2011 NFL Mock Draft: What NFL Experts Foresee for Miami
Let the one-week countdown commence. We're inching closer to the 2011 NFL Draft, and mock drafts are out in full force. But ironically, the closer we get to Friday night, the farther away we get from pinpointing who the Miami Dolphins will select with the 15th overall pick.
Popular consensus has the team selecting Mike Pouncey (or trading down), but many of the league's most reputable analysts do not believe that will be the case.
Todd McShay: ESPN
1 of 8
Round 1: 15th Overall: Mike Pouncey, Center / Guard, Florida
Round 3: 79th Overall: Dion Lewis, Running Back, Pittsburgh
Although Todd McShay is one of the least credible so-called "draft experts," he deserves credit for his diligence. McShay put together arguably the most realistic (and plausible) Dolphin mock drafts on the web.
He was one of the first to hop on the Pouncey bandwagon (I may or may not have been the first. Just sayin') and makes a very intriguing selection with Dion Lewis in the third round. Historically, Pitt has churned out elite running backs (Tony Dorsett, Curtis Martin, LeSean McCoy), and although Lewis is barely 5'7", height is no longer a determining factor in gauging NFL backs' success.
Lewis could be a very solid contributor at the next level, especially if paired with a downhill, physical back.
Mel Kiper, Jr.: ESPN, Don Banks: Sports Illustrated
2 of 8
At the beginning of what I like to call "Draft Season," almost every single mock draft on the web had the Dolphins selecting 'Bama running back Mark Ingram. The experts supported this pick by explaining that Ingram is the best back in the draft and he would immediately fill Miami's biggest need.
But in reality, analysts were connecting Ingram to the 'Fins because it is easy—and more importantly safe. Not surprisingly, two of the more popular NFL Draft analysts—Mel Kiper, Jr. and Don Banks—still have the Dolphins selecting Ingram.
There are too many quality mid-round and free-agent running backs to be had for the Dolphins to splurge on a back in the first round. Analysts' biggest goal is to avoid looking like an idiot, and that is all Kiper and Banks are really aiming for by making this pick.
Russ Lande: The Sporting News
3 of 8
Round 1: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida
Round 3: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
Round 4: Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
Round 5: Vincent Brown, WR, SD State
Round 6: Adam Weber, QB, Minnesota
Round 7: Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska
Round 7: Tim Barnes, C, Missouri
Round 7: Andrew Phillips, G, Stanford
First of all, give props to The Sporting News for throwing together a seven round mock. That is hours of grueling research. Anyway, this is probably the best looking Dolphins mock draft out there- but it's entirely unrealistic.
The Pouncey pick is great, but Mikel Leshoure dropping into the third round? Lance Kendricks dropping into the fourth round? Vincent Brown in the fifth round and Roy Helu in seventh? All in a pipe dream. Each of the aforementioned prospects is slated to be selected at least one round earlier than Lande projects. Of course, anything is possible on draft day, but this is very far fetched.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Omar Kelly: The Sun Sentinel
4 of 8
Round 1: 15th Overall: Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback, Nevada
The Sun Sentinel's Omar Kelly is held in high regard amongst Dolphins reporters. He's pretty open with the inside information he scavenges from the team, so his opinion and insight carry plenty of weight.
In Kelly's latest mock draft, he has the Dolphins selecting Colin Kaepernick. Kelly has persistently reported that Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano have been encouraged to draft for the future- not as if their jobs are on the line. The team can tell Sparano and Ireland whatever they want, but everybody knows they need to win in 2011 to keep their jobs, and they will draft accordingly.
Kaepernick is an intriguing prospect. He's lightning fast, has a laser arm, and carries himself like a consumate professional; however, he makes little sense for the Dolphins right now. Especially in the first round. Ireland and Sparano do not have time to develop such a pricey prospect, and they will target an immediate contributor with the 15th overall pick.
Peter King: Sports Illustrated
5 of 8
1st Round: 15th Overall: Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU
If the Dolphins do pursue a quarterback with the 15th overall pick, Andy Dalton, as Peter King predicts, just might be their guy. In fact, the lack of Dalton to Dolphins chatter is shocking.
Dalton has Miami written all over him. There is absolutely nothing sexy about him (especially the flaming red hair), but doesn't he kind of remind you of Chad Pennington? Dalton lost a combined three games over his last three years with the Horned Frogs, posted a 66% completion rate in 2010, and threw only six interceptions.
He doesn't have a rocket arm, but Dalton is poised and carries himself very well. This by no means he will be a successful NFL quarterback (and I'm not a supporter), but it does mean that Miami's brass will probably take a liking to him. Don't expect the 'Fins to draft Dalton, but do not be shocked if they do.
Pat Kirwan: NFL.com
6 of 8
1st Round: 15th Overall: Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
Wait, what?
Yeah, NFL.com's Pat Kirwan has the Dolphins selecting Nebraska corner Prince Amukamara. Although Kirwan does not offer any commentary on his mock, it's probably safe to assume that he has Amukamara free falling down the board and Miami grabbing him in a talent over need mode.
Not only are the chances of Amukamara falling to 15 outlandish, but Miami has absolutely no need for a cornerback. If this scenario were to arise, the Dolphins would trade back in heartbeat. I'm all for drafting talent over need, but this is just a little bit too ridiculous.
Charles Davis: NFL.com, Mike Florio: ProFootballTalk.com
7 of 8
1st Round: 15th Overall: Mike Pouncey, Center, Florida
Charles Davis and Mike Florio, two of the most reputable and articulate analysts around, have the Dolphins selecting Mike Pouncey in their respective one-round mock drafts.
Naturally, they both fall in my good graces, but this is absolutely the correct pick. Pouncey can step in at either center or guard right away and bolster an offensive line that suffered from instability and an overall lack of talent in 2010.
Nolan Nawrocki: ProFootballWeekly.com
8 of 8
1st Round: 15th Overall: Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas
Somebody had to do it. The onslaught of Dolphins-Mallett discussion is sure to persuade a few reputable analysts to send the controversial quarterback to Miami, and PFW's Nolan Nawrocki is the first.
Mallett is such an enigma at this point, it's difficult to gauge whether or not the Dolphins would dare spend a first round pick on him; however, his arm is so special and his skill-set could potentially open up Miami's passing game to new heights.
Brandon Marshall sure wants Mallett, but is Tony Sparano prepared to jump ship on Chad Henne so quickly? I doubt it. Mallett is a sexy prospect, but the question marks might outweigh the upside.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
