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This time last year, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was considered a project and an afterthought.

Few inside or outside the Dolphins’ organization expected Tannehill to be ready to start in Week 1 of 2012. Tannehill only had 20 career starts in college after spending much of his time at wide receiver. Tannehill also had the challenge of beating out veteran quarterbacks Matt Moore and David Garrard in training camp while learning the speed of the NFL game.

But all of that is in the past one year later. Tannehill did win Miami’s starting job in Week 1 and adjusted to the NFL's speed. He started all 16 games and led Miami to an unexpected 7-9 record. Now, Tannehil begins the 2013 offseason workouts as the unquestioned No. 1 quarterback.

“Last year at this time my head was spinning. I was just trying to figure out how things worked,” Tannehill said Tuesday. “I didn’t really know how the day went, how the offseason went, how practices went. So being in it a year, I am completely comfortable. Now I can go out and focus on all the little things that go into the game.”

Tannehill was in total command of Miami's offense during this week’s start of organized team activities. The Tuesday portion was open to the media, and Tannehill made several long completions to receivers Brian Hartline, Mike Wallace and Armon Binns. Tannehill also made the routine throws underneath to tight end Dustin Keller and others. The second-year quarterback was quick with his reads and knew where to go with the football.

It was clear that Tannehill put in the offseason work. If Tannehill can make significant strides in Year 2, that could put the Dolphins in position to make a playoff push this year.

“I guess one way to describe him is he’s a gym rat. He loves football; he’s been here an awful lot,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin explained. “He's been working out with the guys on their own, nothing orchestrated by us, well before the offseason program began. Those are all good indicators that somebody wants to be good. That’s kind of step one.

“If you don’t have players that want to be great, it’s hard for them to keep climbing and keep accelerating their development. That’s point number one that we’re excited about.”

DAVIE, Fla. -- The new-look Miami Dolphins held their first practice of organized team activities on Tuesday. The AFC East blog was there to take in all the action.

Here are some notes and observations:

• One very good sign for Miami is new cornerback Brent Grimes looked solid in practice. Grimes showed flashes of why he made the Pro Bowl two years ago by staying around the football and batting down several passes. Coming off season-ending Achilles surgery, Grimes looked healthy and fluid. He worked with the first-team defense most of the day along with veteran cornerback Richard Marshall, who is also coming off a back injury. “It looks like they’ve been moving well,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said of his two corners. “They feel good physically and I’m excited about watching the tape and getting to look at it.” Philbin also described the cornerback competition as “real wide open.”
• Two additional players who I thought had a good practice today were tight end Dustin Keller and backup receiver Armon Binns. Keller, a free-agent pickup from the Jets, got open several times in team drills and had good separation over the middle. Binns made several nice catches, including one play where Binns ran past Grimes for a deep touchdown pass.
• Dolphins second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill also was sharp on Tuesday. He had several big throws to Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace and also made routine plays underneath. It’s early, but I’m seeing a difference in the command of the offense and the speed of Tannehill’s progressions. He knows where to go with the football. At least two times in team drills, Tannehill’s reads weren’t open and he quickly threw the ball away. Last year he may have thrown an interception in that scenario. Keller was impressed with Tannehill’s first practice. “You would think a guy who used to play wide receiver, the best thing he does is run the ball,” Keller said. “But he puts the ball right on the money and he’s a good decision-maker, as well.”
• Dolphins starting left tackle Jonathan Martin is noticeably bigger. His arms are better defined and his shoulders are broader than last season. It's clear that Martin has been attacking the weight room. Strength was one of his biggest weaknesses last year. Martin was pushed around too often and needs to do a better job holding the point of attack while protecting Tannehill's blind side.
• As expected, Dolphins starting safety Reshad Jones showed up for practice. He initially considered not showing because he’s in the final year of his rookie contract and wants a long-term extension. Jones said he’s keeping the focus on football and plans to attend OTAs for the remainder of the week. Miami defensive tackle Randy Starks was a no-show, displeased after getting a franchise tag instead of a multi-year contract.
• With Starks out, the Dolphins moved Jared Odrick from defensive end to defensive tackle on the first team. Olivier Vernon worked with the first team at defensive end. All of this is subject to change on Starks' return. Miami first-round pick Dion Jordan will also push Odrick for the starting job at defensive end. “This is a time to experiment,” Philbin said of Odrick. “It’s a time to look at guys in different spots and different groups.”
• In a bit of a surprise, Hartline is getting a look at punt returner this spring. The job is vacant after last year’s punt returners -- Davone Bess and Reggie Bush -- are no longer with Miami. Hartline never returned a punt in four seasons in the NFL and will be competing with Marcus Thigpen. “Possibly, but in what situations, I couldn’t tell you,” Hartline said of potentially returning kicks. “But they [coaching staff] made a point to tell me to go and catch punts every day.”

 
Miami Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace said this week that his new quarterback -- Ryan Tannehill -- can be just as good as his old quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger.

