NFL Draft 2011: Who Could the Miami Dolphins Target With a 2nd Round Pick?
The 2011 NFL Draft is merely a month away, yet an overabundance of questions over Miami's draft outlook persist. Football pundits seem to be connecting Mark Ingram to the Dolphins because it is safe speculation, but due to the sheer number of quality mid-round and free agent running backs slated to become available, he might not draw that much interest from the team.
Based on the number of holes currently plaguing the Dolphins offense, the best move for the 'Fins would be to trade down and attempt to acquire a second round pick. Although it will be difficult for them to retain a first round pick and still acquire a second rounder, there might be one or two teams desperate enough for one of the defensive end prospects likely to be available with the 15th pick that they would be willing to dish out a second round selection.
We have heard plenty of speculation over which prospect the team will pursue with their first round pick, but who might they try to grab with a second round pick?
#8 Titus Young, Wide Receiver, Boise State
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The Dolphins brass has been extremely forthcoming about their biggest draft need: speed. Jeff Ireland has made his intentions to electrify Miami's lethargic offense with play-makers clear, and a second round pick would provide the team with a chance to pick up some of college football's most electrifying players.
Boise State's Titus Young has drawn comparisons to the Eagles' DeSean Jackson due to his small frame, blazing speed, and eccentric attitude. Jackson has dispelled all of his former critics with a stellar NFL career, so optimists hope Young will do the same.
Miami would benefit tremendously from Young's skill-set, but unless he improves on the 4.53 40 time he posted at the combine, the 'Fins might want to steer clear. Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline reports that Young is viewed as a third round pick by most teams, and there might not be room for another prima donna receiver with Brandon Marshall already on the roster. However, if Young can shore up his workout times and interviews well, the Dolphins might want to roll the dice with this year's biggest high risk - high reward prospect.
#7 Rodney Hudson, Center, Florida State
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The Dolphins' decision to re-sign Richie Incognito earlier this summer might hint that they plan on plugging him in at center and filling out the remaining vacant guard spot through the draft or free agency. But based on his spotty and inconsistent play last season, Incognito is certainly not an automatic starter on the line. And as far as we know, Miami might plan on keeping him at guard or merely as a rotational depth player.
Either way, the Dolphins will almost definitely address the interior line with one of their first picks in the draft. If they pass on Mike Pouncey in the first round, there are still a few viable prospects in the second, such as Florida State's Rodney Hudson.
Hudson helped pave holes for the nation's 29th best rushing attack, but his 6'2", 282 pound frame might make him a bit undersized for the Dolphins' liking.
#6 Ryan Williams, Running Back, Virginia Tech
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In order for the Dolphins to acquire a second round pick, they will have to trade down into the end of the first round or out of it entirely. This will likely leave them out of contention for Mark Ingram (I don't want him, anyway), but there are a handful of second round running back prospects who could help fill Miami's running back vacancy to an equal extent.
Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams has endured a little bit of a roller coaster pre-draft process. At separate junctures, Williams has been projected to fall into the third or fourth round or as high as the first. Today, however, he figures to be selected in the mid to early portions of the second round.
The team is looking for a speedy running back, and although Williams had a hugely disappointing sophomore season at Virginia Tech, he ran a 4.53 40 at the combine and compares to the likes of Jahvid Best and LeSean McCoy.
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#5 Danny Watkins, Offensive Guard, Baylor
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If the Dolphins plan on starting Richie Incognito at center, they may pursue a guard in the second round rather than a center like Rodney Hudson. With Mike Pouncey likely gone after the first round, Baylor's Danny Watkins would be the best case scenario for the Dolphins in the second round.
Watkins measures in at a towering 6'4", 310 pounds, and he anchored a Baylor offensive line that surrendered only 20 sacks and blocked for the nation's 23rd most proficient rushing attack. He looks like an NFL-ready guard, but then there's this rather glaring age issue: Watkins will be a 27-year-old rookie.
Miami is not necessarily in a youth movement, but it would seem more logical to pursue a proven free agent than invest a second round pick in an unproven 27 year old. Still, Watkins looks like the real deal, so Jeff Ireland will have to decide if age is an issue.
#4 Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Maryland
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Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith has reportedly worked out with Ravens wide receiver Donte Stallworth over the past few weeks, and draft analyst Mike Mayock believes that Smith would be a perfect fit in Baltimore. But if the former Terp star falls past the Birds at 22, the Dolphins might jump at the chance to swoop him up.
There is no guarantee Smith will even be selected in the first round considering he is a bit of a one year wonder and has been riding the hype train over the past few months. But Smith's athletic prowess is beyond impressive. He ran a 4.43 40 at the combine and racked up 67 receptions for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns for Maryland last season.
Smith has drawn some comparisons to former teammate Darrius Heyward-Bey as a "track star playing football" prospect, but he looks more like a "football player who could run track" based on his physicality as opposed to DHB's straight ahead style of play. Again, Smith is exactly the type of prospect Miami is in the market for, and if he falls into the second round, the Dolphins will be in play for his services.
#3 Mikel Leshoure, Running Back, Illinois
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Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure is taller, bigger, and faster, than Mark Ingram. In 2010, he ran for almost 1,000 more yards and four more touchdowns, and finished the year with a superior yards per carry average. So, if Miami trades down in the first round and acquires a second round pick, shouldn't they skip on Ingram, fill another need with that first round pick, and try to pick up Leshoure in the second?
Leshoure quitely tore up opposing defenses last season, rushing for 1,697 yards and 17 touchdowns while maintaining a 6.0 yards per carry average. On paper, he looks like a textbook NFL back and although he may need to shore up some pass protection issues, Leshoure would be a tremendous pickup for Miami in the second round.
#2 Leonard Hankerson, Wide Receiver, Miami
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The Dolphins' track record with University of Miami wide receivers is dismal. Yatil Green and Randal Hill, two of the biggest draft busts in team history, were both studs with the Canes who famously flopped with the 'Fins. But despite their past mismatches, the Dolphins could have their eyes set on stud wide receiver Leonard Hankerson.
Hankerson was an absolutely dominating force for the 'Canes last season, catching 72 passes for just over 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns. Couple his production with a 4.43 40 yard dash, and Hankerson might be the third most appealing wide receiver prospect in the draft behind A.J. Green and Julio Jones.
At this rate, Hankerson could easily go in the first round (and if the Dolphins end up with a late first round pick, they could draft him there), but if he is on the board when Miami hypothetically picks in the second round, it is tough to envision them passing on the Fort Lauderdale native. He could immediately provide speed and a complement to Brandon Marshall, two vital areas of need in this year's draft. Two birds with one stone.
#1 Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Notre Dame
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The last time the Dolphins had a legitimately dangerous receiving threat at tight end was almost 20 years ago when Keith Jackson made a couple of Pro Bowls in 1992 and 1993.
Since then, they have shuffled through countless others. But while teams like the Patriots, Chargers, Packers, Colts, Falcons, and Saints have benefited from investing high draft picks and money into the position, the Dolphins have relied on castoff free agents like Anthony Fasano to no avail.
With a second round pick, Miami could snatch the consensus number one rated tight in the draft, Notre Dame's Kyle Rudolph. At 6'6", 265 pounds, he certainly meets the team's criteria for size, and his combination of stature and hands makes him a unique player that the Dolphins will not be able to find in free agency.
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