Miami Dolphins Mock Draft: Best and Worst Case for Every Pick

The Miami Dolphins may or may not be one draft away from contending for the AFC East crown.

But it can't hurt for them to hit on every pick.

Unfortunately, not every player a team has their sights set on will be available. What, then, are some of the best and worst case scenarios for the Dolphins in each of the draft's seven rounds?

First Round, Pick Eight

Best-Case Scenario: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

As the Dolphins look to convert to a hybrid defense, they will need to find guys who can get after the quarterback multiple ways. Coples can line up inside or outside, though he's much more effective off the edge. His size makes him a prototype 4-3 defensive end, but he's a movable piece much like Mario Williams.

The question with Coples is his motor. He was content to be blocked at times, and will a big paycheck change that? Will Joe Philbin? These are questions the Dolphins must answer, but Coples is a physical freak and could immediately bolster the Dolphins defensive front. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Tannehill is exactly the eighth-rated player on my Dolphins big board, so if I were the GM, this would literally be the best possible worst-case scenario one could ask for.

There are questions about whether Tannehill can transition to the NFL, but compelling arguments have been made that he's a fit with the Dolphins for his skill set and familiarity with Mike Sherman's offense, having worked together at Texas A&M.

It's been a decade of searching for the Dolphins, but the Dolphins search could end with Tannehill.

Second Round, Pick 42

Best-Case Scenario: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State

If the Dolphins opt not to go with Tannehill with their first pick, there should be a few quarterbacks available with their second-round pick. Brandon Weeden may be gone by this point, but Brock Osweiler has a high ceiling, and with some time to develop, could become as viable a West Coast quarterback as the Dolphins could ask for.

He'll certainly have that time given the Dolphins' veteran options at quarterback in both David Garrard and Matt Moore.

The Sun Devils may have finished 6-7, but that doesn't fall on Osweiler, who helped the offense score over 33 points per game and put up 310 yards per game through the air. He's improved every year in college and hopefully can keep that bell curve moving forward in a positive direction in the NFL.

Worst-Case Scenario: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

With the uncertainty around the long-term future of Cameron Wake's contract situation as well as the lack of a defensive end opposite him, Branch would be a solid selection.

His skill set doesn't lend itself as much to the "hybrid" concept as other DE/OLB prospects in the draft, and he's not quite as versatile as some of the others might be, but his ability to get after quarterbacks should help him contribute early to any defense, especially one in need of a pass-rusher or two such as the Dolphins.

Third Round, Pick 72

Best-Case Scenario: Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss

The Dolphins need help on the offensive line at both tackle and guard on the right side. Massie is a natural tackle, but his 6'6", 325-pound frame suggests he could also play guard if needed.

He's not exactly the smaller type of offensive lineman the Dolphins may be searching for, but he's a mauler who has the strength to run block without sacrificing quickness of feet in pass protection.

Worst-Case Scenario: A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois

After losing Brandon Marshall via trade, Jenkins could help fill the void left by him. His frame is similar, at 6'4" and 190 pounds, as is his skill set, with the ability to win jump ball situations and stretch a defense vertically.

There are concerns about A.J. Jenkins' rather flamboyant personality, but the Dolphins have an opportunity to add a player with big-play potential. He may not be a perfect fit for the Dolphins' new offense, but the threat of a big play would open things up underneath for the short and intermediate passing game the Dolphins look to emphasize in 2012.

Third Round, Pick 73

Best-Case Scenario: George Iloka, S, Boise State

After releasing Yeremiah Bell, the Dolphins could use a safety with tackling ability. Iloka is a hard hitter who is underrated though unspectacular in coverage. He's not as fast as some teams might like in a coverage safety, but at 6'3" and 213 pounds, he has great size for the position.

He has the ability to immediately come in and make an impact in a number of roles, with experience as a slot cornerback as well.

Worst-Case Scenario: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Anthony Fasano is highly talented and has shown flashes of potential, but we've seen what two tight ends can do for an offense. That being said, two tight ends are far less useful in a West Coast offense than in some other systems.