That is a lofty comparison of a second-year player to a two-time Super Bowl champion. But if anyone would know, it’s Wallace. He spent four years with Roethlisberger and worked out with Tannehill extensively this offseason.

"Ryan can really fling it," Wallace said, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I think from a deep ball perspective Ryan may be able to throw the ball a little bit farther than Ben. Obviously, Ben is more experienced in a game-time situation, but the way it's going it won't take long for him to be one of the great quarterbacks at all."

Wallace’s comments takes me back to a recent conversation I had with an NFL scout on Tannehill’s ceiling. You can read the full scouting report here on the AFC East youth movement involving Tannehill, New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith and EJ Manuel of the Buffalo Bills. The one thing that stood out most is the scout’s projection that Tannehill could be a “top-15 quarterback.”

“Making the throws isn’t an issue for him. The major thing is improving the accuracy, and I think he will going forward,” the scout said. “I think he can be a top-15 quarterback, I would say. But how much time is he willing to put into learning defenses and knowing what he sees when he gets under center? It’s all about work ethic at this point in his second season. With all that said, Tannehill can definitely be successful, no question. With Miami adding all these pieces, I don’t see anything stopping him from being successful except himself.”

A top-15 quarterback is good but not great. If Tannehill can eventually climb into the top 10 -- which is where Roethlisberger is -- then Miami could be a perennial playoff contender.

Tannehill has all the tools. But as the scout mentioned, it’s going to come down to his ability to study defenses and make better decisions. Tannehill had more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (12) as a rookie last season.

The addition of Wallace will certainly help Tannehill. The Tannehill-to-Wallace combination should make Miami’s offense much more dangerous and dynamic. Tannehill proved last year that he can make all the throws needed to be a successful NFL quarterback. Wallace is arguably the best deep threat in the NFL and one of the fastest players in the league.

Wallace added that Tannehill’s arm is stronger than Roethlisberger's. That could equal plenty of big plays this season in Miami.

Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo explained his release from the Atlanta Falcons as "sudden" and "unexpected." But Clabo explained in a conference call why he feels he landed on his feet quite well by signing with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

“When I was released and became a free agent, one of the things we wanted to find out was who had interest,” Clabo explained. “What teams do I think have use [for a right tackle] and on the move upward in the league? Miami was right there.”

Clabo, 31, is projected to start at right tackle for Miami after signing a one-year contract. Clabo started at right tackle for a majority of his career. He also played right guard in Atlanta in 2006. Miami’s in-house candidate, Jonathan Martin, is now the likely starter at left tackle.

Like many of Miami’s free-agent acquisitions, Clabo cited the potential of Dolphins second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill as one of the key reasons why he joined the team. Clabo grew with 2008 first-round quarterback Matt Ryan in Atlanta to become a perennial playoff contender and aims for similar results in Miami.

The Dolphins, my sleeper pick in 2013, look solid on paper and will try to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season.

“We made some big moves in the offseason in free agency, and the draft look like it went really well,” Clabo said of the Dolphins. “With the young QB with a lot of upside, I feel like we can make some noise.”

The Miami Dolphins' search for a starting offensive tackle continues. Free-agent left tackle and former University of Miami star Bryant McKinnie agreed to a two-year contract with the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, the team announced.

McKinnie reportedly received significant interest from the Dolphins, Ravens and San Diego Chargers in free agency. But McKinnie opted to return to Baltimore, where he spent the past two seasons and won a Super Bowl.

The Dolphins have not filled their left tackle position since four-time Pro Bowler Jake Long signed with the St. Louis Rams in free agency. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is entering his second season, and pass blocking will be key to his development.

With McKinnie gone, Miami’s free-agent options continue to dwindle. The Dolphins also recently met with veteran free-agent tackles Eric Winston, Winston Justice and Tyson Clabo this offseason.

The 2013 offseason is just about over with the NFL draft complete and free agency reaching a slow crawl.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at whose stock is rising and falling in the AFC East.

Falling

1. Tim Tebow, free-agent quarterback: Things are not looking good for Tebow’s NFL future. The popular backup quarterback was released by the New York Jets this week, and it’s questionable when he will get his next chance. Tebow didn’t get any trade interest with the Jets, and now we’re about to see if a team wants to sign him. Tebow simply isn’t a franchise quarterback and the distraction he brings is bigger than his talent. The CFL and Indoor Football League are both clamoring for Tebow, but he will most likely wait for his next shot in the NFL. But now there is talk that Tebow wouldn’t cut it in the CFL, either. Ouch!

2. Miami Dolphins’ left tackle: The Dolphins on paper had another solid draft, which we will get to later. But they failed to fill their biggest need at left tackle. The Dolphins explored both free agency and the draft and came up empty handed. Second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill has a lot of new toys at wide receiver and tight end, but he lost his blind-side protector when four-time Pro Bowler Jake Long signed with the St. Louis Rams. Talks with the Kansas City Chiefs for Branden Albert fell through, and now Miami is exploring options such as Bryant McKinnie, Eric Winston and Winston Justice. If the Dolphins can’t land a veteran, they will probably have to turn to 2012 second-round pick Jonathan Martin to play left tackle, which is a risky move.

