NFL Mock Draft 2011: Miami Dolphins 7 Round Predictions

Believe it or not, we're merely two weeks away from the NFL draft. Finally. Almost there.

As the countdown to draft day narrows, hardly anything of interest has surfaced from Miami. The Dolphins continue scouring the nation to workout the most hyped and the most obscure of prospects in order to ensure due diligence on all available players. Miami's draft plans will ultimately hinge on whether or not they can (and if they want to) trade down. But for now, let's keep it simple, and project whom the 'Fins could draft with all eight of the current picks.

Round 1: Pick 15: Mike Pouncey, Center/Guard, Florida

Assuming neither Blaine Gabbert nor Cam Newton miraculously free fall into the middle of the first round, the Dolphins' first priority will be a trade down. There is a rich abundance of pass rushers slated to be available when Miami picks, and accordingly, there should be a few teams hoping to trade up and grab one.

But, as the draft nears, there seems to be a growing consensus that Miami might just stay put and select Florida center Mike Pouncey. ESPN's Todd McShay is one of the first "draft experts" to hop off the Mark Ingram bandwagon in favor of Pouncey. And, (I hate to stroke my own ego. I'll do it anyway) I've had the 'Fins taking Pouncey since January.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that he is the best fit here. Miami's offense suffered from the constant rotation of second-rate linemen last season. Pouncey is 6'4", 310 pounds and has uncanny athleticism for a player his size. Plugging him in up front provides an immediate upgrade. Plus, a fortified offensive line will be essential to the success of whoever is playing quarterback and running back in 2011.

Round 3: Pick 79: Kendall Hunter, Running Back, Oklahoma State

If you combine the statistics from Kendall Hunter's sophomore and senior seasons (missed most of junior year due to injury) at Oklahoma State, here it what you get: 488 carries, 3,103 yards and 32 touchdowns.

So, even though Hunter obliterated the nation's finest collegiate competition, he is projected to fall into the second or third round. Why? Probably because of his 5'7" height. But dominant NFL rushers like Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice also measure in at the same height. Not to mention guys like Michael Turner, Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles all come up short of six feet.

My point is that all of these talking heads, pundits and scouts seem to be reluctant to realize that height is hardly an issue at running back anymore. The Dolphins are in desperate need of a running back, but they do not need to spend a first-round pick on a running back who merely has superior measureables. Hunter has NFL success written all over him, and if Miami can pair him with a big, physical back, they could return in 2011 with an elite rushing attack.

Round 4: Pick 111: Virgil Green, Tight End, Nevada

There are a few common traits that bond the NFL's elite teams, and one of them is the presence of an athletic, sure-handed tight end. Think about the Patriots, Colts, Packers, Chargers, Bears, Falcons, Steelers, Ravens and so on. They all have a dangerous tight end in their offensive arsenal.

The last time Miami packed such a punch dates back to the days of Keith Jackson in 1993. Naturally, this is a primary need headed into the draft. There are a few options for the Dolphins to choose from, such as Nevada's Virgil Green, Tennessee's Luke Stocker, Arkansas' D.J. Williams and Wisconsin's Lance Kendricks.

Through much of the pre-draft process, I have wavered back and forth between Stocker and Green. However, after even more deliberation, I believe that given the opportunity in the appropriate round, the 'Fins will take Green. Stocker's similarities to Anthony Fasano are scary, and in order to insert some contrast and sheer athleticism into the passing game, Green should be the pick. He could stand to bulk up from his relatively slender 6'4", 249-pound frame, but his 4.56 speed and skill-set is far too unique and rare to pass up on.

Round 5: Pick 146: K.J. Wright, Outside Linebacker, Mississippi State

In the ideal draft, Miami would be able to pick up a speedy, vertical threat receiver here; however, the 2011 draft class is sorely thin in the area. The Dolphins can afford to wait until the later rounds to address wide receiver, and can use a fifth round pick on the on a developmental outside linebacker, the only position of need on the defensive side of the ball.

Wright looks like an NFL linebacker at 6'3", 246 pounds, but failed to utilize his full skill-set in college, racking up just eight sacks in his three years as a starter. He seems like he has plenty of room to grow (only 20 reps on the bench press), but a 4.75 40-yard dash suggests he has ample athleticism to be an NFL contributor. Potential aside, he could immediately aid an anemic special teams unit and hopefully morph into a rotational linebacker sooner rather than later.

Round 6: Pick 179: Nathan Enderle, Quarterback, Idaho

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Nathan Enderle #10 of the University of Idaho Vandals looks to pass against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 1, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

A while back, Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel reported that the Dolphins have "done extensive research" on Idaho quarterback Nathan Enderle. He is a relative unknown amongst this year's crop of QB's, but could make for a very nice developmental project.

Enderle is extremely patient and poised in the pocket, and although he has a funky throwing motion and a tendency to pat the ball before his release, he surveys the entire field before making accurate passes. However, his patience occasionally works counter-productively, and he has limited mobility.

Also, he threw 60 interceptions in four years as the Idaho Vandals starting quarterback. That is an extremely troubling number, but how much was a product of a poor offensive line and how many were a product of his own miscues? It is tough to say, but shortcomings aside, Enderle was a four-year starter, has solid arm strength, a 6'4", 240-pound build, and statistically improved every year.

Bringing in a fresh arm to training camp would do absolutely no harm, and perhaps it would ignite some fire from Chad Henne.

Round 7: Pick 217: Aldrick Robinson, Wide Receiver, SMU

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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 24: Wide receiver Aldrick Robinson #24 of the SMU Mustangs is tackled by Greg McCoy #7 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 24, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

By now, we all know that the Dolphins' biggest area of need this off-season is speed. Perhaps more than anything, they need a vertical threat wide receiver who can run fly routes, slip behind corners and demand defenses' attention. This would both free Brandon Marshall from constant double teams and provide Chad Henne with more options.

Unfortunately, unless Miami is fortunate enough to get their hands on a player like Titus Young in the third round, they might have to wait until the later rounds to draft a potential speedster. But SMU's Aldrick Robinson has 4.43 speed, caught 14 touchdowns in 2010, and projects as a deadly kick returner at the next level. Although Robinson maturing into a starting or contributing NFL receiver might be a long shot, he has the potential, and his return skills should be enough for the Dolphins to target him.

Round 7: Pick 218: Andrew Jackson, Center, Fresno State

Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano seem to have an uncanny knack for finding quality offensive linemen in the darkest depths of the football world (Joe Berger, Nate Garner, Donald Thomas, Pat McQuistan, others), and Fresno State's Andrew Jackson seems to fit the physical bill for Miami.

With Joe Berger possibly on his way out of Miami and Richie Incognito likely headed into the starting center role, the Dolphins would benefit from adding another body for depth along the line. Jackson was an integral part of the offensive line that blocked for 2010 first-round pick Ryan Mathews, and his 6'5", 300-pound frame might allow him to become a formidable player at the next level.

Round 7: Pick 235: Da'Rel Scott, Running Back, Maryland

If Miami's biggest need is speed, what would prevent the team from taking the one of the fastest players in the entire draft with their final pick? Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott made headlines with his 4.36 40-yard dash time at the combine, and that alone might push him up from undrafted free agent into the sixth or seventh round. 

He was not much of a producer at Maryland, carrying the ball 122 times for 708 yards and five touchdowns in 2010; however, his 5'11", 211-pound frame makes him an extremely enticing prospect. Despite his measurables, Scott made a living running down the sidelines in college, and if he wants to make it in the NFL, he will have to learn to run right up the gut. Still, the Dolphins could benefit from holding onto Scott as a developmental project, especially if he can help with the return game.