Who Do The Dolphins Draft If They Trade Up?

Feb 26, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive end Dee Milliner catches a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

It’s getting down to the wire to the start of the NFL Draft. Like usual there’s been much speculation, hope, and dreams when it comes to potential draft prospects for the Miami Dolphins. Will the Dolphins go for an O-Lineman or Tight End? Or do they go defensive and grab a Cornerback or Defensive End?

Many names have been thrown around, as well as scenarios with the Dolphins trading up or down. But I want to talk about two prospects Miami could be looking to draft up for come draft day.

1. Dee Milliner(Cornerback-Alabama)- Dee Milliner is the top CB prospect coming up in the draft. Some people don’t think there’s enough difference in terms of skill level between Milliner and arguably the second best CB, Xavier Rhodes from Florida State, to warrant trading up in the first round for. I disagree. Milliner is an instant game changer for the Dolphins zone scheme. Rhodes has had problems with a zone scheme, but excels in a man-to-man situation. Unless the Dolphins could change Rhodes, or decide to change schemes, he’s not an ideal fit for Miami.

Milliner has NFL ready size being 6’0″ tall and weighing in at 201 lbs. In addition to size he has the speed and quickness to hang in with the fast receivers in the league. His combine 40 yard dash time was 4.37. He’s helped the Crimson Tide win back-to-back BCS National Championships, while having an outstanding Junior season where he recorded 22 pass breakups.

With the Dolphins in desperate need for some Cornerback help Milliner should definitely be on the Dolphins radar.

2. Lane Johnson(Offensive Tackle-Oklahoma)- In my opinion Lane Johnson is the third best OT in this years draft, behind Luke Joeckel from Texas A&M, and Eric Fisher from Central Michigan. Johnson is a former High School and Junior College Quarterback who transitioned into Tight End and Defensive End once he was a Sooner. His TE and DE stint didn’t last long before he made another transition, this time to OT.

Johnson is a big bodied, athletic OT who has good footwork and quickness to deny pass rushers the edge. He also does a good job using his hands and feet to keep some distance between him and the defender. The biggest downfall with Johnson is his lack of experience at the OT position. Another knock on him is his size, at 6’6″, can potentially hurt him from getting good leverage against experienced veteran defenders.

Many fans think the Dolphins should be drafting an O-Lineman after the departure of LT Jake Long, but I think there are way more pressing issues this Dolphins team needs to address before the OL. But I do believe Lane Johnson is on Jeff Ireland’s mind while preparing for the first round of the draft.

There’s no doubt either of these guys would instantly help the Miami Dolphins. But if I were Jeff Ireland I know who my pick would be if I were able to find a trade partner come draft day.

Who are two draft prospects you believe the Dolphins could potentially trade up for in the draft?