Miami Dolphins 2020 Position Preview: Quarterback

The Miami Dolphins have, arguably, the deepest depth at the quarterback position in the NFL. On the roster, they have three potential starters in Tua Tagovailoa, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Josh Rosen. Here is a preview of the 2020 quarterback room heading into training camp and preseason. 

The Starter: Ryan Fitzpatrick

Currently, heading into the 2020-21 NFL season, Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback for the team. Fitzpatrick is the definition of a journeyman quarterback in the NFL. The Dolphins are his 8th team in his NFL career. Fitzpatrick is going to be a filler quarterback on the roster until they feel Tua Tagovailoa is ready and safe to be the starter. Even though Fitzpatrick is going to be 38 years old next season, he still has some energy inside of him. In 2019, Fitzpatrick threw 20 touchdowns, 13 interceptions for 3,529 passing yards. He even finished the year 6 – 10 with the Dolphins, even though they were predicted to not win more than one or two games. Overall, Fitzpatrick has stated that he will compete for the starting job, but he is also Tagovailoa’s biggest cheerleader. 

The Future: Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins drafted Alabama star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Tagovailoa was projected to be the first overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft until he had a major injury. His draft stock began to lower in the NFL draft, at the same time, LSU prodigy, Joe Burrow’s began to rise. On the Dolphins, it is doubtful that Tagovailoa will start at the beginning of the season this year, but he is the future of the Dolphins organization. He is, by far, the most talented rookie quarterback the Dolphins have drafted in recent years. In 2018, Tagovailoa’s last full season, he threw 3,966 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Overall, Tagovailoa will sit out for a bit of the season, as the offensive line grows safer for Tagovailoa to start. 

The Quarterback Bust: Josh Rosen

Josh Rosen was selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He was an utter failure for the Cardinals, so they traded him to the Dolphins. Rosen started three games for the Dolphins last season, which he finished his season record 0 – 3. In his three games, Rosen threw 567 passing yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. He was benched by Ryan Fitzpatrick after three straight losses with the Dolphins. Overall, Rosen has virtually no chance at the starting job and could possibly be traded. 

The Cut: Jake Rudock

Jake Rudock was drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. After, being a backup quarterback for Matthew Stafford for a couple of seasons, he was signed by the Dolphins. Rudock only played a game with the Lions, where he threw 24 passing yards, one interception, and no touchdowns. Before the beginning of the season, the Dolphins will most likely cut Rudock from the roster completely, or possibly keep him as a third-string quarterback. Overall, Rudock will have to prove to the coaches he deserves to stay on the roster if he wants any chance of staying with the organization. 

Overall Quarterback Preview

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tua Tagovailoa will, most likely, split the season, which Fitzpatrick will start the beginning of the season, and Tagovailoa will finish. Josh Rosen is likely to get traded to a team that is in need of a young, quarterback, or be cut from the team. Rudock will, most likely, get cut from the team before the beginning of the season and potentially get signed as a backup quarterback. Overall, the quarterback room is going to be one of the strongest and most competitive quarterback rooms in Dolphin’s history.