Exploring Every Team Need the Miami Dolphins Must Address in 2012 NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins' list of draft needs is depressingly long. 

After glancing over it, I've started to realize how far away this team is from competing for a Super Bowl—or even the AFC East for that matter. 

The Dolphins are lacking legitimate starters at multiple positions, and other positions have severe depth issues. 

Jeff Ireland has eight draft picks at his disposal, but it'll take much more than that to alleviate all of Miami's problems. This is going to be a long process. But, it starts on draft day.

Here are the positions the Dolphins need to address. 

Quarterback

Needless to say, the Dolphins have to draft a quarterback.

I'm convinced the fan base will stage a coup d'etat and physically remove Jeff Ireland from his position if they don't. Also, the team actually needs a third quarterback to round out the depth chart. 

With Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin out of the picture, the Dolphins will turn their attention toward players such as Ryan Tannehill, Brock Osweiler, Brandon Weeden and Kirk Cousins. None of these names are particularly enthralling, but Miami will probably add one of them within the first two rounds of the draft. 

Wide Receiver

Now that Brandon Marshall is gone, the Dolphins need to add at least one wide receiver during the draft. Marshall's departure leaves the 'Fins devoid of a number one wide receiver, which is troubling news considering Miami's passing attack ranked 23rd in the league last season. 

The Dolphins could potentially draft a wide receiver in the first round, but unless Justin Blackmon falls to eight, that probably won't happen. 

Instead, expect Miami to draft a pair of wideouts between Rounds 2 and 5. Some names to watch include: Mohamed Sanu, Stephen Hill, Rueben Randle, Chris Givens, Brian Quick, Nick Toon, Juron Criner, A.J. Jenkins and Marvin McNutt. 

Tight End

If the Dolphins want to install a passing attack on par with those of the Saints, Patriots, Packers and Lions, then adding an athletic, seam-threat tight end is essential. 

Anthony Fasano is a well-rounded tight end, but he doesn't intimidate defenses like Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski and Jermichael Finley do. The Dolphins need to find a tight end who can slip behind linebackers and give opposing defenses something extra to prepare for. 

Miami could add a tight end at any point after the first round. Some names to monitor are: Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, Orson Charles and Ladarius Green. 

Offensive Tackle

Right tackle is an extremely pressing need, but the Dolphins don't seem intent on adding one through free agency.

The team signed Artis Hicks, but he's a journeyman veteran who will have to compete for a starting job. And, the Dolphins recently entertained Jake Scott, but he's played right guard for all of his eight NFL seasons. 

It looks like Lydon Murtha will enter training camp as the starter, but there's a chance Miami will use its first round pick on Jonathan Martin or Riley Reiff. However, the most likely scenario has Murtha starting and the Dolphins drafting a tackle in the middle or later rounds of the draft. 

Pass Rusher

The Dolphins' second biggest priority in the draft—the first is adding a quarterback, of course—is adding a pass rusher. Cameron Wake is the only pure pass rusher on the roster, and he can't generate pressure by himself. 

Plus, we saw how far a great pass rush can propel a team in the playoffs. The Texans, Giants and 49ers all won playoff games due to their overpowering pass rushes. 

With the eighth overall pick, the Dolphins will probably add a pass rusher such as Quinton Coples, Melvin Ingram or Nick Perry. The team could double-down and draft another in the later rounds of the draft. 

Cornerback

Vontae Davis, Sean Smith and Richard Marshall give the Dolphins a solid trio of cornerbacks, but given the growing number of team's utilizing pass-heavy offenses, three isn't enough. Miami needs to add another cornerback. 

The Dolphins probably won't even considering drafting a cornerback until the third round, but there might be some future stars available then—Georgia's Brandon Boykin and Montana's Trumaine Johnson come to mind. 

If the Dolphins are confident giving Nolan Carroll and Jimmy Wilson significant playing time, then they can wait until the end of the draft to select a corner. 

Safety

The Dolphins' free safety situation is reminiscent of their right tackle situation. They don't have a clear-cut starter on the roster right now, but they didn't pursue anybody in free agency. 

Things got even more complicated when the team cut Yeremiah Bell. 

None of Miami's incumbent safeties (Chris Clemons, Reshad Jones, Tyrone Culver) have proven they're capable of succeeding in a starting role, but there's a good chance the three of them will compete for the two safety jobs. 

Or, maybe the Dolphins are holding out for the draft. But this draft class is noticeably thin at safety. There are a few intriguing prospects, though. Miami could be targeting Notre Dame's Harrison Smith, Boise State's George Iloka or LSU's Brandon Taylor.