The Miami Dolphins escaped their final home game of the season as victors, claiming a 38-35 overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals to move to 4-11 on the season. With the win, Miami has reshuffled the top of the NFL Draft order and the aftermath of the Dolphins’ late season win will undoubtedly be argued by Miami fans for the months that lie ahead. The good news? The Dolphins didn’t drop too far. And with a little help from elsewhere across the league (including from an old friend), the Dolphins’ net gains and losses in the NFL Draft order are looking pretty strong.
As things currently stand, here is the status of each of the Dolphins’ three 1st-round picks for 2020 with one game left to play.
Miami’s pick: 5th overall
The Dolphins’ floor with a win next week over the New England Patriots (we can hope, right?) appears to be the 6th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, so the Dolphins are fairly locked in. Even if Miami lost, NFC cellar dwellers New York and Washington battling division rivals in Philadelphia and Dallas, respectively, it is difficult to see either coming out with a win and pushing above Miami. The Detroit Lions have also jumped the Dolphins but play the Green Bay Packers, who will be playing with the hopes of clinching either the NFC North or a 1st-round bye.
Pittsburgh’s pick: 19th overall
Thank you, Adam Gase! The New York Jets knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday with a strong defensive showing. The loss moves Pittsburgh behind the Tennessee Titans for the 6th-seed in the playoffs. With a Titans win, Pittsburgh is out. With a Steelers loss, Pittsburgh is out. The Steelers must beat the Ravens and see the Texans defeat Tennessee if Pittsburgh is to make the playoffs.
Miami is in pretty good shape for a second top-20 pick.
Houston’s pick: 25th overall
Houston clinched the AFC South on Saturday. That’s actually a good thing for Miami now — the Texans and Titans kick off in Week 17 during the 4PM slate. That means by the time Tennessee and Houston are starting the game, the Texans will know for sure if they’re locked into the 4-seed in the AFC. That happens with a Chiefs win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Arrowhead.
If the Texans have nothing to gain from winning, why not take the unofficial bye week and sit the starters versus Tennessee? Such a move would help to lock the Steelers out of the postseason.
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