John Munson / Associated Press
The Miami Dolphins did not miss the playoffs with a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 17, and the 56-26 defeat could have robbed them of the ability to finish first in defense, while head coach Brian Flores the league coach of the league would cost. the Year Award.
But this is a team that would never have to compete in 2020 after completely blowing up the roster in 2019. This season was inevitably part of a significant rebuild in Miami, and the losses of the Dolphins and Houston Texans on Sunday could actually make the franchise smaller. rebuilding process.
These results confirm that the Dolphins, despite winning 10 games in 2020, will pick third and 18th place in the first round of the 2021 series. They also have four picks in the top 50, two of which originally belonged to Houston but were sent to Miami in a trade package for Laremy Tunsil.
For starters, Miami is projected by Spotrac to enter the 2021 off-season with more salary capability ($ 32.8 million) than all but seven teams, and there are no looming free agents on the current roster that are expected to be expensive or critical gears next year and beyond.
The football world is Miami’s oyster.
Flores general manager Chris Grier and chairman Stephen Ross could decide to bolster support for young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, add insurance, give him more weapons or put up a strong defense.
Tagovailoa’s rookie season was not exactly a huge success. The former Alabama star has been named to veteran rugby club Ryan Fitzpatrick on several occasions, and you could count his big-time throws on one side. Some will push for the Dolphins to draft Justin Fields, a highly regarded Ohio State product, if he is indeed available at No. 3 spot.
Doug Murray / Associated Press
Imagine the Dolphins with the potentially offensive linebacker Penei Sewell on the left or right handshake. If the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets Trevor Lawrence and Fields take first and second place, the 6’6 “, 325 pounds, could fall into Miami’s lap.
Still, LSU’s big receiver Ja’Marr Chase will look damn good against DeVante Parker, and Micah Parsons, an off-line lineup player, will be able to help keep the defense on top.
They could pay for a looming free agent like Allen Robinson II, Chris Godwin or Kenny Golladay and then take Sewell with Austin Jackson, the second pack in the first round.
Or maybe they could add a veteran attacking linebacker like Brandon Scherff, Joe Thuney or Corey Linsley in support of Jackson and then set up Chase.
Penei Sewell could be Tua’s primary protector for years to come.Ron Jenkins / Associated Press
Do you want to push Tua or insure yourself when he becomes a bust? Use the remaining draft capital to position yourself later in the first round for Zach Wilson, Trey Lance or Kyle Trask.
Imagine this Dolphins team plus Robinson, Scherff and Sewell, as well as someone like Wilson, Lance or a first seven predecessor like Gregory Rousseau or Zaven Collins from round 1. This is completely within the possibility.
The scenarios are almost endless and they all come into an even better state next summer with the Dolphins than when they won 10 of 13 games between Week 3 and the end of the 2020 calendar year.
Given the strength of the Dolphins coaching staff and the fact that they should not be in trouble for years to come, it feels almost unfair.
Dolphins fans are understandably hungry and impatient. They have not seen their team win a championship in almost half a century, and Miami has not even won a playoff game since the turn of the century.
In a perfect world, they would have gotten more out of Tua, though it’s important to remember that the 22-year-old was barely a year removed from a career-threatening hip injury. He was also under difficult circumstances after a coronavirus-infested 2020 season.
Is it a pity he did not immediately make headlines like the fellow top-10 pick, Justin Herbert? Sure, but there is no way to call him a bust after nine times, he still has an All-Pro level, and his team is able to do everything possible to make life easier for him with more support and insurance starting in 2021.
This is a great time to be the Dolphins.
Brad Gagnon has the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012. Follow him on Twitter: @Brad_Gagnon.