Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was spotted in Miami on social media. Could he have been visiting the Miami Dolphins on Friday?
Tagovailoa is expected to be a top quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft. As the Dolphins hold the fifth overall pick, he could be in a spot to become a Dolphin. This is something that many Miami fans believe is the first step towards rebuilding the future. It is certainly hard to disagree with them.
Friday night, he posted on his Instagram story that he was in Miami. He also was able to visit with Larry “The Amigo” Milan. The latter posted it on his Instagram profile. At the very least, we have tangible proof that the star quarterback is checking out potential future surroundings. That is certainly intriguing to say the least.
What does this all mean? We can’t say for certain, but my guess is that Miami really likes what Tua brings to the table. He is the playmaker Miami has been lacking for years. They have longed for a quarterback with his arm strength and accuracy, and now it looks like he has fallen right into their laps. I would be a little worried in regards to his injury from last year. However with the fifth pick, Miami should take the best player available. He certainly fits into that category.
To me this is a sign that Tua is doing his homework. He’s doing a little pre-draft scouting if you will. Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has done plenty of scouting on his own, having watched the quarterback in several games. He was on hand to watch Tagovailoa take down Ole Miss in a seven-touchdown day. It’s no secret that the Dolphins as an organization love what the quarterback brings the table.
The fact that the former Alabama Crimson Tide star was in town Friday is certainly significant. It could be the start of a fruitful relationship between organization and player.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Tua-Hit.jpg159318Danny Jaillethttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgDanny Jaillet2020-01-11 16:43:392020-01-11 16:45:00Tua Tagovailoa takes a weekend getaway to Miami
Tua Tagovailoa is headed the to National Football League.
It was decision day for Tua Tagovailoa on Monday. Would he stay at Alabama, or declare for the NFL Draft? The good news for Miami Dolphins fans is, he is heading to the professional ranks.
Tagovailoa passed for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns and three interceptions. The three interceptions were tied for third-least in college football. The 33 touchdowns were tied for eighth-most.
For his Alabama career, Tagovailoa threw for 7,442 yards, 87 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. His best season for the Crimson Tide came in 2018. As a sophomore, he threw for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns and six interceptions. The 206.9 quarterback rating he recorded in 2019 was the best number of his Alabama career.
He had a very impressive resume while at Alabama. Winning the national championship, being named MVP of the 2018 Orange Bowl, and All-American honors were just some of the things he won in 2018 alone.
— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) January 6, 2020
Miami Dolphins were able to get successful bridge year
His decision to declare for the NFL Draft is a very interesting one as it relates to the Miami Dolphins quarterback position. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a great year for Miami, throwing for 3,529 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. If the goal was for Fitzpatrick to simply be a bridge to a future quarterback, he did a great job of holding down the fort.
The Miami Dolphins have the fifth overall pick in next year’s draft. There is speculation that Tua will be there for the Dolphins to select with the fourth overall pick. They would be wise to draft him. Even with the injury he suffered last year, he has unquestionable potential to be the quarterback of the future. He has tremendous arm strength, and the mobility needed to be a quarterback in today’s National Football League.
The motto adopted by many Miami Dolphins fans was “Tank for Tua.” At the end of the day, it appears the Miami Dolphins were able to win a bit and have their shot at the quarterback anyway. This is setting up to be a fun offseason for the Miami Dolphins. Now, the waiting game begins for the NFL Draft.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/tua.png11242000Danny Jaillethttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgDanny Jaillet2020-01-06 12:31:412020-01-07 12:14:55Tua Tagovailoa announces he will enter 2020 NFL Draft
If Chris Grier and his staff could emulate this latest 3-round mock draft from Tankathon, Dolphins fans everywhere would be over-the-moon excited!
The Miami Dolphins are now 3-10 and where they will pick in April’s draft is still very much undecided.
However, one thing we are very certain of is that the Dolphins need a complete overhaul of the roster. As of now, Miami has glaring holes at QB, RB, OL, DL, DB, SAF, and everything in between. And although mock drafts remain the flavor of the moment, very few have left fans satisfied. That is until now.
There is plenty of speculation on whether or not the Miami Dolphins will take the chance on Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. And although most of the fanbase is divided, for a team that desperately needs a quarterback the answer could not be easier.
