Will the Miami Dolphins Pay the Asking Price for the Second Overall Draft Pick?

By now, everyone has heard that the St. Louis Rams are open to trading the second overall draft choice in this April's 2012 NFL Draft. The Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins are all thought to be in discussion with the Rams to get that draft pick, and ultimately, Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. However, the asking price is going to be high, and there are questions about whether the Dolphins would consider paying it.

According to a South Florida Sun-Sentinel report, the Rams are looking to get returns equal to the first overall draft choice, despite being in the second position. Essentially, the Rams are looking for at least 3,000 points on the draft value chart. According to the Sun-Sentinel report, that works out to the Dolphins' eighth overall draft choice, their second round pick this year, their first round pick in 2013, and, possibly, their third round pick in 2013. And, that's just the starting point.

The Redskins are thought to be the leaders in landing the position, as of now, and are said to be offering a "substantial" package of picks to get to the second position.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, appear to be heading toward free agency to answer their quarterback questions. Miami is seen as the favorite to land Peyton Manning if he is released by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, or they could pursue Matt Flynn in free agency. Flynn was the backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, where new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin was the offensive coordinator.

The Rams are expected to aggressively shop their draft pick, trying to trade it before free agency starts. With Manning and Flynn both looking for new locations, demand for the second overall pick could quickly dry up, depending on where those two sign. If Miami does land Manning, and the Browns bring in Flynn, then the Rams would only have the Redskins as suitors for the pick (assuming no one else enters the bidding), and St. Louis would lose their leverage in driving up the pick.

But, with four picks already needed just to start discussions toward landing the second pick, would the Dolphins even consider making the move? And, would they make the move before Manning and Flynn settle in with new teams?

Welcome to the 2012 NFL offseason - where nothing is known, but everything is reported.