Dolphins Draft Watch !
Despite previously mentioning that I think the Dolphins need to trade out of the 8/9th draft pick that is easier said than done and as we all know we cant always trust Ireland in being proactive.
That being said here are a couple of names that Dolphins should and most probably will monitor very heavily before deciding who to select in April.
1) Quinton Coples , DE North Carolina
Going into this season Coples was most likely slated to be a top 10 pick. With a very nice mix of size, speed and freakish arms, Coples has all the tangibles to be a great defensive end. Coples has even gotten the high praise of being compared to Julius Peppers another former Tar Heel.
He could be a defensive end or tackle in a 4-3 scheme at the next level, or he could be a defensive end or outside linebacker in a 3-4. Making him very versatile and also appealing to a team like the Dolphins. Coples had a very solid senior bowl week impressing most scouts however he did have a few blemishes including an unnecessary roughness penalty which might put into question his character.
The Dolphins like most team will be looking for an elite pass rusher and Coples could potentially fill that void.
2) Riley Reiff, OT Iowa
It would be a safe pick and one that doesn’t involve a lot of risk. To me that sounds right down Jeff Ireland’s ally. With the Dolphins having one of the worst right tackles in the league in Marc Colombo and with the addition that they most likely will let Vernon Carey walk, the addition of a offensive linemen in the draft is highly probable.
The two-time all-Big Ten left tackle on the Iowa football team is one of several very solid offensive tackles in this year’s draft. Reiff is regarded by multiple draft experts as a potential top-10 selection for the NFL's April draft
3) Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A & M
Tannehill might be off the board when the Dolphins are selecting and the Dolphins might have already signed Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning, with that being said due to the strong ties Tannehill have with Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman.
Tannehill is a pretty athletic and made several big plays in the aggies offense with both his feet and has a strong arm. This season, Tannehill completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,744 yards with 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. With Barkley and Jones staying in school, Tannehill most likely will be the third QB taken in this year’s draft. Tannehill however does have serious questions as he just missed the Senior Bowl due to a foot injury which required surgery.
The injury does have the potential to drop Tannehill’s draft stock.
Notable names off the list include:
Courtney Upshaw- OLB, Alabama – A pure beast pass rusher who has the potential to slip into the top 10 if he has a nice combine.
Alshon Jeffery and Michael Floyd – Two very solid Wide Receiver prospects who could be nice playmaking options for the Dolphins. Philbin is use to having tools in GB and might want to add a few weapons to the Dolphins offense.
Justin Blackmon and RG3 who the Dolphins would obviously take a strong look at however both most likely will be off the board when the Dolphins are on the clock.
