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According to Armando Salguerro of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are huge fans of Luke Joeckel, who is the likely number one pick and the best prospect in this draft. Joeckel has a chance to be an elite tackle for years to come, and the Dolphins hold some influence on what the Kansas City Chiefs do there. Some people still believe that the Chiefs will pick a quarterback (most likely Geno Smith, if they go that direction) to be the guy for the future with Alex Smith as a glorified stopgap. The Chiefs are actively shopping Branden Albert, and the tackle-needy Miami Dolphins received permission from GM John Dorsey to negotiate with Albert. If the Dolphins take Albert, then the Chiefs will take Joeckel, and the Dolphins will take a CB.

Salguerro, however, adds that the Dolphins are only “lukewarm” on Lane Johnson; the third best tackle in the draft. I have a feeling they think he is too raw, a little overhyped, not worth a top ten pick, or not a good enough run blocker. Johnson looks like a very good tackle, but his draft stock may have risen too fast. If they want to trade up for a tackle, they will most likely go after the two big guns in Joeckel and Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher (more likely that they take the latter). Salguerro adds that Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland has questions about Johnson’s game”.

Xavier Rhodes, according to Salguerro, is viewed by the Dolphins as a poor fit for their defense. It sounds like they don’t want a big, press corner like Rhodes, so this adds fuel to the fire that they will trade up for a tackle. I believe in ignoring scheme fit at CB (it’s not that big of a deal at CB as opposed to other positions) if the player is that talented, but Rhodes isn’t all that talented. He’s good, don’t get me wrong, but the Dolphins shouldn’t take him at 12 if they view him as a poor scheme fit.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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Carradine has the chance to be an impact pass rusher if he clears medically, because he was just as good as more touted DE and Florida State teammate Bjoern Werner. By the way, Werner (who used to be regarded as a sure-fire top ten pick, likely in the top five) was picked just one spot ahead of Carradine to the Denver Broncos, who are also looking to add another pass rusher to the rotation.

Before tearing his ACL last season and leading to pressing draft questions now, Carradine notched 11 sacks in a terrific season with the ‘Noles. Some say he has top ten talent, and he seems like the most likely pick for the Patriots if they want to add a defensive end. If they think he is the best player available on the board, then the Pats will take him. I have a feeling the Pats will take the “best available” approach, and they seem to have more interest in a defensive end than once thought.

Howe has the Patriots passing up on Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Johnthan Banks, who would also be an excellent pick for the Patriots if they feel the need to go the CB route. Banks goes to the Atlanta Falcons in Howe’s mock, while Desmond Trufant is already off the board to the Minnesota Vikings with the 25th pick. Florida Gators star safety Matt Elam doesn’t fall into the second round, as Howe has him as the last pick in the first round going to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Miami Dolphins stick with a corner by nabbing fellow Florida State alumn Xavier Rhodes, the Buffalo Bills reach and snatch Tavon Austin in the top ten, and the New York Jets take a flier on Ezekiel Ansah, who will be visiting the Patriots.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Rhodes is a cornerback who is overrated by some and underrated by others, which shows just how contentious of a pick he is. You can say pretty much the same thing for most players in this draft, but I feel like there are a lot of differing opinions on Rhodes. He’s faster than people think, especially when you look at just how big he is. Rhodes was clocked with NFL Combine 2013 times today of 4.41 each, and that’s a nice time for a player of his size.

An excellent press-coverage CB with No. 1 corner upside, Xavier Rhodes could potentially be selected in the top 20. I think he will be taken between 20-32, but a team will likely fall in love with his ball skills and talent. Even though some said he should move to safety, Rhodes looks more like a cornerback at the pro level.

Oregon State Beavers standout Jordan Poyer met with the New England Patriots, and he was once mocked to the Pats by the main site FanSided.com. Poyer picked off seven passes, had a strong Senior Bowl, and now the former Oregon State CB outperformed Combine expectations of him by posting forty times of 4.46 and 4.50. Consider him a solid all-around prospect at the position.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.