Aahhh. I love the spring. If Mike Mayock ever came out with books on tape, I’d never stop reading.

So, here we are with the #8 pick. We don’t have to discuss it any further. If you’re like me, you want 1 of 3 things: Tannehill, a trade down, or a player who shockingly dropped into our laps (Richardson, Claiborne, Blackmon).

**PLEASE READ THESE 3 THINGS BEFORE CONTINUING**

1) For argument’s sake, I’ve left out what I call the “elite 6”: Luck, RG3, Richardson, Kalil, Claiborne, Blackmon. It’s possible Blackmon or Claiborne fall to #8, but unlikely. We can forget Richardson, who will go either #4 to the Browns or #5 to the Bucs.

2) Please don’t remind me that Quinton Coples is projected way higher than Stephen Hill, or a comment similar to this. You just have to trust me. I know where each player is projected to go. But what would be the fun in posting the consensus rankings?

3) Follow me on twitter @BrianCat13 (shameless promotion).

1) QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M (6-4, 221)
NFL Comparison: Carson Palmer, Raiders (with more mobility)
The dropoff after Tannehill demonstrates why he is worth the risk at #8. He has 3 qualities that I like in a young QB: quick release, great feet, and a strong work ethic. OC Mike Sherman’s opinion of Tannehill will go a long way as well.

2) G David DeCastro, Stanford* (6-5, 316)
NFL Comparison: Steve Hutchinson, Seahawks (2001)
I know.. I know.. you’ll stop being a Dolphins fan once and for all if Ireland drafts another lineman in the 1st round. Hear ya. Like Steve Hutchinson, DeCastro will be a Top-5 OG the minute he steps on the field and will make 6-8 Pro Bowls by the time his career is finished. Can we say the same for the 11 listed below?

3) WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech (6-4, 215)
NFL Comparison: DeMaryius Thomas, Broncos
The best kept secret in the 2012 NFL Draft and the clear #2 WR on my board. Hill caught 29 passes for 820 yards (29.3 YPC) in GT’s triple-option offense. Instead of moping, Hill improved his blocking skills and hit the home run when his number was called. People are overthinking this guy. Mike Mayock said it best: “He’s raw, but if he can come in as a rookie and catch 40 passes and 7 TD’s, he’s worth a 1st round pick based on the immediate impact alone.”

4) LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College* (6-3, 242)
NFL Comparison: Jerod Mayo, Patriots
Can you believe Mel Kiper, Mike Mayock, Todd McShay, and Gil Brandt all have Kuechly among the 10 best players in this draft? He showed everyone at the combine that he’s more than just a lunchpail player by running a 4.50/40 with 27 bench press reps at 242 pounds. The 20-year-old Kuechly, whom Mayock calls “the best coverage LB I’ve ever scouted”, would give the Dolphins 3 LB’s who can run, hit, and cover.

5) DE Fletcher Cox, Mississippi St* (6-4, 296)
NFL Comparison: Ty Warren, Broncos (in his prime)
Cox reminds me of Ty Warren in his prime and a bigger, stronger Randy Starks today. He’s ideally suited to play DT in a 4-3 or DE in a 3-4, but scheme-diverse enough to play DE if Kevin Coyle uses as a regular 4-man front. Cox could play DE on 1st and 2nd down while moving inside to DT on 3rd-and-long. Ireland would be wise to dangle Cox as trade bait if Tannehill isn’t his guy.

6) OT Riley Reiff, Iowa* (6-6, 313)
NFL Comparison: Jordan Gross, Panthers
Reiff is sliding on draft boards because he lacks elite measurables and, just like college teammate Bryan Bulaga in 2010, he’s being looked at as an OG by some teams. No LT had better game tape than Reiff in 2011—not even Matt Kalil. He should start at RT from day one. He’s too big, strong, athletic, and talented to fail at every position but Center.

7) DE Nick Perry, USC* (6-3, 271)
NFL Comparison: Will Smith, Saints
I’ve heard a lot of complimentary comparisons with Nick Perry as both a DE (Will Smith and Osi Umenyiora) and a 3-4 OLB (LaMarr Woodley). He’s growing on me as a guy who could line up Week 1 opposite Cam Wake.

8 ) S Mark Barron, Alabama* (6-1, 213)
NFL Comparison: Sean Taylor, Redskins (2005)
Barron may be the best player available at #8 if we strictly look at 3 qualities: 1) Pure Football Skills. 2) Athleticism. 3) Difference-making ability. However, I have major concerns as to whether or not Barron can stay healthy for 16 games for 10 seasons with his physical style of play.

9) WR Kendall Wright, Baylor* (5-10, 196)
NFL Comparison: Greg Jennings, Packers
Wright fits the modern mold of today’s 1100-1200 yard WR: great hands and route-running ability, and plays fastest when the ball is in the air.

10) DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois*(6-4, 261)
NFL Comparison: Trent Cole, Eagles
Mercilus led the NCAA in sacks (16) and forced fumbles (9) after having only 2 sacks in his career before the 2011 season. He’s a one-trick pony, but he’s pretty darned good at his trick. His NFL career could go one of two ways: he could emerge into a complete player like Trent Cole did when he was typecast as a one-dimensional pass-rusher coming out of Cincinnati in the 2005 draft, or prove as much like Everette Brown did when the Panthers wasted a 2nd round pick on in the 2008 draft.

11) DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina (6-3, 272)
NFL Comparison: Chris Clemons, Seahawks
How I feel about Ingram depends on which team he goes to. The Eagles at #15, for example, would be a great fit because Ingram could be used in a Von Miller-type role (LB on 1st and 2nd downs, DE on 3rd). His incredible lower body strength and spin move has drawn comparisons to Dwight Freeney, which I think it a little overblown. I question whether or not he’d be able to fire off the snap and rack up double-digit sack totals as the 4-3 DE we are looking for.

12) WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame (6-3, 220)
NFL Comparison: Marques Colston, Saints
Overrated. Highly overrated. I can’t justify taking Floyd at #8 if he can’t run away from people at the NFL level, and thus, lacks the potential to be an elite player. But if the Dolphins signed Marques Colston as a free agent, would he be our #1 WR? Absolutely.

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