Miami Dolphins 2012 Draft: Five Oddball Possibilities with the First Pick

Ted Ginn, Jr.

Remember 2007? It was Roger Goodell's first draft. Dolphins fans like myself were giddy when Brady Quinn fell into Miami's lap, celebrating all the while Miami's clock ticked down. Then, the impossible happened. Goodell strode up to the podium and announced, "With the ninth pick in the 2007 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select Ted Ginn, Jr., wide receiver from Ohio State."

Does any moment encapsulate Miami misery more than that one?

Ryan Tannehill is the popular pick for the Dolphins at No. 8, with Quinton Coples and Melvin Ingram well behind and vying for second place. Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd have been mocked to the Dolphins occasionally, while Riley Reiff and Courtney Upshaw began draft season as popular choices before falling off. Some have even called for Miami to draft David DeCastro as the best offensive lineman available.

The draft is unpredictable, and the Dolphins could pull another Ginn. Here are a few players who could be that guy:

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Robert Griffin III's favorite target at Baylor is actually an excellent fit for Joe Philbin and this offense. The trouble with picking him here is that he very well could be the first receiver off the board at this point, something that would not sit very well with many Miami faithful.

Of all the potential oddball picks, Wright would be the best one, however. His draft stock has taken a bit of a dive on the heels of a poor official 40 time of 4.61 at the combine and rumors of 16% body fat, but he should be seen as a top receiving prospect in this class.

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

After spending much of draft season as a projected fringe first-rounder, Barron suddenly finds himself the talk of the draft, with some pundits touting him as a top-six player. Is Barron the next Ed Reed or Sean Taylor? 

No.

The safety Alabama is a nice prospect, and the Dolphins have a bit of a need at the position, but this would be one head-scratcher of a decision. If they wanted to employ a safety who is good in the box but a liability in coverage, why did they release Yeremiah Bell?

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

This is one player nobody has talked about as a Dolphins possibility, but the tackling machine out of Boston College is a dark horse candidate here. Miami already has Karlos Dansby, but their switch to a 4-3 hybrid defense means they could use a true middle linebacker.

Kuechly would fill that position nicely.

The trouble with taking him here is that Miami has more pressing needs at other positions. While drafting the best player available (BPA) is usually wise in the top 10, would Kuechly fit that bill over other options? It all depends on Ireland's board.

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The talented cornerback out of South Carolina has seen his draft stock soar, to the point where some have mocked him to St. Louis or Jacksonville. 

I do not see this as viable for Miami, but as I said, anything could happen. The Dolphins have two talented corners in Vontae Davis and Sean Smith—they cannot afford to spend a top-ten pick on a nickel back.

Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

With all the hullabaloo around Jones going into the draft, putting him in as an oddball pick may seemodd in itself. The pass-rusher out of Syracuse would certainly fill a need, but is he worth the No. 8 pick?

Many scouts do not think Jones is worth a first round pick altogether, let alone a top-ten pick. Mike Mayock and Michael Fabiano have called him the best defensive player of this draft, but I have my doubts, and so should Jeff Ireland.