ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. released his first mock draft yesterday, ahead of April's NFL Draft. Kiper has Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, the consensus number one pick, heading to the Indianapolis Colts with that first choice. The other big name quarterback, the Baylor Bears' Heisman Trophy winning Robert Griffin III, gets selected at the fourth spot, going to the Cleveland Browns. He does not have another quarterback going in the first round.
Where does that leave the Miami Dolphins, a team expected to be looking for a new, franchise, quarterback? Exactly where most Dolphins fans don't want to see the team - looking to the offensive line with their top choice. The Dolphins, selecting ninth in Kiper's mock, are projected to take tackle Riley Reiff from the Iowa Hawkeyes. Of the choice, Kiper says:
"The Dolphins made big improvments to the offensive line last year with their first-round pick, and Reiff would offer them an immediate starter and make the offensive line a big strength. Reiff's tape was exceptional this past season, and he has a lot of experience and a proven ability against top competition. The Dolphins were very close to being a good team in 2011, and I do think they can target a player on offense, although help at outside linebacker also makes sense. The Dolphins could be another team looking for options at quarterback, but even if they go into the season with Matt Moore back as starter, Reiff adds further stability to an offense that could continue to improve."
To see the full mock draft, head over to ESPN (if you have an Insider account).
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0 recs | 85 comments
Thanks for rubbing it in to us poor folk lol
You’re like the “hot tease” that used to frustrate me back in the day lol
BSerious72 - January 19, 2012
i'm sorry that i frustrated you back then
i was just confused
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
blue balls :(
BSerious72 - January 19, 2012
^Giants Fan?
JTC111 - January 19, 2012
No. Blue Man Group member....
Alpha6 - January 19, 2012
Todo lmao!
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
lmao
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
still laughing!
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
I purposely avoid ESPN's site now because almost everything you need to be an insider. #SellOuts
Drumzan - January 19, 2012
This seems to be common theme lately!
I actually like this move if we go into the draft with Flynn!
MassFinFan65 - January 19, 2012
Really really dislike this pick.
There’s guys in the 2nd that can fill this role. Or even guys in the 3rd and 4th. Wasted pick. Need an impact player, whether that is OLB or QB
BahamaDolfan - January 19, 2012
problem is there are no impact players that will be available when Miami picks
There is a dearth of OLB/DE prospects in this year’s draft. The only QB worthy of the 9th pick is Griffin who will be long gone.
In this case I don’t mind Reiff. But when impact players were available (see Earl Thomas, Dez Bryant, Hakeem Nicks, Clay Matthews, etc) Dolphins mainly went line (although Nicks and Matthews were passed up for Vontae Davis).
One other option is to move the pick for Mario Williams. That could boost Miami’s defense from good to dominant. If the team moves to a 4-3, it would look like this:
DL: Wake Starks Odrick Williams
LB: Misi Dansby Burnett
raysfaninminnesota - January 19, 2012
I mean you got
Whitmney mercilus, coples and upshaw. There are guys out there.
BahamaDolfan - January 20, 2012
like the pick
Kdog92 - January 19, 2012
i love the pick
but i also love brussell sprouts and the monkey…soooo
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
... you eat them off his belly?
Alpha6 - January 19, 2012
Dont inter weave your awful habbits, thats disguesting & kinda funny at the same-time, but disguesting
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
Reiff would be the smartest dumb pick we could make
BSerious72 - January 19, 2012
is that a good or bad thing?
Kdog92 - January 19, 2012
my dads gun tastes like pennies
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
Ralph
Phinsphana - January 19, 2012
cracked me up!
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
My cat's breath smells like cat food
Phinsphana - January 19, 2012
see my sig
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
lol
did not notice that when i wrote it
Phinsphana - January 19, 2012
surrreeeeeee
i smell collusion
BSerious72 - January 19, 2012
what the hell is collusion
Phinsphana - January 19, 2012
its when two helmut meet at brady's head..
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
Oh that's beautiful
Phinsphana - January 19, 2012
Check the bottom of your shoe...
lol
Alpha6 - January 19, 2012
what shoe, gum oh mud well u see that helps the house to get erected!
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
You're mouthing your dad's gun?
lol
Alpha6 - January 19, 2012
Sueacide kings
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
depends how you look....
Can we desperately use a stud RT? Yes.
But, is there any other WORSE way to further frustrate the fan base than 3 straight 1st round linemen picks?
BSerious72 - January 19, 2012
at the end of the day we have to do whats best for the team and not the fan base..
I agree full heartedly that i would love to have a stud young qb come in and make us forget about the last decade of qb play, but if we cant get one for a good price, we have to continue bulding the team up around that position.
This is the only reason why i dont wnat blackmon, richardson, or a qb first. It will cost too much and not be extra risky if we dont have the essential pieces around to protect our investments.
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
If Blackmon was there at 8/9 I would take him in a heartbeat
Although, of course, there’s no chance he will be.
Dolphinole - January 19, 2012
I think that shoring up our terrible right side...
