Miami Dolphins Ultimate 2012 NFL Mock Draft

The Miami Dolphins have been on the clock since Week 8 of the 2012 NFL season, and despite finishing out the season strong, there are many areas they need to address.

Fortunately for the Dolphins, they have eight draft picks with which to plug those holes.

Where should they go? Let's take a look with my ideal, need-based mock draft for the Dolphins.

Eighth pick (first round): Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

Ingram is incredibly explosive off the edge, but can that make up for his utter lack of size? That remains to be seen, but for the ability to wreak havoc at a position of need and his incredibly high ceiling, he's worth the pick at the eighth spot.

42nd pick (second round): Brandon Weeden, QB Oklahoma State

The Dolphins need a quarterback, and rather than overdraft for Tannehill in the top 10, they can get Weeden in the second. Sure, he's 29 years old, but quarterbacks are playing into their late-30's these days. Seven to 10 years of a franchise quarterback, if that's what Weeden ends up being, is worth a second-round pick.

72nd pick (third round): Brandon Brooks, OG Miami

The Dolphins have some of the pieces they need to build their offensive line, but are a few pieces short. A solid pick in the third round, Brooks has the ability to play multiple spots on the line and can contribute from day one. No matter who's playing quarterback, their job will be much easier with a pocket to step into, and Brooks is a talented pass-protector.

73rd pick (third round): Jayron Hosley, CB Virginia Tech

The only thing the Dolphins need more than a quarterback of the future is depth in the secondary. So Hosley's competition wasn't the best in college, but he showed the ability to be a versatile ball-hawk and can also contribute in the return game. He may not be a great, or even a good, man to cover corner, but there are uses for him in an Asante Samuel-esque role.

103rd pick (fourth round): Malik Jackson, DE Tennessee

Jackson is just the type of scheme-versatile defensive lineman the Dolphins can really use as they transition from a 3-4 to a hybrid 4-3 front. He can play on the outside and kick inside on passing downs, rushing the passer effectively from both spots. Playing next to Paul Soliai, more of a run-stuffing DT, Jackson can give the Dolphins an interior pass-rushing presence.

145th pick (fifth round): Juron Criner, WR Arizona

The Dolphins got rid of their No. 1 receiver, and while Criner may not be an immediate replacement, he has the physical tools to do so. He's a height-weight-speed guy, and while he's not a finished product, that's not a problem for Joe Philbin, who has made more out of less and has openly said he doesn't value No. 1 receivers enough to grab one in the first round.

196th pick (sixth round): Jeff Fuller, WR Texas A&M

Back-to-back wide receivers? Why not give Philbin his own guys to work with? This pick would make even more sense if the Dolphins drafted Ryan Tannehill earlier, as it would give him a familiar target. He wasn't incredibly explosive, with his longest catch of the year just a 29-yarder, but he knows how to get open. Mike Sherman knows what he's getting in Fuller.

215th pick (seventh round): Kelcie McCray, S Arkansas State

While McCray leaves something to be desired in terms of his ability to tackle, the Dolphins should take a shot on him late for his athleticism and size. 

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