Phinphanatic writer’s 2020 Miami Dolphins first round mock draft

Pick #5

James Anderson:  Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama – You don’t pass on a generational talent even if he is still recovering; although he is supposedly medically cleared.  People seem to have forgotten that quarterbacks at the highest level can lift a team up and they are few and far between.  Aside from that, Tua has also stated he would like to be in Miami.

Nick Belotto:   Tua Tagovailoa  – Tua has been one of the most talked about players in this year’s draft.  His injury concerns have been well documented and much debated.  Yet, regardless of the injury risk/history, Tagovailoa’s talent is unquestioned.  He has been linked with the Dolphins for what feels like forever and this is the pick to set the Dolphins up for the next decade.

Shawn Digity:  Tua Tagovailoa – The Dolphins get the guy they wanted all along; after the endless draft hearsay.

Dale-Paul Jordan:  For me, this pick came down to Tua versus Oregon QB Justin Herbert.  Herbert’s got a ‘cannon of an arm’ and his release looks effortless but he has some serious accuracy issues.  Meanwhile, Tua is legit; his accuracy is on point and his ball placement is scary good.  In the end, it’s easier to teach a player when to throw the ball away and live another day than it is to refine a player’s precision for consistent accuracy.  With that said, the Dolphins will select Tua Tagovailoa.

George Keim:  Tua or Herbert; that’s the decision the Dolphins will have to make at number 5.  As of today, I am taking Tua Tagovailoa and here’s why.  I’m going to assume Tua is fully recovered from his hip injury, based on the videos put out by his camp, and his mobility looked to be very good.  Tua’s a much more accurate passer than Herbert and Tua is extremely good at taking care of the football; one of the most important things in the NFL.

Pablo Rosero:  Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia – Miami needs to shore up the offensive line for whichever quarterback they decide to roll with in 2020, and beyond.  Thomas has not received the same kind of hype as Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, or Tristan Wirfs but his film shows flashes of brilliance.  Thomas may not have the most potential but he does seem like the rookie offensive tackle who is going to be the best day one starter.

Matthew Stevens:  Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn – It would be easy to mock a QB to the Dolphins here.  Instead, the Dolphins go ‘best available player’ and take the massive defensive tackle.  Even with the selection of Christian Wilkins last year, the Dolphins still need a force in the middle.  Wilkins was used mostly at DE in Flores’ 3-4 scheme and Brown would fit nicely as a true ‘nose tackle’.  Brown goes a long way to curing a ‘mushy’ defensive middle that got blown off the ball consistently in 2019.

Brian Miller – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon – Honestly, I have no idea what they are planning here and frankly, I think Herbert will fall closer to 18 where the Dolphins can draft him instead of top five. That being said, it is really too quiet right now when it comes to Herbert after the team was so loud about him through the season. Tua Tagovailoa is a safe bet for the pick at five but something tells me fans are going to be disappointed.