3. Mark Sanchez, Jets quarterback: Despite a career-worst year in 2012, there was some optimism for New York’s incumbent starting quarterback. Sanchez has a new offensive coordinator under Marty Mornhinweg, 35-year old David Garrard was his biggest challenge and everyone knew Tebow was on his way out. But a lot of that optimism for Sanchez changed when the Jets drafted highly-touted quarterback Geno Smith in the second round. Smith is clearly the quarterback of the future, and he maybe the present if Sanchez struggles. Many believe Smith is the top quarterback in this draft. Fans will be clamoring for the rookie if the Jets lose a game or two early.

Rising

1. Dolphins’ pass rush: The Dolphins were looking for a defensive end to pair opposite Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, and they certainly found one in the draft. Miami traded up to No. 3 to take former Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan. He was the highest-rated defensive player in the draft and a tremendous athlete. Jordan first must learn to fit in Miami’s 4-3 defense. But once that happens, Jordan and Wake could provide headaches for opposing AFC East quarterbacks.

2. Buffalo Bills’ passing game: Despite the conventional train of thought that Buffalo could've drafted EJ Manuel in the second round, NFL people I’ve talked to this week understand why the Bills fell in love with the former Florida State quarterback. Manuel has a lot of things you look for in a quarterback and could pan out just fine if he’s coached well and puts it all together at the next level. Buffalo also improved its receiver position with the additions of rookies Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin and Da’rick Rogers. All three rookies are talented and have a chance to make an impact with a group that already includes 1,000-yard receiver Steve Johnson.

3. Aaron Dobson, New England Patriots receiver: Dobson came from a small school but landed in the perfect place. Dobson, unlike most receivers drafted, gets to play with Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Dobson has very good speed and athleticism, which is why New England made him a second-round pick. Dobson also has a chance to make an immediate impact with the Patriots doing a complete makeover at the receiver position. Dobson will compete with Donald Jones and Michael Jenkins for a starting job with the Patriots. That’s a long way from Marshall.

The first domino dropped one year ago.

Following the hiring of head coach Joe Philbin, the Miami Dolphins wanted a fresh start at quarterback and drafted Ryan Tannehill with No. 8 overall pick. Tannehill quickly developed, had a respectable rookie season and went 7-9 as a starter.

A year later, both the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets followed suit by drafting highly touted quarterbacks. The Bills took former Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round, and the Jets drafted Geno Smith of West Virginia with the seventh selection of the second round, No. 39 overall. The Dolphins, Bills and Jets are all chasing the New England Patriots and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady in the AFC East.

Will the quarterback youth movement work in the division? The AFC East blog talked to an NFL scout this week to get his perspective on each quarterback's strengths, weaknesses and long-term chances for success.

Geno Smith, Jets

NFL scout: "I met him at the combine and he had a real good demeanor. I don't know him under pressure, but he seems like the kind of guy teammates can buy into. He can get streaky. I've watched him in games where you feel no ball is going to hit the ground. Other games I've watched and he missed easy throws by two yards, and you’re like, ‘You’ve got to make that throw.’ The good NFL quarterbacks can get to their second and third options, and Geno has some learning to do with that. But that can come with experience. I think he has upside. But sometimes he came off as a system quarterback where he has predetermined throws. You can do that only to a certain extent in the NFL. If he comes out early and has success, teams will start taking away his strengths and make him play to a weakness. That's where he has to develop. But the ability is there. The accuracy issue he sometimes has is a concern, because some of those incompletions in college are picks in the NFL. He’s not going to play any D-II schools in the NFL. You’re playing the best of the best every week. Even teams that are 2-14 have [athletes] out there. In this league, he’s going to have to be conscientious every play. He needs to be mentally alert."

Analysis: Several interesting things stand out about this scouting report on Smith. First, the scout liked Smith’s demeanor, which was a subject for debate for weeks leading up to the draft. Second, it’s obvious that Smith must shed his reputation as a system quarterback. Smith played in a unique system at West Virginia that included a lot of quick passes and easy reads, which is not the norm in the NFL. Smith also had quality weapons. His two starting receivers – Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey – were drafted in the first and third rounds, respectively, by the St. Louis Rams. You wonder if those players boosted Smith's stock or vice versa. In the eyes of this NFL scout, Smith has potential but needs to refine his game in several key areas.

