The Miami Dolphins finally got the break they were looking for in the 2019 NFL Draft order. The Cincinnati Bengals? Won. The Washington Redskins? Won. There’s just one problem: the Miami Dolphins won, too!
Those still clinging to the hope of the Dolphins securing the #1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft would be wise to detach themselves from that dream — and quite frankly there’s no need for Miami to work so hard to commandeer that spot in the draft order anyway. The reported apple of Miami’s eye is Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, whose status is up in the air with a hip injury. The Dolphins will have opportunities to add great players to the mix at every turn and positioning in the draft won’t be the determining factor: not in this strong draft class.
As things currently stand, Miami’s draft selections are still hovering right around where you’d expect — even after the startling win over the Eagles yesterday.
Miami’s Pick: 4th overall
Washington has won two straight ballgames. Miami’s win moves the team to 3-9, still tied with Washington and now also tied with the team drafting 5th, the Atlanta Falcons. Here’s the key to remember as Miami’s win’s creep closer to several other teams behind them in the draft order. These teams still have to play each other in the final four games. The 2-10 New York Giants must play the Cincinnati Bengals (1-11) and the Washington Redskins (3-9).
There will not be 12 teams with 5 or less wins, it is mathematically impossible. And that will help protect the Dolphins moving forward from sliding too far back in the order.
Pittsburgh’s Pick: 22nd overall
The Steelers, with a third string quarterback and without their starting center, wide receiver or running back, defeated the Browns and moved to 7-5 on the season. Go figure. But the good news about being in the playoff picture? Most of the teams ahead of you win every week, too. The Steelers’ best case scenario is to finish as the AFC’s 5 seed and play a road playoff game. It’s hard to envision this pick falling any further when it is all said and done.
Houston’s Pick: 25th overall
Houston stunned the Patriots at home last night in primetime to move to 8-4 on the season. The Dolphins’ hopes and dreams of one of these two picks continues to fall at the feet of former Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill, whose Titans also won yesterday to move to 7-5. They’re tied with the Steelers for the 6th seed in the playoffs and they’re 1 game behind the Texans in the AFC South, with two head to head matchups left with Houston on the schedule.
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