NFL Rumors: Miami Dolphins Would Be Foolish to Rely on Rookie QB in 2012

This offseason is incredibly important for the Miami Dolphins. 

Once thought of as a potential Andrew Luck suitor, the Dolphins won six of their final nine games with Matt Moore under center and wound up with the No. 8 or No. 9 pick (determined by coin flip at the combine).

Moore is a free agent, though, as is former second-round pick Chad Henne, and neither is expected to return to the Dolphins.

That isn't a bad thing. Moore was effective for a short stretch this season, but he's flashed like that before and has trouble performing consistently. He's simply not a franchise quarterback.

Neither is Henne for that matter, and he's had enough chances as is.

The Dolphins need a new quarterback and they know it, but banking on a rookie signal-caller is a mistake.

A franchise quarterback doesn't come along in free agency very often, but the Dolphins may get a crack at two of them.

If—and it's a big if—but if Peyton Manning is available, the Dolphins will be heavily involved.

It remains to be seen if Matt Flynn is a legitimate franchise quarterback, but he will be treated like one in free agency. The Dolphins, who are now coached by Flynn's offensive coordinator from this year, Joe Philbin, will be heavily involved.

This team needs to land one of those two quarterbacks.

At No. 8 or No. 9, the Dolphins won't have a chance to land an NFL-ready arm in the draft. Their best bet would be Ryan Tannehill, who Omar Kelly of Miami Sun-Sentinel writes is in play for Fins:

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I’m not ready to say Tannehill is THE ANSWER for the Dolphins. I still have far too many questions—can he accurately throw the deep ball, can he kill, what’s his upside considering he’s only started for less than two seasons.

But Tannehill should be viewed as a viable option

"

But Kelly knows that Tannehill is a reach, too.

Even Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, if the Dolphins wanted to trade up, wouldn't give them the boost they want immediately. 

This is a team ready to compete for the postseason with a franchise quarterback under center. They could opt to develop a quarterback, but they're ready to compete now if they get an experienced arm over a rookie arm.

Miami needs to be active in free agency, and they need to make the most of this draft. By landing a quarterback in March and protecting him in April, the Dolphins will be a better football team.

Doing it the other way around would be foolish.