AnishB15's mock offseason 2012 edition

Hey guys, this season was a disappointment, as most of us know, this season was a failure, not only did we miss the playoffs and have a bad record, we also played ourselves out of the Luck sweeptakes and even the RGIII range. There are other options though, and I will outline what I think is the best plan of action. So, lets get started.

Coaching:

Head Coach - Joe Philbin - Philbin did a great job in Green Bay and will bring an exciting pass-first offense. If Philbin accepts the job, it means he is ready to move on from his loss, and will use his son's death as motivation to do great things.

Offensive Coordinor - Mike Sherman - Sherman is familiar with Philbin, having brought him to the NFL. Sherman and Philbin will work well together and Sherman will provide experience for Philbin to turn to.

Defensive Coordinator - Jack Del Rio - Del Rio is probably the best DC available. He has experience as a head coach, and previously had the number 2 D in the league when he was a DC. He was previously an all-pro LB and even spent time here before he was beaten out by Zach Thomas. Del Rio will also transfer us to the 4-3, which we are better suited for.

Resignings:

The following players will be resigned: Marvin Mitchell ILB, Phillip Merling DE, Lydon Murtha OT, Austin Spitler ILB, Ryan Baker DT, Vernon Carey OG

The following players will not be resigned: Ike Alama-Francis OLB, Will Allen CB, Marc Colombo OT, Chad Henne QB, Kendall Langford DE, JP Losman QB, Paul Soliai NT, Jeron Mastrud TE, Steve Slaton HB

Free Agency:

We will have saved a lot of money by not resigning players such as Langford and Soliai, who will demand huge contracts and arent as effective in a 4-3. This will allow us to be able to make a few big moves.

Peyton Manning QB - Manning is still a great QB, and should have at least 2 years left in the tank. With Luck in Indy, Manning will want to head elsewhere.He shouldn't be too expensive due to injury issues, and the phins will jump on him.

Pierre Garcon WR - We should bring one of Manning's favorite targets with him to Miami. With Hartline being traded, we will need a deep threat no. 2 WR, and Garcon should come cheap.

Greg Camarillo WR - Greg should be a very cheap acquisition, and should come back to Miami. He is still one of my favorite players and should add depth to a WR core that should be one of the best in the league at the end of this.

Of course there will be other low-key acquisitions, but these are the major ones IMO.

Draft:

TRADE ALERT!!! - Miami Dolphins give the 8/9th overall pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 17st overall pick, their 2nd rd pick, and their 5th rd pick - The Bengals need a RB to replace an aging Cedric Benson, and they will be in position to draft Trent Richardson with this trade up. They have plenty of picks that they got from the Carson Palmer trade that they can send us.

1st - (from Raiders via Bengals) - Whitney Mercilus DE, Mercilus is truly mercy-less. He tears apart OL to get to the QB. He struggles with run blocking, but good coaching, along with help from the DTs, should ease that issue. Mercilus can start across from Wake right away.

TRADE ALERT!!! - The Miami Dolphins trade WR Brian Hartline, their 2012 and 2013 2nd rd pick to the Denver Broncos for the 25th overall pick. This trade may be a little far fetched, but the Broncos have of needs. With this trade, they fill their need at WR by getting Tebow a reliable weapon, and can fill two additional needs with an extra 3rd and 5th rounder this year and a 2nd rounder next year.

1st - (from Broncos) - Ryan Tannehill QB - Tannehill has the talent to be a very good NFL QB. He struggles with footwork and other coachable aspects of his game. He was previously projected to the Seahawks at the 12th overall pick, but his stock has taken a dip with his injury. He would be a good pickup here who can sit behind Manning while he develops his skills.

2nd (from Bengals) - Jayron Hosley CB - With Will Allen leaving,and Sean Smith underperforming, they need to bring in a top CB. Hosley is the perfect choice. He is from South Florida, graduating from the High School I currently attend. He is a very natural cover corner and has the ability to excel both as the starter across from Vontae Davis and as the nickel corner if Smith were to beat him out. He will need to put on an additional

3rd - Coby Fleener TE - We need a dynamic TE, and will get one in Fleener. Fleener is exactly the TE we need. He is great at stretching the seam and commands the middle of the field. He is a good blocker and will not be a liability there.He will be able to line up with Fasano on multiple TE sets like the ones used by the Patriots.He stands very tall at 6'6" and has a great vertical leap to jump up for the ball.

