Photos: NFL mock draft
8. Miami Dolphins -- DE Quinton Coples (UNC)
Personally, I’m expecting the Dolphins to do anything and everything in order to get Ryan Tannehill, even if it means trading up to number four. In the context of this format, I’ve been forced to go another way against my will, meaning David Garrard or Matt Moore would be the theoretical starting QB for Miami in 2012. Although new Head Coach Joe Philbin will want to develop his own offensive line, I think the philosophy will be best overall player with the intent on getting solid depth at o-line later in the draft.
If this is the case, then Quinton Coples is the way to go here. The Dolphins are moving to a 4-3 scheme and Coples will stabilize that transition, as he’s the best defensive end in this draft class. I’m not concerned about his run defense, as he played a lot of Defensive Tackle last year due to problems with the Tar Heels d-line. He’ll need to develop an arsenal of pass rushing moves in order to be elite, as in college he could just bull rush the offensive tackles. A straight bull rush won’t fly in the NFL, but he’s got the talent and athleticism to be really special. All of this being said, I’ll mock our mock by saying Tannehill ends up a Dolphin. Should this not happen, and should Coples be off the board then look for Miami to select offensive tackle Riley Reiff of Iowa. -- KEVIN TURNER
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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