NFL Quarterback Power Rankings 2020: Patrick Mahomes is head of the class

There’s a good chance the Dolphins start Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1, especially if the fifth overall pick is healthy. However, with teams and players still kept at arm’s length because of the pandemic, we can’t fully say Tagovailoa is ready for game action. If there’s any doubt about his mental or physical preparation, Miami will play Ryan Fitzpatrick in their season opener.

Last season, Fitzpatrick and new head coach Brian Flores led the Dolphins to a 5-11 record. While that’s hardly a noteworthy campaign, analysts expected far worse from Miami. The team also handed losses to several playoff teams, including the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

Miami made three failed attempts to start Josh Rosen early in 2019, but Fitzpatrick took over full-time by Week 7 and led Miami for the remainder of the season. He finished the year with 3,529 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. While the journeyman quarterback had his ups and downs, he put up numbers in some of Miami’s biggest games. Fitzpatrick threw for over 300 yards in Miami’s games against Buffalo, Cincinnati, New England, and Philadelphia.

Assuming Tagovailoa remains healthy, he should start the majority of Miami’s games in 2020. I expect the team will turn to their rookie quarterback by Week 4 or 5, but Fitzpatrick deserves credit for the job he did last season. With DeVante Parker serving as his only reliable weapon, Fitzpatrick got Miami to five wins and led the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.