NFL Draft: Dolphins passing on a quarterback confirms they’re tanking for Tua

The Dolphins passed on quarterback Dwayne Haskins by taking Christian Wilkins in the NFL Draft’s first round; this confirms they’re chasing Tua in 2020

With the 13th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft the Miami Dolphins selected Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, and in doing so passed on taking quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who had slid down the board.

This strategy gives us some insight into the Dolphin’s draft strategy for this year, and beyond. First, they’re committed to building the lines in the early parts of their drafts.

More importantly, the team is committed to pursuing one of the more highly touted quarterbacks who are expected to be available in the 2020 draft, namely: Alabama’s Tua Tagovalia and Oregon’s Justin Herbert.

You have to commend Miami for committing to a strategy and sticking with it. With Haskins sliding down the board after a Giants reach at pick six, and no one trading up for the former Buckeye, it would have been an easy audible for the Dolphins to shift focus and go with the now.

Instead, they stayed true to the strategy outlined last year through the signing of Ryan Tannehill, which is to build the team up on the lines first, then the rest of the team, and then the quarterback. By bringing in the quarterback after having the rest of the team in place, the team significantly increases the chances of the quarterback ultimately being successful.

Fans in South Beach will have to endure at least one more brutal season with Tannehill under the helm before learning their quarterback fate of the future. However, if general manager Chris Grier’s gamble is a winning one, the team’s decision to tank for Tua will ultimately prove to be well worth the wait.