The college football season is officially over and it’s time to shift the focus toward the offseason and the NFL draft.

With the No. 8 overall pick this year, the Miami Dolphins have their highest selection since 2012. It’s very important the team gets this pick right under first-year head coach Adam Gase and rookie general manager Chris Grier.

Therefore, it’s not too early to begin mock draft season. Here are my top four options for Miami at No. 8.

Florida's Vernon Hargreaves III is arguably the best cover corner in the draft. Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

No. 1: CB Vernon Hargreaves

School: Florida

2015 stats: 33 tackles, four interceptions

Analysis: Hargreaves is my early leader in the clubhouse. He is the best cover corner in this draft, which is an area where the Dolphins struggled last year. Don’t be fooled by the final statistics. Many quarterbacks avoided throwing at Hargreaves last season, which is why he didn’t put up bigger numbers. Size (5-11, 192 pounds) is the only question with Hargreaves, but he makes up for it with pure athleticism and very good ball skills.

No. 2: OT Ronnie Stanley

School: Notre Dame

2015 stats: 13 starts

Analysis: How many years will the Dolphins go without adequate pass protection for quarterback Ryan Tannehill? He was sacked another 45 times last season. That brings the total up to 184 sacks taken in his four-year career. Miami has a chance to fix that problem with a top-10 pick. Stanley has the size and athleticism to project as a future left tackle and could give the Dolphins immediate options next season. They can play Stanley at right tackle in 2016, an easier position, until he’s ready to replace veteran left tackle Branden Albert down the road. This also allows Miami to move current right tackle Ja'Wuan James inside and help Miami’s struggling guard position. That fixes two problems for the price of one.

No. 3: OT Laremy Tunsil

School: Ole Miss

2015 stats: Five starts

Analysis: Tunsil, a Florida native, is another stud offensive tackle who projects on the left side long term. I actually like Tunsil a little more than Stanley as a player. But Tunsil has had some leg injuries and also was suspended seven games by the NCAA, which are red flags -- especially for a team picking at No. 8. But if everything checks out fine, Tunsil definitely can help Miami’s offensive line fix its pass protection issues. He has good technique, was dominant against top SEC competition and is NFL-ready.

No. 4: QB Jared Goff

School: University of California

2015 stats: 4,719 yards, 43 touchdowns, 13 interceptions

Analysis: This is a major wild card for the Dolphins, but it’s something they must be prepared for. Five of the seven teams ahead of Miami -- Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars -- have their quarterbacks in place and likely will not take that position. What if a top quarterback prospect like Goff falls in Miami’s lap at No. 8? It’s not often that the Dolphins are in position to draft a potential franchise quarterback. Yes, they are financially committed to Tannehill, 27, for the next year or two. But I wouldn’t be against drafting a quarterback with a high ceiling to be groomed for the future in the event Tannehill doesn’t get much better.

Agree or disagree with this early list of prospects?

I will be in Mobile, Alabama, in two weeks to scout the Senior Bowl and will provide my next mock draft for the Dolphins in early February.