2010 NFL Draft: Five Safeties the Miami Dolphins Will Target

The Miami Dolphins cut ties with incumbent starting free safety Gibril Wilson after just one season, lost out in their bids for free agents Antrel Rolle and Ryan Clark, and now face the reality that the position must be addressed via the draft.

The unrestricted free agent market has run bare, and outside of restricted free agent O.J. Atogwe from the St. Louis Rams, there isn't much talent available on the market.

This year's draft features a deep class of safeties though. Somewhere in the first few rounds of selections, the Dolphins' 2010 starter may be lurking.

On the current roster, Chris Clemons displayed some promise in his rookie year, but he probably isn't ready to permanently take over duties at the free.

Beyond Eric Berry of Tennessee, the other safeties available in the Draft might not be able to come in and immediately stand out, but they could at the very least push the level of competition with Clemons.

Beyond nose tackle, outside linebacker and free safety are the most pressing needs on Miami's roster. Though the Dolphins would love to add a wide receiver, the fact of the matter is they have guys who can get them by at least for now.

Miami simply doesn't have those options at linebacker and safety. If the season started today, they'd be in serious trouble.

Expect that to be heavily addressed in the draft. The Dolphins will likely walk away with both needs filled by the end of round four.

With that note, here's a look at the top five safeties that will be on Miami's radar on draft day.

No. 5: Chad Jones, LSU

Projected: late second round/early third round

Chad Jones would likely have been one of the top one or two safeties in the draft in another year. With so much talent available, he's been bumped down a few notches and may be available later than he should be.

In 2009, Jones recorded 74 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and six pass breakups. He also had averaged 21.5 yards on punt returns, taking one to the house.

Jones earned Second-Team All-SEC honors and displayed great instincts in coverage, as well as the ability to pack a nice punch in run support.

Throughout his three years at LSU, he showed steady improvement and a willingness to listen to and learn from the coaching staff.

Jones didn't miss a single contest throughout his collegiate career either. Bill Parcells and Co. love players with that kind of durability.

He may be able to step in and start from day one, but if not, his contributions on special teams would be very valuable. Jones is the type of player that will do whatever is asked of him, and he doesn't shy from contact.

No. 4: Taylor Mays, USC

Projected: late first round/early second round

Taylor Mays is probably better suited as a strong safety than a free safety, and in that regard he isn't as valuable to the Dolphins as he may be to other teams around the league.

Mays is an exceptional talent though and will garner considerable attention on day one of the draft.

He's fast—4.3 40-yard dash. He's big—6'3", 235 lbs. Some scouts even believe he could be moved to outside linebacker if he bulked up a little more.

If he'd come out after his junior year, Mays would have likely been the top safety selected, but a subpar senior campaign has lowered expectations slightly.

In 2008 he was a First-Team All-American, but he wasn't able to follow that up with an equally impressive senior season.

USC's defense was terrible in '09, however, and Mays took a lot more blame for that than he should have. If not for him, things would have been much worse in Southern California.

There are issues about maturity and readiness to take on the responsibility that come with playing in the NFL, but weren't those same things being said about Vontae Davis a year ago?

Davis was nothing but professional in his rookie year with the Dolphins.

The knocks on Mays are far from outweighing the talent. If he slips to them in round two, Miami will pounce all over this kid.

No. 3: Nate Allen, South Florida

Projected: mid second round

Nate Allen is a rare combination of talent and intelligence. He was a member of the National Honor Society as well as one of the best true free safeties in the country last season.

Allen has great hands and even better instincts. In 2009 he recorded 80 tackles, five interceptions, and one forced fumble.

He needs to bulk up a bit, but that shouldn't be an issue once he's put through an NFL workout regimen.

Allen runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, which by no means is elite, but for his position it shouldn't deter him from being drafted early.

What he lacks in speed, Allen makes up for in instinct and intelligence. He has great field vision and is one of the better ball-hawks out there—10 career interceptions. Apparently he's a film-room junkie as well.

Allen would be a perfect fit for the Dolphins' 3-4 defense and might be the guy they target with the 43rd pick. He's good enough to come in and compete for a starting role by training camp.

Of the top safeties in the draft, Allen is probably the most likely to head Miami's way.

No. 2: Earl Thomas, Texas

Projected: mid first round

Earl Thomas is an elite talent that has the versatility to play any position in the secondary.

He could come in and compete for a starting role at free or strong safety, either cornerback spot, or even take over as the Dolphins' starting nickelback after Nat Jones left in free agency.

With the Dolphins holding the 12th pick in the first round, it may be difficult for the team to justify taking Thomas so high considering the number of talented safeties available in the later rounds.

With this year's crop being so deep, the need to spend the 12th pick on one isn't as high as the Dolphins' glaring need suggests. They can afford to wait.

If guys like Rolando McClain or Dez Bryant are off the board already, Thomas may just end up being the Dolphins' pick. It may not be exactly what this team wants in round one, but if they walk away with a guy like Thomas, it's not like they have anything to complain about.

He is a bit undersized for a safety—5'11", 198 lbs.—but he plays big and should be able to pack on about 10 to 15 extra pounds throughout the offseason.

Thomas' best quality is his ability to make catches and then make plays. He recorded eight interceptions in 2009 and took two all the way to the house, including a 92-yard return against Colorado on Oct. 10.

He's a natural playmaker and could be exactly what the Dolphins are looking for to solve their issues at free safety.

No. 1: Eric Berry, Tenessee

Projected: Top five to 10

Eric Berry is not only the top safety in the draft; he's one of the top players available, period.

Talent like his doesn't come around often, and if for some extremely unlikely event he falls all the way to the Dolphins at 12, they would praise the football gods for the next 10 years.

That's about how long they'd be able to go without a need for a free safety.

Berry is talented enough to come into the NFL and dominate right from day one. Barring an injury, he'll be among the candidates to receive the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Like some of the other safeties available, Berry needs to bulk up some, but that shouldn't be an issue. He's a dedicated player on and off the field, a leader by example, and the type of guy Parcells and Co. would be absolutely thrilled to get their hands on.

He recorded only two interceptions in 2009 as opposed to seven in 2008, but that was mostly due to opposing teams' unwillingness to throw the ball in his direction.

Berry has exceptional closing speed and can cover a lot of ground very, very quickly.

in 2009, he was a Consensus All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-SEC.

Fact is, it would take a miracle for the Dolphins to have a chance at drafting him unless they traded up. Berry is way too good to fall all the way to 12. Stranger things have happened though.

As a result, Berry will undoubtedly be the top safety on Miami's mind come draft day.