How Good Would Matt Ryan Look in a Dolphins Uniform Now? (Picture source playerpress.com)

The conventional wisdom is that it takes three years for players to hit their stride in the N.F.L. So I began to wonder if teams could have a second chance after watching these players in the league for three years, what would they do now? The problem with this exercise is semantics. If I’m redrafting, do I go back to 2008, which would cause a ripple effect for each subsequent year, or do I pretend that these players are just put back into the drafting pool and teams get to draft based what’s no the roster now. I’m going with the latter, try to ignore the butterfly effect that happens (for instance the Rams draft Chris Long, but now he’s back in the pool DE becomes a need, but we’ll pretend that in those three years they were able to plan for Long’s exit).  Even though it’s an utterly useless exercise, it should be fun to take a look at what teams did in the 2008 draft and what they could consider doing now.

Miami Dolphins-Jake Long, T, Michigan

Leading up to the 2008 N.F.L. draft the big question was Jake Long or Matt Ryan? Jake Long or Matt Ryan? The Dolphins decided to go with the talented offensive linemen (even though there was a prevailing wisdom that he wasn’t worthy of the first overall pick) and Long has rewarded them with three very good years where he’s started 48 games and played continually at a pro bowl level. Do the Dolphins regret the decision? That’s possible because they are still searching for a franchise quarterback. Are the Dolphins unhappy with Jake Long? No way.

Remix pick

Matt Ryan, QB

As tough as it would be to throw a cornerstone LT back into the mix, the Dolphins would take the franchise QB. They were worried that Matt Ryan might not be a franchise quarterback, but the pre-draft Peyton Manning similarities that were swirling around Matt Ryan seem fairly apt right now. Ryan has shown tremendous leadership and production. He’s coming off a 28 Touchdown, 9 INT season. A M.V.P. caliber season in some years. Matt Ryan would be the easy choice today.

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