2011 NFL Draft Day Trade Rumors: Could the Miami Dolphins Grab Blaine Gabbert?

Throughout the entire postseason, overwhelming consensus from hoards of draft analysts and commentators has insisted that Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert is, at the very least, a top seven pick. In other words, the Miami Dolphins are completely out of the running.

But as Thursday night nears, rampant speculation regarding Gabbert's true draft stock is starting to surface.

NFL.com's Pat Kirwan- known for his sensational mock drafts- has Gabbert falling all the way down to the Dolphins at 15. (Just a few days ago, he had the 'Fins drafting Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara).

Following in similar suit, many mock drafts now have Gabbert slipping down the latter portions of the top 10. Todd McShay, Mel Kiper, Jr. and Mike Mayock all have the Missouri quarterback falling to the San Francisco 49ers at seven, and Michael Lombardi has him sliding to the Titans at eight.

And, Chris Mortensen recentely tweeted that Gabbert could fall all the way to the Vikings at 12.

Do not expect Gabbert to free-fall to 15- that is not going to happen. However, the likelihood of him slipping past seven or eight seems to be plausible, and that is where the Dolphins would come into play.

In order to obtain Gabbert's services the Dolphins would most definitely have to trade up, whether it be with the Titans, Cowboys or Redskins. But in order to move up that far the Dolphins would have to part with a whole slew of draft picks, likely including a 2012 first round pick.

But is such a move worth it for a team with so many needs? Absolutely. As Mike Mayock theorizes, "a franchise quarterback trumps all else."

Miami could likely address the rest of their needs in free agency, and land another potential solution to the post-Dan Marino quagmire.

Plus, imagine the chip Gabbert would carry on his shoulder if he were to fall so far. No more than a few weeks ago he was pinned as the potential first overall selection. It's quite remnant of the Aaron Rodgers story. Gabbert would land on a team that is ready to win, and even if he were to sit for a season, could reignite passion for the Dolphins and steal some thunder from the Heat.