Let’s take a look at what I believe to be one of the best three round-mock drafts in the world.
First Round
Despite his season-ending injury, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa is still at the top of many fan’s draft boards. And although he himself has said he might never be the same, the reward is far greater than the risk. And although many teams could remove him from their draft board altogether, the Dolphins have several draft picks to play with. So, as long as Miami’s doctors don’t make a similar mistake as they did in the Daunte Culpepper/Drew Brees fiasco– they should finally get their QB of the future.
With the fourth-pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select–Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Despite his gruesome hip injury, Tagovailoa remains the favorite to land in Miami. After all, his skill-set is perfect for Chad O’Shea’s offense, and many believe owner Stephen Ross and his minions have been enamored by the young QB for several years. In 2019, Tagovailoa completed 180/252 passes for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. And if you ask anyone, there was a very good chance he would’ve been one of the Heisman finalists if he never got hurt. Of course, there’s still a chance Tua decides to return to school. But after Utah State QB Jordan Love reportedly received a favorable grade from the draft committee, one would expect Tagovailoa to receive an even better one. And if he does declare, there’s a team and fanbase, in South Florida anxiously awaiting his arrival.
Fortunately, Miami made several moves at the beginning of the 2019 season that has set them up to do as they please in April’s draft. However, with each passing week, those two picks are looking a lot later than many had hoped. Both Pittsburgh and Houston are very much alive and well in the playoff picture. And if the Dolphins decide to stay put, they will currently be drafting back-to-back in round one.
There should be plenty of talent available in the latter part of the first round. In Tankathon’s latest mock draft, the Dolphins get an EDGE defender that would fit nicely in Flores defense. Yeteur Gross-Matos, the 6’5 262 lbs. pass-rusher from Penn State has been nearly unstoppable this season. And for a team that desperately needs anything resembling a pass-rush, this would be the perfect pick at #22. Next, the Dolphins get one of the best offensive linemen in the 2020 draft at #23 with Alabama’s Jedrick Willis. Willis would be the perfect tackle to help protect the blindside of Tagovailoa, his former Crimson Tide teammate.
Tagovailoa, Gross-Matos, and Willis would be an A+ first round for Chris Grier and his staff.
Second Round
There is no team in the NFL worse at running the football than the Dolphins. And although Patrick Laird is starting to emerge as a nice piece to the puzzle, they will still draft an RB in April. With the first of their second-round picks, Miami selects Georgia RB D’Andre Swift. In 2019, Swift carried the ball 195 times for 1,216 yards and 7 touchdowns. The explosive back would be the perfect thunder to Laird’s lightning.
Later in round two, Miami lands yet another premier offensive lineman in Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey. The addition of both Humphrey and Willis would not only make Tagovailoa and Swift very happy. And will help solve a problem the Dolphins have struggled to fix for years.
Third Round
Lastly, in round three Miami adds a defensive back to their secondary. Jaylon Johnson, the 6’0 shutdown CB from Utah would be the perfect addition for Josh Boyer, who has consistently got the most out of his unit. The Dolphins need more depth in the secondary and Johnson fits what Flores and his staff covet. The perfect ending, to the perfect three-round mock draft.
This will change many more times between now and April 23, 2020. With that said, how do you feel with Tankathon’s latest mock draft?
Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and all he wants for Christmas is TUA #Tankovailoa
Despite the injury to Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins still use the third-overall pick on the once-in-a-generation QB in Tankathon’s latest 3-round Mock draft.
When the season started, many believed the ultimate goal was acquiring Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. And whether or not you believe that was the plan all along, it has been a roller coaster of emotions to the say the least. After all, Miami started the season 0-7 and it seemed like a certainty they would get their guy. But then they won two straight games and the future seemed a bit more hazy. Since then, Miami has dropped two games in a row and with the rebirth of Andy Dalton in Cincinnati, 2-14 seems like a real possibility.
However, the biggest thing to happen since the last time I penned one of these articles, is the season-ending injury that Tagovailoa suffered nearly two weeks ago.
