2012 NFL Mock Draft: 8 Players the Miami Dolphins Need to Avoid

Despite the much-anticipated arrivals of football gurus like Cam Cameron and Bill Parcells, the Miami Dolphins continually make some of the most puzzling draft day decisions in the NFL. 

The organization has made some absolutely horrifying draft picks over the past few seasons—Pat White, Patrick Turner, Ted Ginn, Jr., Chad Henne—and their respective failures have left Miami devoid of quality players at a select few positions. 

But with another year comes a clean slate, and an opportunity to seek out and dodge those future draft busts. Not all of the players on this slideshow will be busts, but none of them belong in Miami. Whether there's no schematic compatibility or a player brings skill-set redundancy to the roster, the Dolphins should steer clear of these eight prospects next April.

Kirk Cousins, QB (Michigan State)

Michigan State signal-caller Kirk Cousins is already being heralded as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft. CBS Sports' scouting service has the Spartans QB ranked second amongst seniors, but it's difficult to see why.

Cousins appears absolutely horrendous under pressure and seems to be at his best when he checks down or finds wide open receivers (Remind you of somebody? Chad Henne, maybe?).

Although his stats look very impressive, they are only superficially so. Cousins' 66.9 completion percentage and 8.36 yards per attempt are byproducts of his tendency to check down and rely on yards after the catch.

Nick Foles, QB (Arizona)

Another highly-rated quarterback from the 2012 Draft class—who will hence be connected with the Dolphins—is Arizona's Nick Foles.

But like Kirk Cousins, Foles has a whole barrage of issues that will prevent him from landing on Miami's radar.

First of all, he plays in a wide-open, shotgun-heavy spread offense. The Dolphins want a quarterback who will deliver safe, accurate passes (ala Chad Pennington) and allow the running game to thrive.

However, this starkly contrasts from Foles' risky gunslinger mentality.

Foles has a tendency to take unnecessary gambles by throwing into heavy traffic, which will ultimately deter the 'Fins from drafting him.

Knile Davis, RB (Arkansas)

Under the very slim circumstance the Dolphins do not sign a marquee running back this offseason, they will be in the market for one next year. Specifically, Miami needs a scat-back who can provide a contrasting skill-set to Daniel Thomas.

In layman's terms, the Dolphins need a really fast running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield.

One of the premier runners in next year's draft class is Arkansas' Knile Davis. He'll surely grab national headlines over the course of the 2011 season, but at 6'0" and 220 pounds, he resembles Thomas (and a running back the Dolphins would be attracted to).

Davis might make for a great NFL back, but he doesn't make sense for Miami right now.

Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)

Because of his freakish combination of size and athleticism, Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu is currently ranked as a top receiving prospect despite rather modest production.

In two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, the 6'2", 218-pound wideout has recorded a combined 95 receptions for 1,057 yards and five touchdowns.

If by some miracle Miami finds a quarterback before next year's draft (and Edmond Gates doesn't make an immediate impact), then wide receiver could be one of the team's most pressing needs.

However, the Dolphins will look for a complement to Brandon Marshall, not a player who compares to him.

Sanu does not have the blazing, vertical speed Miami needs to stretch the field, so they should look toward a prospect like Ryan Broyles to provide such an asset.

Josh Chapman, NT (Alabama)

Dolphins nose tackle Paul Soliai finally realized his potential in 2010, but there's no telling how he will play once he signs a lucrative, long-term deal. If—and it's a big if—Soliai fails to replicate his breakthrough success, then Miami might look to the draft for another space-eating nose tackle. 

As per usual, an Alabama nose tackle sits atop this year's crop. But, unlike his predecessors, Josh Chapman does not possess favorable size. He is only 6'1" and 310 pounds (three inches and 45 pounds smaller than Soliai), and reaped the benefits of playing next to Marcell Dareus.

Brandon Lindsey, OLB (Pitt)

Although everybody's attention is keen on quarterback and running back, outside linebacker is a huge area of need for the Dolphins.

Outside of Cam Wake and Koa Misi, the only other outside linebacker under contract is Ikaika Alama-Francis.

Naturally, Miami will need to draft a rush 3-4 linebacker next year, and Pittsburgh's Brandon Lindsey might be a hot commodity once the draft rolls around. However, Lindsey is wildly inconsistent. While he can be a disruptive force, he is often manhandled with relative ease, and that has to make you wonder if he gives up on some plays.

If Lindsey can shore up his run defense and show more consistency in 2011, then he might become an enticing option for the 'Fins. But if he continues his streaky tendencies, Miami should steer clear.

Dont'a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)

Alongside stars like Terrance Cody and Marcell Dareus, Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower has served as the face of the Crimson Tide defense over the past few seasons. Hightower burst onto the scene as a stud freshman in 2008, but has not been the same player since he suffered a devastating knee injury in 2009. 

Statistically, Hightower enjoyed a bounce-back year in 2010, racking up a career-high 70 tackles; however, he lacks the later quickness and explosiveness that once made him so good. He also seems lethargic at times, but he will have every opportunity to reestablish himself in 2011.

Channing Crowder can't hold down a starting job on the Dolphins linebacker corps for much longer, so Hightower would make for an ideal target. But unless he can overcome his knee issues once and for all, Miami should say no thanks.

Eddie Whitley, S (Virginia Tech)

Entering his second season as the Dolphins' starting free safety, pressure is on Chris Clemons to progress from a solid but unspectacular 2010 campaign. If Clemons doesn't make progress and neither Reshad Jones nor Jonathan Amaya step up, Miami will have to target a safety in the 2012 NFL Draft. 

One prospect they might want to stray from is Virginia Tech's Eddie Whitley. Although he registered 80 tackles and two interceptions in 2010, Whitley struggled against Andrew Luck in the Orange Bowl and does not seem to exhibit the ball-hawking dominance one desires from a collegiate safety.