2011 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins Day 1 Preview and Expectations

It's safe to say that no one really knows what Miami will do with its 15th overall selection in the 2011 draft.

The options of players to choose from or teams to trade down to are a dime a dozen.

If Miami can't find a lucrative enough trade when selection time rolls around, Mark Ingram, Mike Pouncey and Ryan Mallett should still be on the board, barring a last-minute team trading ahead of Miami in order to acquire their desired player.

There is always the potential of Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano drafting a wild-card player who was never mentioned in any of the experts' mock drafts.

Anthony Castonzo from Boston College, Nate Solder out of Colorado and Gabe Carimi from Wisconsin can easily play the right tackle position. Vernon Carey, who presently occupies the right tackle position, could move to guard.

Carey is getting up there in age and if last year was any sign, his best years are behind him.  

If that makes you chuckle a little, just remember that last year Miami drafted a defensive lineman with its first-round selection, when that was not one of the top needs for the team, and proceeded to move players around on the defensive line.

If Miami does end up using the 15th selection in the draft, it will be interesting to see if Jeff Ireland follows the example set by his mentor Bill Parcells of not always drafting the more popular player, or with his job seemingly on the line, draft the player who can immediately step in and make a difference on the field.

It takes two to tango

There are a couple teams that Miami could trade down to and hopefully still acquire a first-round pick.

Last year's dancing partner, the San Diego Chargers, have five picks in the first three rounds, and general manager A.J. Smith has never been shy about packaging picks to move up a few spots. Last year, they moved up 16 spots to get their guy in Ryan Matthews.

This year, they select 18th and are in dire need of an effective defensive end.

The Chargers could press their luck and hope that J.J. Watt or Aldon Smith fall to them, but with the Jaguars and Patriots (who both are targeting defensive line help early) choosing ahead of San Diego, it could be in their best interest to go ahead and swap with the Dolphins and guarantee themselves the player they are targeting.

Depending on if Prince Amukamara falls and is available at 15, it would benefit the Steelers, who own the 31st pick, to trade up and grab a gem who wouldn't fall much further.

The issue with Pittsburgh is they own one pick per round, and while Miami would likely require Pittsburgh's second-round pick, it is essentially a third-round selection since it is so late in the round (63rd overall).

Another option could be trading with Denver, who owns two selections in the first 14 picks of round two.

This would mean that Miami doesn't select on the first day of the draft but instead have two picks in round two and likely one more later in the draft.

The Broncos have pressing needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and the first round is full of linemen who can be Week 1 starters in the NFL.

Denver has young players in the backfield and they are not likely to select an offensive lineman with the No. 2 overall pick, so trading back into the first round could be a viable option for the John Elway-led Broncos.

Who will it be?

It shouldn't shock any Dolphan in the least, whoever Miami chooses with its first selection.  

Unless one of the previously mentioned offensive linemen fall to where Miami selects, it seems that choosing a skill position player would be the wisest move should the Dolphins have a late first-round pick.

A couple options would be tight end Kyle Rudolph from Notre Dame; Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith, who ran the 40-yard dash between 4.37 and 4.41 seconds; or even running back Mikel Leshoure from Illinois.

If Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano believe their jobs are safe for more than just this upcoming season, then they could go the route of choosing quarterback Jake Locker (although he is one of the few quarterbacks that Miami hasn't brought in for a workout), Colin Kaepernick or Andy Dalton.

Either way, it seems as if Miami can't lose in this situation but with this Dolphins team, one can never feel too safe, whether it's on the field or in the draft room.

Stay tuned for the Dolphins Day 2 Preview and Expectations.

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