To read about the injury and my thoughts on whether or not the Dolphins should still draft Tagovailoa, click HERE
As of now, it is a bit murky on which pick Miami would have if the season ended today. Some say they would draft fourth-overall, while our good friends over at Tankathon say they will have the third-overall pick. Nevertheless, if things going according to plan, the Dolphins should be drafting top-3 in April’s draft. Which would net them LSU QB Joe Burrow, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, or Ohio State pass-rusher Chase Young.
Despite his season-ending hip injury and the concern that he may never be the same talent he once was, the Dolphins have desperately needed a quarterback for the last twenty years So, unless Cincinnati goes with the elite pass-rusher from Ohio State, that leaves only one worthy QB still on the board.
With the third-pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select–Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Hip injury and all, Tagovailoa is probably the most talented QB in the class. And if he were truly the Dolphins target all along, Miami should pull the trigger without any hesitation. In 2019, Tagovailoa completed 180/252 passes for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Truth is, he was well on his way to being a legit Heisman contender, but again, the injury. In the end, no one truly knows how Tagovailoa will heal from the injury and where he will be projected to go in 2020. Hell, he could still decide to return to school if he wanted to. But that wouldn’t be in his best interest, especially with the 2021 class loaded with QB talent. Finally, the Dolphins get ‘their guy’ in Tua Tagovailoa.
Miami has a lot of needs that should be prioritized before the team uses a first-round pick on a wide receiver. But no one can deny Tee Higgins skill-set and how it should translate to the NFL game. And with Preston Williams out for the foreseeable future. With Pittsburgh’s first-round pick, the Dolphins choose to bring in another weapon for their recently drafted QB. With one more pick in the first-round and a ton of needs, Chris Grier gets HC Brian Flores a new weapon for his defense-selecting Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis.
Second Round
At the top of the second-round, the Dolphins address one of their biggest needs on the offensive side of the football. And although there’s a very good chance a running back or two will go on day one, Miami lands arguably the best back in the class. With the 34th-pick in the 2020 draft, the Miami Dolphins select De’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia. Kalen Ballage clearly isn’t getting things done and the Dolphins would be wise not to invest a ton of money via free agency. Swift can do it all and would be a perfect fit in Chad O’Shea’s offense.
Later in round two, Miami finally addresses the offensive line selecting Iowa OT Alaric Jackson. Truth is, the Dolphins’ offensive line has been an absolute turnstile this season. And though I fully expect them to invest a lot of money on the offensive line in free agency, it would still be wise to draft some young talent to build upon. Jackson would start immediately and help both of his fellow rookies- Tagovailoa and Jackson.
Third Round
Lastly, in round three Miami does the unthinkable and take yet another offensive lineman. This time drafting TCU’s Lucas Niang. The Dolphins invested in Tua and now they are making sure to cover their investment, fixing the offensive line like many have long yearned for.
This will change many more times between now and April 23, 2020. With that said, how do you feel with Tankathon’s latest mock draft?
Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and wants Tua Tagovialoa, No Matter What! #Tankovailoa
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Dolphins-3YPC-Tank.png5791030Josh Houtzhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgJosh Houtz2019-11-27 08:30:022019-11-27 00:22:14Dolphins draft Tua Tagovailoa in latest Tankathon Mock Draft
In light of the recent devastating injury suffered by Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins fans have been forced to look elsewhere for a potential franchise quarterback. While there’s still a chance Tagovailoa will make a full recovery, it is now riskier than ever for Miami to put all their eggs in one basket. Tagovailoa may return to form, or he may never play football again. Even if he does, there’s also a chance he will never be the same player he once was. Does that mean the Dolphins shouldn’t draft him? Not necessarily. Miami has several draft picks to spare, and Tagovailoa will likely be available when the Dolphins pick now that his health is a huge question mark. Where’s the harm in drafting two quarterbacks?
However, there is another possibility. After suffering such a major injury, Tagovailoa could decide that his best option is to return to Alabama for one more year. By doing so, he can rebuild his draft stock and prove to potential suitors that he still has what it takes. But that leaves Miami without a clear cut QB selection in the 2020 draft. Who do they turn to now? Oregon’s Justin Herbert? Georgia’s Jake Fromm? Utah State’s Jordan Love?
The 2020 draft class is filled with talented quarterbacks besides Tagovailoa, and a good coaching staff has a very good chance of developing one of them into a franchise quarterback. But there’s one quarterback who has captured the attention of another legendary athlete in Miami’s history. Former Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade took to Twitter early Sunday morning to express his support for Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts.
