Since before last season, most everyone on the twitterverse from fans to Miami media have jumped on the #tankfortua train and it seemed the Dolphins played themselves out of the Tua sweepstakes after just a couple of wins. Then Tua got hurt (out for the season) and LSU’s Joe Burrow had arguably the best season in NCAA history as a quarterback, making him the obvious choice for Cincinnati at number one overall and winning himself the Heisman. With Tua’s injury, the way the draft order fell, and Miami securing the fifth overall pick – the Dolphins seem primed to get “their guy”.
However, he has yet to declare and rumors are coming out he may return to Alabama for one more year, so who should Miami target in April’s draft if Tua returns to the Crimson Tide? Well, they have several options – one being drafting a 2nd tier quarterback this season and or going with what they have in Fitzpatrick/ Rosen and waiting till 2021 to grab Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa (if he returns), or Ohio State’s Justin Fields.
Let’s pretend they will target someone in this draft, which most likely they will. Who is available that Miami should target? Who’s fits the offense the Dolphins are trying to run with Chan Gailey as the new OC?
Justin Herbert – Oregon | Height: 6’6 Weight: 225 Ibs | 2019 Stats: 3,333 passing yards, 32 TDs, 5 INTs
Pros: Size, Rocket arm, and mobile
Cons: Inconsistent
Quick take: Once thought as the number one quarterback coming out just last year, he has all the physical tools you want in a franchise quarterback. Between the velocity of his throws, the picture-perfect deep ball, and mobility, Herbert has shown flashes of an elite prospect and could end up being the best in the class – as long as he ends up in the right situation.
Jordan Love – Utah State: | Height: 6’4 Weight: 225 Ibs | 2019 Stats: 3,085 passing yards, 17 TDs, 16 INTs
Pros: Good size, Mobile, and Strong arm.
Cons: Turnover prone
Quick Take: Love is a player who will rise up draft boards not because of his play last season but because of his potential. He has the raw talent to be a special type of quarterback similar to the likes of Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He needs to get better with his decision making and a good coaching staff focused on working with him and building around his talents could get the best out of him.
Jacob Eason – Washington: | Height: 6’6 Weight: 227 Ibs | 2019 stats: 2,922 passing yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs
Pros: Good size, Big arm, and Athletic.
Cons: Going through progressions.
Quick Take: Eason could end up being a steal for a team on draft day, he has everything you look for in a quarterback in terms of looks and physical talent. There is still work needed to be done with him but not enough to not be worth consideration.
Jalen Hurts – Oklahoma: | Height: 6’2 Weight: 218 Ibs | 2019 stats: 3,634 passing yards, 32 TDs, 7 INTs
Pros: Mobile, and Good arm.
Cons: Accuracy
Quick Take: Hurts will benefit from the successful year of mobile quarterbacks like Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen, but he is bar below those guys. He has shown flashes at Oklahoma under Lincoln Riley, completing over 70 percent of his passes. He has shown to be a high character with leadership abilities you want from your franchise quarterback, but the question is can he be a franchise quarterback? His accuracy is a concern and may need a little more time adjusting to the NFL game.
At the end of the day, Miami may just choose to go with 2019 starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and backup Josh Rosen as their quarterbacks and wait until the following year with a more elite class of quarterbacks coming out such as; Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields. and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa (if decided to return). The Dolphins have enough draft capital to build their team on both sides of the ball this year and with next years capital, move up to grab their guy.
I’m fine with Fitz at the helm until he’s no longer capable of being productive. At 37, we are seeing some great football out of Fitz. I think with this staff, Fitz improved tremendously, from a gun slinger to something special.
If Herbert or Love is there, I would take one of them, but I really dont know what role Rosen has in Miami to make a QB decision. Until we know what Rosen’s role will be, its nuts to think of another QB in 2020.
I’m for the big guys in the trenches. The question I have is, do we have a really bad OL? If so, do we pickup OL help up in FAs or the draft? If you look at help to shore up this horrible OL in FAs, than maybe you can afford to go after a QB in the draft.
Until we see what FAs we pickup in March, I think it’s premature to think of the draft. Most definitely, the FAs will determine who our draft picks will be.
For example, Miami pick up 3 seasoned Olinemen, CB and Safety in FAs, then you can say, let’s go after DL help in the Draft.
Great response and I agree wholeheartedly. I still think that Rosen is a viable option. Not a big fan of Fitz and his turnovers but he would be a good QB coach. Build the trenches is the way to go.
If I were the Dolphins, I would completely avoid this year’s crop of QB’s in the 2020 draft. I would focus on building this roster (especiallyally O-Line) and pick the quarterback of the future in the 2021 draft.
I believe the dolphins should ta a fly on Jalen Hurts. He won’t be a high draft pick and the rewards out weight the risk. We know he’s not injury prone . We know he has one of the most important qualities of any QB, leadership skills (unlike Josh Rosen who drops his head after every play and doesn’t know to motivate and galvanize a team ). Unlike all the top QB this year his only true offense weapon is CeeDee Lamb. Wether Alabama (Tua) Clemsen, LSU etc.. All these QB’s have an abundance of elite weapons at the skill positions. He makes the best of what he has and takes accountability whatever happens with his team. He knows how to win and never stop playing until the game is over. Fitzs is a below average QB but he motivates and leads, he makes the men on this team believe that they can win Flores is the leader of the field but in every sport you must have leaders on the field when times get tough. Hurts reminds me of a bigger Russel Wilson but only time will tell. I would really like to see what he could do with Parker, Williams,and Henry Rugg III if possible. We also need a good RB, Taylor looks nil ready
I agree. If Tua doesnt declare for this upcoming draft, I would not waste a pick on a mediocre quarterback this year. I am not sold on Justin Herbert and Jordan Love is a hit or HUGE HUGE miss. I would rather try and develop Josh Rosen for one more year than draft an average quarterback like Herbert or Love.
Out of curiosity, do you people believe there is a big difference between Justin Herbert and Josh Rosen? I do not. Therefore no need to waste a high pick in the draft for Herbert.
I don’t think there is much difference between Herbert and Rosen.
Stay away from Justin Herbert he a bust.
Pick a quarterback like Tua or Love this year. And one next year till we get it right. Other teams spend two first round picks (this year and next) to move up and that is no different than one this year and next (for good measure). Keep on till we get our guy with the it factor and trade the other for draft picks.
TUA TAGOVAILOA Has Declared for the NFL
Everyone Hold On To Your Seats Cause This Is
Going to Be A Hell Of A Ride!