Tua Tagovailoa declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft is music to the Miami Dolphins ears as they lay their foundation in this 7-round mock draft.
The news every Miami Dolphins fan was hoping to hear was confirmed on Monday. After deliberating following his season-ending hip injury, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced his decision to enter the 2020 NFL Draft on Monday in a press conference from Tuscaloosa.
From the moment that the Dolphins initiated their tear-down-to-rebuild strategy entering the 2019 season, which included massive trades to acquire a hefty amount of draft capital, Miami and Tagovailoa have been connected. Be it through supposition, rumors and rumblings, or something in between, Tua has always seemed destined for South Beach.
Now that Tagovailoa has officially declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, that seems likely to be the outcome with the No. 5 pick. After the Bengals likely take Joe Burrow with the top overall selection, the three teams picking ahead of the Dolphins (Redskins, Lions, Giants) aren’t seemingly in need of a quarterback.
And though someone could look to trade up, the Dolphins could block that by trading up themselves with a more enticing package given their bevy of draft picks they have at their disposal. Moreover, they are in a rebuilding situation, meaning they can let Tagovailoa’s injury heal while re-signing Ryan Fitzpatrick and letting him have one more season at the helm while the rookie gets healthy and comfortable.
The big question for the Dolphins, however, is what comes after they land Tua Tagoaviloa to be their franchise quarterback. This is currently a roster with more holes than answers, and that’s putting the situation kindly. Pick a spot and they likely need some help there moving forward. Thus, it’s a good thing they can bring in 12 players in the 2020 NFL Draft, including six in the top 100 picks.
So who will they bring in and what positions will they look to address early? Let’s figure that out as we dive into a 7-round mock draft for the Miami Dolphins now that Tua Tagovailoa is officially on the table. (Note: This mock draft was compiled using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine.)