If you’re up 28-3 against a great quarterback. You should be very afraid. @JalenHurts is the real deal. Pass up on him if you want and you will live to regret it.
There’s a certain irony to this. Back during Hurts’ junior year, he was replaced as the starter at Alabama by none other than Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts did well as his backup and the two became good friends. Hurts recently offered his thoughts on Tagovailoa’s injury.
“It hurt me to hear it. He’s a great friend of mine,” Hurts said. “I pray for him and his family. I hope everything works out for the best for him.”
That said, Hurts did want to have an opportunity to play for himself. So, for his senior year, Hurts announced he was transferring to the University of Oklahoma. Since then, Hurts has become a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, and he leads the nation in passer efficiency rating. In second place, is Tagovailoa. Hurts is breaking Baker Mayfield’s records and he’s showing amazing talent as both a runner and a passer.
However, he’s also making mistakes. His recent incredible comeback against Baylor was partly necessary because of errors he himself made. But the fact he made that spectacular comeback, bringing the Sooners back from a 28-3 deficit to win, proves his talent is there, waiting for someone to develop and utilize.
But what makes Wade, a basketball player, an authority on potential NFL quarterbacks? Frankly, not much. But there is one universal trait among all competitive sports. The untraceable concept of “it.”
Wade has “it.”
There’s a saying that game recognizes game. True, Wade likely knows next to nothing about what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. However, there’s a strong chance he can recognize that all so important “it” factor that defines Wade’s entire career in Jalen Hurts.
The kind of quarterback the Dolphins need to start their path back to greatness must possess that intangible. For Wade to endorse Jalen Hurts so emphatically means he must recognize something that makes Hurts special. True, he may not be Tagovailoa, but even Tagovailoa himself may not be that player anymore. So the next best thing may very well be Hurts. If nothing else, it should prompt Miami’s scouting department to take a very close look at him.
Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter:@LuisDSung
Terrible news out of college football Saturday as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a serious injury against Mississippi State.
Breaking News: Tua Tagovailoa is out for the season with a dislocated hip with a posterior wall fracture, a person with knowledge of the situation tells me.
Starters will typically finish the first half even in a game of this margin, Tua being on the field at that point in the game is not an unusual circumstance.
Yet reaction to how Nick Saban kept Tagovailoa in the game seems unfavorable.
This is NOT a good look for Nick Saban at all. Tua beat down, couldn’t get off the field on his own power.
Tua just returned from ankle surgery and gutted out a tough performance against Joe Burrow and LSU.
On a razor thin recovery timetable.
Hopefully this transcendent athlete can make a full recovery from this latest setback.
His injury shifts the college and NFL landscapes significantly, which seems insignificant at the moment.
Yet the business of collegiate athletics continues to profit, Nick Saban makes millions of dollars a year.
While Tua’s professional football future and the financial positioning of his early career is possibly altered.
With only a few months until the NFL Draft the injury to Tagovailoa will certainly shift speculation on his draft position.
Fans of the Miami Dolphins are certainly watching this story closely.
because even with durability issues, he’s still the most talented QB in the 2020 class IMO. no one can argue his health is a red flag and he needs to defy all odds to ever be the same. but tua tagovailoa is a special talent. this injury doesn’t change that. again, IMO https://t.co/xZCUsz25qH
Tua is the kind of player the organization has been searching for to fill the two decade void at quarterback.
Now Miami Dolphins fans must wait and hope for the best, and if Tua is who we hope him to be.
Then, perhaps this story has a triumphant turn.
All we can do now is wait.
Follow us on Twitter for more Dolphins news and updates @5ReasonsSports.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/tua.jpeg7501200David Eversolehttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgDavid Eversole2019-11-16 20:13:132019-11-16 20:13:13All Eyes of the Football World on Tua After Horrific Injury
The 2019 season isn’t easy for Dolphins fans to sit through. Every week, they go to the stadium or turn on the television and expect a loss. In fact, many are actively rooting for losses. The mindset for fans on social media is that losing every game in 2019 will ensure the number one overall pick in the 2020 draft. In other words, exclusive rights to their would-be new franchise quarterback, who many are hoping will be Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. It might also be Oregon’s Justin Herbert.
