I here Miami is in negotiations with both Gholston and Jake Long so I assume the Long will be gone and that St. Louis will take Chris Long at two, at which point Dorsey is the next logical step.  We have already made enough signings and re-signings to provide ample depth on the defesive line and getting Dorsey all signed up now means that is one less thing we have to worry about going into the second round.  I can't find anything wrong with this decision.

But I can see it going down differently depending on how the scenario presented in my opening sentence ends.  Maybe Long doesn't dig what Miami is offering, and with dual negotiations it certainly seems that even Miami believes that is possible.  That would mean that Gholston goes number one, I still think the Rams take C. Long two, and we then have a major decision on our hands.  Does this new set of circumstances force us to take J. Long instead of Dorsey?  Or do we maintain the relationship we established pre-draft with Dorsey and take him at three?

Looking at this from a business midset, and as objectively as one fan can, I have to go with the latter of the two and here's why.  By picking Long over Dorsey after spending time and money to establish an early trust and relationship, we basically show everyone else in the draft that we are not willing to show any form of loyalty to a player whatsoever.  Sure, I know that sounds silly now, but wait until we are left trying to sign 11 possible draft picks and/or other free agent signings.  If we instead stick with our verbal (or written) commitment of picking Dorsey, then we as a team show that player a certain level of respect and loyalty that will pay dividends in the future, not only with the one player, but with every other signing from that point on.  To me, that's a pretty decent bargaining chip to have on your side.  Sometimes, it's not about the money, but instead, it's about the word and if you as a business are willing to maintain the dignity to uphold it.

Now, obviously as a fan I have to admit that the greater need as of this very moment is on the offensive line and that either pick would go over with all of us like free ice cream on the fourth of July, just peachy.  I also think that either way we go, we will still be able to find additional talent later in the draft for whichever position we need.  I think we have enough picks to make this draft an overall success.  And one more thing, I surely hope that none of us here actually think that this one draft is going to solve all of our needs, or even enough to make us competitve.  What we can't get this year we should be able to get next year, be it through the draft or via free agency.

It's an interesting idea if you think about the way that Miami is handling negotiating with each player to get a deal that makes sense for them.  Gholston was a Top 10-15 pick before the combine and now he is in discussions for number one overall?  It could be that the Fins are looking for leverage with Chris Long, but they might be able to work about the best fiscal deal with Gholston since he was not expecting to be in the debate for number 1 and he will be looking at 5-10 million more in guarantee money by moving up this high.  If Gholston goes number 1, then we really will have some options because I don't think that the Rams are locked into Chris Long considering their o-line woes and Orlando Pace's age/health.