As my Stay at Home/Lockdown/House Arrest continues thanks to the coronavirus I have time to do another mock draft. I have said previously that most years, I only did one mock draft and it was the week of the actual NFL draft. This year I am pumping out mock drafts weekly to the point I have been given the nickname “Mikey Mock Drafts” by some of my friends and business associates.
With this mock draft I am throwing in a little twist and doing something different. Being the owner of this website, I get tons of feedback via social media and email every day regarding things that I may have said in an article, on twitter, or on a podcast. I would say a small vocal minority of fans when they reach out to me will tell me something along the lines of ….”Miami shouldn’t draft a quarterback at pick #5 because they have no offensive line. Fix the offensive line first then draft a quarterback.”
Every time someone tells me that I chuckle and roll my eyes. What the Dolphins (or any NFL team for that matter) can’t walk and chew gum at the same time?! They can’t add a quarterback at pick #5 and improve the offensive line in the same offseason or the same draft? Especially with 14 picks in this upcoming draft. Give me a break.
So, to appease that small portion of the fan-base and just for fun I am going to play out this scenario to see if it makes any sense at all with my mock draft below. The Dolphins stay at pick #5 and pass on quarterback.
**********************JUST TO BE CLEAR I AM NOT SAYING I AGREE WITH THIS STRATEGY, IN FACT I 100% DISAGREE WITH IT! THIS IS JUST AN EXERCISE TO SEE WHAT MIAMI’S THREE PICKS IN ROUND ONE WOULD POSSIBLY LOOK LIKE IF THEY IGNORED THE QUARTERBACK POSITION TILL LATER IN THE DRAFT OR 2021****************************
1.Cincinnati– Joe Burrow QB-LSU
2. Washington– Chase Young- Edge-Ohio St
3. Detroit— Jeffrey Okudah-CB- Ohio St
4. NY Giants– Isaiah Simmons-LB-Clemson
5. Miami–Mekhi Becton-OT-Louisville
Remember, the point of this mock draft is “WHAT IF” the Dolphins pass on quarterback at pick #5. Well, lets get the ball rolling and at pick #5 the Dolphins select Mekhi Becton the #1 offensive tackle on most teams draft boards. Becton is a monster of a man standing 6’7″ and weighing 364 lbs. Not to mention hecan play both left tackle and right tackle, but being selected this high Miami will pencil him in at left tackle. Dolphins offensive line you could say would almost be fixed landing a top left tackle like this heading into the 2020 season with Becton-Flowers-Karras-??-Davis. And for the ?? at right guard you would have an open competition of Michael Deiter and Shaq Calhoun. Or, obvioulsy Miami could look to add another offensive linemen with one of their selections in round one or two who could also be a plug-n-play day one starter. Let’s see if that happens.
6. LA Chargers– Tua Tagovaoila-QB-Alabama
7. Carolina– Derrick Brown-DT-Auburn
If you missed any shows this week check them out! We had on two South Florida Reporters who cover the Dolphins https://t.co/p3xK5PGB74
— DolphinsTalk.com (@DolphinsTalk) April 5, 2020
9. Jacksonville–Justin Herbert-QB-Oregon
10. Cleveland–Jedrick Wills-OT-Alabama
11. NY Jets–Jerry Jeudy-WR-Alabama
12. Las Vegas–Jordan Love-QB-Utah St
13. San Francisco–Henry Ruggs III-WR-Alabama
14. Tampa Bay—Andrew Thomas-OT-Georgia
15. Denver –CeeDee Lamb-WR-Oklahoma
16. Atlanta–CJ Henderson-CB-Florida
17. Dallas–Kristian Fulton-CB-LSU
18. Miami–Javon Kinlaw-DT-South Carolina
Ok, so even if Miami just wanted to wait to get a QB later in round 1 that opportunity has come and gone as both Herbert and Love have already been selected. So, Miami goes BPA (best player available) and takes Kinlaw to fill a void at defensive tackle. Miami did a lot in free agency to add defensive ends and bolster that defensive line but the center of that defensive line still needs some work. Kinlaw at 324 lbs is someone who when on his game can be a disruptor and cause havoc on opponents offensive lines. Not to mention Godchaux is a free agent at the end of the year and he may look for a big pay day and move on so Miami has to be ready for that.
19. Las Vegas–Trevon Diggs-CB-Alabama
20. Jacksonville–Justin Jefferson-WR-LSU
— DolphinsTalk.com (@DolphinsTalk) April 5, 2020
21. Philadelphia –Laviska Shenault-WR-Colorado
22. Minnesota—K’Lavon Chaisson-Edge-LSU
23. New England–Kenneth Murray-LB-Oklahoma
24. New Orleans–Xavier McKinney-S-Alabama
25. Minnesota–Denzel Mims-WR-Baylor
26. Miami—D’Andre Swift-RB-Georgia
If Miami isn’t going to take a quarterback in round 1 then they better fix that running game as they will be leaning on it heavily in 2020. Adding Becton you can say makes the offensive line formidable and average to above average, so adding a big time running back like Swift gives Miami someone who is explosive both in the running game and the passing game. I KNOW….I KNOW, many of you hate drafting a running back in round 1, feel its stupid and makes no sense as you can get quality running backs in later rounds. But, with this exercise of passing on a quarterback in round 1 Miami can’t play around and hope to find one of those running back gems in the later rounds. They need to get a big-time sure fire running back and the #1 running back on most teams draft boards.
