The 12th pick is in and SB Nation’s Dolphins community, The Phinsider, has selected...
NFL Mock Draft, Pick 12: Dolphins Select Earl Thomas, S Texas
Texas S Earl Thomas
So why Earl Thomas? Three reasons. One - with the way the draft is going, I think there’s a chance one of the top conversion linebackers fall to Miami’s next pick at number 43. And the drop off from Thomas to the next best safety is far greater, in my opinion, than the drop-off between conversion linebackers. Two - the NFL is changing. With the number of three- and four-receiver sets that are run these days, you can never have enough quality defensive backs. It’s a passing league now and the Dolphins need to keep up defensively - especially in a division with the Patriots. And three - Thomas is exactly what the Dolphins need back in their secondary.
It should also be noted that even though Dez Bryant is still out there, Bill Parcells doesn’t take receivers in the first round. With the array of 3-4 outside linebackers out there, Thomas would be a smart luxury pick.
The Dolphins have a number of needs and safety is one of them. This is a solid pick. Other possibilities include nose tackle and wide receiver, which could have been filled with Tennessee’s Dan Williams or Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, respectively.
But, safety is a major need and Thomas is rated by one major draftnik (NFL Network’s Mike Mayock) as the top safety in the draft.
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