If the Miami Dolphins have their way, they’re probably leaving the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with a quarterback and an offensive tackle before anything else comes along. The Dolphins’ two most pressing needs are clear. Fortunately for Miami, the team is going to be in position to secure a quarterback, no questions asked. The fine print is yet to be determined, but Miami should have a crack at either Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert or both with the 5th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
As for offensive tackle? Miami will likely get a chance to draft Houston’s Josh Jones with the 18th overall selection, but what happens if the team wants one of this year’s “big four” offensive tackles? Ask any draftnik or analyst and they’ll tell you the top four offensive tackles this year are some ordering of the following four players:
Georgia’s Andrew Thomas
Alabama’s Jedrick Wills
Louisville’s Mekhi Becton
Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs
If the Dolphins wanted one of these four, staying at 18 and getting the job looks like an increasing distant pipe dream. So who might be open for business? And how many of the top tackles might be at their disposal if that were indeed the case?
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers pick 7th and as a team that is kicking off a rebuilding project of their own, they’re looking at needing plenty of draft picks to help kickstart their own reclamation project. If the Panthers are serious about a long-term rebuild, adding future picks (and more volume of picks) would certainly be a viable option. The Dolphins could tap into their own reserve of picks to help move the Panthers down the board.
How many top tackles would be left? Potentially all of them. The two biggest threats for an early offensive tackle pick are the Giants (rumored to be leaning to Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons) and the Chargers (who also need a long-term quarterback).
Cleveland Browns
The Browns pick 10th and have their own need at offensive tackle. But if this team is able to swing a deal for veteran tackle Trent Williams, who they were interested in ahead of the 2019 trade deadline, then this frees Cleveland up to move back a bit, replace the pick they’ve traded for Williams and go after a safety.
How many top tackles would be left for Miami? Possibly three. The Panthers, if they choose to stay put, seem like a logical landing spot. So, too, do the Arizona Cardinals at 8.
San Francisco 49ers
If the Dolphins aren’t able to work into the top ten picks, San Francisco is the best candidate in the teens. It puts the Dolphins ahead of a “win now” Tampa Bay team, who picks 14th and will be looking to build around Tom Brady. The 49ers need picks desperately, they go 125 selections without a pick between 31 and 156.
How many tackles would be left for Miami? Probably just one. The Chargers, Panthers, Cardinals, Browns and Jets won’t all take tackles — but we’re likely to see the tackles get hot between picks 7-11.