The Miami Dolphins have the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and there are many talented college quarterbacks. Brian Flores, the head coach, Chain Gailey, the offensive coordinator, and Jerry Schuplinski, the quarterback coach, will have to make a decision at the quarterback position in the draft. The Dolphins have many other needs on the team, so if they want to trade up or wait till a later round to draft a quarterback it will affect the team overall.
1. Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert played four seasons as the starting quarterback at the University of Oregon. In his four year career at Oregon, he threw 95 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 10,541 passing yards, and lead Oregon to a 12-2 record. The Dolphins need a reliable quarterback to lead them to a playoff season. First, he already has great size and a pro-ready frame to be an NFL quarterback. Second, his throwing style is balanced, quiet and repeatable. Third, Herbert has a strong arm and knows how to keep the safety planted in midfield. Scouts say that he leads by example, but is not much of a commanding presence on the field. Herbert’s comparison is Carson Wentz, which means he has good potential value in the NFL. Overall the Dolphins could draft him with the fifth pick in the draft or trade up and get a top 16 pick and draft Herbert.
2. Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa started three seasons at The University of Alabama as the starting quarterback. Tagovailoa threw 87 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 7,442 passing yards in his career at Alabama. He has been battling injuries his whole collegiate career, which scare most NFL teams because they do not want a fragile quarterback who can’t play. First, he fits the new mold of dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL, which could help the Dolphins have another run threat on the field. Second, even though he is a spectacular running quarterback he can also sit and scan the field and stay in the pocket. Third, he has the arm talent to throw any pass and is good at throwing short passes with accuracy. Tagovailoa has a 6.82 grade, which puts him as a year one starter. His comparison is Mark Brunell, who was a quarterback who had three pro-bowls with the Jaguars. Overall, it is a risk to draft Tagovailoa because of his injuries, but if he works out he could be a Pro Bowl-caliber starting quarterback.
3. Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow started two seasons for LSU and had a break out year last season. Burrow threw 60 touchdowns, six interceptions, and 5,671 passing yards. The only reason he is not number one on the list is that the Bengals will most likely pick him with the 1st overall pick of the Draft. If a team had to trade up to the number one pick in the draft they would have to offer lots of draft picks and players. First, Burrow is one of the better quarterback prospects in recent years and his football IQ is incredibly high. Second, he knows how to fake out the safety by fake glancing in their direction. Third, Burrow threw the football in impossible windows last season. The main fear for Burrow is that he did not have a good season before this, so he may be a one-hit-wonder. Burrow is graded at a 7.07 which is a pro-bowl caliber talent. He is compared to Kurt Warner who was one of the better quarterbacks of his era. Overall if the Dolphins wanted Burrow they would have to give up lots of pieces, which would not make sense at this time.
4. Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts played three seasons at Alabama until he transferred to Oklahoma for his senior season. In his senior season with Oklahoma Hurts threw 32 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and 3,851 passing yards. Hurts is also impressive rushing the ball since he ran for 1,298 yards, 20 touchdowns, and averaged 5.6 yards per rush attempt. First, he fits the build of a dual-threat quarterback in the NFL, which is the direction the NFL is turning towards. Second, he is also known as a tremendous leader on the team and is a tough and durable player. On the other hand, Hurts struggles in keeping a rhythm throwing the football because of the off-schedule throws. Second, he is not the best at staying in the pocket and needs to learn to trust the pocket more. Overall he needs to get better at throwing the football, but will most likely be a quarterback taken in day two of the NFL Draft. This could allow the Dolphins to focus on the offensive line and edge rushing on the first day of the draft.
5. Jordan Love
Jordan Love played three seasons at Utah State where he has had some alright seasons with the team. In his junior season with Utah State, he threw 20 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and 3,402 passing yards. Love is smooth in the pocket and an overall natural thrower. Second, he is a confident passer between the hashes and has some good accuracy. Third, he good arm strength where he can keep enough air under the ball with plenty of touches. On the flip side, his consistency and production took a major step back in 2019. Also, he had a six-game run with multiply interceptions and three picks sixes. Finally, Love needs to use his eyes more to hold safety longer. His grade was 6.35, which is equivalent to being a starter in two seasons. Also, his draft comparison is Blake Bortles, which is not the best comparison in the world. Overall, he is not the best option for the Dolphins this season, but if there were none of the other options on the board when they had to pick it would not be a bad option.
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