The Dolphins' mock: Rounds 1 through 3

This Dolphins draft is as much about quantity as quality only in that the team has to find a way to stave off the Patriots with their legion of five picks in the first three round and the Bills, which have only three picks the first three rounds but are taking their turns at the top of those rounds.

The Dolphins have a first round pick (15th overall) and are not scheduled to pick again until the third round with the 79th overall selection. The Pats will have picked five times by then.

I gave this long consideration as I set out to do my Dolphins mock for the first three rounds.

Having thought about it, I decided the Dolphins must move heaven and Earth to get back that one of two second round picks they used in the trade for, ahem, Brandon Marshall. And that's why my mock includes a trade back for Miami.

I believe the Dolphins will have the opportunity to trade back and for my purposes today I am saying the trade back partner is New Orleans. The Saints, you see, are a team on the cusp of playing for another title. They are thisclose to getting back to Super Bowl caliber. And so they need quality, not quantity. They want to get higher in the draft to pick a more dynamic player, and likely a defender in this defender-rich draft.

So for our purposes I'm making a trade for Miami.

(Full disclosure: This is just done in fun and as speculation. This is not based on anything sources are saying has been discussed or will happen. Just want to let everyone know that because the Internet can be a freaky place.)

I envision the trade as follows: The Dolphins trade their first round pick (No. 15 overall) and their third round pick (No. 79 overall) to New Orleans. The Dolphins get the Saints' first round pick (No. 24 overall), their second-round pick (No. 56 overall) and one of their third round picks (No. 88 overall).

What does this accomplish. It gets the Saints nine spots higher in the first round ostensibly to pick a better player. It moves the Dolphins down to a place in the draft I believe the value for what they're looking for -- running back, offensive line, wide receiver -- is greater.

Yes, the Saints lose their second rounder. But they have two third-rounders anyway. Yes, the Dolphins have to drop back in their third round. That's the price of dropping in on the previously closed-to-them second round.

And so here we are, at No. 24 overall in the first round.

With the 24th overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select: Mike Pouncey (Center) of the University of Florida. I hate the pick. And I love the pick. I hate it because Pouncey will never score touchdowns. But I love it because it is a value selection at No. 24 -- five spots lower than where his brother Markice went to Pittsburgh. I also love it because the Dolphins need a center to solidify their offensive line. The position has been unsettled since 2008. Joe Berger is nice but his best asset to the team is as a backup. Pouncey could be the starter for the next decade.

With the 56th overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select: Daniel Thomas (Running back) Kansas State. Mark Ingram will be gone by this spot. So will Mikel Leshoure, whom I would think the Dolphins will consider in the first round but pass on because he's not a value at No. 15 nor No. 24 for that matter. So it's the next best guy on the board at Miami's greatest position of need. Ryan Williams is also a candidate here, but I just think Thomas is bigger, quicker and fumbles less. Don't hate.

With the 88th overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select: Traiwan Jones (Running back) Eastern Washington. I'm more excited about this running back than the previous one, but this one is too risky to take in the second round. Jones is a bullet. He ran a 4.30 on the Miami scouts' stopwatches at his Pro Day two weeks ago. He is a home run waiting to happen and the Dolphins need some of those on offense and special teams. By the way, the Dolphins have doubled down on draft picks before, picking two cornerbacks in the 2009 draft. I hope Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams will be here when Miami picks but he probably won't be. I love that kid. He reminds me of Keith Jackson.

I know, I know, you're going to wonder why I didn't address the QB spot. Well, this doesn't mean I'm on board the Chad Henne bandwagon. If you read my columns, this blog and listen to my radio show, you know that already. But I wait to address it in free agency. I go get a veteran.

OK, that's a lot to chew on. And there is much work for you to do. It is your turn to give me your Dolphins mock for rounds 1 through 3. If you believe the Dolphins will trade, you have to use that scenario in your draft as I did.

We will do rounds 4-7 next week.

Go!

Comments

[ALoco]

FLAMER VS FARMER,DYEING BRED VS OSCAR, WHERE DO YOU STAND PEOPLE?

[0x80]

The argument being made that SB QB's typically come from the first round, with only a few exceptions, can equally be applied to RB.

This data was I took from a recent SS article:

History shows 24 of the 28 running backs and fullbacks elected to the Hall of Fame during the modern era of the NFL were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. And three of the four that weren't first-rounders were taken in the second.

It goes on to say that while several late round backs did have some very good seasons last year, 11 of the NFL's 17 1,000 yard rushers were selected in the first or second round of the draft, and that's a common trend from year to year.

