2011 NFL Draft: 10 Players the Miami Dolphins Should Be Targeting (With Video)

As the 2011 NFL Draft draws near, the Miami Dolphins have some holes to fill before heading into the 2011 season and some of their holes could be filled through the draft.

Positions such as running back, quarterback, offensive guard and the secondary can all be addressed at the Draft if the Dolphins' front office does their research and handle April 28-30 at the Radio City Music Hall in the correct way. 

Here is a list of 10 players the Dolphins should strongly consider going into draft day.

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

Mark Ingram is the true definition of a workhorse running back. The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner rushed for a total of 13 touchdowns in 2010, but was hampered by a knee injury that hindered his ability to match the 20 total touchdowns in 2009.

Despite the injury that caused him to miss the first two games of the 2010 season, Ingram still came back strong in his first game rushing for 151 yards.

His excellent size (5’10”, 215 lbs.), low center of gravity and great ball security are intangibles the Dolphins need featured in their running game. 

With uncertainty surrounding the return of Miami backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, Ingram would be an excellent young replacement for the Dolphins to build their backfield around.

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

The first order of business the Dolphins need to tend to is the quarterback; should they remain with Chad Henne or not?

Henne doesn’t seem like the type of QB that can survive in the league and especially in Miami. He consistently overthrows receivers, botches hand-offs, leaves his receivers vulnerable to a big hit and has very little pocket presence.

I’ve written extensively on the Dolphins need to draft Cam Newton and I’ll stand by my assertion.

The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner is arguably the best overall collegiate athlete today and if the Dolphins want to go in a different direction at quarterback, then Newton should be the guy to replace Henne.

He had one of the highest passer ratings in college, is a legitimate running threat and would offer a solid new look to the Dolphins offensive attack.

Jerrel Jernigan, WR/PR, Troy

Being that Ryan Broyles decided to forgo the NFL Draft and remain at Oklahoma University for his senior season, the next best speedy receiver/ punt return option for the Dolphins is Troy’s WR Jerrel Jernigan.

Jernigan will add the much-needed speed to Miami’s receiving corps and his double-threat abilities to return the kick-off would look good on the Dolphins depth chart.

His 5’9” 190 frame may be diminutive for an NFL wideout, but Jernigan has shown many times at Troy that he can handle the big-play by matching against the bigger corners and being the go-to receiver for many of Troy’s play calls.

But to be truthful, its Jernigan’s speed that will turn the heads of those who haven’t paid any mind to Trojan Football the past four years. His explosiveness and high football IQ will be tempting intangibles that the Dolphins should consider with their third or fourth round selection in the 2011 Draft. 

Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina

In a draft that won’t feature many middle linebackers, Quan Sturdivant may look like the class of the draft at that position standing 6’2”, 230 lbs.

Sturdivant’s standout 2010 set him apart from others at the position, despite missing the first five Tarheel games due to a nagging hamstring injury.

His versatility as a linebacker is what makes him really special. With his size, he can play any linebacker position and can do everything a coach would want his linebacker to do. He is more than capable to use his size to make his way into the backfield, but can also drop back in coverage and defend a receiver well.

Karlos Dansby teaming with Channing Crowder this season was a nice tandem at the LB position, but health is always an issue with these two and Sturdivant can solve that problem for the Dolphins fast.

Jake Kirkpatrick, C, TCU

An obvious need for the Miami Dolphins is at the OL position and a solution could begin with drafting TCU center Jake Kirkpatrick preferably in the fourth round of the 2011 draft.

Miami’s rushing troubles in 2010 could point the finger at the offensive line as we’ve got two of the premier rushers in the game in Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. A revamped OL would create lanes for Miami's RB’s and All-American Kirkpatrick could prove worthwhile if taken with Miami’s fourth round pick.

Kirkpatrick’s stock has risen significantly as the Horned Frogs boast the ninth best rushing game in college football and at 6’3”, 305 lbs, its hard to believe that Kirkpatrick is flying under the radar as a massive offensive lineman.

Rodney Hudson, OG, Florida State

(Not exactly a Rodney Hudson highlight video, but a sweet video nonetheless) 

With Rodney Hudson projected to go in the second or third round, his undersized 6’2”, 277 lbs. frame could help him fall into the lap of the Miami Dolphins.

The former Florida State Seminoles offensive guard has the technique, mental toughness and leadership abilities to take his game to the next level.

Despite his size, which many scouts dwell upon, Hudson has the ability to become an athletic interior lineman for any NFL team who wont allow a strong defensive player to push him around.

He has a high football IQ and makes great lanes for a running back, as seen with Jermaine Thompson’s great season, and the Dolphins could win huge by picking him up with their third round selection.

Rahim Moore, SS, UCLA

2010 first-team All-American safety Rahim Moore from UCLA could provide the natural and instinctive qualities of a safety that the Dolphins need in their secondary.

With many of Miami’s defensive backfield incapable of catching a pass thrown right at them (I’m looking at you Sean Smith), I’m sure the Dolphins and many of their fans would welcome Moore’s 2009 nation-leading 10 picks.

Moore has been scouted as a rare breed of college safety’s who can not only read the quarterback’s eyes very well, but can also use his tremendous speed and athleticism to break late on the ball in the air and still find a way to make the play.

Physically, Moore could use a little more meat on his bones standing at 6’1”, 196 lbs., but having the right type of approach to his game, this kid is sure to surprise as a third or fourth round pick in the NFL.

Ahmad Black, SS, Florida

Setting a Florida football record with 16 tackles in one game out of the secondary, Ahmad Black is a small, athletic safety who can make a big hit that will jar the ball loose on even the biggest of running backs.

Black has been known around the college game as a ball hawk that makes the big plays when it counts and the Dolphins secondary is in need of a true play-maker.

Much like Rahim Moore, many scouts see his 6’0”, 183 lbs. body frame as a huge issue heading into the NFL, but Black’s versatile game as either a strong safety or corner has those doubters thinking twice.

Black isn’t afraid to make a tackle and land the big hit and he uses his athleticism to his advantage by reacting quick to the ball in the air and reading receivers routes, being the analytical player he is.  

Black brings with him excellent upside and leadership capabilities that could have him going anywhere from the fifth through seventh round, right in the Miami Dolphins draft zone.

Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Ohio State

Dane Sanzenbacher was a quality receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes and could be a solid pro for the Dolphins slotted behind Brandon Marshall, Devone Bess and Brian Hartline.

Pulling down 52 receptions for 889 yards in 2010, Sanzenbacher has the skills to get the separation on man-to-man while also finding the seam in zone coverage.

Nobody can question Sanzenbacher’s toughness, but his lack of size and poor 40-run will surely hurt his draft stock.

Projected to be a seventh round pick, Sanzenbacher could be a potential steal for the Dolphins in the later rounds as his sound work ethic and right attitude could help change the tides of Dolphins football.

Rob Housler, TE, Florida Atlantic

Miami is in need an athletic, play-making tight end to compliment the tough, hard-nose play of current TE Anthony Fasano.

Playing at Florida Atlantic University, expect the Dolphins to take a serious look at Rob Housler in the fourth or fifth round because of his natural athleticism, good speed for his 6’5”, 249 lbs. frame, and his pure running capabilities that could create some potential mismatch problems for the opposing defense.

Housler is credited with a high football IQ, being able to make the difficult catch (that could prove beneficial with Henne as his QB) and is a decent blocker that can only get better as he adds bulk to his frame.

Housler is a mature type of college player that was selected to the All-Sun Belt second team and has the potential for a fruitful NFL career.