Taking Their Talents To Miami: Top 10 QBs Miami Should Target For 2011

If you're a Dolphins fan you probably don't want Chad Henne starting right now. That said, he is still a young QB with three years of experience. Still, he isn't doing anything and the Dolphins don't seem to be getting anywhere.

The question isn't when do the Dolphins want to decide on a QB, it's rather who.

Now that we know the QB situation must be addressed, who are the Dolphins targeting and who should they target?

10. 49ers QBs

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterbacks David Carr #5, Alex Smith #11 and Troy Smith #1 of the San Francisco 49ers walk out onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Gle

The one in the middle and the one on the right are who we'll be focusing on.

Despite what people make him out to be, Alex Smith is not a horrible person who has failed all expectations. Ok, maybe people don't make him out to be that bad. Alex Smith gets a bad rep partially due to the fact that he has had a different offensive coordinator every year. His past two years he has thrown more TDs than INTS.

Troy Smith is a dual-threat QB who has shown leadership and was able to do something with some of his starts in San Francisco, putting the 49ers back in the NFC West picture.

This isn't the best option, but it's an option.

9. Christian Ponder (FSU)

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Quarterback Christian Ponder #7 of the South Team passes over defensive lineman Pierre Allen #95 North Team during the fourth quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.

The injury to Christian Ponder was a reason he came back to college instead of jumping to the NFL after his junior year.

Ponder has been a great starter, but has had some issues staying healthy. The injury scaring away most NFL teams would probably be his shoulder injury.

Still, Ponder had a good senior year (albeit missing a few games due to injury) after his injury. I am unsure if the Dolphins are looking at him too seriously, but if they want a good QB, but not with their first round pick, he should be available come second or third round.

8. Chad Henne

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins pitches the ball as Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots closes in on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Chad Henne is the starter currently. The other Chad on the Dolphins also was for a little while, but then got hurt.

Well if the whole point of this slideshow is to figure out the QB position, why have the current one?

Good question. The Dolphins may be willing to brave another season with Henne at QB if they pick someone like Jake Locker. While Locker sits and learns from the QB coaches, Henne becomes the starter.

Though they may not get far, Henne is still a legitimate option to fill the bridge between this season and the start of the next.

7. Drew Stanton

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Defensive end Alex Magee #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers closes in on quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Ima

The Lions went through three quarterbacks this season. They started with Matthew Stafford and finished with a mix of Stanton/Hill. Stanton was 2-2 as the starter for a Lions team that finished 6-10.

The good thing about Stanton is that he is relatively young (like Henne). He also threw more touchdowns than interceptions, something that Henne failed to do. If he wants to succeed, Stanton needs to become more accurate as at times there were some wild throws.

The one part where Stanton separates himself from Henne is his ability to make plays with his feet.

Stanton could be acquired for little as he was the third string.

6. Jake Locker (Washington)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies runs with the football during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huski

Jake Locker has been an unlucky fellow with good intentions. Instead of becoming the likely No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2010 draft, he felt the need to return to school to polish his skills.

While people talk about him as a dual threat QB, it's probably because they heard it elsewhere. Locker's reference as dual-threat QB comes mainly from his fantastic freshman year in which he recorded almost 1,000 yards rushing. Is that to say he isn't capable of running? No, but I wouldn't call him an elite runner either.

In order to succeed, Locker must improve his accuracy and decision making. He should be a first round pick. However, he would still need a year to sit most likely.

Locker thinks he has improved his senior year, but that is up to the Dolphins to decide.

5. Matt Flynn

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Flynn #10 of the Green Bay Packers losens up on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

Matt Flynn was given the opportunity to play when Rodgers suffered a concussion against the Lions.

Flynn is about as old as Henne is now. Unlike Henne though, he hasn't had many starts.

Playing in place of Rodgers against the Lions, Flynn was 15/26 for 176 yards and an INT. When the Packers faced the Patriots, they were supposed to go down quick in Foxsborough.

They didn't.

Flynn was 24/37 for 251 yards three TDs and one INT. He almost led a comeback, but poor clock management at the end of the game led to a 31-27 loss. This former BCS Championship winning QB may be a legitimate QB at the next level. The question is, will the Packers let him go?

4. Vince Young

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans scrambles away from H.B. Blades #54 of the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Grant

Vince Young was actually doing pretty well this season until his famous altercation with Jeff Fisher. After a thumb injury, Young pretty much acted like a little kid after he was benched and threw his pads into the crowd after the game.

If Bill Parcells thinks that he can shape up Vince Young's character, than the future looks bright. If not, he is doomed to become an unpopular and somewhat inconsistent player.

The Dolphins might have to fork a good bit over to the Titans to acquire him, but it looks like the Dolphins are more infatuated with a certain dual-threat Nevada QB than Young.

3. Colin Kaepernick (Nevada)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks to pass the ball against Boston College during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Dolphins are reportedly very interested in Kaepernick. One could see why, as he is one of the only QBs in College Football to throw and pass for 20 TDs.

The week before the Senior Bowl only boosted his stock as he was one of if not the best QB there in practice. The game didn't go great for Kaepernick as he was the only one on his team to toss an interception.

Still though, the Dolphins seem very interested in him and could pick him. One will only wonder how quick he will be able to make the transition from the Pistol offense to an NFL style.

We're looking at a likely second round draft pick.

2. Ryan Mallett (Arkansas)

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to hand the ball off against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Pho

Ryan Mallett is a good QB with prototypical size. Even better, he will most likely be available when the Dolphins come to pick.

Mallett has a huge arm, good accuracy, and should be able to see the field at 6'6".

Mallett was one of the top QBs, but as of recent, more talk has gone to Blaine Gabbert's unwarranted rise in stock and Cam Newton since he is, well, Cam Newton. Some have question Mallett and his decision making at some time, but he would be a great pickup for the Dolphins as he has all the tools to succeed.

Mallett is a first round draft pick.

1. Kevin Kolb

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Honestly there was no way Kevin Kolb couldn't be number one. In his seven full games as a starter he has tossed over 300 yards three times. Kolb is pretty much a starter on a bench.

The Eagles will likely get rid of him for some draft picks, so the Dolphins would have to forfeit there first round pick and another one.

It would be worth it though. Kolb has showed he is ready to be a starter. He should be able to hook up with Brandon Marshall to make some noise in the AFC.

If they get Kolb, would they win their division in the first year? Probably not. Could they get a Wild-Card? There's a good chance.

Since Kolb already has sat and learned and played in some games, he is the best option for the Dolphins.