EJ Manuel, Bills

NFL scout: "When you stand next to him, he's a big man. He’s a physically imposing figure for the quarterback position. He can make plays with his legs, but Manuel really is a passer first. While he made throws at all three levels, he would also miss throws he shouldn’t miss. That’s a concern with him. But the guy completed 68 percent of his passes – that’s pretty good. He’s just going to have some yips where you say ‘What was that?’ I compare him to Jason Campbell, but Manuel can do more as a runner. I think the kid can be an efficient passer and manage the game. He can do the read-option. He’s tough and played with pain. He’s not just a good character guy; he’s a sterling character guy. So I can’t say I’m surprised that Buffalo really likes him -- Manuel has some tools to work with. In the Florida game, he turned it over. That game he didn’t play well, but I don’t have concerns about him in big games. A lot of times he’s going to put your team in position to win. He can compete from Day 1, and I think he’s a possibility to be a Day 1 starter. I wouldn’t be surprised at all. But they got good competition in that way. So if he’s not ready, that’s fine. They’re in a good position where they can develop him. If you look at Buffalo, they’re making their team in the mold of the [Pittsburgh] Steelers. They have running backs, a 3-4 defense and now they have their big quarterback. I like what they’re building."

Analysis: The Manuel pick at No. 16 received a lot of criticism in the media. But the pick was not as much of a surprise for this NFL scout, who was complimentary of Manuel. In fact, the scout said he personally graded Manuel as the highest-rated quarterback this year, followed by Smith and Mike Glennon of NC State. It turned out that was the order of quarterbacks taken off the board. Glennon went in the third round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Campbell comparison is interesting. Campbell has lasted eight years (and counting) in the NFL after being drafted No. 25 overall in 2005, but he never developed into a franchise quarterback. Manuel has more athleticism and a higher ceiling. Character also is important in a quarterback, and Manuel checked out extremely well from this scout's perspective.

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins

NFL scout: "The thing you like about him is he’s big, can make all the throws you want and he has mobility. The biggest thing for him is getting acclimated to the NFL game. As a rookie quarterback, I would say he was above average. Making the throws isn’t an issue for him. The major thing is improving the accuracy, and I think he will going forward. I think he can be a top-15 quarterback, I would say. But how much time is he willing to put into learning defenses and knowing what he sees when he gets under center? It’s all about work ethic at this point in his second season. With all that said, Tannehill can definitely be successful, no question. With Miami adding all these pieces, I don’t see anything stopping him from being successful except himself. The thing is he’s got to be accurate, and he has to make good decisions. That’s the two things I look for as a scout. When you look at his stats, it didn’t really reflect what I saw from him on Sundays. The guy can play, and his ability to be efficient within the scheme is there. I don’t see any impediments to his success. Mike Sherman had success with Brett Favre in Green Bay and Joe Philbin with Aaron Rodgers. These things are very important. Those two know how to make things comfortable for a quarterback. Everybody there is behind the quarterback to be successful, and I think he can."

Analysis: Of the three young quarterbacks, the scout said Tannehill has the most potential to be a franchise building block. But Tannehill has a one-year head start in the NFL and played well most weeks last season. That has a lot to do with it. I saw a lot of the same things with Tannehill last season. He has good arm strength, and he also possesses mobility as a former college receiver. The Dolphins added some read-option plays for Tannehill late in the season. The scout brought up a very good point about Tannehill being coached by Sherman and Philbin. Both have been around future Hall of Famers and know what a franchise quarterback looks like. Tannehill is in a fortunate spot to learn from both coaches. Miami also proved it is behind Tannehill 100 percent by boosting his supporting cast. The Dolphins were aggressive in free agency and signed receivers Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson and tight end Dustin Keller.

From this scout’s perspective, all three quarterbacks have potential for promising futures. That is good news if you're a fan of the AFC East. Brady is signed with the Patriots through the 2017 season. Therefore, the young upstarts in the division will compete against Brady for the foreseeable future.

Brady can't dominate the division forever. Several years down the line, one of these three players could take over as the top quarterback in the AFC East.

Don't waste any time, New York Jets.

Start the Geno Smith era with Gang Green right now!

Do not wait until 2014. Do not even wait until Week 8 of the 2013 regular season. For the long-term betterment of the Jets organization, Smith should be the starter in Week 1 and New York should never look back.

Why wait?

What is the point in the Jets going another year with embattled quarterback Mark Sanchez? He represents New York's ugly past and is on borrowed time. The only reason he's on the roster in the first place is his guaranteed, $8.25 million salary this season. New York should make Sanchez an expensive backup and keep it moving. Releasing Sanchez is another option, although chances are slim because it would cost the Jets a $12.35 million cap hit this year and a $4.8 million cap hit next year.

But starting Sanchez should be out of the question. We already know there the Sanchez train is going -- and it’s not anywhere good. It would be bad for the Jets, bad for the fans and even bad for Sanchez, who is clearly regressing and needs a fresh start in 2014. One bad game with the Jets and New York fans will be ready to turn on Sanchez again and the entire team. Remember "Tebow-mania" last year? Think "Geno-mania" with Jets fans if New York doesn't learn from this mistake. The young, rebuilding Jets would be doing themselves a favor to avoid this scenario.

