Major Talent Equals Major Opportunities for Miami Dolphins in the 2010 Draft

The 2010 NFL Draft is one of the most hyped up drafts in recent memory.  Great talent on the board, amazing combine results, and one mysterious, legendary collegiate QB adding intrigue—what more could a fan want?

The Dolphins are very close to becoming the team that Bill Parcells envisioned when he signed on to help improve the lackluster organization.  This draft has the opportunity to take it even further.

Each round has players that would benefit the Dolphins in some way.  Miami does not have a pick in Round Two, but there are rumblings that the Phins may want to drop down in the first round and get themselves back into the second round fray. 

I bet the Eagles bite. 

So here is a list of players (by round) that could help the Miami Dolphins to varying degrees, or that I would just enjoy seeing play for the Dolphins.  The fourth round and above will be lists, while the top three rounds will have a brief analysis of each potential player.

Keep in mind that there is more than one player listed per round. This is not a mock draft; these are options that the team could potentially snag in each round.

Round 1

C.J. Spiller, Running Back, Clemson

Reasons Why It Would Work: Wouldn't a player like this be fantastic to watch in a Dolphins uniform? 

He could replace Ted "ButtaFingaz" Ginn Jr. on kickoff returns.  He can play some receiver.  He can run.  He could easily be the best wildcat quarterback in the game. 

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: This one probably won't happen.  It is not necessarily a need, some say he is a Top 10 pick, and the conventional wisdom says the pick will be defensive.

Rolando McClain, Inside Linebacker, Alabama

Reasons Why It Would Work: This monster of a linebacker would become Miami's new Zach Thomas almost immediately.  A linebacker that is 6'4", 248 pounds, and runs a 40 yard dash somewhere in the 4.6 range does not come around often.

If Miami stays in the 12 spot, they have to give this player a long look to bolster the linebacker position.

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: This player could be gone within the Top 10 picks, but it is a bit of a stretch.  If Miami does trade down with Philadelphia, then Rolando will not be there at 24.  Miami may feel a bit more pressure to grab a defensive tackle with the first round pick.

Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

Reasons Why It Would Work: This is the best 3-4 defensive tackle in the draft.  Miami has a serious hole at that position. 

Williams was a dominant force in the SEC, and has been impressive in his interviews.  He majored in legal studies and shows a pretty good intelligence level.

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: He only truly dedicated himself for two of his college years.  He has struggled with weight, ballooning close to 360 pounds at one point. 

Sergio Kindle , Outside Linebacker, Texas

Reasons Why It Would Work: Good speed, scary size, and a knack for getting into the backfield makes the idea of him in aqua and orange very appealing.  Apparently one of the leaders on the excellent Texas team, Kindle brings the pain every time he is on the field.

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: He has some off the field issues.  If Miami does not trade down in the first round, 12 may be a bit high for this player.

Round 2 (ASSUMING a trade occurs)

Golden Tate, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Reasons Why It Would Work: A wide receiver with excellent hands, good speed, and size would be a great No. 2 to newly acquired Brandon Marshall.  Drafting Tate would allow Bess to go back to his more natural slot position.

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: Could definitely be gone early in the second round, and  Miami may not want to draft a wide receiver that early after obtaining Marshall. 

Miami actually likes the receivers that they have.  Go figure.

Terrence Cody, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

Reasons Why It Would Work: If Miami doesn’t get Dan Williams in the first round, this could be a good pickup.  Huge player that would fit into the 3-4 "space eater" roll well, Mount Cody has the strength to demolish even veteran NFL players.

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: Once again, weight is an issue here.  He may not be able to handle the rigor of a 16 game NFL season.  He is definitely not an every down player. 

Ricky Sapp, Outside Linebacker, Clemson

Reasons Why It Would Work: An explosive outside linebacker who would do very well in Miami's 3-4 schemes.  He can rush, play the pass, and has good read and react ability.  Some people have projected him as a second or third round steal.

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: Injuries have slowed him up.  Not really that productive in the sack department.

Round 3

Brandon Spikes, Inside Linebacker, Florida

Reasons Why It Would Work: Extremely nasty hitter with a mean streak (see eye gouge of Georgia player).  Spikes was the leader of a championship defense and is actually a good blitzer, even though he doesn't have great (40 yard dash) speed. 

He seems to play faster than his numbers indicate.

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: He posted fairly slow numbers in the 40.  He ran somewhere in the 5.0 range, which is pretty low for a linebacker.  There are questions about how well he would fit into the 3-4 scheme. 

Eric Norwood, Outside Linebacker, South Carolina

Reasons Why It Would Work: Norwood is a very quick outside linebacker who seems to just make plays.  An extremely hard worker, Norwood has played both defensive end and linebacker in college.  He would be very well suited to be an outside linebacker in the Dolphins scheme.

Reasons why it wouldn’t Work: Eric Norwood does not have great size.  At times, he seems to get lost on passing downs.  He will be more suited as a straight up rush artist, whether it would be from the linebacker position or the defensive end position.

That’s the end of the detailed analysis, but the rest of the draft is equally important.  Here are some of the players I would love to see picked by the Dolphins.

Round 4

Reshad Jones, SS, Georgia (Hard hitter, underrated)

Andre Roberts, WR, Citadel (Amazing speed, great hands, high character)

D'Anthony Smith, DT, Louisiana Tech (Big player, good athleticism, experience as a nose tackle)

Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson (Is what Ginn should have been, 4.22 speed)

Round 5

Clifton Geathers, DE, South Carolina (Untapped potential, 6'8 player 299 pound player who runs well).

Major Wright, FS, Florida (Elite speed as a safety, can cover receivers well)

Riley Cooper, WR, Florida (Great speed for a 6'4 receiver, highly underrated)

Arthur Moats, OLB, James Madison (Excellent speed, good tackler)

Round 6

Myron Rolle, SS, Florida State (Amazing intelligence, Rhodes Scholar, could be a steal)

Robert McClain, CB, Connecticut (Ball hawk, great defender, could take back kicks)

Chris DeGeare, G, Wake Forest (Mammoth guard)

Round 7

Aleric Mullins, DT, North Carolina (Big body in a position where Miami needs BIG BODIES)

Robert Wallace, WR, San Diego State (Worth a late round pick as a 6'4, 223 pound wide receiver who runs a 4.5)

Jameson Konz, TE, Kent State (6'5", 240 pound tight end who runs a 4.43! 40...could cause matchup problems with some development)

There you have it.  Did I hit the nail on the head?  Probably not.  Would it surprise me for Miami to come away with some of these players?  Not at all.

It wouldn't surprise me for Miami to grab Tim Tebow or Dez Bryant in the early rounds.  The draft is a mysterious thing, and that’s the beauty of it.