First Round Scenarios For The Miami Dolphins, From The Dolphans
Oct 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor (80) in action against Oklahoma Sooners tackle Daryl Williams (79) for the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
On Tuesday, I asked fans what they thought the Miami Dolphins should do during the first round of the fast approaching NFL Draft. I was quite pleased with the turn out of comments I received.
The article along with comments can be seen here:
Many fans called for different scenarios and chimed in on their wish list for the first three rounds. We saw scenarios in which fans called for West Virginia‘s dynamic play-maker, Tavon Austin. A few scenarios had Miami trading up for Alabama‘s Dee Milliner or Central Michigan‘s Eric Fisher. We even had two fans admit that they just want the best available offensive lineman.
After compiling different scenarios and dissecting each comment to it’s fullest, I was able to come up with the top five scenarios fans would like to see the Miami Dolphins take during the first round of the NFL Draft.
1. Fans want a corner! Many called for Flordia State‘s Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes is a long rangy corner who excells in press coverage and has the ability to be a lock-down corner. Rhodes received 5 of the 7 votes. The other two votes went towards Washington‘s Desmond Trufant. The more I think of it – I have been in love with Rhodes for two-years now – Trufant seems to fit what Miami wants to do the best. He’s a quick little corner that is quite physical and is excellent at locating the football. He also has more experience in a zone scheme than Rhodes.
2. Drafting a pass rusher opposite Pro-Bowl Defensive End, Cameron Wake, received 6 votes. Many were calling for the best pass rusher available no matter who it was. While many also were calling for Bjoern Werner of Florida State, Ezekiel Ansah of Brigham Young, and a pair of surprising picks in Damontre Moore of Texas A&M and Alex Okafor of Texas (both comments explained a trade down scenario for the two pass rushers).
2. A surprising development in the past few weeks, talks have began to heat up about Miami’s link to Notre Dame‘s Tyler Eifert at the tight end position (There really is not much life to this other than many see Miami’s need for a tight end and have them looking at the best available one..). Taking Eifert in the first round received an astounding 6 votes, tying with drafting a pass rusher for the second most popular scenario. Some stated they would take Eifert at 12 in a heart beat. Others created a trade down scenario for Miami to be in a better position to take Eifert rather than reaching for him at12.
4. Five fans voted to go the route of taking the best player available. Most elaborated that they would take the best player that slides out of the top ten due to needs or they just want an immediate starter that can come in and contribute from day one.
5. The fifth and final scenario is the dreaded trade for one of the top three offensive tackles – Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M, Eric Fisher of Central Michigan, Lane Johnson of Oklahoma. This scenario received four votes and many seem to be on the fence about it. On one hand, many are concerned about second-year offensive tackle Jonathan Martin playing the left tackle position. On the other hand, many see the offensive tackle position as Miami’s biggest and most dire need.
6. This is my own personal scenario that I would like Miami to do during the first round.
As I said above, I have been in love with Xavier Rhodes of Florida State for years now. I love Rhodes, but I am beginning to think he may not fit Miami’s style. And while Washington’s Desmond Trufant would fit the bill, it seems like a bit of a reach for Trufant at the 12 spot. Yes, Miami needs corner help, but the draft is incredibly deep during rounds two and three at the corner position.
Now, the Phins also need offensive line help. Sure, they could move up to select Lane Johnson or one of the other tackles if they fall – Joeckel or Fisher – but that’s not likely to happen. Miami would have to give up a valuable third or second round selection to move up. Not happening in this draft! There is too much value at the tackle position in rounds two through four.
Jonathan Cooper of North Carolina would be an amazing fit and I would not storm the streets if Miami decided to select him at 12. Yes, it’s a little high for the athletic guard, but he pounded out 35 reps of 225 at the NFL Combine. Cooper also showed incredible athletic ability during the drills on the field. I certainly would not hate this selection.
That all being said, Miami needs to trade back. General Manager Jeff Ireland needs to find a trade partner that is willing to send Miami another third or second round pick to move up. Personally, I do not really care which team it is. Heck, I wouldn’t be opposed to switching spots with Dallas. Nor would I be opposed to switching spots with Baltimore. Trading back allows Miami to pick up an extra pick in the first three rounds, while also drafting a player that can contribute immediately. Anywhere in the twenties is the sweet spot for Miami to hit an offensive lineman or a pass rusher.
Alex Okafor. Yes, that’s one of those choppy one or two word sentences – not really because it’s a name but okay. Okafor played his collegiate career at the University of Texas and played well. Okafor is a 6’4” 266 pound terror on the defensive line. After recording 12.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss during his senior season, Okafor boosted his stock ten fold. The kid is extremely athletic and plays the position with the right mind set – he hates quarterbacks.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1597494-2013-nfl-draft-alex-okafor-hates-all-quarterbacks
That being said, if Miami trades back to say the late twenties and Damontre Moore of Texas A&M is still on the board, I would not be surprised if the team took a shot on Moore. Moore is a great talent but saw his stock drop dramatically due to poor execution of drills at the NFL Combine. Personally, I am not infatuated with 40-yard dash times unless they’re incredibly fast. Moore is a defensive lineman and all I care about is his ten-yard split. Yes, he also had a bad outing in drills and barely put up 12 reps of 225. But I would take him in the late twenties all day long. Even over Okafor.
Before I sign off, I just wanted to thank everyone that participated in the making of this article. Everyone who posted a comment informing me of what you think Miami should do during the first round of the draft, thank you again!
Only 14 more days!