With the eighth pick in the 2012 Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft, the Miami Dolphins select...

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

This selection and write-up was made by gentryholdem:

While the new Dolphin's staff would probably find it hard not to take Claiborne off the board I'm going off of need and taking the edge linebacker. New Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle is said to be sticking with the 3-4 Hybrid the Dolphins have been running the past few seasons. They desperately need a right side pass rusher/run defender to complement Cameron Wake on the left and Upshaw fits that role perfectly. Stats at 6'2" 265-270 pounds with 4.75 speed you can line him up with multiple roles on the right side. He's a "short burst explosion" speed guy with excellent skills not only getting into the backfield but in his judgements for screens and draws. Also shows outstanding ability to shed blockers with his arms while finding the ball. His Alabama game tape speaks for itself.

I don't think we know for sure yet if the Dolphins are going to run a 3-4 or a 4-3, but a hybrid (as mentioned above) certainly sounds possible. I like how the Dolphins "desperately need a pass rusher to complement Cameron Wake," as if every team has a player of Wake's caliber ;) Drafting Upshaw is an aggressive move to help this defense get younger, and the pass-rushing combination could be just what the doctor ordered for when it comes to causing chaos for quarterback Tom Brady in the future.

The Carolina Panthers are on the clock next (email will be sent to nickjs21).