Miami Dolphins: 2013 NFL Draft Prospects at Cornerback

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Buffalo Bills 24-10 this Sunday, but it was not enough to keep them in this year's AFC playoff race.  As a result, it is time to delve into the 2013 NFL Draft.

I believe Miami will land Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace, or Dwayne Bowe via free agency.  One of those three, Davone Bess and, hopefully, a re-signed Brian Hartline will fill the Dolphins' void at wide receiver.

The other major need for Miami is in the secondary, as the Dolphins were 25th in the league in passing yards allowed and interceptions.  While the free safety slot is secure with Reshad Jones, who leads the team with four interceptions, all the cornerback slots and the strong safety position can be upgraded.  Compounding the need for cornerbacks is the fact that the underachieving Sean Smith will be a free agent at the end of the year.

Jeff Ireland should seriously consider addressing the cornerback position early in the upcoming draft. 

With that in mind, here are some potential candidates:

Dee Milliner

Dee Milliner, Junior, Alabama

6'1", 200 lbs, 4.47 40-yard dash

The All-America and All-SEC first-teamer is considered the best cornerback in the 2013 NFL Draft.  Milliner is strong, physical, tackles well, and has excellent defensive awareness.  He was tied for the national lead in pass breakups (18) and was tied for second in the nation in total passes defended (20) during the 2012 season.

On the negative side, Milliner does not possess elite speed and recorded only two interceptions in 2012.

Prediction: First half of First Round

Xavier Rhodes

Xavier Rhodes, Junior, Florida State

6'1", 215 lbs, 4.54 40-yard dash

Rhodes is a South Florida product and played at Miami Norland Senior High School before he became a Seminole.  He started as a true freshman but an early season injury allowed Florida State to redshirt Rhodes.  After his first full year, Rhodes was named to the freshman All-American team.  In 2012, he had three interceptions, 10 passes defended and was named to the All-ACC first team.

Rhodes is a big, physical cornerback with good hands, as he played wide receiver and running back in high school.  The one chink in his armor is his lack of elite speed.

Prediction: Second half of First Round

Johnthan Banks

Johnthan Banks, Senior, Mississippi State

6'1", 185 lbs, 4.52 40-yard dash

This year, Banks won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top collegiate defensive back after he posted 59 tackles and 4 interceptions.

Banks has good size and strong instincts.  For his career, he has 12 interceptions and returned three for touchdowns.  Coincidentally, two of those scoring interceptions came against Tim Tebow.

Banks, like most of the top corners in the 2013 class, lacks elite speed.

Prediction: Second half of First Round

Jordan Poyer

Jordan Poyer, Senior, Oregon State

5'11", 190 lbs, 4.49 40-yard dash

Poyer is currently tied for second in the nation with 7 interceptions before Oregon State's Alamo Bowl showdown with the Texas Longhorns on December 29th. 

Poyer can do everything, as he is an athletic, physical cover man and a dynamic kickoff and punt returner.  Poyer is not rated as high as Milliner, Banks, and Rhodes because of his smaller size.

This consensus All-American could end up being a bargain on draft day, however.

Prediction: Second Round

David Amerson

David Amerson, Junior, North Carolina State

6'3", 195 lbs, 4.59 40-yard dash

Entering his junior year, Amerson was arguably the top cornerback prospect in the nation after leading the country with 13 interceptions in 2011.  In 2012, Amerson has struggled, allowing many long touchdowns.  While some attribute Amerson's issues with being over-aggressive, his lack of speed and acceleration has become evident.

Amerson has exceptional size and instincts and some team may reach for him.  He appears better suited to be a safety, the position he played in high school.

Prediction: Second Round

In Conclusion

Who will be patrolling the defensive backfield with Reshad Jones in 2013?  I hope Sean Smith will still be with the Dolphins—at the right price of course.  Richard Marshall can be effective as a nickel corner, but Miami undoubtedly has to improve their secondary.

Today's NFL is a passing league.  To win, a team must pass well and defend the pass well.

If Miami does not improve their secondary via free agency, there is a good chance the team will draft one of the highlighted defenders.

Who do you like the most for the Dolphins?