4th - Jared Crick DT - Crick is a good DT prospect and will be injected into the rotation right away. With Langford leaving and McDaniel being cut, we will need some depth, which Crick will provide.

5th - Eddie Whitley FS - Another Ireland 5th round safety. Whitely projects as a good FS.He has good tackling ability and should be able to compete with Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons for the starting spot.

5th (from Bengals) - Rokevious Watkins OG - Watkins should be a good developmental backup behind Carey. He may even be able to push for a starting spot. Watkins is a good run blocker and puller, even though he needs work on his pass protection.

6th - Chris Rainey HB - We will need a speedy replacement for Steve Slaton, who will be too expensive to resign. Rainey would be a younger, cheaper prospect that is an electric return man. Not only will we save some money by bringing in Rainey instead of resigning Slaton, we will also get more youth and versatility at the position.

7th- Adewale Ojomo DE - a good depth pick

Important position battles:

Backup QB: Moore vs. Tannehill - With Peyton having injury concerns, it will be important to have good depth behind him. Moore and Tannehill will compete for the primary backup position. This one could go either way so i leave them tied

Strong Safety: Yeremiah Bell vs. Reshad Jones: With Bell getting older and having a huge contract, I believe he will lose this battle and end up wearing a different uniform in september.

Free Safety: Reshad Jones vs. Chris Clemens vs. Eddie Whitley: This will be an exciting competition as all three have equal chances at the spot. I see Jones winning the strong Safety spot and Clemons getting the free safety spot.

Starting/Nickel CB: Jayron Hosley vs Sean Smith:Smith has struggled and Hosley gives us another great option to line up across from Vontae Davis. I see Smith holding off the rookie for now and Hosley getting the nickel spot.

5th/6th Wide Receiver: Clyde Gates vs. Roberto Wallace vs. Marlon Moore vs. Julius Pruitt: All of them will compete for two WR spots. I see Gates and Wallace winning them as they have the most upside.

Right Tackle: John Jerry vs. Lydon Murtha: This is probably the matchup that is the most important. The right side of our OL was atrocious, and either will be an upgrade from Colombo. This one could go either way, but I see Jerry winning.

Projected Depth Chart:

Offense:

QB - Peyton Manning, Matt Moore/Ryan Tannehill(R)

HB - Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas, Chris Rainey (R)

HB/FB - Lex Hilliard

FB/TE - Charles Clay

TE - Anthony Fasano, Coby Fleener (R)

WR1 - Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, Roberto Wallace

WR2 - Pierre Garcon, Greg Camarillo, Clyde Gates

LT - Jake Long

LG - Richie Incognito, Nate Garner, Ray Feinga

C - Mike Pouncey, Ryan Cook

RG - Vernon Carey, Rokevious Watkins (R)

RT - John Jerry, Lydon Murtha

total players: 26

Defense:

DE1: Whitney Mercilus, Phillip Merling

DT1: Randy Starks, Jared Crick (R)

DT2: Jared Odrick, Ryan Baker

DE2: Cameron Wake, Adewale Ojomo (R)

OLB1: Koa Misi, Jason Trusnik, Jonathon Freeny

ILB: Kevin Burnett, Austin Spitler

OLB2: Karlos Dansby, Marvin MItchell

CB1: Vontae Davis, Jayron Hosley (R), Nolan Carrol

CB2: Sean Smith, Jimmy Wilson

SS: Reshad Jones, Tyrone Culver

FS: Chris Clemons, Eddie Whitley (R)

Total players: 24

Special Teams:

K: Dan Carpenter

P: Brandon Fields

LS: John Denney

KR: Chris Rainey (R), Clyde Gates

PR: Chris Rainey (R), Davone Bess

total (additional) players: 3

Thank you for reading. I believe this is a crew that could take us deep in the playoffs this year, and for years ahead. Please leave feedback below.