History has shown, as Ireland has recently stated, over the long haul, the majority of the best RB's come in the first two rounds, but mostly the first round.

[0x80]

Historically speaking, its just as rare for a late round RB to have a HOF career as a late round QB.

[Bwana]

ONLY THREE MORE DAYS UNTIL LORD PELICAN COMES TO THE DOLPHINS!!!

[ALoco]

THE POEPLE THAT REED THE SS ARE FARMERS THAT NEED TO ATEND TO THERE VEGTABLES IN MY HONEST OPIONON.

[ALoco]

FAKE ALoco @ 2;10.........

[ALoco]

ANOTHER FAKE @ 2;27............ANY WAY .

OX80, WHO CARES ABOUT HOF ,WE JUST WANT A RB WHO DOESN'T HAVE METAL SWORD IN HIS LEG /////////

[0x80]

All knowledge is good knowledge, regardless of where it comes froms.

By the way, most farmers today are actually highly successful businessmen dressed in fine Italian suits.

[ALoco]

FAKE ALOCO @ 2:30, WHY DOE THE FARMERS WANT TO IMATATE ME?

[Craig M]

DB,

I read some of your earlier comments about Henne...respectfully, what a pile of crap!!...

'Did the coaches finally get stupid?'......actually no, they didn't. We've been complaining about Henning and the play-calling for three years now. It's not a new development. The conservative approach has hurt us for some time.

'Henne has always sucked at the long ball'....you're right, that's exactly why they drafted him in the second round and deemed him to be our QB of the future.

I'm telling you guys, we will rue the day we drafted Mallett if we think he's the answer to solving our offensive problems. We'll be right back in this same situation three years from now. I watched a clip of him in the classroom with Jon Gruden. The guy comes across as a punk. He's not a guy you would think would instill confidence in others. I'm not impressed at all!

[ALoco]

OX80,

NOT ALL FARMERS ARE RICH ,ONLT THE TRADERS WHO ARE RICH ,WHO TAKES THE PRICES UP AND DOWN AS THEY PLEASE .....

[0x80]

I know a grape farmer, drives a porche and has his name on the label of his winery. Calling someone a farmer if anything is a compliment these days.

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

right all u henne haters

unless he sucks in whatever training camp there is u'll have plenty of games to watch him , coz he's gonna start for at least half the season unless we get crazy and trade away our future for a vet who might only just be better than him

most of u seem to be on the draft mallet bandwagon, fine, i'm on the draft kaep wheelbarrow

remember - henne is not as bad as u think, he just played for an offense that sucked in general last season

i think there's a real chance that he will turn it round with daboll and show a much improved statistical season

BUT, the fins can't rely on that chance, let alone potential injury, so u guys who don't have a qb in the first 3 picks r dreamin

even if we do manage a trade down there's seriously diminishing returns that the qb's left have a future as nfl starters

pick kaep, let him sit behind the resurgent henne and give him the keys if henne sucks at half way

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

-- qb's left fater the first round

[ALoco]

O80,NO ITS NOT BADD TO BE A FARMER,ARE YOUR NIALS DIRTY TWO?

[ALoco]

I KNOW A CORN FARMER WHO CAN'T PAY HIS BILLS .

[0x80]

Fruit pickers are poor, migrant workers are poor. Most farmers are rich.

[ALoco]

OX80,

I HOPE YOU CAN READ THAT FAKE ALOCO DOESN'T LIKE YOUR NAILS .

[ALoco]

I SEA THAT WOLF IN ICU IS HAPPY BEING AVERAGE,WOLF HOW BOUT YOUR WIFE,IS SHE HAPPY THAT YOUR AVERAGE?,I BET SHES NOTT.

[Leffty]

I like the Thomas pick, but I hate the Pouncey pick. Here's why. Drafting a QB with the first round selection is imperative, since Henne is not a quality franchise quarterback. The Jets have shown that wasting time with mid-level guys at signal-caller doesn’t get you very far, but drafting a franchise QB can be a game-changer. Locker or Mallett would both be great selections, and a running back should get taken in the middle rounds. Check it out:

http://sportstatistics.blogspot.com/2011/04/nfl-draft-preview-afc-east.html

[Craig M]

This notion that you have to have a first round QB to win a Super Bowl is a complete myth. If it was true, GMs around the league would ONLY draft first round QB's. Why waste a pick on a QB if he's not a first rounder? Total baloney!!