Could really work. Especially with the serviceable Moore at qb, or even Flynn. Yes, it takes a great qb to lift his team, but a great qb with a shoddy oline will give the same results as a great oline and serviceable qb. I think it would be wise to trade down if they see he’s still available at our pick. Grab him, another pick and some more picks.
Sharkz_N_Phinz - January 19, 2012 via Android app
I dont think that tampa is going to go richardson
blount has been borderline solid… they have other needs to fill
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
Did you see Blount in the second half of the season?
Drumzan - January 19, 2012
Having an elite O line would not be a bad thing at all.
With that, the defense has to notch it up.
Having an elite QB would be great – if we could snare one.
Until see Baltimore for what a winning team can do without eliteness at QB.
I hope they pummel Brady!
Tunaflipper - January 19, 2012
*Until then
Tunaflipper - January 19, 2012
No problem with this pick
I dont agree with giving up 2-3 1st round picks and a couple other mid round picks to Jeff Fischer who just chose the rams over us. we really need a RT, Safety, pass rusher so good pick to me. maybe we could get Peyton when the colts release him
ceo86 - January 19, 2012
It's a good pick if....
we sign Philbin and he’s able to steal some of the offensive staff from Green Bay and get Matt Ryan to come to Miami.
I see this as our best case scenario moving forward. Philbin comes onboard and brings a couple of people with him, including whoever had a good working player/coach relationship with Ryan. This leaves us in a pretty good place with a new qb that has talent, knows the playbook Philbin will bring with him, and already has a good working relationship with at least some of the offensive staff.
If that all falls into place, shoring up the O-line is a pretty smart play unless there’s some incredible game buster still on the board. Even then though, I think we still have to address the RT spot quickly in the draft or free agency.
JTC111 - January 19, 2012
Matt Ryan?
Good luck with that bro
BSerious72 - January 19, 2012
matt ryan = 0 playoff wins...
i will pass
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
Flynn
I think you mean Matt Flynn.
douglaskoehne - January 19, 2012
This kind of line could give Bush 1500+ yards on the ground.
Tunaflipper - January 19, 2012
Reiff looks like he would become Incognitos freind
they could share memories of destroying and antagonizing D lineman.
I like it!!
Get it done Ireland you freakin’ chior boy!!
scrappy the wildcat - January 19, 2012
I love Incognito because he is such an asshole on the field
he reminds me of the old NFL where at the end of game players hated the other teams, and you wouldn’t hug your opponent at the end of games.
Phinsphana - January 19, 2012
i hear ya man - Conrad Dobler fan....
I was at the game in St. Louis that The Dolphins kicked the Cardinals cans so bad Dobler was thrown out and he threw his helmet … loved it.
I am just drinking all the Kool-Aid today – make some more please
MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!! MCCOY!!
scrappy the wildcat - January 19, 2012
phuxk no on mccoy
GoNuckingFuts - January 19, 2012
Aaw c'mon man. You know he's coming. Might as well start your tandrum dance....
Alpha6 - January 19, 2012
Hay Scrappy you can throw Lynn in there also!
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
We'll then I know one thing
We won’t be drafting him. Kiper is right about as much as a monkey picking the draft.
ChillMike - January 19, 2012
Wait. Wut?
Alpha6 - January 19, 2012
Not the monkey
Phinsphana - January 19, 2012
This is probably our closet shot to getting a top quarter back without having to throw away the whole draft
If we become better, which is likely to happen, than we push ourselves out of contention to draft a top qb. I know that good qbs can be drafted later on. Blah blah blah. We have the chance to go for it and get a special player in RG3. I dont want another effing lineman to protect a subpar qb.
GoNuckingFuts - January 19, 2012
Over the christmas holiday...
My whole extended family rented a house in the Poconos for a week (Stay with me, I’m making a point). One night, a cousin of mine was heading over to one of the new casinos in the area. My wife and I REALLY wanted to go, since we both like to gamble but havent since our kids were born a few years back. Watching every penny, you know how it is. We didnt go, which was the prudent responsible thing. But if would have been fun to just say “screw it” for once, and be a little irresponsible.
Heres the point: This is how I feel about this draft pick. Sure, a stud O-lineman is the prudent, safe way to go, and makes a lot of sense, based on our needs and draft position. But just once, ONCE, I’d like to see the FO do the aggressive, crazy thing and move up and gamble on the QB. Risk and price be damned….
Brantner78 - January 19, 2012
i feel lke they did that with Ted Ginn
didnt work out so well. Also with ronnie brown.. worked out a little better, but not good in the long run.
Phinphinatic - January 19, 2012
There wasnt anything overly aggressive about either of those picks
And we didnt make any aggressive moves to acquire them. They were both available when we were on the clock. Ginn was only risky because it was monumentally stupid. Brown was a top five pick on every mock that year, and was a necessary pick after Ricky Williams had screwed us the year before.
