Jake’s Take: Time for Miami to complete the process and draft Tua Tagovailoa

When the Dolphins defeated the Colts on Nov. 10, plenty were concerned that the process was off the tracks.

It was rumored that Miami had its sights on Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before the 2019 season.

Plenty changed throughout the season, except Miami’s focus on Tagovailoa. Joe Burrow became the focus of the 2020 draft class. The Dolphins fell to the fifth pick of the draft. Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending injury.

However, Miami seemed unfazed. In fact, Miami’s front office was on the sideline of Alabama’s bowl game.

In the foreground, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and CEO Tom Garfinkel.

In the background, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. pic.twitter.com/Ucjp3ncXrf

— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) January 1, 2020

I think back to the Citrus Bowl, with the Dolphins' owner, CEO and GM milling around Sark just feet away from Tua pre-game. Somebody let him know that he would be a top 10/15 pick. And probably a top 5. https://t.co/RG49cv9stR

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) January 6, 2020

Tagovailoa was rumored to return to school, but those rumors were squashed on Monday and the process was back on track.

Go get him, Dolphins pic.twitter.com/V9R0DRslaK

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) January 6, 2020

Another positive was that his hip was looking like it should heal.

One reason #Bama QB Tua Tagovailoa declared for the NFL Draft: I’m told his visit to NY to get an update on his medical situation was all positive. He has more tests at 12 and 16 weeks, but he got a solid 👍👍👍 before saying he was NFL bound.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2020

Tua says that his tests has been positive, but there's still uncertainty until the three month mark from the injury.

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) January 6, 2020

The question has changed. Instead of asking if Tua will declare, will a team leapfrog Miami to draft Tua?

Despite having Matthew Stafford, the Lions could pick him at four. Washington, at 3-13, could take Tua at three even after drafting a quarterback in the first round of last year’s draft. New Washington head coach Ron Rivera may decide that Dwayne Haskins isn’t the guy and want to move on.

On the other hand, the Giants don’t seem to be willing to move on from Daniel Jones after one season.

The Dolphins have the power to dictate the draft with six picks in the top 100 of the draft. 

Trade-up costs via the outdated NFL draft value chart.

From 5 to:

4 — 100 points (early 4th round pick)
3 — 500 points (2nd round pick, 40 overall (MIA has 39))
2 — 900 points (1st round pick, 18 overall (MIA has 18))

— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) January 6, 2020

A team may try to use Miami’s war chest of picks against them. However, the Dolphins should have no problem absorbing the hit of the jump of two-to-three picks.

Unless Patricia and Flores had a falling out, the Lions would obviously give the Dolphins final say because they can offer more than literally any other team in the NFL and the Lions would still probably end up with the player at 5 they would have taken at 3.

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) January 6, 2020

It is important to keep in mind that the Dolphins have three first-round picks, two second-round picks and a third-round pick.

That is more than enough ammunition to add four-to-five starters even while trading up. The Dolphins wanted to rebuild the franchise. It looks like they found their head coach in Brian Flores. They recently hired Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator to implement a spread offense. 

With a culture in place, 2020 could be the year that the Miami Dolphins turn the page on years of mediocracy.

Miami has the cap space, the war chest of draft capital and will now have the chance to acquire the quarterback of the future.