15 at 15: Mark Ingram

*The 1st part of a 15 part series

 

The Miami Dolphins have the 15th pick of the draft and it has to count. They don’t have a second round pick and not nearly as many as years past so the first round pick has to count.

The most obvious selection will be the one we start with: Mark Ingram RB Alabama.

The former Heisman trophy winner is a stud running back that could provide an immediate impact to the Dolphins backfield.

Miami needs the help badly. Ronnie Brown’s injury-plagued career has kept him from ever fulfilling his full potential.

Brown was a stellar pick and played fantastic early on, but he’s never been the same. Then there’s Ricky Williams, who may be playing like a late-20-year old, but his days are fast approaching too.

The other backs have never quite stepped up either, so enter Ingram.

While he might need to be paired with a back like Brown and Williams, a tandem is never a bad thing.

Ingram had a great pro day and has garnered a lot of attention and been compared to Emmitt Smith, not a bad guy to be compared to.

Miami needs Ingram and it should be a home rum, but the Dolphins could also have a trick or two up their sleeves.

Mallett to meet with Miami

The news is that the Miami Dolphins are meeting not once, but twice, with Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett before the draft.

This is bad news for Dolphins fans. Very bad news.

Having seen a fare share of SEC football this year I can conclude, like every other draft expert out there, that Mallett is not ready for the NFL. Not by a long shot.

What he has shown so far is a big arm and big personality problem. He walked out of interviews allegedly, at the combine and has had issues at the schools he has attended.

Ryan Leaf maybe? Maybe Phillip Rivers or Jay Cutler. But what is Miami’s thinking here?

I delayed the 15 at 15 special to address this today because the Mallett interest throws an interesting wrench into the ‘Fins plans.

Miami has no second round pick. Again, only pick No. 15 and another midway through the third round.

So can the Dolphins maybe now be thinking trade down seriously? I will address this in the coming posts, but with no ability to trade with players, only picks, there doesn’t look to be much movement in this year’s draft.

So is Mallett really worth a pick at No. 15? I’d say the word stretch doesn’t do that pick justice.

Miami scouting running backs

As a beat writer for a NCAA D-1 college, I am privy to certain information and access to things like Pro Days.

Well after attending one, and talking with people “in the know” it seems Miami is keeping its options open regarding bringing in a new running back.

Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray, Nebraska’s Roy Helu and Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter are three players I have seen in person in the past year and one of which I saw getting some attention from the Dolphins on his Pro Day.

Of course, Mark Ingram is the sexy pick, and really, probably the best option.

But Miami could go O-line or QB or any direction and throw a wrench in some plans come draft day.

Starting Monday I will be profiling a series of 15 players Miami could take with the 15th pick. Ingram may be the obvious choice, but it’s now looking like Miami could mix things up next month.

Carson Palmer a good fit in Miami

* Note: 15 picks at 15 series will begin March 28*

 

Carson Palmer will not be a Cincinnati Bengal next year, that much looks certain.

But would he fit in with another team clad in Orange?

The Dolphins are in need of an answer at quarterback. Chad Henne hasn’t produced the way the ‘Fins management has hoped. Chad Pennington barely has shoulders left on his body.

So, like previously mentioned, there are some options. But word has it that Miami is giving Palmer a strong consideration now.

Aside from helping me win my fantasy league last year, Palmer’s play has not been great of late. Most of his stats came in garbage time last season.

But at only 31, things could change with a change in scenery. It has happened before.

If there even is a season next year, Miami could bring Palmer in and hopefully make him a game-manager, rather than rely on his questionable arm.

Brandon Marshall is better than OchoCinco and T.O., plus Palmer found success in the slot, where Devon Bess thrives.

But with Miami’s new offensive coordinator, the running game should take precedent, hence a Mark Ingram pick would be fantastic. Bring in Palmer and get some much needed help on the line and Miami is back in business right?!

Okay, it’s a stretch. But at least I’m not talking about the labor issues.

Kolb, Palmer or Orton to Dolphins

After the NFL Combine this past weekend, a few things were made apparent. If you watched it, one of the most glaring things was the lack of superstar skill at the quarterback position.

The Miami Dolphins are fast approaching a win-now mentality, from owner to ball boy, everyone in the organization knows the ‘Fins have to improve drastically this season.

So that means A) No Chad Henne and B) No rookie quarterback.

Sure Jake Locker and a few others may be nice last round grabs, but Miami has one pick in the top-40, ONE!

That pick has to count, so Miami needs to find quarterback help in free agency, whenever it begins.

Free agency or by trade is how the Dolphins will find their new signal caller. So the good thing is, there are a few out there to choose from.

The Eagles just signed Michael Vick to a long term deal, so Kevin Kolb will continue to clamor for a deal. Miami doesn’t have many draft picks this year, but maybe a 3rd rounder this year and a 2nd rounder next year would be enough to rope him in. Hell, throw in Ronnie Brown or even Chad Pennington to sweeten the deal.

The Broncos have Kyle Orton, who John Fox and John Elway both say will be the starter. But a lock-out will mean fans will start to turn on teams, what better way for Denver to bring their fans back than to start football Jesus Tim Tebow?

Carson Palmer still wants to leave the Bengals, and even though he wants to be out west, Miami has a big time owner and a beach that could make him feel at home. He may not be great, but better than any of Miami’s other options.

Donovan McNabb can be probably had for an easy price, because everybody gets one on Dan Snyder. Maybe the same deal or easier than acquiring Kolb.

Also out there if Miami is getting really desperate are Alex Smith, Tavaris Jackson, Troy Smith, David Garrard, Jamarcus Russell, JP Losman and Matt Leinhart. Boy, I hope I’m kidding on those last three.