According to league sources, the Miami Dolphins are in negotiation with four top prospects in this month's draft.  While they are hoping to trade the pick due to the enormous financial burden it entails, they are also taking measures to avoid a lengthy holdout often associated with the first selection in the draft. 

Last year's first round selection, Jamarcus Russel, held out several weeks past the start of the regular season before agreeing to a record breaking deal worth $68 million.  By beginning negotiations with potential prospects now, the Dolphins are able to use their options to their advantage and give them the upper hand in contract talks. 

The Dolphins are believed to be in negotiation with Jake Long, Chris Long, Vernon Gholston, and Glenn Dorsey.  Noteably absent from the reports is Matt Ryan, possibly a sign that head honcho Bill Parcells and his front office team are willing to give incumbent quarterback John Beck at least one more season to prove himself.

Jake Long (T, Michigan) would provide stability to an oft maligned unit that gave up 42 sacks to opponents last season.  Gholston (DE, Ohio State), Dorsey (DT, LSU), and Chris Long (DE, Virginia Tech) would all provide an infusion of talented youth to a defense that fielded the oldest front seven in the league last season.

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