He passed on Matt Ryan in 2008 in favor of the safer pick - LT Jake Long. Long is a Pro Bowl left tackle and so it is hard to knock the pick but passing on a guy who is already widely recognized as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, was a mistake.

In 2009 Parcells took QB Pat White in the second round to run their wildcat offense but that turned out to be a mistake as well. Defenses caught on to the wildcat and White did not have the passing skills to stick as a back up. He was cut one year later.

Chad Henne might still be the long term answer but after struggling last year, doubt hangs over the Dolphins at their most important position. Henne’s issues, combined with missing out on Ryan and misfiring on White, leave the Dolphins with a lot of uncertainty at the quarterback position. Unfortunately for Parcells, that may be the enduring legacy from his tenure.

Besides the QB position, Parcells was off on other top picks. With his other second rounder in 2009, he selected Sean Smith out of Utah. At 6-3, he is a big corner but he does not have the hips or instincts for the position. While he has gotten playing time, he has not grabbed a starting role and remains an inconsistent player.

In the third round of the same draft, Parcells selected WR Patrick Turner who, like White, was cut the following September. Interestingly enough, the Jets picked him up off waivers and was on their active roster at various points last season.

But Turner was a third round washout for the Dolphins and is another pick who failed to make an impact. Parcells certainly has an eye for free agent talent but when it comes to the draft, he has done a poor job. He certainly brought more credibility to this organization and changed the culture but he left before the rebuilding process was complete.

GM Jeff Ireland is now in charge and one of his biggest areas of need was along the offensive line. He made a good pick in the first round by taking center Mike Pouncey from Florida.

Brother of Maurkice from the Steelers, Mike is not as talented but is still a very good player. He is nasty and plays with a mean streak. He has the temperament you look for in an o-lineman.

He moves extremely well and is a guy who can pull on traps and counters. This kid is very athletic and also has the strength and pop to create movement in the running game.

He is smart, can make all the line calls and is a vocal leader. The Dolphins got decent value with him at pick #15 and did a nice job with this selection.

Fourth round pick, WR Edmond Gates out of Abilene Christian is someone I like a lot. He is a genuine vertical threat but has not played a lot of football and is very raw. He is a nice developmental prospect but I do not see him making much of an impact this year.

Everyone knew the Dolphins would be taking a running back in this draft. Ronnie Brown has been unable to stay healthy and Ricky Williams is 33. Both are expected to be free agents and the Dolphins are unlikely to bring either back.

Without a second round pick (as a result of the Brandon Marshall trade), they traded their third, fifth and one of their seventh rounders to Washington for their 53rd overall pick at the bottom of the second. They selected Daniel Thomas (Kansas State) and while he was highly rated (fourth RB overall), I was not a big fan.

At 6-0, 230 he looks the part but he has an upright running style and that can spell trouble in the NFL. He has excellent vision and balance and can make people miss but I wanted to see more physicality out of him.

But he is not that kind of runner. He does not use his size to his advantage and does not seem to like contact, which is a problem.

The Dolphins desperately needed a running back and got good value where they selected him but I am not sold on him. Besides, I don’t think his upright, finesse style is what Miami really wants in their offense. I think they are expecting a power back but I don’t see it.

Thomas certainly has the talent and can contribute right away but I will have to see him deliver consistently at the pro level before I’m a believer.

I like their sixth round selection of Charles Clay, FB from Tulsa. He is not your traditional fullback. Tulsa deployed him in the backfield but he was used more as a runner than blocker and will make his living catching passes at the next level.

He will be used as an H-back. At 6-3, 245 he is too big for wideout but he plays like one. He has great hands, is a fluid route runner and is athletic after the catch. He can break tackles and create in the open field.

The Dolphins got good value with this pick and Clay will be a jack of all trades. You can line him up at RB, FB, TE, H-back, QB in the wildcat and even wide receiver. He is someone who will open up their offense and give Chad Henne an easy target on screens and dump offs.

In the 7th they selected DT Frank Kearse from Alabama A&M who is a long shot to make the team but their other 7th rounder, DB Jimmy Wilson (Montana) is a physical safety with punishing tackling skills. The Dolphins are looking at him to be a special teams standout.

I actually think the Dolphins had a better draft under Ireland than they typically had under Parcells. While he was hamstrung without a second round pick and had to trade away other selections to fill a dire need at running back, I thought he got nice value with his picks.

They got stronger up the middle by taking Pouncey and he was a guy they really needed. They have been weak at center for too long and Pouncey filled a top need.

I was not a big fan of RB Daniel Thomas but there is no denying his talent and he could be their day one starter. Edmond Gates was a solid pick in round 4 and I believe he will develop into a big play receiver for them. Charles Clay will be a solid “move” tight end for their offense and brings a lot of versatility.

Considering what he had to work with, I thought Jeff Ireland had a decent draft. His picks won’t wow you but he got decent value and filled some key needs.

Overall grade: B-