As Garbage Plate has shown, there are MANY QBs who were not first-rounders who have led their teams to a Super Bowl. Once the team gets there, anything can happen and it really has very little to do with whether they are a first rounder or not. For example, in the case of Jim McMahon and Trent Dilfer, the primary reason for their victories was the defences they had.

Don't be fooled into this thinking guys. There are more than enough first round QBs who fell flat on their faces on the NFL.

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

aloco

happy being average?

interesting deduction

if i was happy i wouldn't be spending my time looking for hope for the dolphins to improve, and this is probably not the place to look anyway but most people seem as deluded as me in one way or another

i'm not happy being more than averagely hungry

my she-wolf always seems more than averagely happy when she visits icu

but then if i think henne's an ok qb maybe i'm misjudging her demeanor and she miserable

i don't care i just want fed

[adrian solorza]

Miami dolphins have only one may be two RB under contract, so in the first round I like to pick one, Ingram have issues with the knee so I preffer Mikel LeShoure

I don't want to guest if we can negotiate a second so I preffer not put a pick.

I want Stanzi in the 3rd round
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x2UUWgv1NQ&feature=related
this video shows the acuracy throwing in tight coverage but also the undertanding of the game.

In the 4th round Marvin Austin, an insurance policy if Solia get injured

In the 5th round, Taiwan Jones, may be he will be gone but wuth the injury history I dont pick him higher. or Alex Green much like Mikel LeShoure

I want the 2nd coming of Zack Thomas so with the 6th round, Cassey Mattews, may be he will be gone earlier.

With the 7th pick Keith Darbut for the spcial teams. IMO we lost 3 games because the special teams

[Fishypete]

Lousy draft...Pouncey won't last till the 24th pick. I rather see the Buc's as trading partners. Here's is how I see it;

Trade with Buc's....Dolphins receive the 20th pick and the Buc's 51st pic. The Buc's receive the 15th and 146.

With the 20th pick the Dolphins select Mallett, with the 51st pick the Dolphins select
Stefen Wisniewski, with the 79th pick the Dolphins select E. Gates and with the 111th pick the Dolphins select T. Jones.

I can also see the Dolphins in another trade in the first round along with the one with the Buc's...they could also slide back to 24...and pick up another 3rd rounder.

[Craig M]

wolf,

Your points above are well made. I like Kaepernick a lot too. I didn't have him in my mock because I didn't know where to put him. I think personally, he's a third-rounder. I don't think he's any way close to being a starter in the NFL, so I think he sits behind Henne and a vet for 2-3 years. Don't rush him. Let him learn and let him develop. His body needs to fill out a bit too and it will. He's not an NFL ready QB yet but given time he's got a chance to be good.

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

aloco

was gonna save 4 down but suck on this for full on average mock

1. QB KAEPERNICK (will need to sit for at least half season but if henne fails this guy could rock next season, imo, he’ll be a franchise qb somewhere, so i say let it be in a finsuit)
2. RB DIMARCO MURRAY (RYAN WILLIAMS)
3. OL C BOLING (IF MEDS GIVE THUMBS UP TO ANKLE) (W RACKLEY)
4. TE ROB HOUSLER (DJ WILLIAMS)
5 RB ALEX GREEN (STEPHEN RIDLEY)
6 RB DIONE LEWIS
7 TE MIKE HIGGINS
7 WR RICARDO LOCKETTE (AKA TED GINN WITH WORSE HANDS) SPEED HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR
7 QB TYROD TAYLOR

[GarbagePlate]

Exactly what makes Sanchez a "franchise QB"?

Sanchez: 31 games 54% completions, 185 ypg, 29-33 TD/INT, rating 70.2

Henne: 32 games,(27 starts, 28 if you count the game when Pennington went down on the 1st series) 61%, 195 ypg, 27-33 TD/INT, rating 75.3

If anything, Henne has been better, yet the conventional wisdom is that Sanchez is a "franchise QB". Why? Because he was a top 10 pick? Because his team is better?

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

craig m

i pick him early coz my jobs not on the line and i think he's gonna be franchise somewhere
i expect to bleed on this blog if he doesn't make it in 5 years!

[ALoco]

FAKE ALOCO @2:37 ALL THE LETUCE AND BEAN FARMERS HERE THEY ARE GETTING TAX MONEY FROM ME AND ALSO THE GANG OF DEFEAT SITTING ON THERE COUCHES EVERY DAY NEVER LOOKING FOR WORK. I GET TO EAT CHAT BRIAN STEAK AND CHINA STYLE POTATOS AND WINE AND THEY ARE HAVING THERE JELLY BREAD AND SPRITE.

