Facebook Pixel
    Try "researchers"
    Two Minute Warning: Dolphins NFL Draft will own the night
    Sun-Sentinel.com/Safid Dean
    NFL
    NFL

    Two Minute Warning: How the Dolphins can own the 2020 NFL Draft

    Miami may not select first, but they're ready for the draft season. PFN's Lead NFL writer Cole Thompson explains why the Dolphins will control the NFL Draft night.

    By Cole Thompson

    In this week’s Two Minute Warning, we start by breaking down Miami’s draft plans and discuss some NFL rumors currently circulating. The Dolphins could create waves in the NFL Draft with a league-high 14 picks. Three first-rounders will be used to address primary needs on offense. The two second-round selections should give Chris Grier the ability to make the necessary moves to help long-term.

    How the Dolphins can impact draft night

    Let’s head back to the 2019 season, where sometimes tanking could play into a team’s favor. The Miami Dolphins made it clear they would be following that method after trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick in September.

    Cleaning house with franchise faces on the move, Miami made sure they would start the Brian Flores era off on his terms — his staff, his playbooks, his players. Sure, the team won just enough with the bearded brain Ryan Fitzpatrick calling the shots, but the return for Minkah, Kenyan Drake, and Laremy Tunsil has got the team in place to set the tone on April 23rd. 

    In an instant, a team could be given an offer they can’t refuse. The Dolphins’ NFL Draft will look to acquire a future quarterback to become the next Dan Marino after an overhaul this offseason. They’re also the only team with enough draft capital to paw at Cincinnati for the first overall pick.

    Sources close to both teams have confirmed the obvious — a move up for Miami would be for Joe Burrow. The LSU product was more of a “create-a-madden” player than your typical gunslinger, throwing up numbers as if the difficulty level was on beginner. On his way to set to nearly every quarterback record in the NCAA single-season chart, he also proved his leadership qualities. 

    Winner in prime-time? Check that box seven times against top-10 teams. Mental processing? His league-high completion rate and passing yards should have him pass with flying colors. How about his likability? Listen to his Heisman speech one more time and try not to cry. 

    If one were to look up in the football dictionary “champion”, there’s a picture of Burrow with a smirk, puffing away on a stogie.

    The question won’t be if Burrow is the right fit for Miami, but more so if the Bengals would be willing to trade back. Cincinnati has been called every name in the book except for “excellent” over the past two decades. The team could stop the jokes with the selection of Burrow — an Ohio native who grew up less than a three-hour car ride to the Paul Brown Stadium. 

    Naturally, the price to move up won’t come cheap for Duke Tobin to let Burrow bounce out of the “Buckeye State” twice.

    “Quite honestly, it’d probably take two ones, two twos in order for me to get out of there,” ESPN’s Louis Riddick said. “If you’re Miami, does that mean we swap spots in the first round, then we take your other two first-round picks as well? We take 18 and [No. 26]? Do we then take a two as well? Do we take a two in 2021? If you want me to move out of there, two ones and twos is where we start.” 

    Even if Miami stands put with the fifth overall pick, they plan to draft a man under center. The question is who — Oregon’s Justin Herbert or Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa? And if you ask the question to 100 people who the pick might be, your chances of getting it right would be much like their responses; 50/50.

    Some scouts prefer the Duck’s durability over the Tide’s tumble thanks to recent injury issues. Herbert might not have the same tools as Tagovailoa, but his arm will suffice while becoming a steady option as perhaps an above-average quarterback. Tua will have all the tools to become an overnight sensation, but one bad hit (maybe more so for him than anyone else) could be the end of a promising career before it even begins. 

    If the Dolphins overthink it, Herbert will be the selection if they decide to stay put. That will lead to the question of where Tagovailoa will go next? If Tom Telesco is set on giving Tyrod Taylor a chance, the Chargers could go offensive tackle with the sixth pick. Carolina, Arizona, Cleveland, and the Jets all have their quarterbacks for next season, while the Jaguars are already trademarking a mustache ointment for fans to look like their man. 

    Should the Alabama sensation fall outside the top-10, expect teams to be making calls to stop the tumble in its tracks. Whoever lands Tagovailoa will create an opening at another position, thus changing draft boards entirely

    If the Dolphins select Tagovailoa, Herbert could be chosen one pick later. He also could fall deep into the teens before someone such as New England elects to move up. If that’s the case, expect Utah State’s Jordan Love to have a team trade back in for him later that evening. 