But controversy erupted on social media when the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson asked some players about the fans’ desire for the Dolphins to lose out. Naturally, no football player who actually cares about the game would purposely try to fail. The very thought has them shaking their heads. However, Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker questioned the fandom of those individuals rooting for losses, even in light of the greater good it would presumably bring.
“You’re not a real fan if you’re rooting for us to lose, no matter what [the reason] is,” Baker said. “We try to win every chance we get. If we come up short, it’s not because we come up short for the future. I’ve seen the tanking and all that. From outside looking in, you essentially think we’re just tanking. But we go out there and try to perform. If you are not performing, they get you out of here. Every guy wants to play well and ultimately stay as long as we can.”
Baker obviously tried to bring it back to the locker room with the second half of his statement. But it was too late, the damage was done. Twitter erupted with fans and analysts arguing both for and against Baker, as evidenced in this thread from Five Reasons’ own Josh Houtz.
jerome baker is 22-years old, which means many of us have been fans longer than he’s been alive. maybe he shouldn’t be the one telling us what a ‘real fan is’. just my opinion. pic.twitter.com/crp3gXYdnJ
What does it mean to be a true fan? For some, it means supporting the team no matter what. Come on Sunday and sport your team colors, rooting for a win. Support the players there now because they’re giving it their all. For many others, it means demanding excellence. Do what’s best for the team, even if it hurts. Losing now could open the door to a decade’s worth of victory. That’s worth the humiliation of 0-16, right?
Ultimately, it depends on who you ask.
Whose side are you on?
Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter:@LuisDSung
The 2019 season has been anything but entertaining for the Miami Dolphins and their loyal fanbase. Unless of course you believe in the art of tanking, in which case you are probably very supportive of Miami’s efforts this NFL season. Truth is, Miami is on pace to become the worst team in the history of the NFL. No, this is not a joke. And although we all wish and hope for a quick turanaround, a terrible 2019 season can mean only one thing. Alabama QB, Tua Tagovailoa.
Unfortunately, Miami isn’t the only team that appears to be tanking for Tua.
In fact, there are currently six teams that remain winless in 2019. Fortunately, not all of those teams are in need of a QB. Which means if the Dolphins truly covet one of this year’s franchise signal-callers, they can move up and try to acquire their ‘next Dan Marino’. Or not, the choice is theirs. But what we’re starting to realize more and more each day, is that if Miami does want to land Tagovailoa, they might need to go 0-16 to do so. This is okay with me and I’m sure a majority of fans would suffer through a historically bad season, if it meant landing the Crimson Tide QB.
But how likely is it for Miami to go 0-16? According to Sports Betting Dime, the Dolphins odds of going 0-16 are as follows:
Yes +250
No -400
Sure, the odds could change several times between now and the end of the season. But nevertheless, it’s interesting to see how Miami stacks up against the rest of the field. Furthermore, if the Dolphins truly are tanking (they are), this would be the perfect outcome. Trust me, if the Dolphins land Tua, the franchise will be winning football games quicker than you can pronounce his first name-Tuanigamanuolepola
In the end, Miami is most likely going to squeak out a win or two. Why? Because nothing good ever happens to the Dolphins. And in a year where the QB class is out of this world, and there’s a guy staring them in the face with elite intangibles, Miami will find a way to mess this up. No matter how good they look in their current state. But let’s be honest, there’s nothing fans want to hear more than these famous words…
“With the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select:”
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and has fallen in love with Tua Tagovailoa.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_0166-scaled.jpg17072560Josh Houtzhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgJosh Houtz2019-10-04 09:00:532019-10-04 14:24:34What are the odds the Dolphins go 0-16?
We are now officially three weeks into the NFL season and according to Tankathon, the #Tankovailoa race is on!
After this weeks regular season games, there are now seven teams in the NFL without a win. And although not all of those teams need a quarterback, there’s still plenty of competition for cant’-miss prospect Tua Tagovailoa. After all, Tagovailoa is highly regarded as the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck in 2012. He’s that good. However, he’s not the only QB in this year’s class that has the potential to change a NFL franchise.
You can keep track of all of this year’s QB prospects HERE
Currently, this is the way the 2020 NFL draft order looks.