27. Seattle–AJ Epenesa-Edge-Iowa
28. Baltimore–Patrick Queen-LB-LSU
29. Tennessee–Josh Jones-OT-Houston
30. Green Bay–Tee Higgins-WR-Clemson
31. San Francisco–AJ Terrell-CB-Clemson
32. Kansas City–J.K Dobbins-RB-Ohio St
So, that is how round 1 may play out for the Dolphins should they pass on a quarterback at pick #5. Again, I DON’T LIKE THIS SCENARIO. But I figured it would be worth to play it out and see what the team may look like after round 1.
I guess the logic would be to reach on a quarterback like Jalen Hurts, Jake Fromm, or Jacob Eason at pick #39 or #56 or trade up in round 1 to get Herbert or Love. Again, not a big fan of any of those guys in round 2 and trading up for Herbert or Love, no thanks! Plus if your idea is to go with a Hurts, Fromm, or Eason I’m not sure they are any better than what Josh Rosen is today. (Remember, the Dolphins without making a few roster moves and letting a few players go do not have the salary cap space to sign a Cam Newton or Jameis Winston and sign their rookies in the draft.)
There is something to be said to build up a roster and then as the final piece to drop in a quarterback to make the team “GO” for lake of a better word. And at times I have been in favor of that strategy for other teams. In the case of the 2020 Dolphins though it just makes no sense. The Dolphins have 14 draft picks and hold the #5 overall pick. They can (and most likely will) run this draft and get who they want. So, why kick the can down the road at quarterback any more? GO GET YOUR GUY! This is not the year to pass on a quarterback or settle/reach for some mid-round guy.
We definitely need a offensive line no doubt and a good running back everything else will fall into place
If the Phins pass on Tua, Herbert and Love…..they will ruuuuuuuuuuuue the day, man, rue the day !!
Makes no sense to wait for 2021…shixt happens. Look at injuries, other teams needs, etc, who the heck is sure of Lawrence and Fields being available NEXT YEAR ?? An improved Phins team will not lose 11-13 games and even be in position to sniff either of those guys. It happened with Lamar Jackson, Phins missed on taking him, which they certainly should have that year, and the owner wanted to take him no less.
Pass now on three possible starters in the near future (2021) and they will set the franchise back another 5 years. Come on Grier, show some ummph and guts. Fitz is on borrowed time and Rosen stinks.
What else is new ?
I understand what you’re saying…but Miami didn’t/doesn’t have the coaching system in place to utilize Lamar’s skill set. Baltimore was proactive and put in place a coaching staff to let Lamar thrive. Lamar would be a bust if Miami picked him with the o-line they had. But they should select Tua. Make him sit a year tied to Chan’s hip and be ready to push Rosen for the starting job. And when things look pedestrian with Rosen, put in Tua and let him get those reps.
They won’t because Miami going to pick Justin Herbert
They have 2 real good QBs build to protect them and they will be alot better spend your draft picks on the offense and defense
I dont think tis worth spending that high of a draft pick on an offensive lineman unless hes as bonafide future HOF because they’re not play makers. Name one 1st round offensive lineman that was a playmaker for us in the last decade? And we had a bunch.
Jake Long, Mike Pouncey ring any bells?
Honestly I can see where a few phin fans look to drafting OL over a QB. My response to that is, is believe in Coach Flores & GM Chris Grier. So far they have been going about it the right way, especially in trying to change the culture. One thing very important about changing a culture everyone (the team) believes in and finding a quintessential leader. Tua has that ability, in his approach to the game & off the field players will look up too. Hence why Fitzpatrick is a great mentor, he may not have rings but he has RESPECT amongst his teammates & around the league. With that said, Tua should be drafted & the team has the capital to get other main pieces, both on the offense & defense. Especially, if the Dolphins don’t have to move up to get Tua. Which would be ideal, because then the phins could trade up for a top OL. REMEMBER, Tua is / should red shirt behind Fitzpatrick for a year. The Dolphins have plenty of valuable picks in next year’s draft as well, where they can pick up more pieces for the OL & by this time whoever they draft this season for OL, will have built experience & Tua will haven grown as well as be healthier. The big pic is to build our franchise to be a continuous SB contender every year and bring back Lombardi home on the beach where he belongs! Trust in Flores & Grier. #heading in the right direction
I have to disagree with the argument that Rosen is washed out because he lost the competition to a NFL journeyman nicknamed “Fitzmagic”….I like Burrow but a trade for him would be a reach IMO, let’s not forget this guy lost the starting job to Dwayne Haskins…Fins should stay put at 5 and if Tua is still there fine but if not I don’t mind if the team improves a leaky Oline and maybe give Rosen a real chance. Heck, if Love is still there at 26, that’s a value pick
Mekhi???
*If* they were to take an OT first, it better not be him.
While I understand the possibility of him becoming a fine tackle, he is a HUGE project, pun intended.
I would like one JEDRICK WILLS please. And not at 5.
Tanks!
I agree with the offensive line comment. However, I would draft a franchise quarterback. In this day and age running backs are not much of a commodity.