2011 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins Have Only 3 Options

The Miami Dolphins have only three legitimate options with their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft: a quarterback, an interior offensive lineman or Mark Ingram.

Of course, there will be a longer list of players technically available to the Dolphins with their first pick, whether they retain their current 15th overall selection or trade down in the round in order to recoup a second-round pick they currently lack.

The Dolphins also have additional needs beyond the gaping holes on the offensive line and lack of playmakers at running back and quarterback.

But combination of the Dolphins’ needs and the players available to meet them essentially limit the Dolphins to three choices. 

Not convinced? 

Examine the other possibilities.

Miami could use a pass catcher, be it at receiver or tight end, with speed to stretch the field.  But the only two first-round caliber receivers, A.J. Green and Julio Jones, will be long gone by the 15th pick, and Miami, which traded its second-round draft pick to acquire Brandon Marshall, lacks the ammunition to trade up in the draft. 

While the Dolphins could use also use a tight end to pair with Anthony Fasano, none in the draft are capable of making enough of an immediate impact to justify a first-round selection.

The Dolphins have a fantastic left tackle in Jake Long, and are paying Vernon Carey big money to serviceably start at right tackle, so the Dolphins are not likely to even consider an offensive tackle in the first round.  

However, Richie Incognito will fill one of the three interior spots, but the other two are up for grabs.  Thus, Florida’s Mike Pouncey, widely rated as the draft’s top guard, is a likely pick if the Dolphins draft 15th.  If the Dolphins trade down in the first round, several other attractive options at the guard position still might be available.

If the Dolphins go another route, it will likely be a quarterback or running back. 

Remember that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has promised the fanbase a more explosive offense next season, and that will not happen unless the team invests in some playmakers somewhere along the line. 

Considering that the Dolphins compiled a 1-7 home record last season due largely to offensive ineptitude, Ross may nudge the front office toward using its first pick on a skill player who could become the face of a revitalized offense, energizing the fading spirits of a disillusioned fanbase in the process. 

The Dolphins could accomplish this goal by using a first-round pick on a quarterback. 

Miami has no clear answer at quarterback right now, so if somehow a guy in whom they have confidence is available in the first round, they would almost have to take him.  But with Blaine Gabbert and Cam Netwon likely to be top-10 picks, and the trickier question will be whether any such player will be on the board when the Dolphins draft. 

If not, Miami may have to go another route. 

Running back would be a sensible option.

With Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams seemingly on their way to departing as unproductive free agents, Miami does not have an NFL-caliber tailback on the team.  Ingram, the only first-round caliber back in the draft, will likely be there in the unlikely event the Dolphins cannot find a trading partner and are stuck drafting 15th. 

If the Dolphins’ hand is forced, they may be tempted to use the pick on a back who whose presence would significantly improve the team immediately and look to improve the line in free agency.  Given that effective running backs have historically been found later in the draft, Ingram is not a likely option for the Dolphins in the first round, but there would at least be logic behind the choice.

The Dolphins could also theoretically use the pick on defense, even though that side of the ball was far ahead of the offense last season.  The Dolphins only potential defensive issues are at safety and a pass rusher opposite Cameron Wake, but neither hole is gaping. 

Rookies Koa Misi and Reshad Jones both showed flashes of playmaking ability last season, and the best days are still ahead of both, so using the first pick their replacements seems unwise given the gaping holes on offense. 

This Dolphins offseason has shown no shortage of surprises, so nothing is guaranteed.  The Dolphins front office could follow last year’s example and once again use its first pick on an unneeded defensive end, or curiously ignore positions of need to further stockpile some other position of strength, as the team has historically done.

But if the Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland is thinking logically, there are only three choices.