Smith represents a much brighter future and a new era in New York. He is the first quarterback pick for first-year general manager John Idzik. The Jets showed this offseason they are forward-thinking and not dwelling on the past. Look no further than New York's shrewd move to trade star cornerback Darrelle Revis -- its most talented player -- and draft Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner. If the Jets can quickly move on from “Revis Island,” they certainly can move on from “The Sanchize.”

The Jets are not going to the playoffs with or without Sanchez under center. Their biggest goal for 2013 should be developing their young quarterback for the future. That would be taking a page out of the Miami Dolphins’ playbook of last season with Ryan Tannehill. A year later, Miami is the biggest threat to the New England Patriots atop the AFC East. The Jets can do the same if they play their cards right and properly develop Smith, who wants to play immediately.

“I love to compete,” Smith said during a conference call with the New York media. “Mark is a guy who I watched at USC, watched him in the NFL, and I think highly of him. … [But] I’m coming in as a rookie and I’m going to compete and I’m also going to accept my role whatever it is.”

Sanchez has received more chances than any quarterback in the past four years. Sanchez was expected to compete with 35-year-old David Garrard, who hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass in two years. The Jets, for the fifth consecutive season, were virtually handing the job Sanchez again. But things changed when New York turned in its card Friday with the 39th overall pick. Smith essentially fell into the Jets’ lap in the second round after New York reportedly considered him with the No. 13 pick in the first round. The Jets also tried to trade up to start the second round but couldn't. Everything worked out for the best.

Smith was the second quarterback taken, but nearly everyone -- sorry, Buffalo and EJ Manuel -- rated him as the best quarterback in this draft. Smith certainly has the fewest flaws and appears NFL-ready. It also doesn’t hurt that Smith is coming to New York with a chip on his shoulder after all of teams with one of the 32 first-round picks passed him in the first round. Six more passed on Smith again in the second round before the Jets ended his rough draft outing.

There are some questions with Smith that the Jets must work through. For example, he might have some composure and maturity issues, which he showed during the draft by storming out of the green room Thursday after being bypassed in the first round, then guaranteeing that the Jets will make the playoffs Friday during an interview with the NFL Network. But Smith is young, and, with the proper guidance, he can be taught how to handle things better at the next level.

But what can't be taught is the physical tools and natural ability Smith brings to the table. Smith has a good arm, good mobility, is very competitive and fits in new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's West Coast scheme. That should be enough for the Jets to turn the page immediately.

“I’m excited to be a Jet,” Smith said. “My time has come now, so I’m going to accept it.”

Sanchez had his turn in New York and it's time to move on. Smith’s time has just begun -- and the sooner the Jets hand him the football, the better it will be for the entire organization.

The Miami Dolphins passed on a left tackle after trading up Thursday night to the No. 3 overall pick. Instead of taking former Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson, Miami selected former Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan. Miami filled a need by finding their pass-rushing threat to pair with Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake.

But the Dolphins still need a quality player to protect quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s blindside. Will the Dolphins still draft a left tackle or facilitate a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for veteran Branden Albert?

Miami still has one second-round pick and two third-round picks at its disposal Friday. There is tremendous value still available in these rounds. But many of the top offensive linemen are already off the board.

Albert is a proven commodity, but he could require a second-round pick and a large contract extension. Although a lot can change Friday, Ireland didn’t seem too optimistic after the first round.

“Well, the Kansas City deal I can say is nowhere right now and neither is the [Davone] Bess one,” Ireland said. “Information gets out, but sometimes they’re not what they appear.”

If trade talks fall through and the Dolphins plan to draft a potential starter at left tackle, they must act fast. Scouts Inc. ranks Florida State’s Menelik Watson (89), Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Terron Armstead (85) and Colorado’s David Bakhtiari (72) as the best available offensive tackles. There will be mostly projects available after the second round.

The Miami Dolphins appear one step closer to filling their vacant left tackle position. According to ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton, Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Branden Albert was given permission to visit Miami’s team facility to meet with the Dolphins and take a physical. A trade could potentially commence soon after.

Is Albert a good match for the Dolphins? Let’s examine the pros and cons.

• Pros: Albert’s skills fit in well with Miami. He’s started 71 games the past five years and is a former first-round draft pick. Reportedly, Kansas City was willing to lower its asking price to Miami’s lowest second-round pick, which is No. 54 overall. That has jumpstarted trade discussions between the two one week before the NFL draft. Albert lives in Miami and is very comfortable in the area, which is important. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill also needs a reliable, blindside protector after four-time Pro Bowler Jake Long left Miami in free agency. Kansas City is expected to take a left tackle with the No. 1 overall pick, which makes Albert dispensable. For a low second-round pick, the move makes sense from a football standpoint for the Dolphins. Albert is more proven than any left tackle Miami could get in the draft, especially in the second round.
• Cons: The Dolphins would lose more than a draft pick in a swap with Kansas City. Albert, who is currently on a one-year franchise tag, is seeking long-term security and wants a big contract extension. Miami entered the offseason with more than $40 million worth of cap room. But sizable contracts for free agents Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler and Brian Hartline lowered that number significantly. Albert would be another big contract to add to Miami’s list during this busy offseason. The Dolphins’ cap will be tied up even further for the next few years with this 2013 free-agent crop. Is it worth losing a draft pick and paying a large extension to fill the offensive tackle position? We are about to find out in the next week.

