NFL Draft 2012: 3 Rookie Quarterbacks the Miami Dolphins Must Target

The first two quarterbacks to be taken in the upcoming NFL draft are set in stone. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they do not have a high enough pick to take either RG3 or Luck. 

However, the draft has other talented QBs looking to make their impact in the league. These guys may not have the hype surrounding them as other players this year, but their potential and talent level should not be easily overlooked.

After losing the Manning sweepstakes, here are a few quarterbacks Miami should take a chance on.

Ryan Tannehill

After playing four years at Texas A&M, Ryan Tannehill is ready to see what kind of impact he can have in the NFL. One of the taller QBs in the draft, Tannehill stands 6'4"and has shown significant improvement every year.

His senior campaign included throwing more than 500 passes and completing 62 percent of them. Needless to say, he has proven that he can throw the ball. By going to the Dolphins, he would immediately be paired with one of the best running backs in the game today, which would take pressure off the rookie quarterback.

Although he's just a rookie, it must be noted that he is 23 years old and one of the more mature players entering this years draft. Not only that, but Tannehill is also an extremely athletic guy. He played some wide receiver in college during his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Wouldn't be a bad idea for Miami to give Tannehill to shine in the Sunshine State.

Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson is another older, more experienced quarterback who spent four years in college. Wilson's senior year was really his coming out party as he led Wisconsin through a solid season and to the Rose Bowl after transferring from NC State.

Wilson is simply an athlete with an impressive arm and the ability to make smart plays out on the field. He was actually drafted to the MLB in 2010.

That being said, Wilson is more interested in showcasing his talents on the football field. After finishing in the top 10 for Heisman votes, Wilson will look to continue to develop during the offseason and be ready to step into any opportunity that presents itself. 

Wilson would be a good fit for Miami due to his ability to lead a team and the athleticism he brings at the quarterback position. He is not as fast as a player like Michael Vick, but he arguably already has a better arm. 

Nick Foles

Nick Foles has the perfect quarterback body. He stands 6'5", 240 pounds and not only had a solid senior year, but a good overall college career. What you see is what you get with Foles. He's not the most athletic guy on the field, but he's got a cannon for an arm. 

He had some very good games against some impressive defense in the Pac-12 and has shown some signs of being a solid NFL prospect. He led the entire Pac-12 in average yards per game. Yes, that includes Matt Barkley.

Equipped with a pretty impressive arm, Foles would have no problem stepping into the situation in Miami and firing away.