C/O Miami Herald

 

The Dolphins are focused on drafting Utah quarterback Alex Smith with the second overall pick, but Miami also is in discussions with at least one team about trading that selection.

 

One source said Thursday that head coach Nick Saban has decided Smith would be the best pick for Miami at No. 2, assuming California quarterback Aaron Rodgers is drafted by San Francisco.

 

But two league sources also confirmed the Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have discussed a possible trade involving both teams' first-round selections and other considerations.

 

The Bucs, who pick fifth overall, are apparently equally enamored with the idea of selecting Smith at No. 2. Tampa Bay's brain trust decided last weekend Smith is a better prospect than Rodgers.

 

The Bucs' interest became more serious Thursday after it seemed likely the 49ers will take Rodgers, leaving Smith available. The 49ers had contract discussions with agent Mike Sullivan, who represents Rodgers, on Wednesday, and the discussions reportedly laid a positive foundation for a deal.

 

Tom Condon, who represents Smith, was scheduled to fly to San Francisco on Thursday to try to lay a similar foundation for his client, but the league sources say that session doesn't offer the same prospect for success as the one with Rodgers' agent.

 

Assuming that scenario holds, the Bucs want to move up. But the price, as with all such trades, would be the subject of intense negotiations.

 

The Dolphins, like all other NFL teams, have a trade-value chart that outlines the price for trading draft picks. Saban said two weeks ago he would ''absolutely'' go by that chart in deciding the value of a trade.

 

And according to most such charts, Tampa Bay would have to give up its first, second and third-round picks this year to move up three slots to Miami's spot. The teams also might discuss exchanging draft picks next year should the Bucs balk at making the three-for-one deal now.

 

The Dolphins also are going to try to involve other teams in the bidding process to drive up the price of a trade, although it is unclear whether any other team has stepped forward.

 

So what if that all fails?

 

Smith, who visited with Saban and other team staffers Wednesday and Thursday, according to Condon, is the apparent choice.

tampa is stupid.

If the Fins draft Alex Smith, I'll quit rooting for them.

If the Fins draft Alex Smith, I'll quit rooting for them.

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Yeah I'll be pretty pissed as well

If the Fins draft Alex Smith, I'll quit rooting for them.

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bulls***

Do it.

 

The trading down part, not drafting a QB and throwing the franchise into an extended rebuilding process that might not even work since we don't even have a OL to protect said QB or a defense that will be around in a year or two or three.

Do it.

 

The trading down part, not drafting a QB and throwing the franchise into an extended rebuilding process that might not even work since we don't even have a OL to protect said QB or a defense that will be around in a year or two or three.

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Yeah I would definitely be all for trading down thing. Ronnie Brown could still have the slim possibility of being there otherwise Cadillac will be there or even Cedric I guess.

I really think this is a ploy to get that trade. I think right now there are very few people who know what Saban wants to do, and the few that do wouldn't leak anything unless Saban told them to. So, I'm guess that this leak was intended to force TB's hand. TB will probably have to trade up anyway if they want Smith, and going to #2 will pretty much guarantee they will get him.

 

Getting a 1, 2, and 3 this year would be a real coup for the Dolphins. Considering this is kind of a down year at the top, though, I think they'll have to settle for either the 2 or 3 coming in next year's draft. I mean they're only going down three spots. On the other hand, if TB wants their man, they have no choice now but to deal with the Phins, so we'll see.

If the Fins draft Alex Smith, I'll quit rooting for them.

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What AJ Feely who has all of 10+ starts in his career won't be a good at teaching Alex some things? :plain

 

I think if the Dolphins move to 5 they will be drafting Rolle. War Canes.

The draft says a 2 and a 3 but the Dolphins should ask for a 2 to make it happen. I dont think the Bucs would give up so much value as the chart says to move up three spots. But if they give up a two, the Dolphins regain the pick they lost to Philly in a draft that is pretty deep in solid but not superstar players.

If the fins can trade that # 2 pick to Tampa for their 1st ( which is a 5th overall, and there 2 and maybe 3rd then they will have done a hell of a job. I would take Benson with the #5 pick!