As we continue the SB Nation Arizona mock draft, it is clear that the defensive talent is what is most noted. However, Miami has some needs on offense, both at quarterback and at running back. This pick is no surprise, as many mock drafts have them projected to make this selection. Scott Howard brings you the 15th pick overall and explains why.
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
A lot of excellent talent has fallen in our mock draft, Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo and Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget come to mind, but none really at the positions Miami is in the market for. Miami is almost certainly going to spend the offseason searching for a new QB, but unless they trade down I can't see them reaching for Ryan Mallet or Jake Locker in the middle of the first round.
Staying on the offensive skill position front, both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are free agents at running back, which makes that a pretty huge need. That's why with the 15th pick in the 2011 SB Nation Arizona Mock NFL Draft, the Dolphins select Mark Ingram, running back from Alabama.
There have been some recent questions about Ingram which have caused him to fall in a few mock drafts but he's still the best back in the draft and I'd be surprised to see Miami take a pass. Ingram may have only run the 40 in 4.63 seconds but the former Heisman Trophy winner can do pretty much everything else.
Check out the mock draft on the Arizona Cardinals team blog Revenge of the Birds to see who both the community and the writers are projecting.
2011 SBN AZ Mock Draft recap:
1- Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (Jess Root)
2- Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (Cory Williams)
3- Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Scott Howard)
4- Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR, Georgia (JR)
5- Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (CW)
6- Cleveland Browns: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (SH)
7- San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina (JR)
8- Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn (CW)
9- Dallas Cowboys: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama (SH)
10- Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (JR)
11- Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (CW)
12- Minnesota Vikings: Tyron Smith, OT, USC (SH)
13- Detroit Lions: Cameron Jordan, DE, California (JR)
14- St. Louis Rams: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (CW)
15- Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (SH)