NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking the 25 Prospects the Miami Dolphins Will Target
The first day of the 2011 NFL Draft is now officially less than one month away. Despite the persisting CBA chaos, all draft proceedings are carrying out as per usual. Private workouts, draft pick trade talk and general managers setting smokescreens are all in full gear.
Although they will need to utilize free agency to plug up some of the holes currently plaguing the roster, the Miami Dolphins have an opportunity to fill some of them during the draft. The following 25 players all present possible solutions to the team's woes, and all project to integrate well into Miami's scheme.
No. 25 Bilal Powell
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Playing on an underachieving team in an underachieving conference has hampered Louisville running back Bilal Powell's draft prospectus, but if his collegiate dominance is any indication, he could shine in the NFL. Powell utilized a very unique blend of size, speed and explosiveness to rush for 1,405 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. However, his pre-draft path has been rocky.
He ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine, which is neither impressive nor disappointing. Also, Powell irritated a hamstring injury during Louisville's pro day, denying him a chance to showcase superior speed.
If Powell can recover from his injury and show teams he has breakaway speed in his arsenal, then a team like the Dolphins will absolutely jump at the chance to grab him in the fourth or fifth round.
No. 24 D.J. Williams
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Throughout much of the pre-draft process, the Dolphins have been linked to Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams. They are in dire need of an athletic tight end, and although Williams is not as athletically gifted as some other comparable prospects in the draft, he could provide an instant upgrade for the Dolphins passing game.
Williams is not particularly tall at 6'2", but he weighs in at a bulky 245 pounds. His shorter, stocky build allowed him to play some H-back at Arkansas, and although the Dolphins already have Lousaka Polite, they could utilize his experience at the position for some jumbo packages.
Miami has a private workout scheduled with Williams in the coming days, and if he impresses, the Dolphins might take a flier on him in the fourth round.
23. Greg Jones
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With so many needs on the offensive side of the ball, the Dolphins can afford to wait until the later rounds of the draft to pick up some defensive and special teams depth. Miami looks to be well stocked at defensive line and in the secondary, but there is room for competition in the linebacker corps.
Michigan State's Greg Jones resembles a young Channing Crowder, minus the big mouth and durability issues. Jones was a captain at MSU, and though he did not test well (ran a 4.7), he plays with a burning intensity on the field. He racked up a combined 260 tackles over his junior and senior seasons with the Spartans, so perhaps his workouts should be taken with a grain of salt.
Miami could benefit form Jones' potential production as well as some competition for Channing Crowder and untested sophomore A.J. Edds.
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No. 22 Edmond Gates
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Abilene Christain's Edmond Gates hails from the same alma-mater as NFL speedsters Johnny Knox, Bernard Scott and Daniael Manning. Fittingly, Gates ran a 4.37 at combine despite re-aggravating a groin injury he suffered during the regular season. It was an impressive display that will have him rising up draft boards.
The Dolphins need for a burner wide receiver has been well documented and well publicized. Coming out of a Division II college will make transitioning into the NFL exceptionally tough for Gates, but if he can translate his speed and overcome the learning curve quickly, he could be a third or fourth round steal for Miami.
No. 21 Clint Boling
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Depending on how long the Dolphins wait to address their interior line issues, they could pick up Georgia's Clint Boling in the third round. Boling is a towering 6'5", and weighs in at 308 pounds, making him standard size for a Dolphins lineman.
He does not possess the athleticism as some of the higher rated linemen in this year's class, and seems to rely more on his strength.
There are better options for Miami to pursue at guard, but if they wait until the third round, Boling could still potentially step in as an immediate starter for the 'Fins.
No. 20 Martez Wilson
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Illinois' Martez Wilson could be the player to round out Miami's linebacker corps and propel it into a truly elite unit. Channing Crowder brings great fire and intensity, but his durability has only gotten worse, and he rarely steps up to make big plays.
Wilson ran an outstanding 4.42 40 and enjoyed equal standout success on the field where he racked up 111 tackles for Illinois last season. Although he will not possess the same football I.Q. as a player like Crowder, Wilson's athleticism is in a different stratosphere, and that could entice the Dolphins into selecting him.
No. 19 Ryan Mallett
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A laser rocket arm will persuade one NFL team to overlook the mountain of red flag surrounding Ryan Mallet. The Dolphins could be that team, but based on his parallels to Chad Henne it seems unlikely.
Mallet has almost no mobility at all, and once the pocket collapses, so does the play. He cannot maneuver out of the pocket. Also, Mallet choked in multiple high pressure moments at Arkansas last year, most notable during the last drive of the Sugar Bowl when he threw a game-ending interception.
Mallet is a physical specimen, who, backed by an elite offensive line could become a star in the league.
No. 18 Jerrel Jernigan
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Teams worried about Titus Young's maturity might find a superior alternative in Troy's Jerrel Jernigan. Though he played against inferior competition in the Sun Belt Conference and weighs in at a tiny 5'9", 185 pounds, he is seething with speed.
