2012 NFL Mock Draft Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw Looks Good in Green and Orange

We’ve been trying to complete one 7 round mock draft for each team before the combine was over and so far we’ve done many of them, which can be found by following this link. Today we’ll take a look at the prospects for the Miami Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins have all of their picks this year, but they did have to switch with the Saints in the sixth round from Reggie Bush. What I’m saying is that the Dolphins will pick towards the back-end of the sixth round instead of near 10 in the sixth round.

For this mock’s purposes I’m also going to assume that they address the Quarterback Position through free agency. Right now in my uninformed opinion I think the top landing spot for Peyton Manning has to be Miami. I think they are the team that gives him the best chance to win immediately, and can also offer him a good amount of money, and it’s a team that has made it known that they will throw money at him, so it makes sense.

I’ll be using Wes Bunting’s Big Board to make these picks because our updated big board is not quite finished yet.

All of our scouting reports can be found on our scouting report page.

1st round: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama Crimson Tide

The more I think about this pick, the more I like it. First Upshaw Gives them another dynamic pass rusher opposite Cameron Wake, which they currently do not have. Secondly, it will help improve the secondary, because a good pass rush alleviates a lot of secondary problems, and thirdly Upshaw is a player that could very well be coveted by the Buffalo Bills, their rival who are desperate for a pass rush. Adding Upshaw does all of those things, not to mention that Upshaw has been terrific at the Senior Bowl and is the best pass rusher in this class.

2nd Round: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia Bulldogs

Charles might be the best pure pass catcher in the tight end class. Charles is a really good athlete at the Tight End position who doesn’t block as well as he needs to for some offensive systems, but if the Dolphins manage to bring in Peyton Manning, they are going to win to re-create a Dallas Clark type player on the roster and Charles can be that kind of pass catcher (if he has a Hall of Fame quarterback throwing him the football). I know I wrote that I would use Wes Bunting’s big board to create value, but I’m in opposition to Bunting here as I don’t think Charles is anywhere near the 12th best player in the draft, where he is currently slotted on the Big Board and think it’s likely that he is available at the Dolphins 2nd round pick.

Round 3 Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

I thought it was crazy when people were mocking Toon into the first round during the College Football season. He doesn’t offer that kind of ability in my opinion, however, if the Dolphins can grab a player like Nick Toon, Rueben Randle, Marvin McNutt, or Chris Givens at the top of the third round that’s decent value for guys who can be really nice number two options. Toon has good size 6’3 220 pounds and has a great pedigree with his father being WR Al Toon (who was a really good Jes WR), which I why I leaned towards Toon. Especially if the Dolphins can land Peyton Manning who will appreciate that Toon will have an idea of the kind of preparation it takes to be successful in the N.F.L.

Round 4: James Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada

Maybe I’m off on this one, but I think the Dolphins lack a good player next to Karlos Dansby, who is one of the best inside linebackers in the game. Kevin Burnett is a decent stop gap option, but not a long term solution at the position. Johnson is not a big name, but I player I like as a future start in the National Football League, which is always nice when you can get that kind of player in the fourth round. Again I’ve strayed from Bunting’s big board here again as I think this is closer to Johnson’s value than the early third round grade that Bunting has on Johnson.

Round 5: Trevor Guyton, DL, California Golden Bears

Guyton is a personal favorite of mine as a 34 player. He is versatile and experienced defensive linemen who can play a number of spots along the defensive line in a 43 or 34. He is not a nose tackle, but he provides depth along the 34 front of the Miami Dolphins at good value. I’ll stick with Bunting’s big board here who has a 5th-6th round grade attached to currently, but I think I would be fine if a team I followed closely took him as high as the third round.

Round 6: Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky

The Dolphins will be picking late round six here which after the compensation picks are added in could be around the 200th pick. My theory is really after the third round and definitely after the fourth round you draft A) specialists. Guys who excel at doing one thing (like punting, or returning punts) or B) the best player irregardless of position. I mean if ANY position is up for grabs, even QB if you have Cam Newton. Or WR if you have the Giants or Packers receiving corps. Very few late round picks last more than a year or two in the draft. I considered a few players here for the Dolphins based off Bunting’s big board. Among them were WR’s Eric Page and Jordan White. OLB Frank Alexander, and Safety Antonio Allen, but nabbed Rainey here. A player I think is an undervalue running back prospect.

Round 7: Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois

Another player that Bunting and I disagree on a lot. Harnish is an athletic player who has decent upside. Harnish is tough, mobile, and accurate. I really think that he can develop into a starter at some point down the line with a little luck. He’s not a great prospect, but he could really be a terrific reserve quarterback, he could be Matt Moore at the N.F.L. level and that’s good value for the 7th round.

What do you think Dolphins fans?

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