NFL Draft 2011: What If the Miami Dolphins Stay at Pick 15?

April 28 is a day we've all been looking forward to. Literally, if you Google "NFL mock draft 2011" you'll get 1,750,000 related stories on the up and coming NFL draft. With that much prophesying, I would say it's time to get the party started (even though the draft is still several weeks away). 

That's a lot of opinions about three days of work. We've all got some decent guesses about what may or may not happen with the Miami Dolphins.

I've discussed all along that the Miami Dolphins need to trade out of the 15th pick. I still believe they should. What if they can't, however?

What if they wanted to package a player for pick deal? They can't because of the work stoppage! That leaves them with...the 15th pick...and no second-round pick. That would be what I consider to be disastrous for the future of Miami Dolphins; they need the talent badly on the offensive side of the ball.

David Hyde from the Sun Sentinel has tried to argue that the Dolphins should try and trade up for a quarterback. I would argue vehemently that such an endeavor would be silly unless Andrew Luck decided to forgo his least season of college. 

With recent rumors flying about with the mutual affection between DeAngelo Williams and the Miami Dolphins (Sun Sentinel, Omar Kelly. April 9th 2011), it will change the prognostication of who Ireland and Sparano will draft.

DeAngelo Williams would be a good partner with the Dolphins. Maybe a partnership of Williams and Lex Hilliard is worth pursuing! Hilliard deserves a shot. If this is true, Williams becoming a Dolphin changes the front office and its approach to the first-round pick. 

Which means, we truly don't have one iota of a clue what the Dolphins will do in the first round of the 2011 draft. The 15th pick is "no man's land" for the draft this year. If the Dolphins can't trade out, you have do go with the best offensive lineman on the board, except for a left tackle. 

Many have Gabe Carimi, a couple have Anthony Costanzo. I'm sticking to my man crush...With the 2011 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins choose: Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado. 

Nate Solder reminds me so much of Ryan Clady. I distinctly remember when the Dolphins were criticized for taking Jake Long while Clady was having a similar dominating season. I really want to see Solder as the future of the Miami Dolphins line. I think he would fit into the scheme the Dolphins want to employ nicely at right tackle. 

He's more athletic than Carimi and Costanzo; that's why the Colorado coaching staff moved him from tight end to tackle. He will be able to move: screens, sweeps, or pulling in general.

For those who are concerned about his bench press, Clady did 24, Solder 21. He is a tackle who is about technique while his strength will come (even if it means waiting a year). Or maybe he plays so well, he will force the coaching staff to make a decision. 

For at least one year, he can back up both Long and Carey. Solder comes well-built for Sparano's system. 

Welcome to Miami, Mr. Solder. You've got your work cut out for you!  

To Come: Miami Dolphins' picks third and fourth rounds.