ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. released his first mock draft yesterday, ahead of April's NFL Draft. Kiper has Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, the consensus number one pick, heading to the Indianapolis Colts with that first choice. The other big name quarterback, the Baylor Bears' Heisman Trophy winning Robert Griffin III, gets selected at the fourth spot, going to the Cleveland Browns. He does not have another quarterback going in the first round.
Where does that leave the Miami Dolphins, a team expected to be looking for a new, franchise, quarterback? Exactly where most Dolphins fans don't want to see the team - looking to the offensive line with their top choice. The Dolphins, selecting ninth in Kiper's mock, are projected to take tackle Riley Reiff from the Iowa Hawkeyes. Of the choice, Kiper says:
"The Dolphins made big improvments to the offensive line last year with their first-round pick, and Reiff would offer them an immediate starter and make the offensive line a big strength. Reiff's tape was exceptional this past season, and he has a lot of experience and a proven ability against top competition. The Dolphins were very close to being a good team in 2011, and I do think they can target a player on offense, although help at outside linebacker also makes sense. The Dolphins could be another team looking for options at quarterback, but even if they go into the season with Matt Moore back as starter, Reiff adds further stability to an offense that could continue to improve."
To see the full mock draft, head over to ESPN (if you have an Insider account).
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