Overall, this is a tricky decision for the Dolphins. Some may feel Miami would be better off drafting a younger left tackle (Lane Johnson?) who will be more affordable. Others may opt for the sure thing in Albert, even if it impacts Miami’s salary cap for the next few years. This is one of the toughest decisions Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland will make this offseason.

The Miami Dolphins could go in several directions with the No. 12 overall pick. Miami also has 11 selections total, which affords the team the flexibility to move up if necessary. That makes the Dolphins one of the most unpredictable teams in this month's NFL draft.

Miami has needs at cornerback, offensive tackle and defensive end. That is why ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay pegged Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes for the Dolphins at No. 12.

But on a conference call with ESPN.com's Blog Network on Friday, I asked McShay about the prospects of Miami moving up to get a higher-rated player. McShay felt strongly about one position for the Dolphins.

Here was McShay's response:

"If I’m moving up, I’m moving up for a left tackle. That’s just me. Cornerbacks are one of the four key positions. But left tackle is one of the two or three in terms of positional value, in my opinion. If I just invested the No. 8 pick last year in [Ryan] Tannehill and saw the promise I saw from him this past year and lose a Jake Long. ... I don't know. I would be sick to my stomach going into a season with Jonathan Martin as my left tackle if I'm trying to build around [Tannehill]. How many years have we've been looking for a quarterback for Miami? How many years? I feel like it's Groundhogs Day every single year in the draft, saying 'Well, they haven't had a quarterback since Dan Marino.' Now you've got one, so don't screw it up. To me, this is a no-brainer if you're the Dolphins. Give up the pick, move up and go get Lane Johnson, if not Eric Fisher, and lock down that spot."

I agree with McShay. Offensive tackle is the second-most important position on the field. Barring significant improvement from Martin, the Dolphins currently do not have one. This is a draft deep with quality offensive tackles, and Miami would do itself and Tannehill a huge favor by securing his blind side.

Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland has a lot to feel good about. He’s in the process of completing arguably the most successful free-agent period in team history, and there is a significant buzz in South Florida regarding its pro football team again.

Optimism is running high with the Dolphins, and Ireland is leading the charge. He has 11 draft picks at his disposal, which is tied for the third most in the NFL. Miami also is a popular sleeper pick by some, including the AFC East blog, to push for a playoff spot next season.

As surprising as it may seem, the once-embattled Ireland's stock clearly is on the rise. But his job is only half complete. In order for the Dolphins to make a complete turnaround in 2013, Ireland cannot botch the upcoming draft.

“Obviously, we like the progress,” Ireland said during his pre-draft news conference this week. “We felt like we’ve made some progress. There’s been a lot of work that went into it obviously. I’ve got a lot of people to thank.”

Things were not so rosy for Ireland one year ago. After three straight losing seasons from 2009-2011, Ireland became the second biggest villain in South Florida sports, after Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.

Last year, Dolphins fans picketed outside the team’s training facility to send a message. The “Fire-land” movement was prevalent heading into the 2012 season.

But Ireland quieted critics by nailing last year’s draft. He landed a potential franchise quarterback (Ryan Tannehill) in the first round, a starting offensive tackle (Jonathan Martin) in the second round, a pass-rusher off the bench (Olivier Vernon) in the third round and an eventual starting tailback (Lamar Miller) in the fourth round. That set the foundation for last year’s 7-9 campaign. It was Miami's fourth straight losing season, but the team finally appeared to be going in the right direction.

This is a make-or-break year for Ireland, and the general manager is doing all he can to ensure the Dolphins take the next step in 2013. That partially explains why Ireland spared no expense to land top free agents on the open market, such as receiver Mike Wallace, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, tight end Dustin Keller and cornerback Brent Grimes. Miami’s win-now approach to free agency not only reflects the team's attitude, but also Ireland's sense of job security.

Part of the turnaround is linked to the decision to hire head coach Joe Philbin. Many believed Ireland should have been fired with former coach Tony Sparano last year. However, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross trusted Ireland to find the right head coach.

The first year of Philbin and Ireland teaming up together went smoothly. The two are much more on the same page than Ireland and Sparano were.

“One of the things I liked about Joe in the interview process was that he and I see players pretty much the same,” Ireland said. “Schematically is where maybe it’s changed. Character and makeup, those things, we see very much eye-to-eye on. I’m probably a little bit more of a risk-taker than maybe Joe, but we certainly see eye-to-eye.

“We want guys that are highly competitive. We want guys that have a specific combination of intangible ingredients that form a desired football personality. That’s absolutely what we’re trying to look for.”

