Miami Dolphins 2011 Mock Draft: 5 Players The Team May Target With The 15th Pick

The conclusion of the NCAA national championship seems to serve as the unofficial date to begin draft talk. Of course, mock drafts have already littered sports blogs nationwide, but now that we know which collegiate prospects will dip their feet into NFL waters, speculation becomes a bit more credible.

The 2011 NFL Draft is already shaping up to be a disappointing one for the Miami Dolphins. Despite their incredible struggles down the stretch of the 2010 season, they will pick 15th overall, possibly leaving them on the outside looking into the top tier pool of quarterbacks available in this year's class.

Still, Miami has a slew of other needs, almost all of which could potentially be solved with the 15th overall pick. Plus, there is no guarantee that one of those quarterbacks will not pull a "Matt Leinart-Aaron Rodgers-Brady Quinn-Jimmy Clausen act" and slide into the Dolphins' lap.

Mike Pouncey, Center / Guard, Florida

In retrospect, the Dolphins decision to play offensive line musical chairs prior to the season may have been the chief cause for the team's ultimate demise. Replacing established starters Justin Smiley, Jake Grove, and Donald Thomas with unproven trio Richie Incognito, Joe Berger, and rookie John Jerry was foolish and arrogant.

Although Jerry will probably return to the starting lineup in 2011, Incognito and Berger might not return to Miami at all next season. Naturally, that leaves the Dolphins with glaring holes at guard and center, and they could fill one of them with their first round pick.

Florida's Mike Pouncey starred in the college ranks, and is widely heralded as the best center in the 2011 NFL Draft. Pouncey weighs in at a monstrous 6'5", 309 pounds, yet maintains the athleticism to line up at guard as well.

Imagine Pouncey lining up alongside Jerry and Jake Long. The Dolphins would instantly boast a tremendous nucleus of young talent along their offensive line that could be around for a decade.

Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Both Ronnie Brown and the Miami Dolphins' brass mutually claim they would like to work out a deal that would keep the team's third all-time leading rusher in orange and aqua. However, conversations in January ultimately mean nothing. There is still weeks before the free agency period begins, and considering the long list of teams with running back vacancies (and the long list of running backs slated for free agency), both parties could change their attitude.

Alabama's Mark Ingram left a legendary footprint during his tenure with the Crimson Tide, collecting a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship ring. Ingram might not have breakaway speed, but he is renowned for his complete game, hence his rating as the top running back in the 2011 Draft Class.

If the uncertainty surrounding Miami's running back corps is not resolved by April, Ingram becomes a very likely target for the Dolphins with the 15th overall pick.

Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington

Had Washington's Jake Locker declared for the NFL Draft last season, some speculated he could have been selected ahead of Sam Bradford. However, Locker returned to the Huskies for another year of grooming under head coach Steve Sarkisian, a decision that may cost him millions of dollars.

Locker's fall may be overestimated considering he played on a second-tier Washington squad with minimal talent around him. He still has great mobility and an equally impressive arm. But injuries and a losing record persist as problems.

Considering the number of quarterback-hungry teams picking in the first half of the first round, there seems to be a small chance Locker will slip past the Dolphins at 15. Miami may opt to pursue a veteran quarterback rather than invest in a guy like Locker, but unless his stock spikes, he will certainly be an option for the 'Fins (assuming he is available when they pick).

Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers throws the ball in the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glenda

Fortunately for the Dolphins, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was barely impressive in Monday's national championship victory over Oregon. Rather than catapult himself into a sure-fire top five or top ten pick with a great performance, Newton struggled, making poor decisions and questionable throws throughout, perhaps lowering his draft stock.

Regardless, there is no denying Newton's prowess or skill-set. Between his behemoth size, cannon arm, and blazing speed, the Heisman Trophy winner epitomizes the perfect NFL quarterback. But the one-year starter label and multiple years in spread offenses makes him arguably the biggest gamble in the entire draft. Plus, his maturity concerns raise some red flags. There is no doubt Newton is an innate leader, and his attitude is one that will immediately sell seats and potentially make him the beloved face of a franchise. Yet, between a cheating scandal and his father's scam, you have to wonder how genuine Newton's character really is.

The leash on Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland is skin tight, so drafting Newton, who will almost surely take at least a season or two to develop, may not be plausible. But if the duo can scavenge a stable veteran quarterback that can both keep the team competitive and groom Newton, then he could hear his name called as the 15th overall pick.

Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle, Oregon State

After three years spent muddling around the bottom of Miami's depth chart, Dolphins defensive tackle Paul Soliai finally realized his potential in 2010. Soliai collected 33 tackles and two sacks while eating up space along the interior line with his 6'4", 344 pound frame.

Soliai's breakout season did not come entirely by chance. The 27 year old nose tackle is slated for free agency this summer, and his 2010 campaign makes him a pricey commodity for the 'Fins to re-sign.

If Soliai bolts town, then Miami is immediately in need of a defensive tackle, and North Carolina's Marvin Austin might be able to fill the void. The only knock on Paea is his size. He weighs in at roughly 6'1", 305 pounds, which makes him a Randy Starks-esque athletic tackle, and not a space eater like Soliai. Despite his size, though, Paea specialized defending the run, and seems to flat out play bigger than he really is.