Phins Phocus Mock Draft

With the 12th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft the Miami Dolphins select…..

While we are a bit behind in the mock draft world, we decided to wait until the dust settled with free agency and see how this roster looked before assembling a mock draft here at Phinsphocus.com. Now that the new draft hats featuring the new logo are available to the public we decided it was time we launch our very own mock draft.

The Dolphins are loaded at the top end of the draft with 5 picks in the first 3 rounds. We did this mock draft based on the assumption the Dolphins wouldn't trade up or down.

1st round, Pick 12

@PhinsDaniel ( Daniel Eliesen )

TE Tyler Eifert

With Lane Johnson and Dee Milllner both most likely being off the board, I think the Dolphins continue with the trend of trying to find Ryan Tannehill weapons. Eifert is a tight end that can help spread the field and brings another pass catcher to this offense. With Dustin Keller brought in on just a 1 year contract coming off and injury the Dolphins could look to adding 2 TE packages adding a new aspect to this offense. While corner back is need, after Millner no CB really warrants being taken in the top 15 and I believe Ireland's faith in the guys on the roster currently is very understated.

@DolphinMick ( Michael Serrania )

S Kenny Vaccaro

Dolphins have a need for getting to the quarterback, but the best available player at 12 in my opinion is Kenny Vaccaro. Vaccaro brings some of that swagger, ball skills, and closing speed sorely needed to keep up with the tight end in the NFL. Not to mention, Vaccaro fits Kevin Coyle’s defense and could fill that void nicely if he beats out Chris Clemons in training camp. Assuming the Dolphins are re-tooling the defense, Vaccaro makes sense and has been considered and compared to the late Sean Taylor. Vaccaro’s numbers in college were spectacular his final season with 98 total tackles and 2 interceptions and five forced fumbles. When you watch the film, he has a knack for finding the ball carrier and delivers bone-crushing hit after hit. The draft gurus are mixed on what Miami will do at 12, but Vaccaro is starting to become a favorite amongst some critics of what Miami will do at 12. Vaccaro has a meeting scheduled with Miami Dolphin coaches and front office in the near future. If he’s available, I’d say take him. He’s a can’t miss prospect and a the kind of guy that receivers on opposing teams will fear for years to come.

@DolfanDaniel ( Daniel Monardo )

CB Desmond Trufant

The Dolphins must improve on their 27th ranked pass defense from a year ago and selecting Trufant is a step in the right direction. Drafting Trufant at 12th overall is a slight reach, however after considering the players the team currently has at the cornerback position, its a move that makes a lot of sense. Despite the signing of Brent Grimes, the Dolphins still need a defensive back opposite of him and Trufant has the speed and natural instincts in coverage to make an immediate impact. This selection also prepares Miami for the possibility that Grimes may not be healthy enough to play in the first few weeks of the season as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury.

2nd Round, Pick 42:

PhinsDaniel: OT/G Justin Pugh

There is no question the Dolphins are going to have to address their needs on the Oline at some point, it's more a question of when. It seems the Dolphins aren't keen on adding Eric Winston and feel the price tag on Brandon Albert is too high therefore I think the Dolphins attack their biggest draft need in the second round. Pugh who might not even be available at pick 42 can moved around at guard or right tackle which could give the Dolphins more options this seasons.

" Experienced player who started every game he played over three seasons. Effortless mover for a 290-pound tackle with good body control and coordination to take on blocks and mirror rushers in space. Good combination of speed and athleticism enables him to reach the second level as fast as any offensive lineman in this class. High ceiling. " - Dane Brugler

Mick: TE Jordan Reed

The Dolphins are looking to upgrade almost every position of need in this year’s draft. Tight end is one of them. Reed could be a redo for Jeff Ireland and Joe Philbin who took a chance with Michael Egnew. Egnew has yet to show his ability to block nor has he shown toughness. Reed brings the Dolphins another pass catcher for Ryan Tannehill and a guy that can make big plays. The Dolphins have an H-back type of guy already in Charles Clay, but getting Jordan Reed could be a significant upgrade. I see the Dolphins going tight end either way in the second round. There should be plenty to choose from and they can be flexible. The question is, are the Dolphins looking for a tight end that blocks and catches the ball in the red zone or a guy like Jordan Reed that can run a seam route like the best of them. Think Aaron Hernandez explosiveness.

DolfanDan: DE Alex Okafor

Miami already has one of the best pass rushers in the league in Cameron Wake, however they are still in search of a complementary piece opposite of him. Jared Odrick is better suited playing inside at defensive tackle so the Dolphins use their first second round pick on an upgrade. Okafor is stout against the run and takes advantage of his speed to get to the quarterback. He can also play either left or right end, which ensures the Dolphins can keep Wake on his dominant side.

