Miami Dolphins Draft Preview: QB
By Brian Miller
Dec 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) reacts after throwing an incomplete pass against the New York Jets during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Draft will kick off in early May, the 8th to be exact. It’s about three weeks later than in previous years. The NFL feels that spreading the events out will allow them to capitalize on the lack of football during the off-season. They are right of course. Fans clamor for the draft like they do for the start of the season. This year, with the move, will be no different.
For the Miami Dolphins it’s about need and filling holes. Last year the Dolphins failed to land a quality rookie who could play the line of scrimmage on the offensive side. It hurt the team down the stretch. Among other things. The question of what the Dolphins will do is an unknown. Dennis Hickey is an unknown. Everything at this point seems to be an unknown. While we can’t point our finger on any one thing when it comes to this years draft and the Dolphins, we can at least try and surmise what we would do given the same chance Hhickey haas.
We will start with the QB position.
Rostered: Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Pat Devlin, Jodan Rodgers
The Dolphins will not be looking for a starting QB this year but that does not mean they won’t be looking to add a QB at some point in this draft. Pat Devlin and Jordan Rodgers, the brother of Aaron Rodgers will battle for the 3rd string position. That could however change to a 2nd string position if the Dolphins opt to either cut or trade Matt Moore who enters the final year of his two year extension. The Dolphins could look towards the future and draft a prospect to groom on the practice squad or compete with Devlin.
The question is what will the Dolphins do with Matt Moore? Last season in his only action, Moore looked good on one series before falling apart the next. Moore is a heady veteran but the days of him challenging in Miami for the starting job is over. Other teams may look at making a move should their starting QB go down with injury during training camp.
The obvious is the fact that Miami doesn’t need to draft a QB but some of the best QB’s in NFL history were players taken late in the draft when the team who drafted them didn’t need them. It’s something to keep an eye on come draft day…just not likely a close eye. If the Dolphins do draft a QB, it will likely be in rounds five, six, or seven.
Prediction: The Dolphins will either draft a QB in rounds six or seven or not at all. Too many other needs on the roster to spend here.