Miami Dolphins: Grading every pick in 2020 NFL Draft
Did the Miami Dolphins set themselves up for success? Or will this be yet another forgettable draft for the franchise?
Ask any fan — the 2020 NFL Draft was arguably the most important draft in Miami Dolphins history. General manager Chris Grier and head coach Brian Flores went into the draft with 14 picks after a 2019 season saw them clean house. With a gutted roster, fans waited on pins and needles to see who the players were that could change the franchise.
Early in the offseason, the Dolphins decided to change course by hiring long-time offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. During free agency, Grier went hard on defense by bringing in a slew of players that kicked off with the blockbuster signing of Byron Jones.
With a new coordinator and fresh faces, it was clear the Dolphins had a theme. They were going to play defense and run the ball down teams’ throats. Now, they needed the draft to continue that theme.
Must Read. 2020 NFL Draft: Grades for every team. light
Despite having three picks in the first round, there wasn’t much action early on. They did trade down from No. 26 to No. 30 but that was it. They didn’t need to move up for their guy despite the rumors and having the ammunition to do so. Instead, they stayed the course, sitting at No. 5 and taking who was clearly their most targeted prospect.
Round 1, Pick 5: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Grade A
In the minds of most fans, it was Tua Tagovailoa or bust. There wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that he was the target pick from the start of the 2019 season. After winning five too many games, the rise of Joe Burrow, and a devastating hip injury made this pick both bleak, and possible. With the No. 5 pick, the Miami Dolphins did what was expected of them by taking Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa.
There are some concerns about Tagovailoa’s injury history. The Dolphins have a plan in place, they brought back Ryan Fitzpatrick to tutor the rookie as he continues to heal. In return, the Fins are getting an immensely accurate passer. There’s not a level on the field he can’t hit with pinpoint precision.
He’s an excellent mover in the pocket with good pocket awareness and escapability. By sitting a year he’s going to absorb the offense and become that much more cerebral. This was a franchise-changing pick and the Fins didn’t have to give up anything to make it happen.
2020 will be the resting year for the future franchise quarterback. The Dolphins will use this draft and the next to build a team around Tagovailoa. Once he takes the field, there’s no looking back.