2nd round, Pick 54:

PhinsDaniel : DE Alex Okafor

For the exact reasons Daniel mentioned above I believe Okafor is the type of player Jeff Ireland would love to add to the roster, I just believe they will wait until their second pick in the 2nd round to draft him.

DolfanDan: OT Terron Armstead

The departure of Jake Long gives the Dolphins a hole to fill along the offensive line. Armstead gives Miami flexibility as he can line up either at left or right tackle which will allow the Dolphins to use Jonathan Martin on the side they are more comfortable with. Armstead is extraordinarily athletic and his blistering 40-yard dash time of 4.65 at 6-foot-5, 306 pounds has him soaring up draft boards around the league.

Mick: Logan Ryan OT/G

This pick could really could go either way from Miami. However, Logan Ryan is somewhat of a sleeper in the second round. To me Ryan possesses the ball skills and speed that Miami lacks with their current set of cornerbacks. Ryan could break into the lineup with on some nickel and dime situations and carry on the tradition that Rutgers has had in the McCourty brothers. What I like most about Logan Ryan is his ability to separate the receiver from the ball. His injury history is clean. Ryan brings something that Miami doesn’t have right now and that is ball hawking skills. Ryan is aggressive and has the ability to blanket the receiver and reads the QB extremely well. The Dolphins were in the bottom five of creating turnovers and that led to their demise in the latter part of the season. Ryan could be a missing cog on this defense if he is selected by Miami.

3rd Round, Pick 77:

DolfanDan and PhinsDaniel: WR Stedman Bailey

PhinsDaniel: Most Dolphins fans have been clamoring for Tavon Austin but don't realize Bailey has stud potential as well. Bailey has very solid speed and would be another playmaker to add to this offense. Something we should all know by now, you can never have enough playmakers. A side from Bailey, Terrence Williams and Robert Woods could also be options here.

DolfanDan : Despite the signings of Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and the re-signing of Brian Hartline, I expect the Dolphins to take a receiver in the middle rounds. Bailey is primarily a slot wide receiver who is a great route runner with excellent hands. He would also be a cheaper option than Davone Bess with greater long term upside making him difficult to pass on if he falls to Miami in the third round.

Mick: RB Le’veon Bell

In the 2011 draft, the Dolphins selected Daniel Thomas in the second round. Daniel Thomas has been a turnover and concussion prone machine. Bell brings some of that downhill running missing in this offense. He has the ability to be more of a plodder, but can break tackles and shows acceleration given the right blocking scheme. He turned out to be a workhorse back carrying the ball for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior season at Michigan State. With his weight hovering around 230, the Dolphins need a guy that can move the pile. Last year, the Dolphins failed to convert several 3^rd and short plays. Having a guy like Bell could be a game changer at the end of the game when running the clock and grabbing first downs is a must. Bell can run the ball well and often. The Dolphins won most of their games last season when they ran the ball well. Look for them to address running back in the draft.

Round 3, Pick 82:

DolfanDaniel and PhinsDaniel: RB Giovani Bernard

Once again, great minds think alike. Running back tandems aren't becoming a trend they are becoming a must in the NFL. Daniel Thomas simply doesn't cut it and Lamar Miller still has plenty to prove. Bernard had 13 touchdowns in his final year also was able to contribute in the passing game with 47 receptions 490 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns, an aspect of his game which could help the Dolphins. The Dolphins backfield comprised of Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas is one of the major question marks heading into the 2013 season. Miller is expected to be the starter as he showed flashes of brilliance behind Reggie Bush last year and the team seems to have a lot of confidence in the second year tailback. Thomas, on the other hand has struggled in his first two years with the team as he dealt with concussions and a habit of fumbling the football. Bernard, who is Mike Mayock's fourth ranked running back in the draft, provides some competition in the Dolphins backfield as well as much needed depth.

Mick: OT Menelik Watson

Should the Dolphins not sign a free-agent prior to the draft, expect them to go tackle at some point with their 5 picks. If Watson is available, he’s the perfect fit for the Dolphins offensive line and the zone-blocking scheme installed as of last year. Watson is raw, but athletic and possesses quick feet. He can take out cornerbacks and linebackers on run plays and keep the defensive end and linebackers away from the QB. He’d be a fit on the right side of the line and can pass block. Since Jonathan Martin appears to be moving to the left side of the line, Watson is one of those guys that could step right in on the right side. His athleticism is why I like him at this position. He seems like a perfect third round pick, but he could fall further given concerns that he is more finesse than a tough blocker. Given Watson’s raw ability, he could be a starter in a couple of years if that is what the Dolphins envision for him.

About Daniel Eliesen