Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Miami Dolphins 2020 NFL Draft grade for all 14 selections

By Matthew Stevens

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on prior to the snap during the first quarter against the LSU Tigers in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on prior to the snap during the first quarter against the LSU Tigers in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 31: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to facing the Duke Blue Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Round One

Pick #5  Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama:  Would they draft Tua?  Or would it be Herbert?  Maybe they bypass the QB entirely here and address the offensive line?  In the end, the Dolphins did something they haven’t done in years; they “swung for the fences”.

Sure, Tua has injury concerns, especially with the fracture/dislocated hip, but the Dolphins brain-trust (GM Chris Grier and HC Brian Flores) looked past that and saw a QB that has done nothing but win (30-2) since his freshman year at Alabama.  Tua has great accuracy (69.3%) and doesn’t turn the ball over (87 TDs to only 11 INTs).  However, his biggest asset is that he seems to have “IT”.

For the first time since Marino retired, the Dolphins have a QB with a history/ability to make the players around him better; not counting one season under Chad Pennington.  Whether you like Tua or not, he gives the team/fans something they haven’t had for a long time under center….genuine hope.

Pick #18  Austin Jackson, T, USC:  The fact that the Dolphins missed on their attempt to get one of the “Big 4” tackles doesn’t mean that Jackson isn’t a great pick.  He’s started 25 games at left tackle for the Trojans and has all the physical tools needed to become a Pro Bowler in the near future.

Some pundits knocked Jackson for how he performed against elite edge rushers last season but it can’t be overstated that he faced those players less than 2 months after donating bone marrow to his younger sister.

Jackson needs more time/coaching but he’s only 20 years old.  If he isn’t starting in 2020, it’s safe to assume he will be the Dolphins left tackle in 2021.

Pick #30  Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn:  A former wide receiver, Igbinoghene has only two years experience at the cornerback position.  He has the speed and ability to play Flores’ press-man coverage but is still quite raw at the position.  This pick feels like a bit of a reach but a team can never have enough good corners so we’ll just have to see how Igbinoghene develops.

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