MIAMI — I tried on a medieval suit of armor, but it was hot in there, plus the chain-mail gloves made it too hard to type. I settled instead for a Kevlar vest and a surrounding platoon of those same Chinese bodyguards who have been protecting the Olympic torch.

And now, with somewhat less trepidation, I might finally say the words aloud:

The Dolphins should draft Matt Ryan.

Sound of wailing, gunfire and the odd, incredulous hoot.

Lots of people agree with me, of course, but only if you include Ryan's agent and his immediate family. Otherwise, I have some explaining to do, and so I shall.

Ryan is an admittedly imperfect overall No. 1 pick, but that's in the context of a thoroughly imperfect draft year in which there is no consensus and in which any of a half-dozen players or more could be argued as most desirable.

There isn't this virtual tie for first because everyone is equally great and comes with a guarantee; quite the opposite. Imperfections abound — which is why the NFL's most imperfect team should select the one of these imperfect players who is at least the most perfect fit in terms of position and need.

That would be Matt Ryan, quarterback, Boston College.

The logic is that QB is Miami's position of most dire need, that Josh McCown is no good, that John Beck is at best a dubious question mark, and that therefore the No. 1 pick in your draft is best spent on filling that need, presuming there is a quarterback sufficiently highly rated.

There is, in Ryan.

If the Dolphins do not believe Beck is their quarterback of the future, they should be prepared to make the biggest commitment to that position that this franchise has made in 25 years.

Ryan is the draft's only consensus first-round QB pick, a certain top-10 choice and likely higher, and a franchise quarterback by the estimation of many.

Oh, and he's better than Beck. Which is sort of important.

You say Ryan doesn't have ideal arm strength? Neither did Joe Montana.

Imperfections, remember? They're everywhere.

Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long is an accomplished run-blocker but is far less advanced in pass protection, and generally seen as an NFL right tackle more than a coveted left-sider.

Not a perfect No. 1.

Virginia defensive end Chris Long might be as good as he'll get, might not be the ideal guy for a 3-4 defense, and plays the same position still manned exceptionally by Jason Taylor.

Besides, if Son of Howie is so great, why is Miami also considering Ohio State's Vernon Gholston at the same position?

Because neither is a perfect No. 1.

LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey fills a bigger defensive position need than end, but questions linger related to his fractured leg in 2006. Not a perfect No. 1.

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden would be a sexy pick, but the Dolphins are well-stocked there. Cornerback is a huge need, but nobody on the draft board is even arguably worth the overall No. 1. No perfect situation there, either.

So amid all of this imperfection, all of these inherent gambles, why not at least take aim at the impact position where the upside is greatest?

Jake Long could be another Richmond Webb just as Chris Long could be another Taylor (minus the cha-cha). But those are not positions of defining impact, which is partly why Webb and Taylor, together, have the same number of Super Bowl rings as your neighbor Fred.

The risk and reward at quarterback is greater. The cost is more, so the failure is magnified. But the upside is greater. What if Ryan turns out to be another Dan Marino or Peyton Manning? Potential risk is big; potential reward is bigger.

So roll the dice, Dolphins. Invest big in your biggest need.

It wouldn't make much sense to spend a second-round or lower pick on a quarterback. The statement there would be, "We don't trust Beck and McCown. But we didn't trust ourselves to pull the trigger on the one guy most equipped to supplant them."

Besides, if you draft Ryan, you can always trade Beck, cut your losses there, maybe get, what, a fourth-round pick?

Drafting Ryan would cost more, yes. Lots more. As a QB going No. 1, he would command probably $12 million or so more in guaranteed money alone than a player at another position.

But hasn't Wayne Huizenga said he'll do "whatever it takes" to win? And shouldn't the arrival of new billionaire co-owner Stephen Ross further increase the club's ability to spend for a winner?

This is not the time to be frugal and allow the wallet to guide the No. 1 pick.

This is the time to select the one player who has the greatest chance to have the greatest impact on your team's future — now and long-term.

That isn't a lineman.

His name is Matt Ryan.