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[THREAD] Here's everything I am hearing regarding the #Dolphins draft plans with the draft less than 24 hours away. I will continue to update this thread over the next few days as I receive more information.
First, @ArmandoSalguero just dropped a nuke by saying the Lions are preparing to draft fifth.
I have talked to a few plugged-in sources and none of them think it makes any sense at all for the Dolphins to trade up for an OT when the top four are comparable.
I have talked to a few plugged-in sources and none of them think it makes any sense at all for the Dolphins to trade up for an OT when the top four are comparable.
So, who can that be? It has to be Tua Tagovailoa. I would be floored - as would many, many other smart people - if the Dolphins were trading up to grab Andrew Thomas or another tackle.
It doesn't make sense. Trade Tunsil to get more picks, then use more picks to replace him?
It doesn't make sense. Trade Tunsil to get more picks, then use more picks to replace him?
Think about the OT stuff. The Dolphins, IMO, tried to throw this out there to prevent LAC from trading up or to get a team like the Jets or Browns to trade up.
That would have let them stay at 5 to secure Tua. But, if what Salguero is saying is true, then it didn't work.
That would have let them stay at 5 to secure Tua. But, if what Salguero is saying is true, then it didn't work.
I've been told there is a zero percent chance the Dolphins draft Justin Herbert by three different people. Take that for what it is.
When it comes to Tua vs. Love, know this. I've been told that Tua is the number two quarterback on their board behind Joe Burrow.
After Tua though, there is a noticeable drop off from him to Love. After that, who knows what their board looks like.
After Tua though, there is a noticeable drop off from him to Love. After that, who knows what their board looks like.
So no, I don't see any way the Dolphins take Love third or fifth or in the top 10. It would make much more sense for them to take him at 18 or to trade up a few spots to get him.
But, I am still led to believe that the Dolphins are zeroing in on Tua Tagovailoa.
But, I am still led to believe that the Dolphins are zeroing in on Tua Tagovailoa.
Why? Miami did not fail him on his physical. He passed. And from a pure player eval standpoint, he is high on their board with a first round grade.
There are some concerns beyond medical. I don't know what those are, though. But I'm led to believe they can all be worked through.
There are some concerns beyond medical. I don't know what those are, though. But I'm led to believe they can all be worked through.
For that reason, there is a chance that the Dolphins do, in fact, take a position player first and then try to swoop in to get Jordan Love.
But knowing the people in Miami's front office, and knowing Flores, the issues beyond medical can be worked out.
But knowing the people in Miami's front office, and knowing Flores, the issues beyond medical can be worked out.
Speaking of Jordan Love. One of his biggest supporters in Davie has been Dan Marino. I'm told Marino has been pushing hard for Love for the past several months.
The report of him liking Herbert more is false, from what I understand.
The report of him liking Herbert more is false, from what I understand.
That said, there are still Herbert supporters in that building, most of who are holdovers from the Tannenbaum era.
I cannot confirm this, but I was told at one point that Grier actually stood up and argued why Herbert would not be a good choice.
I cannot confirm this, but I was told at one point that Grier actually stood up and argued why Herbert would not be a good choice.
And while it has been a three-way of tug-of-war between Tua, Love, and Herbert - the more influential people in the building have preferred Tua and Love over Herbert.
And their eyes and evals have put Tua much more above Jordan Love.
And their eyes and evals have put Tua much more above Jordan Love.
At this point, I am comfortable in saying that I believe there is an 80% chance the Dolphins target Tua Tagovailoa as their next franchise quarterback.
If the Dolphins go in another direction such as Love, it would be mildly surprising. But there's still a chance.
If the Dolphins go in another direction such as Love, it would be mildly surprising. But there's still a chance.
If the Dolphins draft Justin Herbert instead, either something went terribly wrong or the Dolphins pulled off the biggest and best smokescreen in the history of the NFL. And all of us will have egg on our face.
Now, let's move on to the offensive tackle position. It is true that the Dolphins like Andrew Thomas. He is the purest left tackle in this class.
That's why you cannot rule out Thomas being taken with the third or fifth overall pick. But it just doesn't add up.
That's why you cannot rule out Thomas being taken with the third or fifth overall pick. But it just doesn't add up.
Beyond Thomas, I am told the Dolphins like Ezra Cleveland at the end of round one. But the one player you really need to keep your eyes on is Isaiah Wilson.
There are lot of connections between some on the Miami staff and Wilson, and they'd feel very comfortable taking him.
There are lot of connections between some on the Miami staff and Wilson, and they'd feel very comfortable taking him.
If the Dolphins can't get those guys, or decide to pass on them, keep your eye on Lucas Niang. The Dolphins have done a decent amount of work on him leading up to the Draft.
I don't know if he is a first-round guy, but he makes sense i in the second round.
I don't know if he is a first-round guy, but he makes sense i in the second round.
With the Dolphins other first round pick - if they have another one - watch for D'Andre Swift or a pass rusher.
I am told the Dolphins like Swift a lot. I don't know who the pass rusher is, but A.J. Epenesa and Yetur Gross-Matos should be both available at 18.
I am told the Dolphins like Swift a lot. I don't know who the pass rusher is, but A.J. Epenesa and Yetur Gross-Matos should be both available at 18.
If the Dolphins can't get their pass rusher in the early rounds, keep an eye on Charlotte's Alex Highsmith late day 2 or early day 3.
And if the Dolphins don't get Swift, keep an eye on Clyde Edwards-Helaire from LSU. They like him quite a bit.
And if the Dolphins don't get Swift, keep an eye on Clyde Edwards-Helaire from LSU. They like him quite a bit.
If one of the top WRs begins to fall (Jeudy, Lamb, Ruggs), do not rule out Miami selecting one of them.
The Dolphins are expected to look at safety in the second round. Guys like Xavier McKinney and Antoine Winfield make a ton of sense.
I talked a little more about all of this on tonight's edition of #PhinsiderRadio with @houtz and @JMendel94. Once that has been posted, I'll link it in here.
And I will continue to update this thread through the end of the NFL Draft as I get more information.
And I will continue to update this thread through the end of the NFL Draft as I get more information.
Adam Schefter just said on ESPN that the Dolphins have done a remarkable job of being reserved with the Draft and who they like.
As I and many have others have stated, no one truly knows what Miami will do, but we're all trying to connect the dots as much as possible.
As I and many have others have stated, no one truly knows what Miami will do, but we're all trying to connect the dots as much as possible.
As I reported this past weekend, the possibility of Miami taking Love was always there. It seems as if it has picked up again.
I moved Tua to 80% last night b/c I was led to believe that medicals were big part of it. Reports say he passed.
I'm not moving off 80. For now.
I moved Tua to 80% last night b/c I was led to believe that medicals were big part of it. Reports say he passed.
I'm not moving off 80. For now.
I would be suspicious of any "new" information that comes out in the 24 hours leading up to the draft. Usually these are put out there to throw someone off the trail.
"It's complicated."