The last time we did one of these, the Dolphins only had two first-round draft picks. Fortunately, Miami was able to move disgruntled DB Minkah Fitzpatrick to Pittsburgh, in exchange for what appears to be a top-10 draft pick. Yes, it is still very early in the 2019 season, but Pittsburgh is without Ben Roethlisberger and looks to be one of the more disappointing teams in the league.
But how does this mock draft favor the Dolphins?
Personally, I don’t like Georgia QB Jake Fromm and if Miami were to miss out on Tua and Herbert, the next logical choice is Utah State QB, Jordan Love.
Ohio State pass-rusher Chase Young might be the best player in the entire 2020 class. And we know just how desperate the Dolphins are to find a generational pass-rusher. Any offensive lineman in the first-round is a step in the right direction.
Most demoralizing of all of this, is that Adam Gase and the New York Jets out ‘tank’ the Dolphins – and end up with Tua Tagovailoa.
In the end, there’s plenty to like about Tankothon’s latest mock draft. Just as long as Adam Gase and his googly eyes, don’t end up with the Tua Tagovailoa.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Rowe-scaled.jpeg17072560Josh Houtzhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgJosh Houtz2019-09-25 08:00:432019-09-25 03:16:05Tankathon has Dolphins drafting twice in top-4
Laremy Tunsil seemed safe. It seemed like he was going to remain a member of the Miami Dolphins. Then the front office pulls the rug out from under everyone. The Houston Texans sent pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to the Seahawks. That should have been it. But then the Dolphins sent the Texans young star left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills. They also added a fourth round pick for 2020.
In return, Miami received a 2020 first round pick, a 2021 first round pick, a 2021 second round pick, cornerback Johnson Bademosi and offensive tackle Julién Davenport. With that, the Dolphins officially topped the massive trade that the Raiders pulled off, sending star defender Khalil Mack to the Bears last season. The compensation for the 25-year old tackle and a solid wide receiver is huge, and GM Chris Grier is undoubtedly satisfied with his work.
Full Terms: The #Texans get LT Laremy Tunsil, WR Kenny Stills and a fourth rounder. … The #Dolphins get 2 first-rounders, a second rounder, ST Johnson Bademosi and OL Julien Davenport, per me, @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero.
But this does mean that now, the offensive line is without its best player. Which means that in 2019, both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen may spend most of the season running for their lives.
The Future
As large as this trade is, it does send a message loud and clear to the fan base and the remaining players in the locker room. 2019 is not intended to win games. In spite of everything head coach Brian Flores is saying, winning is not something Miami expects to do a lot of. Not that they will ever admit it publicly. All attention now needs to be placed on the next two drafts. The Dolphins are in a prime position to earn the first overall pick and have their quarterback of choice. Then with that extra first rounder, there’s no telling what they could do.
But there’s one thing that needs to be said now. Grier has to make sure he hits on these next two drafts. Many are saying that the Dolphins are taking the path the Cleveland Browns took. That path was a long one, and even with all the picks they’ve had over the last several years, only now are they actually a good football team on paper. Most importantly, his next selected quarterback needs to be a superstar.
2019, more than ever, is going to be about development. Miami has a young core on defense. Undoubtedly, they will add more in the coming seasons. It’s the offense that needs a lot of work. Unless Michael Deiter, Shaq Calhoun and Isaiah Prince develop, the Dolphins will need to overhaul the line again. Wide receiver has Jakeem Grant and Preston Williams. There’s no telling whether Albert Wilson will return after 2020. Wide receiver will need investing. And what of Josh Rosen? Will he get a chance to prove himself? Or is this Arizona all over again and he’s merely trade fodder or backup material? 2019 may not provide the answer. 2020 might.
There might even be more draft picks coming for the rebuild, if the Dolphins trade Kiko Alonso as expected. Who knows what will come of that? All that can be done now is to monitor the situation closely.
Prepare for pain before the pleasure. Rebuilding is never a fun process, but if Miami gets it right, then the next several years after the storm could be glorious.
Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svg00Luis Sunghttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgLuis Sung2019-08-31 18:26:292019-08-31 18:36:06Dolphins send Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to Texans in massive trade
Alabama Athletics
