BY SEAN DONOVAN
Miami traded its No. 103 overall pick, a sixth-round pick (No. 196) and next year's sixth-round pick to San Francisco for the No. 97 overall pick. At No. 97, The Dolphins selected running back Lamar Miller out of the University of Miami.Miller, who turned 21-years-old Wednesday, was a second-team All-ACC selection as a sophomore in 2011. With 1,272 yards rushing last season, he became the first Hurricane to rush for 1,000 yards since former first round pick Willis McGahee in 2002. Miller is a fast, elusive runner who has burst when he hits the hole and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Though considered a second-round talent, Miller fell to the fourth, likely because he had only one season as a starter.
Miller joins Dolphins third-round choice Olivier Vernon as a pair of players who were born in Miami, played college football in Miami and will now play professionally in Miami. The Dolphins had not drafted a Hurricane since Vernon Carey in 2004, who was also born and raised in Miami.
After swapping fifth-round picks with the Titans, the Dolphins selected Oregon linebacker Josh Kaddu at No. 155 overall. Kaddu recorded 6.5 sacks as a senior in 2011 and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. His scouting report characterizes him as a raw, yet gifted athlete who will need to put on bulk and refine his craft. Kaddu's combination of size and athletic ability could give him the versatility to cover a top tight end or rush the passer on the edge.
Miami later selected Michigan State receiver B.J. Cunningham in the sixth round (No. 183) with a pick they acquired from San Diego when they traded down in the third round. Cunningham had 79 receptions for 1,306 yards and 12 touchdowns and was a second-team All-Big Ten honoree as a senior. The former Spartan is a big, well-rounded target whose physicality will help him be a factor in Joe Philbin's west coast offense.
The Dolphins used their two seventh-round picks on Texas defensive tackle Kheeston Randall (No. 215) and Nevada receiver Rishard Matthews (No. 227, acquired from the Titans). Randall is an athletic interior lineman who will fit in the 4-3 defensive scheme Miami is incorporating. Matthews, like Cunningham, is a physical possession receiver who should have an opportunity to produce in Philbin's offense.
Note: After the draft ended, teams scrambled to sign undrafted players. Among the players reportedly signing to play for the Dolphins are Arkansas State S Kelcie McCray, Notre Dame RB Jonas Gray, Oregon State LB Cam Collins, Penn State WR Derek Moye, Temple OL Derek Dennis, Purdue S Albert Evans, Missouri DL Jacquies Smith, Boise State DL Jarrell Root, and first-round pick Ryan Tannehill's former teammate, Texas A&M WR Jeff Fuller.
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