The Dolphins traded up to get Miami running back Lamar Miller. (Photo: T.J. Witten)
The Miami Dolphins had 9 overall picks in the 2012 NFL Draft to address needs and build for the future. With the fan base up in arms and particularly dissatisfied with general manager Jeff Ireland and the moves made this offseason, the Dolphins needed to make the most of their draft.
After a 6-10 season that saw the exit of head coach Tony Sparano, it was the first ever NFL Draft as a head coach for Joe Philbin. The Dolphins took six offensive players and three defensive players. Here is a look at and breakdown of each of Miami’s nine picks:
1st Round
Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M (8th overall pick)
For the first time since taking Dan Marino in the 1983 NFL Draft, the Dolphins went with a quarterback in the first round. Tannehill, a 6’4″, 220 pound quarterback with athleticism, will be reunited with his former college coach new Dolphins’ offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. While there is familiarity within the coaching staff for Tannehill, there isn’t much familiarity at the position of quarterback. Tannehill took more snaps at Texas A&M as a wide receiver than as a quarterback. Tannehill did not start until midway through the 2010 season and probably won’t see the field as a rookie. Tannehill is mobile, has a strong arm and is fairly accurate, but this is not a pick that helps the Dolphins right away. With the lack of a number-one receiver, questions at the safety position and a struggling pass rush, Miami would have been better off picking someone that could make an impact right away for the ‘Fins. If Tannehill was the guy that Miami felt it had to have, they likely could have traded down and still selected him. Grade: D+
2nd Round
Jonathan Martin, T Stanford (42nd overall pick)
In the second round, Miami was able to get first round talent at the tackle position. Martin was one of quarterback Andrew Luck’s key pass protectors at Stanford and made a number of All-American teams last year. Miami was not in desperate need of a tackle, but Martin should be able to play right away and could even compete for the starting job at the right tackle position opposite Pro Bowl tackle Jake Long. While it didn’t address a dire need, Miami was able to get a very capable offensive lineman with the 42nd pick. Grade: B
3rd Round
Olivier Vernon, DE Miami (72nd overall pick)
The Dolphins did address a need in the third round by getting hometown defensive end Olivier Vernon to beef up the pass rush. The pick however, was highly questionable as Vernon was not projected to go until at best, the 5th round. Vernon is a physical specimen and has a ton of upside, but left Miami after a junior year in which he recorded just 1.5 sacks after racking up 6 as a sophomore. Miami did need a pass rusher, but Vernon is not likely to make much of an impact right away. Grade: D
Michael Egnew, TE Missouri (78th overall pick, from San Diego)
The Dolphins traded their 73rd pick to the San Diego Chargers for the 78th pick and a 6th round pick. Adding an extra pick was a good move for the Dolphins, but drafting a tight end in the third round doesn’t make much sense. Michael Egnew was second of the team last season at Missouri with 50 receptions for 523 yards and can be a really good NFL tight end. That position however, is one that the Dolphins are loaded at. The Dolphins have Anthony Fasano and Charles Clay, who form a very good tandem at that position. The ‘Fins also brought in an accountant, but a freakishly good athlete in Les Brown to try to win a roster spot as well. Egnew should make for a very good pass catcher in the league, but once again, Miami failed to address a need with the pick. Grade: C+
4th Round
Lamar Miller, RB Miami (97th overall pick, from Indianapolis via San Francisco)
The Miami Dolphins traded up to get University of Miami running back Lamar Miller. Many believed that Miller would be a second day pick, but wound up going very early in the 4th round. Miller will add to a Dolphins’ backfield that has a nice duo of speed and power in Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas. Miller is very similar to Bush as he has big play capability and should also help the ‘Fins in the passing game. Miller rushed for nearly 1,300 yards while averaging 5.6 yards-per-carry for the Hurricanes in 2011. Miller has proven to be threat in the return game and could end up returning kicks for Miami or having some role on special teams. Miller should be able to contribute relatively early for the Dolphins and would make for an excellent 3rd down back. Grade: B
5th Round
Josh Kaddu, LB Oregon (155th overall pick, from Tennessee)
The Dolphins received two picks from the Tennessee Titans for their 4th round pick and elected to go with a defensive player, Oregon linebacker Josh Kaddu in the 5th round. Kaddu made 50 tackles for Oregon in 2011, but 9.5 were for loss including 6.5 sacks. Kaddu is not great in pass coverage and has some developing to do, but could see time in blitzing situations. Grade: C+
6th Round
B.J. Cunningham, WR Michigan State (183rd overall pick, from San Diego)
It took until the 6th round, but the Miami Dolphins finally addressed their need at wide receiver. B.J. Cunningham, at 6’2″ and 215 pounds, should help to fill the void of a big physical receiver that was lost when Miami shipped Brandon Marshall to Chicago. Cunningham doesn’t have great speed, but his size and physicality should carry to the next level. As a senior at Michigan State in 2011, Cunningham caught 79 passes for 1,306 yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite not having elite speed, Cunningham still managed to average 16.5 yards-per-catch for the Spartans last season. Grade: B+
7th Round
Kheeston Randall, DT Texas (215th overall pick)
The Miami Dolphins went with Texas defensive tackle Kheeston Randall with their first of two 7th round picks. Randall underachieved statistically in 2011, but in all fairness, did receive his fair share of double teams. Randall isn’t much of a pass rusher, but can help Miami as a run stuffer in short yardage and goal line situations. With Paul Soliai manning the interior of the defensive line, Randall probably won’t see a whole lot of the field in 2012, but should help provide depth. Grade: B-
Rishard Matthews, WR Nevada (227th overall pick, from Tennessee)
The last pick for the Dolphins in the 2012 NFL Draft was used on Nevada wide receiver Rishard Matthews. Matthews has the size and speed to play in the NFL which showed during an outstanding season at Nevada in 2011. Matthews caught 91 passes for 1,364 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Wolf Pack in 2011 after being overshadowed by the running duo of quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Vai Taua in 2010. Matthews can also be a danger in the return game should Miami choose to use him that way. Grade: B+
Overview: The Miami Dolphins finished the 2012 NFL Draft much stronger than they began it. Taking Tannehill 8th overall was a stretch for the ‘Fins; it could work out in the long run, but the Dolphins would have been best served to select someone that could help them right away. The Dolphins picked up a potential starter in Martin in the second round. The Dolphins reached with the selection of Vernon and did not address a need with the selection of Agnew. The third day of the draft (Rounds 4-7) for Miami however, was very good. The Dolphins may have taken their time, but finally did address some needs in the later rounds. Miller with the combination of last year’s second round pick Daniel Thomas, could be a thunder and lightning combination in the Dolphins’ backfield for years to come. When it’s all said and done, Cunningham, Randall and Matthews all could end up being steals in this year’s draft. Overall Grade: C
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