He isn't a prototypical tight end, though, and is more of a receiver, as he lacks refined blocking skills at present. Philbin is plenty familiar with that type of player, having found several hundred ways to put Packers tight end Jermichael Finley to good use.

Fourth Round, Pick 103

Best-Case Scenario: Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

Not only is Adams built for a West Coast offense with his quickness on underneath patterns and ability to take short passes for big yardage, but he's also built to be a special teams return man. He won the Johnny Rogers Award for his abilities as a returner.

Adams will be a highly coveted wide receiver, and someone could end up taking him a bit higher than projected. If he's available in the fourth round, though, he'd be a great value pick to the Dolphins.

Worst-Case Scenario: Senio Kelemete, OG, Washington

The Dolphins will be running a much more finesse offensive system in 2012 and will need to find finesse offensive linemen to complement that style. They are currently comprised of two aging maulers at the guard spots and a second-year center who has tremendous potential.

Kelemete is incredibly versatile, having started at three separate positions in college, according to CBS Sports, but his lack of length could force him to stick to guard in the NFL.

Fifth Round, Pick 145

Best-Case Scenario: Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College

If the Dolphins are able to finish off their front with a defensive end early and get a deal done for Cameron Wake, the obvious final piece is to find ball-hawking defensive backs to finish the puzzle.

Enter Donnie Fletcher, who had 11 career interceptions and 21 passes defended. The Dolphins have a great man corner in Vontae Davis, and Richard Marshall is another in that mold, so Fletcher will likely have to improve in man coverage if he wants to hang and get playing time. On the plus side, he possesses the frame and speed to get there.

Worst-Case Scenario: Jerry Franklin, ILB, Arkansas

The Dolphins probably have the best linebacking corps of any team in the AFC East, but there's always room for more depth. Adding a linebacker with the quickness of a guy like Franklin could allow the Dolphins to switch between the 3-4 and 4-3 more freely without worrying about sacrificing him as a fit.

With 23 tackles for loss and seven sacks combined in the past two seasons, Franklin has proven he can be a leader on the field at middle linebacker. He's more of a run-defender than a guy who can be counted on in pass coverage, but he has a nose for the ball with five interceptions and four fumble recoveries in his career.

Sixth Round, Pick 196

Best-Case Scenario: Tauren Poole, RB, Tennessee

The Dolphins already have their explosive running back capable of creating big plays in space. What they need, however, is a goal-line plodder who can churn out short-yardage situations. Steve Slaton and Daniel Thomas are their attempts at that, but adding Poole to the mix would give them a great option.

Poole had 11 rushing touchdowns in 2010, but only five in 2011. Although he broke a 59-yarder against Alabama in 2010, he's not explosive by any stretch, having scampered 28 yards on his longest carry in 2011.

Worst-Case Scenario: Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina

After a dominant sophomore season in 2010, which saw Moss post 49 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks, his production took a huge downturn in 2011. The upside is there for Moss, but the downside has been revealed as well. He has a checkered off-field reputation, lost his starting job and is coming off a torn ACL.

For a player with high upside like Moss but with so many question marks, the sixth round seems like a good spot to take a shot.

Seventh Round, Pick 213

Best-Case Scenario: Julian Miller, DE, West Virginia

After picking up their elite pass-rusher of the future in Quinton Coples, the Dolphins go with the depth pick to complement him in the seventh round.

Miller isn't as explosive as the Dolphins might like in a defensive end, but he's got an incredibly high motor and makes plays with it at times. Though not a dominant pass-rusher, Miller's scouting report on CBS Sports reads like a recipe for a potential fit at left defensive end in a 4-3.

Worst-Case Scenario: Coty Sensabaugh, CB, Clemson

There's no reason the Dolphins shouldn't have confidence in Richard Marshall and Vontae Davis, but if the Dolphins don't do something about their depth at cornerback in the draft, they must have a great deal of faith in guys like Sean Smith and Chris Clemons.

At 5'11" and 189, Sensabaugh is a bit better in man coverage than you might think. He should, however, bulk up a bit before he is given a bigger role. He could immediately contribute on special teams as a return specialist as well.

Pick info provided by Pro Football Talk.

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