Dolphins

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Dolphins take Xavier Rhodes at No. 12

The Dolphins target Florida State's Xavier Rhodes to replace Sean Smith at cornerback in SB Nation's latest mock draft.

By Louis Bien@louisbien Mar 19, 2013, 2:27pm EDT

The Miami Dolphins lost cornerback Sean Smith to free agency, and with few capable replacements available on the open market, the 2013 NFL Draft may be perfect time for Miami to address a glaring need in the secondary. In SB Nation's latest mock draft, Matthew Fairburn projects talented Florida State cornerback Xaiver Rhodes to land with the Dolphins at No. 13 overall.

More: Xavier Rhodes scouting profile The Phinsider

According to Fairburn, the recent signing of Mike Wallace may have made the Dolphins' draft-day decision much easier.

The Dolphins just shelled out a ton of money for free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace. That doesn't rule out a wide receiver for this pick, but it certainly gives Miami some freedom to look elsewhere. Cornerback is another big hole on this roster, and Xavier Rhodes is our No. 2 cornerback. He's got the upside to be the draft's best at the position.

Rhodes is the second cornerback off Fairburn's draft board, falling six spots after Alabama's Dee Milliner. In terms of pure potential, however, Rhodes is arguably the best player at the position. At 6'2, 217 pounds, he has the size and strength to play physical at the line scrimmage, and the speed and fluidity to stick with receivers as a pure cover corner.

Rhodes may not be quick enough to stick with the most jittery of jitterbug slot receivers, but he would be very welcome in the Dolphins' secondary taking on their opponents' best outside threats.