Miami Dolphins Mock Draft: Grading Matt Miller's Latest Picks

Start the countdown. 

We're officially less than one month away from the 2012 NFL Draft. 

Even as the offseason progresses, though, it's impossible to gauge what the Miami Dolphins are doing.

Because, well, they're not really doing anything. 

As each day passes, it becomes more evident that the Dolphins intend to rebuild through the draft rather than shell out inflated contracts to free agents—a strategy which has burned Miami so many times throughout the last few years. 

The Dolphins are under immense pressure to compile a phenomenal draft class that will lay the foundation for a future contender and please this disgruntled fanbase.

Bleacher Report's own draft analyst Matt Miller recently published a seven-round mock draft, so let's take a look at how he envisions Miami's draft unfolding, and hand out grades for each pick. 

Round 1: Pick 8: Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Texas A&M

I've said it once and I'll say it a million times: I don't believe the Dolphins will draft Ryan Tannehill.

Not with the eighth overall pick, anyway. 

If the Dolphins can trade back and grab Tannehill, they'll have my blessing. Otherwise, this is too much of a reach.

Tannehill is riding an unprecedented wave of hype, and I don't think he warrants a top 10 selection. He only started one season at Texas A&M, threw 15 interceptions, and blew four double-digit halftime leads (obviously not all his fault, but still worth noting). 

Just because the Dolphins desperately need a quarterback doesn't mean they will simply draft the best one available in the first round. 

To his credit, though, Tannehill is a freak athlete, ran a pro-style offense, and has a relationship with Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. Again, I don't think Miami will make this pick, but there are worse scenarios out there. 

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Grade: B-

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Round 2: Pick 42: Harrison Smith, Safety, Notre Dame

The Dolphins currently have three safeties under contract: Chris Clemons, Reshad Jones and Tyrone Culver. 

Yikes. 

Naturally, safety sticks out as a huge need, and Harrison Smith would be an excellent and much-needed addition to Miami's secondary. He was a four-year starter at a major program who might be able to start right away. But, I'm not convinced safety is a high priority for the 'Fins. 

According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins "continue to leave the door open for a return by Yeremiah Bell, and he's considering it." Salguero also writes that "Philbin likes Reshad Jones, Chris Clemons and Tyrone Culver and could see them competing for two starting jobs; he said there's no great distinction between the strong and free safeties in the defense that will be utilized by coordinator Kevin Coyle."

If Bell returns, then the Dolphins can host a three-way competition for the other starting safety job. None of the candidates are particularly exciting, but Kevin Coyle has the Midas touch with defensive backs (See: Reggie Nelson, Adam Jones, Deltha O'Neal, Tory James). 

Harrison would provide a substantial upgrade from Miami's incumbent crop of safeties. I would fully support the Dolphins making this selection, but I'm not sold that they will. 

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Grade: A-

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Round 3: Pick 73: Zebrie Sanders, Offensive Tackle, Florida State

Although Miami's offensive line is a major area of weakness, the team hasn't done anything to rectify its issues.

Eric Winston came down for a visit, but he signed with the Chiefs. The Dolphins also hosted Jake Scott, but he left Miami without a deal, and we haven't heard much since. 

If the Dolphins don't sign a starting-caliber free agent, then we have to assume they're going to target an offensive lineman early in the 2012 Draft, and Zebrie Sanders would be an ideal selection. He boasts a nice blend of size and speed that makes him a great fit for Miami's new zone-blocking scheme. 

I had the Dolphins taking Sanders in one of my mock drafts a while back, so I support Matt's pick here. 

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Grade: B+

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Round 3: Pick 74: Orson Charles, Tight End, Georgia

If Orson Charles actually falls into the third round, then the Dolphins shouldn't hesitate to draft him.

The 'Fins have one of the worst tight end corps in the NFL. Anthony Fasano is well-rounded and sufficiently productive, but he's not special and he doesn't expand Miami's passing game in any way. And, Jeron Mastrud has caught one pass in his two-year NFL career. 

Charles Clay could become the seam-threat tight end that Miami so desperately needs, but we still don't even know what position he'll play next season. 

Charles could be what Rob Gronkowski is to the Patriots, Jimmy Graham is to the Saints and Antonio Gates is to the Chargers. I'm not suggesting that Charles will ever be as good as those tight ends, but he could make a significant impact on Miami's offense. 

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Grade: A

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Round 4: Pick 105: A.J. Jenkins, Wide Receiver, Illinois

If you've read any of my recent mock drafts, then you know I'm a huge fan of A.J. Jenkins—even more so following the Brandon Marshall trade. 

I can't imagine Jenkins falling into the fourth round, but the Dolphins should thank the football gods if he does. Jenkins is built for a West Coast offense, and he posted huge numbers at Illinois despite playing on the team's terrible offense. 

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Grade: A

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Round 5: Pick 147: T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver, Florida International

Even with Orson Charles and A.J. Jenkins onboard, the Dolphins need to draft another wide receiver—just not T.Y. Hilton. 

Hilton has elite speed, elusiveness and quickness, but he's only 5'9", 180 pounds. Can he withstand hits from NFL linebackers? Can he stay on the field for running plays when he'd have to block defenders who are much bigger and stronger?

Most importantly, can he create separation from press coverage?

Hilton has great value as a kick returner, but Davone Bess and Clyde Gates both fared very well in the return game last season. The Dolphins wide receiver corps is already overcrowded, so if the team adds another one, he can't just be a return specialist. 

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Grade: C

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Round 6: Pick 199: Mike Harris, Cornerback, Florida State

Vontae Davis, Sean Smith and Richard Marshall give the Dolphins a solid trio of cornerbacks, but given the growing number of teams utilizing pass-heavy offenses, three isn't enough. Miami needs to add another cornerback. 

I think there's a chance the Dolphins will draft a cornerback in the third or fourth round, but with so many other needs to address, they might have to wait until the tail end of the draft. 

I'm not sure Mike Harris will be on the board this late, but he'd be an excellent pick for the 'Fins. Harris played inside and outside for the Seminoles, and he's a physical corner who isn't afraid to tackle. 

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Grade: A-

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Round 7: Pick 218: Tank Carder, Inside Linebacker, TCU

Any player named Tank is worth a look, especially if he's an inside linebacker available in the seventh round. 

The Dolphins need to add depth at inside linebacker, and they could try to do so with this seventh round pick, even though this strategy has failed in the past. 

Carder is an inspirational person, and based on the trajectory of his life, he just might fight his way into a legitimate NFL role. He lacks any outstanding physical traits, but Carder did anchor a TCU defense that ranked first in the nation in 2010. 

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Grade: B

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