    But then again, Miami could do the improbable and jump high enough to entice Cincinnati. If it cost all three first-rounders, the Bengals will be making moves early at quarterback, linebacker, and offensive tackle. 

    Sometimes it is good to tank — for Miami, their method will now be to control 31 other teams and what they will do on draft night.

    McCaffrey’s mega-max deal

    Paying a running back might be the most foolish thing a team could do in this economy right now. Luckily for Carolina fans, Christian McCaffrey is a wide receiver just pretending to play in the backfield.

    The league announced on Monday that the Panthers signed the Pro Bowler to a four-year extension worth $16 million a season. That new deal would put McCaffrey over Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott, becoming the highest-paid running back in the league for the start of the season.

    Some people will view this massive amount of dough a problem spent in free agency. Sure, you can have that opinion, but keep in mind that even new head coach Matt Rhule refuses to call McCaffrey “just” a running back.

    “To label him a tailback, that’s not respectful to him. He’s a tailback-slash-wideout. He can do it all — returner,” Rhule said last week. “So I’m anxious to get him out there, I’m anxious to continue to build this thing around him.”  

    Since the debacle of Cam Newton’s shoulder, McCaffrey has been the offense, let alone the face of the franchise. Last season, the former eighth overall pick had 2,392 total yards with 19 touchdowns in 16 games, becoming one of three players in history to finish in the 1k club at both rushing and receiving. Since entering the league, McCaffrey has finished every season with at least 80 receptions and four touchdowns through the air. 

    There’s always a risk when signing a top-name runner to a long-term deal. Both the Jets and Rams have buyers remorse from Le’Veon Bell and Todd Gurley, respectively, while Melvin Gordon took a gamble on himself and lost. The thing with McCaffrey is he’ll need to have tumbled at two levels — first with his legs, then with his hands. 

    Of all the deals done for running backs, McCaffrey’s versatile skillsets put him against the norm for big-time deals set to blow. He’s the first player in NFL history to have 2,500 rushing and receiving yards through their first three years. That’s worth something — for McCaffrey, $16 million each season will do just fine. 

    49ers for sure finding a receiver 

    There are two things I’m sure of in this crazy world right now; we know nothing, and John Lynch is drafting a wide receiver. 

    According to NBC Sports, Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb confirmed he spoke with the San Francisco 49ers via virtual chat during an Instagram live outing. Following the trade of DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts, the 49ers will hold two first-round picks to use to find an Emanuel Sanders replacement.

    Speed will be the keyword in the team’s decision when they’re on the clock. Lamb has the purest hands in the class, but of the top three names at his position, he clocked the lowest in 40 times. But what the Sooner sensation has in hands, the Alabama boys have in other areas. Henry Ruggs has the straight-line speed but could become a more proficient route-runner. Jerry Jeudy will beat defenders with his routes, though there are concerns on his hands and drops.

    The team will need a true top receiver to pair with rookie standout Deebo Samuel. This move should be made early on with one of the three names listed above as the Buckner solution. This could also allow Lynch to trade away their second pick at 31 to add more selections, addressing the fact they won’t be picking again until the fifth round. 

    All signs point to a pass-catcher out in the bay. The question now will be which one is the ultimate hero in a trio tournament for WR1. 

    Established QBs no longer Love(d)? 

    As I mentioned earlier, depending on how the Dolphins NFL Draft plays out, the run for quarterbacks could either take-off early or head back to the gate. Tagovailoa and Herbert will either be top-10 locks or have a team trade up to snag them somewhere in the teens. 

    So what does that mean for Jordan Love? Well, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he could be the face of a future franchise down the line, instead of a first-day starter. 

    “Among teams doing varying levels of homework on Love, according to sources: Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins, among several others,” Fowler said.

    Reports say that teams have been diligent in speaking to Texas Tech coach Matt Wells, who recruited and coached the Aggies’ signal-caller for his first three seasons. Love garnered attention for his sophomorecampaign after throwing for over 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns. With a change of personnel, he regressed and threw a career-high 17 interceptions thanks to several dropped passes and a few misread plays.