Brantner78 - January 19, 2012
Mobility
RGIII, Cam Newton, Rogers, Etc. are mobile enough QB’s to get the job done with average O-lines. Very few are pure pocket passers like Marino was. Even Brees who broke his record is more mobile. So while an elite O-line is nice, an average one will suffice, IF you get a freaking QB !!!
miamimike71 - January 19, 2012 via mobile
wow
mel kiper can stick his mock draft in his hair!
yappy007 - January 19, 2012
If they pick another Olineman with their first pick
Then I hope they get a playmaker in the Red Zone that can score 10 touchdowns,because if the Dolphins increase their TD to FG ratio in the RZone that will carry down to the bottom line in WINS vs losses.I posted that before this season started about the red zone ratio and it is still a definite need for them.Marshall thus far has not scored TDs as he did with the Broncos.
broxtone - January 19, 2012
WTF IS THE POINT OF DRAFTING TACKLES TO BLOCK OUR HALFASS QB?
moore def stepped it up but im sick of miami not having a great qb
GoNuckingFuts - January 19, 2012
There arms get stronger?
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
We shouldn't have won all those "meaningless games" only the smart need reply!
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
The odds are good a great QB will be
drafted this year but just like when It was PManning and Leaf only one of them will be great,and hopefully for the team that drafts the other he will stay in football enough time to contribute.The question is will it be Griffin or Luck.A lot of people will choose Luck but the running QB might be best at the moment.Look at Cam Newton.It is possible both Griffin and Luck will be great but I doubt it.I know that years past there have been Drafts that produced more than one QB but I wouldnt bet on it.I would rather have a free agent QB that already has experience,he is cheaper and you know more or less what you are getting.A first round pick is just as likely to be a bust as a star at the QB position.How many QBs are taken in the first round year after year?
broxtone - January 19, 2012
If the Fins drafted in the top 3
then they would have to take one of the Qbs otherwise Ireland would have to hire a bodyguard if he dosent already have one.
broxtone - January 19, 2012
dont forget another running QB
Tebow
broxtone - January 19, 2012
Protecting the QB equates to wins
I know I’m in the minority on this, but I think Moore and Henne will be great as a combo next year. Trade down to get another 2nd rounder. Draft a OLB late 1st round then RT and FS/TE 2nd round.
Drumzan - January 19, 2012
I could live with this pick
boring as it may be. I don’t see a realistic option at QB in the 1st, and Reiff would clearly fill a need. After the first 3 tackles (who will all be gone in the 1st) the talent level drops pretty significantly. With Reiff we’ll have 60% of our line set for years to come, and if John Jerry ever amounts to anything we could be in really good shape up front. Give Matt Moore a shot behind a solid line and he may even turn out to be a worthy QB.
This pick fits Jeff ireland… boring but safe. Last time he decided to take a chance early in the draft we got Pat White. I’ll stick with the boring stuff.
BobLoblaw113 - January 19, 2012
As for late draft gambles
I’d love to take a shot at Kellen Moore. He’s projected to go in the 7th, though I’m thinking 6th. If he’s still there, I really hope we get him. Smart player, poised, and a winner at every level. Arm strength is closer to Pennington than Marino and he’s not as tall as you’d hope, but all the intangibles are there. And if we’re not going to get an elite guy (i.e. Luck) then I’d rather take the QB gamble late. Picking a QB in the 2nd round hasn’t gotten us anywhere in the past decade.
BobLoblaw113 - January 19, 2012
Pleased to meet you, Bob Loblaw!
LOL. You must be Canadian.
Drumzan - January 19, 2012
It's a character on the show Arrested Development
He writes the Bob Loblaw Law Blog
BobLoblaw113 - January 20, 2012
Is that you Scott Baio?
texascowpunk - January 21, 2012
This i've been advocating all along thx BL & rec!
I like your addings on please to make your aqaintance!
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
I remember the folks in Cleveland getting excited about a short quarterback who did nothing but win
I’m sure they’d give you colt mccoy for free if you wanted him??
Youngstown_Phinatic - January 19, 2012
although as a dolphins fan, anytime you here somebody compared to drew brees as kellen moore has been, it makes your ears perk up a bit
Youngstown_Phinatic - January 19, 2012
Yeah and I'm not doubting that it would be a huge gamble
and that the odds are that we’d be drafting a guy to hold a clipboard for a few years and then cut unceremoniously. But wasting a 6th round pick isn’t all that big a deal when you consider the payoff. For every Brady there’s probably 100 Josh Heupels, but look what happens to the team that gets it right.
BobLoblaw113 - January 20, 2012
Here here!
wild zion beaver - January 19, 2012
If we take that guy
Our team will be set back another five years. WE need players that can make an impact, a QB, LB, DT, hell I’d rather have a WR then another OL.
Guess Who's Back? - January 19, 2012
I hope they trade up or if Mannig does not retire grab him.
We just need a pro bowl calibour QB if we can get the second spot or if the rams pick up RG3 we should try to get Bradford. I think focusing on QB should be numb one priority.
Joseph Chaisson - January 19, 2012
Kiper is, as usual, an idiot.
How does that guy still have a job?
PNSter - January 20, 2012
have you seen his hair?
Patssuck456 - January 21, 2012
OLB, WR, or CB at #9
There are other OT and OG in the later rounds that can do the exact same thing Reiff, DeCastro, and Martin can.
JuniorCane - January 21, 2012
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