Miami Dolphins 2013 Draft: Post Week 14 Edition

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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:

1.Kansas City Chiefs2-11
2.Jacksonville Jaguars2-11
3.Oakland Raiders3-10
4.Philadelphia Eagles4-9
5.Carolina Panthers4-9
6.Tennessee Titans4-9
7.Detroit Lions4-9
8.Arizona Cardinals4-9
9.San Diego Chargers5-8
10.Cleveland Browns5-8
11.Buffalo Bills5-8
12.Miami Dolphins5-8
13.New Orleans Saints5-8
14.Tampa Bay Buccaneers6-7
15.New York Jets6-7
16.St. Louis Rams6-6-1
17.Cincinnati Bengals7-6
18.Minnesota Vikings7-6
19.Dallas Cowboys7-6
20.St. Louis via Washington7-6
21.Pittsburgh Steelers7-6
22.Seattle Seahawks8-5
 23.New York Giants8-5
24.Chicago Bears8-5
25.Indianapolis Colts9-4
26.Baltimore Ravens9-4
27.Green Bay Packers9-4
28.San Francisco 49ers9-3-1
29.Denver Broncos10-3
30.New England Patriots10-3
31.Houston Texans11-2
32.Atlanta Falcons11-2

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.

Follow me on Twitter @RiSantamaria