Can Josh Rosen break Miami Dolphins 2nd round curse?
Miami Dolphins have wasted, wasted second round picks for years on quarterback– with the acquisition of Josh Rosen did they just waste another one?
Stop me if you have heard this before, the Miami Dolphins have traded or used a second round pick on quarterback. In case you have forgotten, let’s take you for a trip down memory lane:
2004 – Miami Traded a 2nd round pick to Philadelphia for A.J Feeley
2006 – Miami Traded a 2nd round pick to Minnesota for Daunte Culpepper
2007 – Miami drafted John Beck in the 2nd round
2008 – Miami drafted Chad Henne in the 2nd round
2009 – Miami drafted Pat White in the 2nd round
2019 – Miami traded a 2nd round pick to Arizona for Josh Rosen
For years it seemed like the Miami Dolphins front office was allergic to 2nd round picks. That they wanted to give them away, like a used piece tissue. Which could be a large reason, why the Dolphins never developed into a perennial contender, as team that doesn’t value draft picks are the ones that struggle the most.
The crazy thing is that when this type of history is presented to you, it makes you a little upset. Not one of those players actually made a difference on any given Sunday. Any fan that looks at this list, just feels blue. The fact that Nick Saban chose Culpeper over Drew Brees, is something that any Dolphins fan still questions. Using a 2nd round pick on Pat White? What was the point of that pick? Yes, the Dolphins wanted to extend their Wild-Cat formation, but Pat White took one hit and was never heard from again.
Now, enter Josh Rosen. This prospect coming out of UCLA, was probably the best throwing quarterback of his class. The ball jumps out of his arm, and he’s got a live arm. Rosen was automatically compared to another former Dolphins quarterback – Jay Cutler, based on his persona and his gunslinger mentality.
With respect to Rosen’s persona, he was a polished quarterback coming out of college. Many experts thought he would be first quarterback off the board. His play on the field is not in question, rather his characteristic on leading a team on the field. Can he demand attention in a huddle, will his teammates live for him, when they are down by 5, 10, or even 20 points.
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To be honest, Rosen was in a bad situation last year. To be even more honest, that situation might even be worse this year. Rosen played for one of the worst offensive and defensive lines in football last season. Name a player on both lines? To be honest, I would probably have to google it. My point is that the Dolphins are going through the exact same thing. The Dolphins offensive line has a blue chip prospect in Laremy Tunsil, an okay center in Daniel Kilgore, all other positions will be filled with either draft picks or street free agents that are picked up in May not March.
How does all that impact Rosen ability to lead a team? Walking into a situation where his supporting cast might be worse than last year? Now compare that value add against the Dolphins selecting a blue chip prospect in the 2nd round with the 62nd overall pick? That’s a question that will be answered the closer the Dolphins get to training camp and more importantly the regular season. There is always the element that prospect can be a bust – just look at the above aforementioned list. Taking a risk on a player that has already one year on NFL experience is something that cannot be taught. Rosen has that advantage over any prospect the Dolphins could have selected.
Until then the Dolphins fans can only hope that the 2nd round curse doesn’t follow them into 2019.