NFL Draft 2013: Dolphins spend time with OT Menelik Watson

Mike Mayock described Watson’s upside at the left tackle position as “mind-boggling.”

Apr 24, 2013, 1:32 PM UTC

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Finding a left tackle with the No. 12 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft looks like it won't be the easiest task for the Miami Dolphins. Each of the top-three tackles are projected to go in the top ten, leaving them to choose from players like Florida State's Menelik Watson, an offensive tackle that the Dolphins have spent a ton of time with in the last month, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

More: The Phinsider

Watson is still new to the sport of football, as he didn’t begin playing until his college years after moving from Great Britain. However, he’s a very talented athlete with natural abilities, as NFL Network’s Mike Mayock described his upside as “mind-boggling.”

Selecting Watson isn’t as simple as taking him when the team is on the clock at No. 12 though, as Jackson explains the Dolphins would want more value than that:

He's an option - if Miami trades down lower in the first round or if he slips to 42 - but only if Miami doesn't trade for Branden Albert, which remains a possibility.

The Dolphins have been considered the favorite to land the Kansas City Chiefs left tackle in a trade, but Albert is also hopeful for a large contract and the Arizona Cardinals are also reportedly in the trade talks. If a trade were to be completed, the Dolphins would have the left tackle position secured and would be able to keep Jonathan Martin at right tackle.

If not, the Dolphins could be in a tricky spot and it would only get trickier if they miss on Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson. While selecting Watson in the second round would be a great value for the Dolphins, waiting with their fingers crossed could be too much of a risk for a team so in need of protection for Ryan Tannehill.

In the latest mock draft from SB Nation's Dan Kadar, the Falcons are projected to take Watson with the No. 30 selection, while the Dolphins instead take Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert at No. 12.