2012 NFL Draft Grades: Report Card for the Miami Dolphins' 1st Round

With the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

No surprises here. 

Despite some unexpected movement at the top of the draft, the Miami Dolphins did the expected and drafted Ryan Tannehill with the eighth overall pick.

Although the Dolphins reached for Tannehill, he has the physical tools, mental makeup and demeanor of a franchise quarterback. 

Tannehill provides a fresh face for this disgruntled fan base to invest in, and he just might be the quarterback to finally fill Dan Marino's shoes. 

Plus, there is no better situation for Tannehill than to land in Miami. 

Joe Philbin oversaw the development of Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn, and Mike Sherman—Miami's new offensive coordinator—oversaw Tannehill's development at Texas A&M. Tannehill will also have the opportunity to learn behind veterans Matt Moore and David Garrard. 

It's vital that the Dolphins give Tannehill ample time to sit and develop. Rushing a young quarterback into a starting job can cause irreparable damage. But Joe Philbin was in Green Bay while Aaron Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre for three years, so he should know the benefits of patience better than anybody. 

The Dolphins could have gotten a more polished, talented player with the eighth overall pick, but teams can't go far without a franchise quarterback in today's NFL. 

Will Tannehill ever become an elite quarterback?

Time will tell, but the Dolphins needed to make this selection. 

Grade: B+