NFL Draft 2012: Jason Campbell Is a Free-Agency Steal for the Miami Dolphins

Now that the National Football League has come and gone for another season, we're left in eager anticipation for the NFL Draft and all the surprises and predictions that come with it.

For the plethora of sides that can call the 2011-12 season a write-off, the draft brings with it new hope and a new sense of excitement for the season ahead. It's a chance to fix up a gaping hole or strengthen another, so that it will dominate in the following year.

However you want to look at it, there's big moves and bad moves to be made in the draft.

For the Miami Dolphins, there's a huge move to be made with the number-nine pick in the 2012 Draft. It's clear that the 'Fins are lacking in the pass-rushing department, making USC Defensive End Nick Perry a perfect option to take early on in the draft.

They should take Perry and they most likely will, but that's not as big of a move as the one that can be made in free agency.

Sure, the draft does give us a fresh bunch of kids that have seemingly unlimited potential and ability, and appear to give answers to every single one of a teams' problems—for that reason, it is a wonderful thing.

Yet free agency gives us tried and tested players that for one reason or another have gone off contract. Perhaps it was because of inconsistency; perhaps it was because of a situational decision.

In the case of others, like Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell—it was because of injury.

And in amongst the 2012 NFL Draft, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and all the hype, Jason Campbell stands out as a free-agency steal and he should be looked at by the Miami Dolphins.

I know Matt Flynn is available, but Jason Campbell would be a steal compared to Flynn.

Flynn's success—in particular one win over Detroit—had a lot to do with the receiving core and skill that the Green Bay Packers receivers displayed all season.

Enter Jason Campbell.

Before his season-ending injury, Campbell was tipped by many to lead the Raiders into the finals, as they would clinch the division over an inconsistent Chargers and weak Chiefs and Broncos.

And even with his injury, the Raiders almost made it.

Jason Campbell will not receive a starting position anywhere in the NFL this year, especially with the depth of quarterbacks that are around in the draft this year.

Place him behind Matt Moore though, and reap the benefits.

For Moore, it places more pressure on him and forces him to play to a higher-standard knowing that should he fail, there's a guy waiting in the wings who's more than capable of taking his spot.

For Campbell, it may end up working out like the Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow situation, where Tebow grew such a following that it was almost impossible for management and coaching staff not to start him as the team's quarterback.

With Chad Henne at first appearing to be on the outer, and second of all rubbish, Jason Campbell might just well be a steal for the Dolphins in free agency, and give them a quarterback dilemma that they probably won't mind having.

That and he would be dirt cheap.

We all know what Brandon Marshall can actually do with a well-thrown ball and Dolphins fans—imagine what he would do with Jason Campbell hitting him mid-stride down the sideline.

Campbell led the Raiders to 4-2 this year before going down injured, and they went 4-6 without him for the rest of the year and missed the NFL playoffs because of it.

If Miami doesn't pick up Jason Campbell, you can bet your dollar that the Oakland Raiders will realize very quickly just how much Carson Palmer has aged and deteriorated, and they'll hurry Campbell back into their starting line up.

Where he may very well lead the Raiders in to the NFL playoffs where the Miami Dolphins can watch him play whilst they sit at home.

Wondering what could have been.

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