Dolphins take quarterback Tannehill in first round

Photo: Dirk Hansen, Flickr 

BY SEAN DONOVAN

For the first time since 1983 (Dan Marino), the Dolphins went quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft when they selected Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill at No. 8 overall Thursday night.

Tannehill is a converted wide receiver who has started only 20 games under center. He has career totals of 5,450 passing yards, 42 touchdowns and 21 interceptions with a 62.5 career completion percentage. In his first and only full year as the Aggies' starting signal caller in 2011, Tannehill led his team to a 6-6 regular season record and a victory over Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Tannehill's attributes, which include good arm strength, touch and footwork, fit well into the west coast offense new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin is installing. He is an intelligent, albeit inexperienced passer who can also make plays with his legs.

While most draft experts liked Tannehill's tangibles, few believed he was worth a top-10 overall pick due to lack of experience and a pedestrian record. The Dolphins are in dire need of a quarterback of the future, with only career backup Matt Moore and 34-year-old David Garrard as candidates to start in 2012. Tannehill is expected to be a developmental project early on but has plenty of upside.

The Dolphins had a distinct scouting advantage on the quarterback in new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, who was Tannehill's head coach at Texas A&M the past four years. If Sherman, who also has many years of NFL experience, believed Tannehill was worth a No. 8 overall draft pick, then Miami should feel confident about his prospects. It would be wise for the rookie to sit behind a veteran this coming season, as the Dolphins are not likely contenders and would be best served allowing Tannehill to transition to the league slowly.

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