Sept 9, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Dolphins tackle Jake Long (77) blocks Houston Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Texans won 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins remain slated to pick in the 12th slot of the 2013 NFL Draft after this week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers.  While Miami is not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, with three weeks to go, their odds of success are close to my odds of winning the Florida Lotto.  So, we continue to look forward to the draft.  Here is the current draft order:

Miami fans know to root against the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears because Miami holds the Colts’ 2nd round pick and the Bears’ 3rd round pick.  It seemed the Vontae Davis trade was going to net the Dolphins an early second rounder but Andrew Luck has been tremendous and the Colts have exceeded everyone’s expectations.  The Bears appear ready for a collapse as their offensive line is determined to kill Jay Cutler.

Will the Dolphins draft another offensive lineman in the first round?  There is a high probability of that if Jake Long is not re-signed.  The franchise tag for Long is expected to be over $15 million, which would cripple Miami’s ability to sign their own free agents and players such as Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe, and Greg Jennings.  There will be plenty of teams, such as Chicago, that will overpay for Long.  If Miami’s left tackle wants to maximize his earnings, it will not be with the Dolphins.

On the other hand, Long’s wife, Jackie has created a strong friendship with Ryan Tannehill‘s wife, Lauren.  If Long decides to give Miami a discount, to keep the duo intact, it will be a coup for Dolphins.  In the end, I hope that the Dolphins’ 2013 first round selection is not an offensive lineman.

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While the Miami Dolphins‘ 2012 campaign has not concluded, the 2013 NFL Draft looms large.  Miami is still “in the hunt” for an AFC wild card spot but with four games remaining, they no longer control their destiny and are, basically, on life support.  Yes, it may be time to begin talking about the upcoming draft, one, in which, the Dolphins hold five selections in the top three rounds.

Based on the current standings, here is the draft order:

Ties are broken by strength of schedule.  If tied, the team with the easier schedule, drafts first.

Miami is currently slated to have the 12th selection.  Let’s look at players that are potentially on the Dolphins’ radar.

Dee Milliner, Cornerback, Alabama

Nov 26, 2011; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dee Milliner (28) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tide defeated the Tigers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

If he enters the draft, this junior will be the top cornerback.  Milliner is a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and has earned All-American and All-SEC honors.  Milliner has the size (6’1″, 200), speed (4.47) and athleticism to compete with NFL receivers.  The Dolphins will likely need a top 10 pick to land him.

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Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver, California

September 8, 2012; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21) celebrates after returning a punt for a touchdown against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. The California Golden Bears defeated the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 50-31. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Many draft pundits have the Dolphins targeting this Golden Bear.  Allen was considered one of the nation’s top receivers after hauling in 98 receptions for 1343 yards in 2011.  In 2012, he matched his 2011 touchdown total (6) and became California’s all-time leader in receptions, but finished with dissapointing numbers mainly due to injury (61 receptions for 737 yards).  Allen is big (6’3″, 210) but is not a burner (4.53).  Miami will only draft Allen if the organization believes he can be a number one receiver.  If re-signed, Brian Hartline is a solid number two and Davone Bess is a top slot man.  Unless he breaks out in the combine, Allen can be had in the late teens, early twenties.

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Xavier Rhodes, Cornerback, Florida State

Nov 17, 2012; College Park, MD, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Xavier Rhodes (27) prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Rhodes is a big cornerback (6’2″, 215) and has the tools to be physical with NFL receivers but lacks top end speed (4.5).  He is only a sophomore but is eligible for the draft because he was red-shirted.  As a freshman, he was an All-American.  His versatility and size will likely have him drafted in the second half of the first round.

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Justin Hunter, Wide Receiver, Tennessee

Nov 10, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) catches a pass against Missouri Tigers defensive back E.J. Gaines (31) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Missouri defeated Tennessee 51-48 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The junior Volunteer has not declared as of yet.  Last season he caught 73 passes for 1083 yards and 9 touchdowns.  Not bad for someone returning from a torn ACL.  This is Hunter’s HUGE negative.  On the positive side, Hunter is tall (6’4″), fast (4.48), with long arms and good hands.  His is a great leaper and has tremendous offensive awareness.  The aforementioned along with his thin frame remind many of Randy Moss.  If Hunter can prove he is past his injury, he will rise into the first round.

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Who do you think the Dolphins should draft in the first round?

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Oct.14, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) reacts during a game against the St. Louis Rams at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

When the New York Jets traded up to draft Mark Sanchez, fifth overall, in the 2009 NFL draft, they expected much more in return.  In contrast, the Miami Dolphins appear to have caught lightning in a bottle with Ryan Tannehill.  Sanchez is now in his fourth season and has started 54 regular season games for New York.  This season, he has a QB rating of 74.6, which is very close to his atrocious career mark of 73.4.  After 6 starts, Tannehill has a QB rating of 76.5 but has had a rating of 86.5 or higher in 4 of his 6 starts, including a score of 112 against the St. Louis Rams.

Sanchez apologists, mostly Jet fans, claim he has a 30-24 regular season record and has played in two AFC Championship games.  The truth is that with the defense the Jets had in 2009 and 2010, they may have won a Super Bowl with an average quarterback.  Some say Sanchez has no weapons but didn’t most pundits claim that Miami had the worst receivers in the league?  Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are now world-beaters because of Tannehill.  Some say Sanchez exhibits flashes of brilliance but, truthfully, any NFL quarterback, starter or not, can make a good throw every once in a while.  It is consistent accuracy and the ability to read defenses that distance the great signal-callers from the pack.  Sanchez does not have either and is likely in his last season as a starter.  The Jets made a horrible mistake in 2009 and it is time to move on.

While most PhinPhanatics wanted Miami to draft Tannehill, eighth overall, this year, he came in with less fanfare than Sanchez in 2009.  He was sold as a project with a high ceiling.  It now appears that he is much more.

This Sunday will showcase two franchises headed in different directions.  As the Jets plummet into the depths of NFL irrelevancy, a place they know well, the Dolphins are rising.  As Tannehill outduels Sanchez, Rex Ryan will be singing.

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