Ireland signed off on approximately $200 million worth of contracts to land free agents and keep in-house players such as defensive tackle Randy Starks, receiver Brian Hartline and backup quarterback Matt Moore. It’s rare for NFL teams to have immense cap room and so many draft picks in the same year. Ireland was afforded that luxury, and this offseason will be the most important of his career. What he does now will set the tone for the franchise for many years.

Free agency strengthened Miami’s roster to the point where Ireland doesn't need all 11 of his draft picks. Miami has five picks in the first three rounds, which could be valuable as trade chips with other teams.

“I’ve got enough ammunition to get to the first pick if I wanted to,” Ireland explained. “But I don’t see myself doing that personally. I don’t know. It depends on what’s there and we haven’t gone through the process of [figuring that out] and talking to other teams at this point and seeing where we would go up or back. Right now, we’re trying to get the board right and we’re kind of grinding through the process.”

Free agency is pretty much in the books, and the Dolphins certainly did well in that phase of the offseason. If Ireland finishes strong with a quality draft in two weeks, Miami will be poised to contend in the AFC East.

As optimism rises for the Dolphins, so does the perception of Ireland in South Florida. Who would have thought the general manager many Dolphins fans recently wanted fired would spearhead the team's resurgence just one year later?

I do not know why I have been so late to this particular party, but the "Madden NFL 25" cover vote is taking place on this very website, and you can go here and cast your vote for the football player you think should be on this year's cover. It's down to the final 16 -- eight current players and eight from the past -- and the only current one from our division is, unsurprisingly, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III. Having trounced Ryan Tannehill and Doug Martin in the first two rounds, RG III faces off against Baltimore running back Ray Rice in his Sweet 16 matchup. Griffin is a 1-seed, Rice a 5, and it's hard to see how even the Ravens' Super Bowl title offers him much of a chance here.

The other side of the bracket still features former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (a 5-seed whose current matchup is against top-seeded Jerry Rice) and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, a 3-seed who's got a fascinating third-round matchup against 2-seed Deion Sanders. I wonder if this one may come down to which guy is better liked as a TV analyst?

The Philadelphia Eagles had representation, but former Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham lost his first-round matchup to LaDainian Tomlinson and current Eagles running back LeSean McCoy lost in the second round to Adrian Peterson. Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant lost his second-round matchup to Ray Rice. Former Redskins running back Clinton Portis lost in the first round to Marshall Faulk on the "Old School" side of the bracket.

Anyway, go vote.

The AFC East saw several breakout players make their marks last season. Buffalo Bills tailback C.J. Spiller, New England Patriots left tackle Nate Solder, and Miami Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline are among the players who had career years in 2012.

So who are this year's under-the-radar players who could have a big season in 2013? Here are seven breakout stars to keep an eye on the AFC East:

No. 7: DeMario Davis, LB, New York Jets

2012 stats: 35 tackles

Analysis: Jets head coach Rex Ryan put a lot of pressure on Davis before his rookie season. Ryan compared Davis, a third-round pick from Arkansas State, to a young Ray Lewis, which certainly raised some eyebrows. But by the end of the season, you could see some of the things Ryan bragged about. Davis was athletic, aggressive and finished with 35 tackles. The Jets believe Davis is ready to go into his second season as a full-time starter. New York released Bart Scott this offseason, and Davis is up next. Health permitting, Davis should be able to build off his rookie season.

No. 6: Stephon Gilmore, CB, Bills

2012 stats: 61 tackles, one INT

Analysis: Gilmore was viewed as one of the safer picks in last year's NFL draft. He was considered an NFL-ready cornerback who could start in Week 1, which is why Buffalo invested its first-round pick. Gilmore suffered through rookie mistakes like most young cornerbacks, but he did start all 16 games. Expect a lot more consistency from the 22-year-old, who is already Buffalo’s best cornerback. New Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has a reputation of making cornerbacks better. He worked well with former Jets cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in New York. Pettine is excited with the opportunity to make Gilmore one of the better cornerbacks in the AFC East this year and beyond.

No. 5: Kyle Wilson, CB, Jets

2012 stats: 48 tackles, one INT

Analysis: Wilson, 25, is the oldest player in this bunch. The three-year veteran spent most of his career backing up Pro Bowl cornerbacks Cromartie and Revis. But Wilson finally got consistent playing time in the starting lineup in 2012 after the season-ending knee injury to Revis. Wilson held his own but didn’t make a lot of big plays. He had one interception and one forced fumble in 16 games. But the Jets believe Wilson is capable of taking over Revis’ spot full-time in the starting lineup. That is why New York has been in trade discussions about Revis, who will be a free agent in 2014. I expect a Revis trade to happen before the start of the season, which means Wilson must step up and be a better playmaker.