Jernigan ran a 4.46 at the combine, but he seems to play much faster on the field. He caught 84 passes for Troy in 2010, reaching the end-zone six times, showing amazing shiftiness and vertical speed.
Jernigan can likely be had in the third or fourth round, making great value for a team like the Dolphins in the market for a burner.
No. 17 Lance Kendricks
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Jeff Ireland's infatuation with Big 10 prospects has infiltrated all of his draft classes with the Dolphins. Each of his three first round picks have hailed from Big 10 schools. So, Wisconsin tight end Lance Kendricks, who not only fills a huge need, but is also a Big 10 product, makes for a natural target.
Kendricks raked in 43 receptions for 663 yards and five touchdowns during his senior season with the Badgers. He could benefit from adding some bulk onto his 6'4", 241 pound frame to shore up his protection skills, but Kendricks could still make for a great, instant contributor in the third round.
No. 16 Daniel Thomas
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A combined 30 touchdowns during his only two years at Kansas State coupled with a 230 pound frame would seem to make running Daniel Thomas one of the elite backs in this year's class. But a lack of speed, fumble issues and a deceptive running style has pushed Thomas back into the second or third round range.
Thomas fumbled seven times during his two years with the Wildcats, and although he has great size, seems to prefer running around defenders rather than over them. However, a 4.62 40 will not allow him to do so in the NFL. Despite his flaws, Thomas rushed for a ridiculous 19 touchdowns last year, which by itself warrants great applause.
If a team like Miami can persuade Thomas to become more physical, he could easily become a feature back in the NFL.
No. 15 Titus Young
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Boise State's Titus Young could be the second coming of DeSean Jackson. Both have small frames, blazing speed and eccentric attitudes, but concerns about Young's toughness linger. Also, Jackson's 4.35 40 was more impressive than Young's 4.40.
Miami would benefit tremendously from Young's skill-set, but Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline reports that Young is viewed as a third round pick by most teams. There also might not be room for another prima donna receiver with Brandon Marshall already on the roster.
However, if Young can dispel maturity concerns, the Dolphins might want to roll the dice with one of this year's biggest high risk—high reward prospects in the second or third round.
No. 14 Leonard Hankerson
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What more must Leonard Hankerson do to emerge as a top-end prospect? Perhaps after catching 13 touchdowns last season with the Hurricanes, dominating the Senior Bowl and running a 4.4 40 yard dash at the combine, he is, but teams are quietly hoping to draft him with a second round pick.
Hankerson will undoubtedly be on the board when the Dolphins pick at 15, but that is far too early for a receiver who does not suit the vertical threat role Miami needs. However, if they trade back into the second round, and Hankerson slips by the Chiefs, Colts and Ravens, he could become an immediate contributor to Miami's passing game.
No. 13 Christian Ponder
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Christian Ponder has almost every single intangible desired from an NFL quarterback. He has already received his MBA from Florida State, battled through injuries, and seems extremely composed in interviews. However, his arm is not as strong as his character.
Ponder is not much of a vertical passer, and he never posted outstanding numbers at FSU. Also, though his will to fight through injuries is admirable, his durability is a concern. Because the Dolphins entrusted so much in Chad Pennington, who is kind of a NFL version of Ponder, they might be willing to roll the dice on Ponder with a potential second round pick.
No. 12 Orlando Franklin
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University of Miami offensive tackle Orlando Franklin all but defines beast. At 6'6", 315 pounds, Franklin could almost immediately match up with any defensive linemen he will face in the NFL. The scariest part about Franklin, and the thing that makes him most attractive to the Dolphins, is that he might play guard at the next level.
Miami desperately needs a guard, and Franklin more than meets their standards for size. If they move back into the second round or into the back-end of the first, Franklin becomes one of the most attractive prospects for the 'Fins.
No. 11 Andy Dalton
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Andy Dalton might be the least sexy quarterback in this year's draft class, and that is exactly why he will be on the Dolphins radar. Tony Sparano told the media last week that he plans to continue build a ground-and-pound, run-first team (basically giving Stephen Ross the middle finger) and there might not be another quarterback better suited to run such an offense than Dalton.
During his junior and senior seasons at TCU, Dalton threw a combined 50 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions. Couple that with a 63% completion rate, and Dalton looks a whole lot like Chad Pennington.
In Sparano's offense, the Dolphins do not need a quarterback with a laser-rocket arm, but more of a game manager, and Dalton fits the bill.
No. 10 Kendall Hunter
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Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter was statistically dominant in college, yet his talent, despite a stellar combine, remains oddly overlooked. Hunter ran for 1,548 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and carried that momentum into the combine where he posted extraordinary broad jump, three-cone drill time and 60-yard shuttle time.
Mike Mayock still does not have Hunter on his list of top-five running backs, and that may be a byproduct of his 5'7" frame. But based on the recent success of short, stocky running backs (Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Michael Turner), his size should not cause too much concern.