    It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Saints or the Atlanta Falcons perhaps make a play late in the first round should he drop. Drew Brees is already warming his voice for the studio at NBC while Matt Ryan could be viewed as a casualty if the franchise struggles in a “prove-it” season. In both units, Love would be able to sit, learn and enhance his skills under a Hall of Famer and a pretty darn good quarterback for the Dirty Birds.

    He’s already been called the wildcard quarterback of the draft, who’s to say a team looking to contend when the veteran calls it quits doesn’t fall head over heels with Love once he starts to drop more in-depth into the draft pool. 

    Giants jumping down? 

    The New York Giants might be the luckiest team in the top-10. Two teams picking at five and six are probably having the same conversation on who to draft for their quarterback of the future. Depending on Detroit, Dave Gettleman will be able to have his pick at what to do when they are on the clock.

    “Gettleman trading down: It’s hard to say how ‘serious’ he is without knowing if there are even any offers yet. He’s definitely interested, though,” per a report from SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano. “He knows he can drop a couple of spots and still end up with the same player he would’ve taken at 4.”

    Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons is the favorite to go to New York at four. Should Los Angeles trade up, both will likely be in play outside the top-five picks. The question will be, what’s the asking price? In 2017, the Chicago Bears moved up one spot by trading away a third and fourth-rounder while adding in a pick from 2018. 

    Teams looking for a quarterback should call the East Rutherford area code to strike a deal. Even if the Giants miss out on one player, they should remain in play for the other while perhaps making moves Thursday to jump back in and address their other need.

    Grandpa Gettleman is old-school and has never made a first-round trade, but hey, perhaps it’s time for a new tradition. 

    Parting Shots

    10. Although the New England Patriots need a quarterback, don’t expect them to be trading up for one. According to ESPN’s Patriots reporter Mike Reiss, New England could be in the market for a late-round selection with Florida International’s James Morgan. Morgan displayed excellent traits down at the East-West Shrine Bowl and has the tools Bill Belichick loves in quarterbacks. 

    9. Welp, expect Lamar Jackson to be a Raven for life. If not, he’s taking the “big truss” trademark to a city near you. 

    8. If anyone thought that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were lucky to snag Tom Brady, sorry to burst your bubble. A recent source told NFL Network’s Peter Schrager the market for the six-time Super Bowl quarterback was down to either Tampa or Los Angeles. In the end, Los Angeles was forced to walk the plank and settle with Tyrod Taylor. 

    7. Ladies and gentlemen, we got him. According to NBC Sports’ Peter King, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be announcing the first-round picks from his basement in Bronxville, New York. The over/under on if he will wear pants has still yet to be determined. 

    6. In this edition of “Players say the Darnedest Things”; Chad Johnson – good at football, poor at properly classifying porpoises.

    5. How good are the Chiefs, you ask? Simple, they’re going to repeat unless a freak accident happens to their MVP quarterback. In a recent study, the Chiefs announced they would be returning 20 of the 22 starters from last season. 

    4. Todd Gurley will be changing teams while also changing numbers. After signing a one-year deal with the Falcons, the former Offensive Player of the Year will wear the number 21, once worn by Deion Sanders. Guess what; Sanders wasn’t too happy about that.

    Hey Primetime? You know Desmond Trufant wore that number for seven years, and you never brought it up, right? 

    3. Wyoming’s Logan Wilson sees his stock rise following two 100-plus tackle seasons and an excellent combine. Throw in his cover skills; this is a player that will only make your defense better. Guys, meet my draft day crush — I think he’s the one. 

    2. First of all, what a cannon from the Tik-Tok tyke. Second, man Mitchell Trubisky can’t catch a break even though he deserves it. Both statements are true. 

    1. It’s always good to be able to take a joke. Andy Reid has been compared to a walrus, but guys, Tanoh Kpassagnon, is the smartest man alive. Why did Reid not trademark “bird brain” or “egg head”, yet? Please, someone, make a shirt about this, and I’ll buy it. 

    Only one more week until the draft! 

    Cole Thompson is a lead NFL writer for PFN. You can follow him on Twitter @MrColeThompson and follow PFN @PFN365.

    Related Articles

    Copyright © 2019-2024. Pro Football Network, Inc.

    All Rights Reserved.