Fansided

Every NFL team’s biggest X-Factor in 2019

By Kevin Parvizi

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Josh Rosen talks to the media after being traded to the Dolphins during the draft, on Monday, April 29, 2019 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Fla. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Josh Rosen talks to the media after being traded to the Dolphins during the draft, on Monday, April 29, 2019 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Fla. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /

Miami Dolphins – Josh Rosen

It’s unclear if Ryan Fitzpatrick or Josh Rosen will start at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins in 2019, and the decision to acquire Rosen may have surprised fans who thought the Fitzpatrick signing signaled a modest attempt to tank. Of course, a “modest tank” is an oxymoron, and Fitzpatrick has quarterbacked a double-digit win team once in the last five years.

Whether or not the Dolphins have their eyes on a star quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft like Tua Tagovailoa remains to be seen, and the only person who can decide the Dolphins future direction is Rosen.

The 10th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2018 NFL Draft, Rosen was acquired by the Dolphins for a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick. Rosen didn’t play well in his first season, completing just 55.2% of his passes with more interceptions than touchdowns, but he wasn’t given much of a chance with a dreadful supporting cast and an uninspiring coaching staff.

Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Rosen hasn’t made a positive impression in minicamp. Fortunately, beat reporters’ observations in minicamp don’t have much bearing on what happens closer to the season. As Rosen gets more familiar with the players around him – like legitimate star receivers DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills – improvement could come.

The Dolphins shouldn’t have high hopes for Rosen, but if he can play like the passer who earned rave reviews at UCLA for his accuracy, then the Dolphins questions at quarterback could finally be settled.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, of course, could be just as much of an X-Factor after putting up video-game like numbers and outplaying Jameis Winston, even if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers felt forced to remain loyal to their No. 1 overall pick. Fitzpatrick is wildly inconsistent but exciting, and with some intriguing players at running back and wide receiver, perhaps he could do more damage than expected in the Dolphins offense.

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