No. 57

Pick by The Phinsider James Hardy Wide Receiver Indiana

With the 57th overall selection in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Miami Dolphins have selected Indiana wide receiver James Hardy. Matty I, head of the Dolphins community The Phinsider, made the pick and explains himself below:

After addressing the trenches with our first two picks, there were two positions along the outside that need addressing. One was cornerback, and I was very close to making Auburn's Patrick Lee the pick. But then I realized that James Hardy was still on the board at wide receiver, which is the other need I was referring to.

This team needs playmakers on offense. I like last year's #1 pick, Ted Ginn, and I'm happy with the signing of 6'5 receiver Ernest Wilford. But it's not every day that a player of Hardy's size and athleticism comes along. At 6'6, 217, Hardy is an ideal red-zone target. And his 4.51 speed was a pleasant surprise at the Combine. Cornerback was probably a bigger need for this team, but I just couldn't pass on the idea of having Hardy as one of John Beck's red-zone options, especially considering this team is lacking any real threat at tight end.

I have a feeling Beck would really love to have a target like James Hardy.

Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:

Another smart pick for Miami. This team is doing a fine job of building at key positions with great value. Hardy will likely go much higher than this on Saturday, possibly even the first round. He's a big wide receiver who will give John Beck (or whomever) a red-zone target, and should stretch the field for Ted Ginn, Jr.

Grade: A :: James Hardy Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1. LB Shawn Crable, 2. RB Jamaal Charles, 3. TE Fred Davis, 4. QB Chad Henne, 5. TE Martin Rucker

The Jacksonville Jaguars, once again represented by the fine folks at Big Cat Country, are on the clock.