The Miami Dolphins were aggressive in free agency and, sticking with that mentality, they make their move to take the AFC East in this 7-round mock draft.
After tearing down their roster to the studs throughout 2019, the Miami Dolphins began the 2020 offseason in free agency by making big moves to try and improve the roster in major ways. Be it handing out a monster contract to cornerback Byron Jones, landing linebacker Kyle Van Noy and guard Ereck Flowers, adding high-quality depth on the edge of the defense and even adding Jordan Howard, this team has made big strides.
But as much as they’ve improved, the 2020 NFL Draft is going to be where the Miami Dolphins make their money. Not only did their teardown earn them the No. 5 overall pick but their various trades have yielded two extra first-round picks and six total selections in the top 70. And with so much focus on the defense in free agency, you have to believe general manager Chris Grier and head coach Brian Flores will now look to aggressively improve the offense.
That, of course, starts at quarterback. While Ryan Fitzpatrick served as a good veteran stopgap, the Dolphins need a future under center. And speaking of center, the offensive line as a whole remains highly problematic and in need of addressing. The needs don’t stop there, however, but the good news is Miami is in position to make their move in the AFC East now that the division is wide-open with Tom Brady gone from New England.
Surging up the AFC East hierarchy is the goal and they accomplish that with the haul they land in this early-April 7-round 2020 mock draft.
As of late with the draft less than three weeks away, there has been growing buzz that the Miami Dolphins could prefer Justin Herbert to Tua Tagovailoa. While the gap between the two prospects is not great by any means, that would be a mistake in my opinion, especially with Tua’s clean bill of health thus far in his recovery from the hip injury that ended his college career. More importantly, the reports of preferring Herbert just feel like a smokescreen.
Therefore, Tagovailoa is the pick at No. 5 as the Dolphins don’t have to make a move up to the No. 2 or 3 pick to get the Alabama southpaw in this 7-round mock draft. And considering the success Miami found with FitzMagic last year, there’s reason to believe that Tua could very well be the missing piece to start this team’s ascent.
Tagovailoa’s biggest concern is his durability given the hip injury and several ankle injuries in his college career. However, in terms of his on-field leadership, elite accuracy, phenomenal decision-making and the ability to make throws precisely to all levels of the field, the Alabama should come to South Beach and be an immediate starter that takes the offense to even higher heights.