Players the Miami Dolphins Should Target in the 2012 NFL Draft

With two wins under their belt, the Miami Dolphins look out of contention for the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes. They won their second game of the season against the Washington Redskins, and they appear to be playing their best football thus far. 

With games remaining against the Buffalo Bills (two), the Oakland Raiders and the struggling Philadelphia Eagles, the 'Fins might be able to notch a couple more wins in their belt. This would leave the Dolphins well out of contention for Andrew Luck and looking for the next best thing.

While the Indianapolis Colts look poised to be picking first in the 2012 NFL Draft, who are the Dolphins going to target with their first overall pick? What other players should be on the Dolphins radar in the later rounds?

Lets take a look at 10 players that can entice the Dolphins when they are on the clock.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Since the Dolphins would miss out on Andrew Luck, they would target the next best quarterback. In my opinion, Matt Barkley is better and more NFL ready than Landry Jones and Robert Griffin III. He possesses good accuracy, good mobility and good pocket awareness. He can make all the throws he is asked and has the poise that people look for in an NFL quarterback.

The only thing that worries me a little is that he sometimes gets happy feet when he feels pressure in the pocket and tends to throw the ball a little inaccurate at times. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but it is strong enough. 

I think he would be a great consolation prize for the Dolphins.

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Landry Jones is another excellent quarterback prospect that has been overshadowed by Andrew Luck. He possesses a cannon of an arm and has excellent accuracy. He has all the tools and production to be a top pick, but he just hasn't been able to establish himself as a top prospect. 

He comes from an excellent program, but, unlike Luck or Barkley, he would be more of a work in progress at the next level.

The thing that concerns me the most about Jones is his inconsistency. He can draw comparisons to Andrew Luck one game, but a week after, he has people questioning whether he can be an elite quarterback. Like Barkley, he also tends to be inaccurate when pressured in the pocket, which is something he needs to improve on for the next level.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Robert Griffin III is becoming the most hyped player in the upcoming draft not named Andrew Luck. He has skyrocketed up everyone's draft board and is constantly being projected as a top 10 or even a top five pick.

Not to be a spoilsport here, but I just don't see it.

Sure, he's a good quarterback who can make some good throws and has enough athletic ability to run when necessary, but to be mentioned in the same sentence as Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley? I don't think so. Griffin III has struggled against some tougher defenses this year and has looked inexperienced at times. He does possess a strong arm and excellent accuracy.

I think he can be a good value pick in the middle to late first round, but definitely not in the top five.

Dwyane Allen, TE, Clemson

Dwyane Allen is a physical specimen at the tight end position. He has the size to be a good blocker in the NFL and also has the speed and hands to be able to excel in the passing game. He is an excellent run blocker that can help Miami's running backs find holes or break runs to the outside. 

He would give Miami a big target in the red zone, which has consistently been a problem for the 'Fins. He would be a great complement to Anthony Fasano and would help open up the passing game.

There aren't too many negatives in Allen's game. If he were to improve something, it would be his speed coming of the breaks and his route running. 

This would be an excellent pick for the Dolphins if he's available in the second round and would fill a great need.

Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Coby Fleener might be the best receiving tight end coming out this year. Maybe it has something to do with who is throwing him the ball, but either way, he has great ability and would be a great pick up for the Dolphins. He runs excellent routes and can exploit the middle of the field for big gains. 

He has great speed for a tight end and catches about everything that is thrown his way. He possesses above average run blocking skills and can be a great complement for this offense.

His only downside is that he can get pushed around by some bigger linebackers coming out of his routes and he has to improve his pass blocking skills.

If the Dolphins miss out on Dwyane Allen, Fleener would be an excellent fit, and Miami would finally find their receiving tight end.

Levy Adcock, RT, Oklahoma State

Levy Adcock has been a strong reason why the Oklahoma State Cowboys are ranked No. 2 in the country with a chance to play for the BCS Championship. Adcock stepped in for Russel Okung and has performed admirably. He can play either LT or RT. 

He performs well in pass protection, but his strength is run blocking. He's a physical blocker who can help open holes for Miami's running backs. He would be placed at RT tackle in Miami's offensive line, and the 'Fins can finally get rid of Marc Colombo. 

His downside is that he does have trouble with speed rushers and often displays heavy feet when pass protecting. With some coaching at the next level, he can help take the Dolphins offensive line from decent to very good.

If he's available when the Dolphins pick early in the third round, they should absoultely take him. However, he would be a reach when Miami picks early in the second round.

Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State

Andrew Datko is another outstanding offensive tackle in this year's class. He will probably slip due to a history of injuries, which have continued this year. Datko has been an anchor for the Florida State offense when he has been healthy and shouldn't have a hard time translating his skills to the NFL. 

His downside has to be his health. He has not been able to stay healthy at Florida State, and this can raise a lot of red flags for teams. 

His stock has dropped from the first round to the later rounds (five through seven). He can be a boom or bust pick, but if he happens to be available in the sixth or seventh round, I think Miami should pull the trigger on him. 

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mark Barron comes from a great defensive system that has been implemented by Nick Saban in Alabama. He has good size, strength and consistency.  His coverage skills are excellent and always seems to be around the ball for either an interception or a fumble. He tackles extremely well, which is something the Dolphins have lacked from their safeties. 

He is one of the leaders in one of the best defenses in the country and would fill a big hole in Miami's defense. Yeremiah Bell would finally be able to worry about his assignments and not worry about the guy playing next to him.

Barron's downside is that he does show stiff hips at times, and this may prevent him from being an inside the box safety. If he can improve this in the next level, he can be a game changing safety in a short period of time. 

Look for Miami to take a hard look at him if he drops to them in the third round or if he's still available in the second round.

Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami (FL)

Ray-Ray Armstrong has been one of the better safeties in the country this year despite being suspended for the first four games of the season. He has plenty of physical talent that can entice any NFL team to reach for him in the early rounds. 

He has great size and speed which allows him to play inside the box and stop the run. This will be a great asset for him in the NFL. He has good coverage skills and can keep up with any receiver in the passing game.

His downside is that he can get caught up in play action. Since he knows he has the ability to stop the run, he sometimes gets to caught up and can let a receiver run by him. 

If the Dolphins miss out on Mark Barron, Armstrong would be a solid pick in the third round that can fill the safety hole.

Sean Spence, OLB, Miami (FL)

Sean Spence is an absolute beast. He has the strength to stop runs on the inside as well as the speed to chase running backs from sideline to sideline. He has a great motor that attracts NFL teams. 

He also has the ability to drop into coverage with tight ends and some receivers and also doesn't seem to miss a tackle. He flies around the football field and has a nose for the ball.

His only downside is his size. He can seem a little small to be a linebacker but he has gotten bigger every year he has been in Miami. If he can put on a few more pounds, it would really help his stock going into the draft. 

This would be a solid pick for the Dolphins if Spence is available in the fourth round. Koa Misi hasn't shown any signs that he will be able to be a constant factor, as he has struggled his first two years. Spence would give Miami a play maker on the outside and can transform the Dolphins linebacking corp from good to excellent.