Miami Dolphins Draft 2012: Building an NFL Draft Big Board for the Dolphins

Most teams will take their needs into account when building a big board, but the Miami Dolphins have needs headed into the 2012 NFL Draft that it almost doesn't even matter. 

Quarterback is obviously the biggest need, but as usual, the board isn't completely dictated by needs, but also by talent as well as available players. While some of their favorite players will certainly be gone, due diligence should be done.

Taking into account needs and talent, let's give our best shot at ranking a top-15 big board for the Dolphins.

1. Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

He will be gone with one of the first two picks in the draft, but that doesn't eliminate him from the board as the best player in the draft.

2. Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor

Another one who will likely go in the top two, the Redskins gave up a king's ransom for the second overall pick and will not be denied in their pursuit of a franchise quarterback, whether it's RG3 or Luck.

3. Matt Kalil, OT USC

Kalil fills a big need for the Dolphins at right tackle and can play right away. He'll likely be gone in the top five, but he's the most talented player at a position of need.

It's realistic that the team could trade up for him, although Dolphins fans might riot if the team selects another offensive lineman in the first round.

Whoever is playing quarterback, their job will be made a lot easier without Marc Colombo giving up 11 sacks as he did in 2011.

4. Morris Claiborne, CB LSU

Vontae Davis is a solid starting cornerback, but other than that, the Dolphins have some question marks at the position. Having already added Richard Marshall, they may not be as serious about adding more top-end talent at the position, but they can't pass up the possibility in the pass-happy NFL.

A four on the Wonderlic is nothing to be concerned about with Claiborne. He has the football intelligence to play cornerback in the NFL, and has shown a clear ability to know his assignment and carry it out. The Dolphins could use some depth at cornerback, but finding a top talent would be even better.

5. Trent Richardson, RB Alabama

An aggressive, versatile, downhill runner like Richardson would be a great addition to any offense. However, running back isn't a true need for Miami; the Dolphins have a dynamic playmaking threat in the backfield already in Reggie Bush.

However, the two-headed attack of Bush and Richardson would be too good to pass up.

Just how willing would Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman be, though, to add another running back to the team with a top pick? Both are pass-first coaches, and would love to improve their offense any way possible, but another running back will not likely be where they look with their first pick.

6. Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina

Questions about motivation notwithstanding, Coples would be a great fit for the Dolphins in the hybrid defense they want to run in 2012.

Cameron Wake would love having a bookend on the other side of the defensive line to help him get after the quarterback, and we've seen the impact an edge-rushing duo can have, regardless of scheme. What's more, the problems of the secondary could be alleviated by a top-notch pass rush. 

7. Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB South Carolina

Melvin Ingram is an athlete, but exactly where he fits is a question mark. Much like with Coples, the Dolphins would be getting a solid pass-rusher off the edge to pair with Wake. But is he more of a 3-4 outside linebacker or a 4-3 defensive end? That's the question teams will have to answer.

Either way, he could contribute early in the Dolphins' hybrid front in 2012.

8. Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M

The Dolphins need a quarterback; that much has been established. The opinions on Tannehill are varying, but if they think he's their guy, they can't afford not to pull the trigger. He worked with Mike Sherman when the two were at Texas A&M.

He's not an elite prospect, but does he have the potential to be an elite franchise quarterback? That is the tipping point on which Tannehill's draft positioning should be determined, although quarterback-needy teams have made bigger reaches in the past.

9. David DeCastro, OG Stanford

Recently, interior offensive linemen have increasingly been deemed worthy of first-round consideration due to the value of offensive linemen in the pass-happy NFL. DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the draft, and some have even said he's a better prospect than Maurkice Pouncey was in 2010 when the Steelers drafted him in the first round.

10. Nick Perry, DE/OLB USC

Yes, there are quite a few pass-rushers on this big board but it's pretty obvious why: A top-notch pass rush can do wonders for a defense, even if there are some deficiencies on the back end, as is the case with the Dolphins.

Nick Perry could play either 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE, making him a good fit in the hybrid defense the Dolphins will look to run in 2012.

11. Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB Alabama

Upshaw is a very similar prospect to Perry in that he played 3-4 OLB in college, but it's unsure where he projects in the pros. The Dolphins will run a hybrid scheme, and could use a physical presence off the edge regardless of their front.

12. Riley Reiff, OT Iowa

There are questions about whether Reiff could play left tackle, but he won't have to with the Dolphins. They already have Jake Long to man that spot, and he's not going anywhere anytime soon. 

Reiff has been projected in the middle of the first round and might be a bit of a reach.

13. Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

Finally, we get to a wide receiver. Why did we wait so long? Because the Dolphins have indicated that they will wait, too. In fact, Philbin said as much in his conversation with Dolphins media at the coach's breakfast. 

However, if there's one receiver the Dolphins have their eye on, it's Floyd. They already have him on their radar, and have scheduled him for a pre-draft visit.

14. Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

As mentioned above, the Dolphins need a No. 1 wide receiver after saying goodbye to Brandon Marshall, and though it's not likely they'll take one in the first round, Blackmon has to be on the board somewhere. He is talented enough to warrant consideration, and fills a big need for the Dolphins.

15. Cordy Glenn, OG Georgia

The Dolphins could use an upgrade over Vernon Carey at the right guard spot, and Glenn would give them a prospect to develop for years. He can also play tackle if injury or contract situations dictate such.

He's a bit bigger than what the Dolphins might like in their offensive line, as Philbin looks to plug in lighter, quick-footed linemen as the Dolphins build their new-look offense.

Follow @ErikFrenz