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Miami Dolphins: How to establish identity early in 2020 NFL Draft

By Michael Johnson

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Miami Dolphins
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

One quarter into the 2019 season and at 0-4, the Miami Dolphins clearly have their sights on the 2020 NFL Draft where they can build a new identity.

In the 2019 NFL Draft, it was the Oakland who controlled the draft with three first-round picks. Now, it’s the Miami Dolphins’ turn to control the 2020 NFL Draft. After a disappointing Ryan Tannehill era, owner Stephen Ross gave general manager Chris Grier total control to burn it down.

Burning it down to start fresh is exactly what Grier did. They traded away two former first-round picks in Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick, two players that were looked at as solid building blocks. Grier shipped Tunsil to the Texans, along with Kenny Stills, for a pair first-round picks in 2020 and 2021. For Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins received the Steelers 2020 first-round pick. It’s all been part of the process.

First-time head coach Brian Flores has an uphill battle. He’s leading a team that’s gotten off to the worst start in franchise history. The offense can’t get the ball into the end zone. In the first quarter of the 2019 season, the Fins have scored just 26 points. Over that time span, the highest rushing total for a back was 44 yards.

Defensively, they can’t stop anybody either, giving up 163 points in the same time span. The defense has allowed teams to convert on over 56 percent on third downs. They can barely get to the quarterback and, consequently, the defensive backs are suffering.

Still, the Dolphins aren’t without talent on either side of the ball. In 2019, they invested picks on their interior offensive line and traded for Josh Rosen. The former No. 10 pick could act as a bridge quarterback for the Fins while they build a team for their future quarterback.

At wide receiver, they have a talented cast of guys. Their more intriguing prospect is the 6-5, 218-pound Preston Williams. On defense, the Dolphins have their 2019 first-round pick, Christian Wilkins, playing next to Davon Godchaux at defensive tackle. At linebacker, they have Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan and their franchise corner in Xavien Howard.

Instead of following a trend, the Dolphins should look to establish an identity with their six picks in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, one that sets them apart built with size, power, tenacity and great defense. The franchise isn’t going to get fixed with a single draft class. However, the 2020 NFL Draft gives the Miami Dolphins a chance to take a major leap forward.

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