Dolphins needs: Parcells' rebuild needs reinforcing

A year ago, the Miami Dolphins were coming off a 1-15 season, had just hired an unproven coach and appeared ready for another losing season.

Fans got into the Dolphins' historic turnaround. (Getty Images)

Then they shocked a lot of people by going 11-5, winning the AFC East, and making the playoffs.

That's because of Bill Parcells.

Call him arrogant. Call him pompous. Call him anything you like. But Parcells knows football.

He turned the Dolphins around in one season thanks to some shrewd acquisitions -- see Chad Pennington -- but even better drafting.

It's the latter that will keep this team improving the next couple seasons. The roster, once old and tired, is vibrant and young again.

As they ready for this year's NFL Draft, the talent level is much higher than before Parcells went to work. There aren't as many pressing needs, no have-to-get positions.

The Dolphins might not be ready to make a Super Bowl run this season -- I think this is their step-back season before a Super run in 2010 -- but the young talent Parcells has put on the roster sets them up as a potential contender for years to come and lets them enter this year's draft not being forced to take a specific position.

QB: Chad Pennington is coming off a good season as a starter and they have their franchise passer in waiting in Chad Henne. John Beck, who was once a starter, is the third guy. This is a strong position.

RB: With Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, the Dolphins have two capable runners. Brown will be another year removed from his major knee surgery, so he should be even better. Patrick Cobbs is a nice third back. The fullback is Lousaka Polite, who is a capable lead blocker.

WR: The Dolphins are still waiting for Ted Ginn Jr. to be the star receiver they expected. He did get better last season. Greg Camarillo is the other starter, but he is coming off knee surgery. Davone Bess is more like a slot receiver than a starter. They need help here.

TE: Anthony Fasano had a good season for the Dolphins in 2008. He showed better receiving skills than some expected and is a capable blocker. David Martin is a nice No. 2, but they could be tempted to take a tight end high.

OL: By drafting Jake Long to play left tackle last season, the Dolphins really upgraded their line. It allowed Vernon Carey to play his natural right tackle spot. The addition of Jake Grove at center this year in free agency should help the run game. The guards are solid. They could use a young tackle for depth.

DL: The Dolphins used two high picks on defensive ends last season and both Kendall Langford and Philip Merling will start this season. Langford started last season even though Merling was the higher draft choice. Jason Ferguson is getting up in the years on the nose. The backups could use an upgrade.

LB: By re-signing Channing Crowder, the Dolphins have all four starters back from last season. Crowder and Akin Ayodele start inside, while Matt Roth and Joey Porter are outside. The Dolphins have some young players they like as backups, but they could be tempted to take a rush outside linebacker early in this draft. Porter isn't a kid anymore.

Secondary: They added free safety Gibril Wilson as a free agent this spring and he will team with Yeremiah Bell to give the Dolphins a nice duo in the back end of their defense. The corners are just OK with Will Allen and Jason Allen. The Dolphins signed Eric Green as a free agent, but they need help at corner.