No. 9 Ryan Williams
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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.
Despite an unassuming 5'9" height, Williams weighs in at a rock solid 212 pounds, and he runs like a tank. Williams could soon find himself in a class with other "bowling ball running backs" like Ray Rice and Maurice Jones-Drew.
If Miami drops in the second round, Williams could be their guy.
No. 8 Torrey Smith
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Although Torrey Smith is a bit of a one-year-wonder and has been riding the hype train over the past few months, his 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 at 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 and the 'Fins acquire a pick, they could jump at the chance to obtain his services.
No. 7 Kyle Rudolph
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Miami's need for a receiving oriented tight end cannot be overstated. 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, teams like the Patriots, Packers, Falcons and Saints have benefited from investing high draft picks and money into the position.
It's time for the Dolphins to do the same.
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.
No. 6 Mikel Leshoure
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Illinois' Mikel Leshoure is taller, bigger and faster, than Mark Ingram. In 2010, he ran for almost 1,000 more yards, four more touchdowns and a better yards per carry average. On top of that, Leshoure never fumbled once throughout his entire career. Yet, he is kind of inexplicably rated far behind.
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. He has the physical makeup of an NFL feature back, and although he does not have elite speed, he would likely be paired with a change of pace back anyway.
Leshoure would be a tremendous pickup for Miami if they move into the second round.
No. 5 Randall Cobb
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Kentucky's do-it-all wide receiver Randall Cobb is the most picturesque prospect the Miami Dolphins can target in 2011. He literally does everything they need from a player right now, and then some.
Cobb came to Kentucky as a quarterback, but quickly began splitting time at wide receiver where he was able to further able to utilize his sub-4.5 speed and electrifying agility. He also shouldered scattered punt and kickoff return duties throughout his four year career.
Not only could Cobb provide the complement to Brandon Marshall that the Dolphins need so desperately, but he could also run the Wildcat, return kicks and serve as a home-run threat every time he touches the ball.
He might need some time to transition into a full-time wide receiver, but if the Dolphins trade back into the latter portion of the first round or the early portion of the second round, they could draft Cobb and kill three birds with one stone.
No. 4 Aldon Smith
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If the Dolphins choose to draft with a "talent over need" mentality, then Missouri defensive end could be their pick at 15. Although defensive end is not a noticeable need for the 'Fins, they are missing an explosive pass rusher who can come off of the line.
Even with Randy Starks slated to move back to defense end for 2011, Smith's upside and athletcisim suggests he could be a star in the league, and that might be too much to pass up. He racked up a combined 17 sacks in his only two years at Missouri, even though he struggled with an ankle injury in 2010.
Drafting Smith is a long shot, but the Dolphins are in the market for talent, and Smith might have the most of any player on the board when they pick at 15.
No. 3 Jake Locker
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No other player in the 2011 Draft Class has been labeled with a wider array of criticism and praise than Jake Locker. Even Cam Newton, easily the most scrutinized player in the draft, has been a consensus top-15 pick throughout the entire pre-draft process. Locker, meanwhile, has been projected to fall everywhere from the top 10 to the second round.
Despite playing on a very lackluster Washington team in 2010, Locker has suffered the consequences of a mediocre season. He has excellent arm strength, toughness, size and mobility, but he tends to abandon plays far too early and often. That may have been a product of defenses dominating his overwhelmed receivers, so perhaps it is a habit Locker could break by sitting on an NFL sideline for a year or two.
However, the Dolphins coaching staff need a quick fix at quarterback, or they could be out after 2011, making Locker a secondary option with the 15th overall pick.
No. 2 Mark Ingram
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If the impending legal battle between the Owners and the NFLPA actually materializes, then Mark Ingram's chances of becoming a Miami Dolphin multiply. A court battle between the two parties could leave the lockout in effect for months, possibly deep into the summer or later. That means an extremely abbreviated free agency period, and that means the Dolphins choice of running backs becomes slim pickings.
Ingram is a tremendous all-around running back. He does not do any one thing at an elite level, but rather many things to great lengths. But how much better is he than the other backs on the list, and is he merely emerging as the top back in a very thin draft class due to his name and success at Alabama?
Regardless, Ingram is easily the safest pick for the Dolphins at 15, and he could potentially solve this team's running back woes right away.
No. 1 Mike Pouncey
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At 6'5", 303 pounds, former Florida Gator guard Mike Pouncey would immediately fill a gaping hole along the Dolphins offensive front and enhance both run and pass protection. Two of the team's three biggest needs are offensive guard and running back. Based on the recent success of mid-round running backs in the NFL and Miami's struggles finding quality linemen in the later rounds, using the 15th overall pick on Pouncey and a later pick on a running back is the most sensible course of action.
The recent re-signing of Richie Incognito suggests Pouncey would play guard if drafted by the Dolphins, where he would be able to further utilize his uncanny athleticism. While he is not believed to be quite on par with his brother Maurkice (Steelers' 2010 first round pick), he should not be too far behind.
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