FSU’s Xavier Rhodes seems to be at least one option at #12.
The start of the 2013 NFL Draft is (finally) just a day away and so I figured I’d have some fun and give you 12 possibilities for the Dolphins at #12.
When I did Eight Possibilities at Number Eight last year, I categorized the options as “Good Chance,” “Possible Chance” and “Slim Chance,” but this year I don’t know that I can even break things down like that. And I know I’m not alone.
So, for 2013, I’m going to be totally spineless. Here are 12 possibilities at #12, broken up into just two vague and generic categories:
Good Chance
- The Dolphins trade up for one of the three “elite” OTs: You’ve heard the names a hundred times in the last few months: Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson. All three are considered franchise tackles and all three should be long gone before the Dolphins’ turn comes around at #12. And so, Miami may use some of its draft ammo (two picks in both the 2nd and 3rd rounds) to move into the top-5 and take one of these guys.
- The Dolphins take the best available CB: With most (but not all) experts thinking that Bama’s Dee Milliner will be gone by #12, the Dolphins still should have several options if they want a corner. Whether it’s FSU’s Xavier Rhodes or DJ Hayden from Houston or Washington’s Desmond Trufant, or someone else, this is definitely a possibility.
- The Dolphins take the best available pass rusher: It’s hard to say exactly which of these guys will be around, but you can never have too many pass rushers. So if it’s Ziggy Ansah from BYU or LSU’s Keke Mingo or Jarvis Jones from Georgia or Tank Carradine from Florida State or Damontre Moore from Texas A&M or…well, you get the picture. If they really like one of those guys, could certainly see them going that direction.
- The Dolphins take Alabama OT DJ Fluker: The big man from ‘Bama is a hot name at #12, especially according to Mel Kiper, Jr. Probably the best option for a tackle if the Dolphins don’t move up for one of the “big three.”
- The Dolphins trade back to later in the first round: Always a possibility. Maybe there’s no one at 12 that really lights Jeff Ireland’s fire and so he looks to move back farther into the teens or into the 20s and pick up another pick for later in the draft, as well.
Decent Chance
- The Dolphins draft West Virginia WR Tavon Austin: One of the most exciting players in this year’s draft, he has to be a very tempting option if he’s still around at #12, which is no guarantee.
- The Dolphins draft Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert: Like Austin, Eifert is a playmaker who most people seem to think will have a serious offensive impact on the next level. While 12 might seem high for a tight end, if the Dolphins think he’s a difference maker, he’s worth it.
- The Dolphins draft Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro: There’s been a lot of talk about corners, but Vaccaro seems to be the one safety who could possibly be in play at #12. Keep an eye on him.
- The Dolphins trade up for a skill position player: While Milliner (I consider CBs skill position players), Eifert or Austin might be there at #12, maybe the Dolphins love one of them enough to move up and increase their chances of landing him. Don’t discount the possibility.
- The Dolphins take the best available OG: There are a couple of big-name guards that may be there at 12: Chance Warmack from Alabama and Jonathan Cooper from North Carolina. Both have, at times, shown up in this 12th spot in different mock drafts.
- The Dolphins take the best available DT: A tough position to handicap, there are some potential future stars here. Both Paul Soliai and Randy Starks are currently slated to become free agents at the end of the season and Utah’s Star Lotulelei and Missouri’s Sheldon Richardson could be in the mix. Doubtful, it seems, that Florida’s Sharrif Floyd will drop to 12.
- The Dolphins get surprised: Hey, it’s the draft and you never know. Maybe there’s a player that the Dolphins love available at 12 that they never dreamed would be available to them. Stranger things have happened. Just ask Dan Marino.
As you can tell, this is a very tough draft to read, which means it will be that much more fun. Enjoy the ride!
