I came across a very interesting and well written article today about the last 25 first picks in the NFL Draft and it got me to do some research. It seems that for every Peyton Manning and John Elway there is always a Tim Couch. Quarterbacks are the most chosen position for the first pick and sometimes, like Elway and Manning, they turn out really well but a majority of the time they turn out to be pretty mediocre. That mediocre group of first pick QBs would include Vinny Testaverde, Drew Bledsoe, Jeff George, Michael Vick and David Carr. None of these QBs can be labeled complete busts but none of them won a Super Bowl either.

The other skill positions aren't much better than the QB. Two RBs were selected in the last 25 years Bo Jackson and Ki-Jana Carter. While Ki-Jana Carter is the definition of a bust, Bo Jackson had some moments but was hampered by injuries. There were also two WRs take in the last 25 years, Keyshawn Johnson and Irving Fryar. Keyshawn was pretty good but Fryar was one of the best receivers of the 80s.

On the Defensive side of the ball, it is not a sure thing either. The best of the bunch has to be Bruce Smith who might be the best DE to ever play the game. But there is a list of forgettables like Aundray Bruce and Steve Emtman.

What I think is the safest place to go with an overall first pick is the Offensive Line. Only one offensive lineman was selected first overall in the last 25 years and that was Orlando Pace who is a sure bet Hall of Famer. Now there were other OL selected early in the draft that had great success. Tony Boselli was second overall in 1995, Richmond Webb was selected ninth in 1990, Jonathan Ogden was selected fourth in 1996 and Willie Roaf was selected eight in 1993. So my suggestion to the Miami Dolphins is to take Jake Long from Michigan. Don't go for the mediocre QB that Matt Ryan will become.