the Dolphins’ drafts in 2009 and 2011 (former executive Bill Parcells had control of the 2010 draft) and the results haven’t been good as far as impact players.

Ireland got two starters — cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Sean Smith — from the 2009 draft, as well as two key contributors – wide receiver Brian Hartline and free safety Chris Clemons. None has made a Pro Bowl, which is OK. The problem is none has even come close to making a Pro Bowl.

Ireland got one starter — center Mike Pouncey — from last year’s draft as well as a host of intriguing prospects. But none was overly exciting.

And while Ireland hasn’t done badly in free agency, plucking guys such as wide receiver Brandon Marshall, linebackers Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett, running back Reggie Bush, and quarterback Matt Moore, he’s still missing that big-time playmaker.

And when you consider Ireland’s best free-agent signee, Marshall, a Pro Bowl selection last season, was recently traded to Chicago for a pair of third-round picks, you wonder if the Marshall acquisition was even worthwhile.

So, what’s your approach in the draft if you’re Ireland?

Quarterbacks Matt Moore and David Garrard are going to battle for the starting job in training camp. Few things say “glaring need” more than that.

Marshall is gone, leaving a wide receivers corps led by Hartline and Davone Bess. There’s a glaring need there.

The offensive line allowed 52 sacks, tying the franchise record. There’s another glaring need right there.

Strong safety Yeremiah Bell, the team’s leading tackler the past four seasons, was cut for financial reasons. His absence creates a glaring need.

Whatever way the Dolphins go, they should get a significant player, someone who fills one of those glaring needs. And if you believe Ireland, that guy will definitely be there at No. 8.

“I think there’s some really good players in this year’s draft, especially in the top 10,” Ireland said. “Some real impact players.”

Miami could use a few.