Miami Dolphins Mock Draft: How Draft Unfolds If Dolphins Select Ryan Tannehill

This morning, both Peter King and Chris Mortensen suggested that the Miami Dolphins will select Ryan Tannehill with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. 

Although there's still a chance the Dolphins pass on Tannehill for another prospect (Quinton Coples, David DeCastro), it's hard to believe both King and Mortensen are wrong. 

So, how will the rest of Miami's draft unfold?

Here's a look. 

Round 2: Pick 42: Nick Perry, Defensive End, USC

With Ryan Tannehill on board, the Dolphins will most likely draft a pass-rusher with their second-round selection.

There are three candidates for this pick: Marshall's Vinny Curry, Clemson's Andre Branch and USC's Nick Perry. 

Perry's combination of size, production and upside makes him the favorite. 

He meets Jeff Ireland's size criteria with a 6'3", 271-pound frame, and he also racked up 22.5 sacks in three seasons for the USC Trojans. 

Round 3: Pick 73: Ryan Broyles, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

Now that the Dolphins are transitioning to a West Coast offense, they need to add wide receivers who fit the scheme's mold. 

Not only is Ryan Broyles a picturesque fit for the WCO, he might be one of the draft's biggest steals.

Broyles suffered an untimely ACL tear in November, a scary injury for a player who relies so much on quickness and precision. 

However, he was one of college football's most prolific and productive wide receivers prior to his injury.

If Miami's medical staff believes Broyles can make a full recovery, then Jeff Ireland should grab him in the third round. 

Round 3: Pick 72: Tony Bergstrom, Offensive Guard, Utah

If the Dolphins want Ryan Tannehill to succeed, they need to bolster their offensive line—a unit that perennially disappoints. 

Utah's Tony Bergstrom fits Jeff Ireland's criteria to a T.

He's 6'5", 313 pounds and has the versatility to line up at offensive guard and offensive tackle.

Bergstrom was also a three-year starter, and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham called him a "leader of leaders."

Bergstrom will be a 26-year-old rookie, but that shouldn't deter the Dolphins from drafting him. He could step in as a starter within a year or two, which is pivotal, considering Jake Long is slated for free agency next year and the Dolphins are strapped for cash. 

Round 4: Pick 103: Marvin McNutt, Wide Receiver, Iowa

Marvin McNutt is one of the most well-rounded wideouts in this draft class, and I don't understand why he has flown under the radar these last few months.

McNutt boasts a solid 6'3", 216-pound build, sub-4.5 speed, sure hands and leadership.

He provides a perfect complement to Ryan Broyles and another wideout for Tannehill to grow to. 

Plus, Ken O'Keefe, Miami's new wide receivers coach, was McNutt's offensive coordinator at Iowa. Their relationship gives the Dolphins an inside track on McNutt's prospectus, and it could help him transition to the NFL. 

Round 5: Pick 145: Ryan Steed, Cornerback, Furman

Sean Smith is entering the final year of his contract, and Miami's pass defense ranked 25th in the NFL last season, so this is an opportune time to start grooming a young cornerback. 

Ryan Steed is a small-school prospect who starred against marginal competition, but he's a seasoned four-year starter with top-flight tackling skills and leadership. 

At the very least, Steed could be a special teams ace—but he has the potential to become much more. 

Steed doesn't have top-flight speed (ran a 4.57 40 at Furman's pro day), so there's a chance he could move to safety. Either way, Steed is a low-risk, high-reward player on whom the Dolphins should take a flyer. 

Round 6: Pick 196: Josh Kaddu, Outside Linebacker, Oregon

Because the Dolphins so desperately need pass-rushers, they will probably double down and draft two. 

Oregon's Josh Kaddu is a 6'3", 239-pound outside linebacker who should draw the Dolphins' interest if he's available in the sixth round.

Kaddu wasn't overwhelmingly productive at Oregon, and he must bulk up, but if he's developed with patience, he can become a situational pass-rusher.

He also projects as a solid special teams contributor. 

Round 7: Pick 215: Jeff Adams, Offensive Tackle, Columbia

With their final draft pick, the Dolphins need to add more depth to their offensive line. 

Columbia's Jeff Adams is an offensive tackle who will take a few years to develop, but he is worth the late-round investment.

Adams has the anatomy of an NFL tackle. He's 6'6", 298 pounds, has great arm length and started three seasons for the Columbia Lions without missing significant time to injury. 

Adams also impressed at the East-West Shrine Game and has been in contact with the Dolphins. 

Again, Adams needs a few years to develop, and like most developmental seventh-round picks, his chances of cracking a NFL starting lineup are very slim.

But if he can make the necessary adjustments and play like he did at the East-West Shrine Game, he can, at the very least, serve as a quality backup down the road.