Miami Dolphins Face Many Options With 12th Overall Pick

Jan 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Riley Guilmino poses with a New Orleans Saints No. 1 jersey at the NFL Draft exhibit at the Super Bowl XLVII Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike last year, the Miami Dolphins could go a number of different ways with their first overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. Prior to last year’s draft, it was pretty evident that the Dolphins were looking at drafting QB Ryan Tannehill with the number eight overall selection, and they did. However, Miami’s hyper activity in this year’s Free Agency has left fans speculating at what exactly Miami will do with their first selection in the draft. GM Jeff Ireland has pulled the trigger and brought in many players to fill glaring holes on this team. With eleven picks, this team is no where near done adding to this team and has the ability to enter the following season with one of the better rosters in the NFL. I see the Dolphins going four different ways with the twelfth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. These options are not in any particular order, and these are just the four that I see as most likely.

Option 1: Defensive End – The Dolphins flirted with many veteran DE’s in FA including Osi Umenyiora, Elvis Dumervil, and John Abraham, but decided not to sign one (at least not yet). I think this was a smart move. Their are many mouth-watering pass rushers in this year’s draft. I could see Miami taking a DE with their first selection, possibly Barkevious Mingo out of LSU or Bjoern Werner out of FSU. Finding a compliment for Cameron Wake is a must.

Option 2: Offensive Tackle – Miami lost OT Jake Long to St. Louis, but could find his replacement in April. It is not likely that any of the “Big 3” (Joeckel, Fisher, Johnson) fall to the 12th spot, but if one of them does, I see Miami grabbing them. If one does fall, it will be Johnson, who I think will be a beast in the NFL. While Miami could easily take a tackle with one of their second round selections, but I think Long’s true replacement would come out of these three linemen.

Option 3: Cornerback – Before Jeff Ireland went out and got CB Brent Grimes from Atlanta, I saw the Dolphins going CB with their first selection. With the addition of Grimes, I think the draft is deep enough at the Cornerback position for the Fins to wait until the second round to grab one. Many people see Miami taking Xavier Rhodes at 12, but I don’t think it would be a bad idea to wait and take Wreh-Wilson or Jamar Taylor in the second round. If by some miracle Dee Milliner falls to twelve, then the Miami Dolphins will be going cornerback with their first overall selection (DUH).

Option 4: Trade Down – Miami already has more picks in this year’s draft than most teams, but they could easily add a couple more by trading down. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing the Dolphins trade the 12th pick for a lower first round pick while adding a second or third round selection. Teams will get desperate if they see their list of desired players go quickly, and Miami could use that to their advantage. This is never a bad option, especially in a draft that is as deep as this one is.

Nobody will know which way Miami will go in the draft until April 25th, unless the organization comes out and says it. Until then, all anyone can do is speculate. That’s the exciting part of the draft: nobody knows what is going to happen until it happens. The fact that the Dolphins have options with the first pick is a good thing. If one of their “go-to” guys is taken before the number 12 spot, then Miami can just adjust and focus on another position that needs filling. With eleven picks, the Dolphins have the ability to fill every need.

The question is, will they fill every need?

The only answer is we won’t know until it happens.

FINS UP!