The Miami Dolphins’ objective coming in to the 2019 NFL season was to position themselves to draft a quarterback. The team has successfully done so, trading for three first-round picks and tearing their roster down to the studs in order to hit “restart” across all fronts. But some fans have been told that the only way the Dolphins’ season is a success is if the team lands the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. And with the Dolphins sporting two wins through 10 games, they’re at least two games out of that spot and trailing the Cincinnati Bengals — another team in dire need of a quarterback.
None of this would be all that problematic if Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa hadn’t suffered a dislocated hip last week, an injury that is something of uncharted waters for young quarterback prospects looking to enter the NFL. Tagovailoa is now not even assured to enter the 2020 NFL Draft, based on his personal decision on the matter.
Where does that leave the Dolphins? On the outside looking in? Not necessarily. The Dolphins, should they happen to fall in love with LSU’s Joe Burrow, do have one hand left to play. But they’ll need some help from the Washington Redskins.
You see, Washington currently sits at 1-9 on the season, one game ahead of the 0-10 Bengals. And Washington’s strength of schedule is worse than that of the Bengals, meaning if the two teams tied for the worst record, the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft would go to Washington (at this point in time). That development would allow the Dolphins to leapfrog the Bengals after winning their way out of contention for the top pick themselves.
And if any team in the NFL had the ammunition to jump up to the top spot, it would be Miami. This isn’t to say a trade up is definitely the way to go or an ideal scenario. But it definitely is one worth considering, should all parties involved proceed according to plan. That plan is simple: Cincinnati has to win a single game and Washington has to lose out. The combined record of Washington’s final six opponents? 29-30-1 (the Giants and Lions are a combined 5-14-1).
Cincinnati’s final six opponents? 27-33. Take the 9-1 Patriots out of the equation: 18-32. Let’s go get us a win, Cincinnati!