2012 NFL Draft: Better Options for Miami Dolphins Than Peyton Manning

The Miami Dolphins might seem like a match made in heaven for Peyton Manning, but the young talent in the NFL draft and free agency warrants a long hard look.

Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman indicated over the weekend that the Dolphins are only a couple of pieces away for being contenders. The jury is still out on whether that piece will be a 36-year-old neck-stricken former MVP or a younger, healthier option elsewhere.

Jeff Ireland has the final say, but both Sherman and Dolphins' Head Coach Joe Philbin compromise the brain trust that will choose the future field general of this historic franchise.

Here are three improvements over a Peyton Manning union with the Dolphins.

Trade Up for Robert Griffin III

If the Miami Dolphins organization believes this current roster is ready to win playoff games, they will find a way to sign Peyton Manning.

Unless Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman see something special in Robert Griffin III.

Drafting RG3 would give a face to this Miami franchise that Dolfans thought they had with Daunte Culpepper in 2006. Griffin III, though, has all his shoulder firmly intact and can make plays with his arm and his legs.

Peyton Manning revolutionized the modern quarterback position with his ability to call plays at the line of scrimmage and direct the no-huddle offense.  He would drive his team down the field methodically, needing only an armband full of plays and his imagination.

RG3 can become the next paradigm shift in NFL quarterback play. The success of Cam Newton has opened the door for dual-threat quarterbacks to have offenses built around them, threatening defenses with both run and pass every down.

Joe Philbin plans to bring a spread philosophy to this Dolphin team with five-wide sets galore. Showering the St. Louis Rams with draft picks to grab RG3 would pair one of football’s most dangerous weapons with an passing offense guru.

Sign Matt Flynn and Draft RT Riley Reiff at No. 9

On his Super Bowl winning Green Bay Packers in 2010, Joe Philbin had Aaron Rodgers and rookie Bryan Bulaga from Iowa as his quarterback and right tackle.

As head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2012, he could be going to war with Rodgers' backup and another standout rookie tackle from Iowa.

Matt Flynn has been linked to the Miami Dolphins ever since Philbin accepted the head coaching position. He would provide familiarity with the offensive system and have the easiest transition of any quarterback that were to don the aqua and orange next season.

The Flynn comparisons to Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb are premature. Flynn would be walking into a system he has known for years. In addition, he is not coming out of nowhere. Many forget he won a National Championship at LSU with his passing heroics.

Flynn will need protection from day one to ease his transition to the starting role. Drafting Riley Reiff would complete an offensive line that has franchise blockers on the left side and center already. It would be a big step towards increased production for an offensive unit that finished 30^th and 20^th in points scored the past two seasons.

Reiff may not be a sexy selection, but he would end all speculation about the Dolphins’ weak right side and let them focus on finding late-round gems at skill positions.

Start Matt Moore and Trade Down for More Picks

The right scenario has to be in place, but trading down in the first round for multiple selections may be the best way for the Dolphins to avoid busts in the first few rounds.

Even with the quarterback situation filled, this Dolphin team still has issues in the secondary, needs defensive ends that can play in the 4-3 and playmakers at the wideout position.

Matt Moore proved himself to be a competent starter in a 12 game sample. He would bring continuity to Dolphin offense that has more turnover than McDonalds' employees.

Whether this new staff has faith in Moore or sees him as a stop-gap for a new quarterback next year, his production could improve with a defense that can force turnovers and make critical stops on the other end.

Giving Moore a full season and stockpiling young talent gives Miami a longer competitive window than playing the ‘what if” game with Manning.