No. 4: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins

2012 stats: 51 carries, 250 yards, one TD

Analysis: Most people who do not watch the Dolphins on a regular basis aren’t familiar with Miller. He never had more than 10 carries in a game. But those who closely follow the Dolphins know Miller was dangerous nearly every time he touched the football. He led the Dolphins with a yards-per-carry average of 4.9. Miller showed good vision and burst. The Dolphins also believe Miller is a better fit for their system than former tailback Reggie Bush. That is why Miami didn’t try to keep Bush from signing with the Detroit Lions in free agency. Miller should combine with Daniel Thomas to be a formidable, young backfield. Miller’s biggest weakness is pass protection against the blitz. But with all new weapons in Miami at receiver and tight end, Miller should have some open running lanes.

No. 3: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Patriots

2012 stats: 60 tackles, four sacks

Analysis: It’s surprising how Hightower’s rookie year went virtually unnoticed. He immediately added toughness, athleticism and playmaking ability to New England’s front seven. Hightower also got better as the year went on. He started 13 games for the Patriots and had seven games with at least five tackles. Hightower was unusually steady for a rookie linebacker. He didn’t make many mental errors, and also showed a knack for blitzing, as evidenced by his four sacks. Another year under Bill Belichick’s tutelage will only make Hightower a bigger force. Playing next to linebacker Jerod Mayo and behind defensive lineman Vince Wilfork will only make Hightower a better player in Year 2.

No. 2: Chandler Jones, DE, Patriots

2012 stats: 45 tackles, six sacks

Analysis: The Patriots haven’t had a consistently dominant pass-rusher since Mike Vrable. Jones has a good chance to end that search and become a consistent, double-digit sack player for New England. Jones started fast his rookie season and registered six sacks in his first eight games. But an ankle injury caused Jones to miss two games, and he didn’t have the same burst and production when he returned. Injuries have been an issue for Jones dating to college. But if he can stay healthy for 16 games, he could have a big 2013 season for the Patriots.

No. 1: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Dolphins

2012 stats: 3,294 yards, 12 TDs, 13 INTs

Analysis: It's too early to determine whether Tannehill is a franchise quarterback. But Miami’s front office thinks Tannehill has a great shot after a strong rookie year, so the Dolphins added as many weapons as possible around him in Year 2. Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland signed dynamic former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Mike Wallace, former St. Louis Rams receiver Brandon Gibson and former New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller. The Dolphins added pass-catchers that fit Tannehill and their offensive system. Tannehill (3,294) threw for more yards last season than fellow 2012 draft picks Robert Griffin III (3,200) and Russell Wilson (3,118). Tannehill could be poised for his first 4,000-yard season, and certainly more touchdowns, with a much stronger supporting cast.

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

How does each team look at wide receiver, and what still needs to be done?

Buffalo Bills: The Bills are decent -- but not great -- at wide receiver. The biggest thing in Buffalo's favor is the team has a consistent threat in Steve Johnson. He is the only receiver currently in the AFC East with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Johnson may not be a game-breaker, but he is productive. The biggest issue for the Bills is getting someone to successfully pair with Johnson. Buffalo let go of slot receiver David Nelson and former starter Donald Jones, who signed with the Patriots. The Bills still have high hopes for 2012 third-round pick T.J. Graham, who was inconsistent as a rookie. Buffalo still needs to find a more consistent starter via the draft or free agency.

Miami Dolphins: Entering the offseason, this was Miami's biggest weakness. Several weeks later, it's one of the team's deepest areas. Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland did a solid job of landing wide receivers in free agency. First, Ireland re-signed 2012 leading receiver Brian Hartline. Then, Ireland went out and landed former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Mike Wallace and former St. Louis Rams receiver Brandon Gibson. The Dolphins are now four-deep at the position with Wallace, Hartline, Gibson and slot receiver Davone Bess. Add to the group new pass-catching tight end Dustin Keller, and you have a formidable cast of skill players around second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

New England Patriots: The Patriots lost two starting receivers from last season. They cut Brandon Lloyd and allowed Wes Welker to leave to the Denver Broncos in free agency. New England signed Danny Amendola to replace Welker in the slot, but the outside positions remain open. As we mentioned earlier, the Patriots signed Jones from Buffalo. New England also added 10-year veteran Michael Jenkins this week. But is that enough? The additions of Jones and Jenkins most likely reduces the chances of Lloyd's return to New England. The only exception would be if Lloyd got very little interest elsewhere and would be willing to re-sign with the Patriots on a team-friendly contract. New England also could take a receiver high in the NFL draft. Some of the possibilities include Keenan Allen of Cal, Baylor's Terrance Williams or Aaron Dobson of Marshall.

New York Jets: The Jets have questions at wide receiver, but the hope in New York is that answers are already on the roster. Former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes is returning from a season-ending foot injury, and the Jets are counting on Holmes to still be a No. 1 receiver. Also, 2012 second-round pick Stephen Hill has size and speed but was inconsistent as a rookie. The Jets expect Hill to make the jump in his second season. If all goes well with these two players, New York should be decent at receiver. Jeremy Kerley proved last year that he's solid. But Kerley is best in the slot. The Jets need a little luck and good health at the position to be competitive in 2013. Adding another receiver via the draft for depth purposes wouldn't be a bad idea.