Sizing up the Dolphins’ options with their three first-round picks

In some ways for Dolphins followers, this NFL season felt like an appetizer to the 2020 NFL Draft and Miami’s 14 picks, including three in the first round and two in the second. Most of the focus on Monday was on the potential of landing Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at No 5, but other needs also will be addressed that first day.

An early look at the options:

▪ The Dolphins’ first-rounder at No. 5:

The clear early money would be on Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa but with a big asterisk - if the Dolphins are satisfied with his medicals after hip surgery following serious injuries: a right hip dislocation and posterior wall fracture, combined with a history that includes other less serious lower body injuries (ankles and knees).

There certainly is some risk here. As ESPN’s Stephania Bell noted, former Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta suffered a hip fracture/dislocation in July 2013, “but returned later that season as a part of the team’s Super Bowl run. He re-injured his hip in 2014, underwent another surgery and sat out 2015, but returned to lead all NFL tight ends in receptions in 2016. Pitta then injured his hip a third time in June 2017, forcing him to retire.”

But Bell also noted that Tagovailoa “is expected to make a full recovery given the quick reduction of the hip dislocation and the subsequent timely surgical care, which means he should return to full strength.”

Injury aside, there’s universal admiration for Tagovailoa as a prospect, making him the front-runner for Miami’s pick at No. 5.

As ESPN’s Todd McShay said in mocking him to Miami, “Tagovailoa has elite accuracy at all three levels, but particularly when throwing downfield. He has a smooth delivery, fast eyes and good arm strength. And the 6-foot-1, 218-pound lefty also does a great job anticipating and leading his receivers into the ball with high-end touch. But will he regain the twitchiness and suddenness that stood out before his injury?.. Whether he is still effective in that area will be really important.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper still has him in the top three on his Big Board, noting “he’s still an early first-round pick” and remains “the best pure passer in this class. Left-handed version of Drew Brees is what Tua is.”

If Tagovailoa gets a clean bill of health from teams, Miami might need to trade up to third (Detroit) or fourth (Giants) to get him.

If it’s surprisingly not Tagovailoa, then where could Miami turn? The other logical options would be Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas and Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah (one would be left if Tua goes before Miami); Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown; Alabama right tackle Jedrick Wills; Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert or Clemson outside linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

Herbert would obviously be a polarizing option, but Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller said “one high-level source told me no team has done more work on Herbert than the Dolphins.”

Miami would need a comfort level with Herbert’s tape, with his improved completion percentage this season fueled largely by the fact more than 30 percent of his completions were on screens. Tagovailoa is considered by most to be the clearly better prospect.

Forget receivers Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) and CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma) this early; receiver is Miami’s deepest spot and the view here is Miami has too many glaring needs elsewhere.

▪ The Pittsburgh pick at No. 18:

McShay has Miami taking Boise State defensive end Curtis Weaver, who had 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss this season. This would make sense, with the glaring need for an edge rusher who’s solid against the run.

Iowa’s AJ Epenesa (11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles) and Clemson’s Simmons would be other appealing edge options if they somehow fell to No. 18. But 18 might be too high for Alabama’s Terrell Lewis and Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara.

Among offensive tackles, Georgia’s Thomas assuredly won’t be there at 18, and the odds are against Wills and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs being there at 18.

A cornerback would be a strong option at 18, from among LSU’s Kristian Fulton (Miller mocked him to Miami in that slot), Stanford’s Paulson Adebo, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs and perhaps Utah’s Jaylon Johnson or UF’s CJ Henderson (though his uneven play against the run likely would concern Miami). LSU safety Grant Delpit cannot be ruled out if he’s the best player on the board at No. 18.

And a case could be made for South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. Remember, Christian Wilkins plays a lot of end in Miami’s 3-4 and while a natural end would be the preference, Miami could use another dominating defensive tackle to help one of the league’s worst run defenses.

There are receivers in this range - Alabama’s Henry Ruggs, Clemson’s Tee Higgins, Colorado’s Laviska Shenault Jr. - but again, I would view that as an unwise use of resources, with six skilled receivers under contract.

▪ The Houston pick:

This will fall anywhere between 25 and 32, depending on how far the Texans advance.

Miami could look at any of the five aforementioned cornerbacks still available or perhaps, if the pick is very late in round one, Virginia’s Bryce Hall; or one of the aforementioned edge rushers still available and two others (Penn State defensive end Yatur Gross Matos and LSU edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson).

Using that third first-rounder on Georgia running back D’Andre Swift or Ohio State running back JK Dobbins could easily be justified and wouldn’t be surprising.

Among draftniks, there are mixed views whether there’s another offensive tackle worthy of a first-round pick beyond Thomas, Wills and Wirfs. Houston’s Josh Jones, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Connecticut’s Matt Peart would be options in the late 20s or second round.

If Miami doesn’t emerge with Tagovailoa or Herbert, Utah State quarterback Jordan Love could be a consideration late in round one, though some project him for rounds two or three after a disappointing season. Same with Washington’s Jacob Eason.

But if Miami is comfortable with Tagovailoa’s medicals, he’s the probable pick, as agent Drew Rosenhaus (not affiliated with Tagovailoa) opined on Fox-7’s Sunday night show.

NEWS NOTE

The Dolphins signed Jake Rudock - who had been on their practice squad - to a futures contract, meaning they still have three QBs under contract: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh Rosen and Rudock.

Monday was the deadline to sign players who were on your practice squad this past season; otherwise they would become free agents. The Dolphins signed 10 of the 11; the one who wasn’t signed: defensive end Jonathan Bonner.

Here’s my Monday Heat 6-pack, including what Kevin Durant told Tyler Herro, what John Calipari texted Herro that was meaningful to him; why Bam Adebayo shakes heads with everybody every day and more.