[adrian solorza]

GarbagePlate:

I think because Sanchez have a pair of wins with their's last offensive in the game in contrast of Henne, better numbers is true but in the cluch I preffer Sanchez of the hated (at last for me) Jets

[ALoco]

WOLF,

GREAT POST@ 2;58 ,I LIKE DION LEWIS THE BST THEN ...KAEPERNICK

[ALoco]

FAKE ALOCO 3:01. YOU WILL JOIN THE GANG OF DEFEAT IN APE CITY JAIL FOR THERE TRIAL WITH HYENA COWHER AND ORPAH WINFRY.

[ALoco]

SANCHEZ SUCS SO DOES THE 50 MILLION DOLLAR MAN MARSHALL,I HOPE THAT MR.ROSS HAS DEEP POCKETS,HE'S GONNA NEED THEM.

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

GP

exactly

sanchez is franchise coz he has an offense that helps him

he has 4th quarter presence and po wins

its not only henne thats blown games in the fourth quarter for the fins past 2 seasons

and its the team and coaches and henne that have not made it to po's - given better offense all round with no pennington stealing the leadership role henne could still do the biz, but get the best qb available when we make ouir first pick

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

marshall 99% doesn't suck , but he does need to be kept in line- i suggest he is forced to move in with jake long for the next six months!

[ALoco]

FAKE ALOCO AT 3:30(I KNOW IT"S ONLT 3:07) BUT IAM SURE ILL POST SOMETHING STUPID AT THAT TIME SO IAM BEING PRE-EMPTIVE.

[ALoco]

WE HAVE WHITE HEN PANTRY HERE IT IS VERY CLEAN NOT LIKE DIRTY DISGUSTENG 7 11 AND OTHER STORES. (((ALSO))) STOP AND SHOP.

[ALoco]

ARMANDO LOVES TO IMPOSTER ME ...HE JUST SILLY .

[GarbagePlate]

Theres 2 major differences between Henne and Sanchez besides conventional wisdom.

1. Jets got in the playoffs 2 years ago because 2 teams laid down for them and rested starters. They got to the AFC Champ game that year because of Shonn Green's run vs. SD, not Sanchez

2. Most importantly, coaching. The Jets staff has handled Sanchez in the proper way, infusing him with confidence, letting him run the huddle and be a leader, and slowly taking off the kid gloves and letting him stretch his legs, so to speak. Knowing he's gonna make some mistakes along the way.

On the other hand, Henne is brow beaten for mistakes, a victim of Dan Hennings play calling. (see: Buffalo game. Remember the 4thQ. Henne was on a 10-14 roll with a TD and driving again for a potential winning score, when on 2nd & 10 in Buff territory, he was removed for a wildcat play). The coaching of these 2 has been night and day, yet Henne has still put up better numbers. If the roles were reversed, would Leffty, et al still be calling Sanchez a franchise QB? That Buffalo moment is Henne's time in Miami in a nutshell.

This whole conventional wisdom thing with "franchise QB's" and 1st round picks is garbage

[ALoco]

4 THINGS IN LIFE YOU CAN DEPEND ON, BIRTH,DEATH,TAXES AND SOMEONE IMPERSONATING ME.

[adrian solorza]

I hope with the new offensive coordinator, Henne will improve his results at the cluch time, and the understanding that throwing the ball it's an all 5 dimension thing (x, y, z, time, gravity) (I should put tree angles plus the distance (r), but I don't found greek characters in the key pad, I think with the axis will be enough)

[ALoco]

ARMANDO DOESN'T LIKE TO SAY WHO IMPOSTER ME B/C HE'S ONE WHO DOES IT AND FAKE MANY OTHER NAMES ALSO .

[Joey C]

Who is our next QB?

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

gp @ 3.11

on the money post

[ALoco]

ARMANDO IS A MAN OF HONOR ............

[adrian solorza]

Stanzi have the skills needed for a QB, Henne could improve as well, BTW I hate Sachez as long as he play with the Jets.

[ALoco]

LOOK FORE THE DLOLPHINS TO DRAFT THE GRAET JACORY HARRIS IN THE FIRST ROUND TO PUSH HENNE TO THE GRAETNESS THAT HE'LL BECOME.

