Dolphins Draft Need: Cornerback
Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Xavier Rhodes catches a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
With Free Agency starting to slow down, and the Draft only a month away, now is the time to start looking for holes the Miami Dolphins need to fill.
Miami started off Free Agency taking care of the number one need, the Wide Receiver position. Bringing in a deep threat in Mike Wallace, then Brandon Gibson, and resigning Brian Hartline, the Wide Receiver position is well covered. After Tight End, Anthony Fasano, signed a multi-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Jeff Ireland brings in former New York Jets TE, Dustin Keller, as a sure handed safety blanket for the young Ryan Tannehill.
Defensively the Dolphins made a couple surprising moves by signing Linebacker’s Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler. Shortly after they were signed, Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett were both released.
Earlier today it was announced that Miami signed former Atlanta Falcons Cornerback, Brent Grimes, to a one year contract. After losing CB Sean Smith to the Chiefs as well, the Dolphins are in desperate need for some Cornerback help, even after signing Grimes.
Which leads us to the top need for the Dolphins entering the draft. The Cornerback position.
This year’s draft class looks good in terms of defensive backs, but we’re just going to look at the top three Cornerback’s according to NFL.com.
Dee Milliner from Alabama looks to be a top 5 talent and some mock drafts have him going to either the Philadelphia Eagles with the 4th overall pick, the Detroit Lions with the 5th pick, or the Cleveland Browns with the 6th pick. Another CB, which has actually been a potential Dolphins target according to multiple mock drafts, is Xavier Rhodes from Florida State. The third option, who some analysts believe is a better option then Rhodes, is Desmond Trufant from Washington.
As great as it would be, Dee Milliner will not drop out of the top 10. The only possible way the Dolphins would be able to draft him is if they could some how trade up to get him. With Miami having 5 picks in the first 3 rounds it’s not completely out of the question that they don’t try to trade up a couple spots, but it is unlikely.
Xavier Rhodes is a big bodied corner who likes to keep a hand on the receiver, but struggles in a Zone Coverage defense. The Dolphins are wanting to use more of a zone defense, so does Jeff Ireland and Joe Philbin believe he could develop into a solid starter in the zone?
Desmond Trufant seems to be a solid corner, but has some mental breakdowns. He has a tendency to struggle with tackles by taking bad angles, but has the versatility to play on the outside or in the slot. His greatest asset is his speed and quickness when in coverage.
With the current talent level the Dolphins have at the Cornerback position, any of the three above would be an instant upgrade and I think you will see either Rhodes or Trufant in a Dolphins Jersey next season.
Will Miami use the 12th overall pick on one of them? Will they take a different position and try trading up for a later first round pick? The only people who know the answers to these questions are Jeff Ireland and Joe Philbin. Only one more month and we will have the answers.