According to the Miami Herald the Dolphins met with Golden Tate on Friday evening. Its highly unlikely that Bill Parcells would consider selecting Tate, or any receiver, with the 12th pick. But even if he fell to the 2nd round I’m not sure he’s a great fit for the Dolphins.
What the Dolphins need is a true No. 1 receiver – a Larry Fitzgerald/Andre Johnson type. Even if Tate reaches his full potentially he’ll never be that type of player. He’s too small to be an elite red zone threat and not fast enough to stretch the field with consistensy.
Tate is essentially a slower version of Percy Harvin – a guy that can line up anywhere on the field and has a sense for finding ways to get open. Unlike most true No. 1 receivers, he does his damage after the ball is already in his hands, at which point he becomes a running back.
What the Dolphins need is someone who can get open on his own. They already have a guy to stretch the field (Ted Ginn), a possession receiver (Davone Bess) and a slot receiver (Brian Hartline). Now they need someone who can win the one-on-one matchups, especially in the red zone.
Tate can be a valuable asset for someone, but Miami just isn’t the right fit.
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