[ALoco]

I HAVE BEEN TO MANY WHITE HEN PANTRY IN BOSTON REVERE SWAMPSCOTT MARSHFIELD LYNN MALDEN MARSHFIELD CAMBRIDGE LYNN EXETER HOLYOKE DENNIS NEWBURYPORT MARSHFIELD BROOKLINE AND ALL ARE VERY CLEAN AND DUSTED AND MOP WITH CLEAN HOT WATER AND BLECH.

[ALoco]

ARMANDO IS A MAN OF HONOR .

[ALoco]

FAKE ALOCO @ 3:12 IS ARMANDO I AM SURE

[oscar canosa]

The NFL has always stroven for parity, much more know that there is so much $ involved in the Game. It is conceivable that they might lean a bit on all the better Teams if they consider that those organizations want to hoard all the better players. Yes?

[GarbagePlate]

One more point: I'm not saying Henne is the answer, he may not work out. But I think he's earned 1 more year, minus Henning. If he tanks this year, I'll be 1st in line saying time to go a different direction at QB. But at this point there really isnt much difference between him and Sanchez, other than supporting cast & coaches. Yet Sanchez is viewed as an up and commer and Henne is viewed as a failure. Makes no sense.

That said, my one big concern with Henne is pocket presence. Sliding in the pocket to give himself room and open up throwing lanes. Too many batted balls. If he can figure this out, I think its a big step to being successful

[ALoco]

WHITE HEN PANTRY HAS DELICOS COFFEE TO I WILL MAKE IT WITH THERE WHITE HEN CREAM AND HEN SUGAR. ALSO THERE ARE WHITE HEN FOOD IN THE COOLER THAT ARE VERY CLEAN

[Craig M]

wolf,

Hate to seem like I'm picking on you but you've got TWO QBs and THREE RB's in your mock. I'm not sure the brass will go that heavy on both positions. I like Kaepernick, as I mentioned but I had the team selecting Andy Dalton in a tradeback in the first. He's a little more polished that Kaepernick (their upsides could be argued) and he's little more NFL ready. All this guy does is win and puts the ball where it needs to be. He has good size and good leadership and I think he will surprise in the NFL.

Not sure you need to take Kaeprnick in the first. I think he will still be there in the second and I have him going in the third. I like Demarco Murray too but I think you might be able to get him in the third. I had Williams going in the second in my mock, because I think Leshoure will be gone where I had us picking but I debated whether to pass on Williams and take Murray in the third. Personally, I think if they take Williams or Murray they MAY only draft one other back and sign someone in FA.....but that's just my thoughts.

[Craig M]

By the way, I've heard the team really likes Dalton. Is it a smokescreen?.....we'll have to wait and see.

[adrian solorza]

GarbagePlate:
Totally agree with your 2nd point @3:11 that is the mayor reason. I feel the dolphins staff scrwed the self confidence of Henne, but in the other hand, why Henne wants to resolve everything with the strngh in his arm and not with anticipation and touch in the last season? in 2009 he send some nice touched balls to his recevers, may be was the self confidence issue, I don't know.

[Craig M]

GarbagePlate,

Great points at 3:11pm and 3:20pm. Nice to have a voice of reason on here. Well done!....I concur.

[oscar canosa]

We Miami Dolphins Fans need to know what the Dolphins future will be. This Draft will be a tell tale sign of that for many of us. All we ask from other Teams in the league is to try to interfere as little as possible with the picks that Miami's FO will make. It will be gratly appreciated.

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

craig m,

pic away bro, thats what its there for - its my mock its what i'd do,
but i'll be surprised to get a call from ireland asking me what i'd do,

yeah i think we should draft 3 running backs, imo we've got an empty cupboard of rb's and i don't fancy fa for these so triple down on rb's, we r a run first team as long as ts lasts, and 2 qb's, ones a 7th rounder

dalton looks ok too but l prefer kaep, mechanics and all, i'm not sure he's the best in the draft but i'd struggle to pick newton over kaep

[GarbagePlate]

Thanks, wolf. Btw, I like Kaepernick, just not in the 1st round. It wouldnt bother me terribly if he or Dalton were selected later. But I still prefer a scenerio with a trade back to pick up 2nd rounder, O-Line in the 1st, RB in 2nd and 3rd (Todman & T. Jones), DJ Williams in the 4th.

I'd hate to use a pick on a QB, pass up something else, and then have Henne blossom. Many QB's make the leap in their 3rd year of PT. Kind of like how alot of Major League hitters have it click for them at X amount of at bats. Usually around 26, 27 years old. That click moment for alot of QB's comes in the 35-40 game range.