DOLPHINS TANK TOO BIG?

​What the Miami Dolphins organisation are doing seems beyond the ‘tanking’ pundits, fans and the like have been accusing them of all season. The franchise has a long, proud history that includes the NFL’s only perfect season (Don Shula’s 1972 17-0 group) but this current side are being torn apart to accumulate as much draft capital as possible whilst making significant financial savings. Despite head coach Brian Flores insisting the South Florida side are not purposely sabotaging this campaign to rebuild, results thus far and changes of big-name personnel suggest otherwise.

​Rebuilds happen, they’re a transition just about every sports team on the planet go through at some point. The 2003 Cleveland Cavaliers ended the year as the NBA’s whipping boys, the next year they drafted some kid from Akron, he did quite well, I think he’s a Laker now… Change happens. Even the formidable New England Patriots dynasty will have their rebuild process in mind for the day the unthinkable happens and the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick partnership comes to an end. 

​Whilst some see this deliberate underperforming as a back hand to the loyal supporters it continues to be a trend throughout America’s top sports affiliations. The Miami Dolphins haven’t been a serious contender in the NFL for a long time now, even their last play-off appearance in 2016 was short lived, a Wild-Card defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Younger generations of ‘Fins’ fans don’t know any better than consistent disappointing seasons so shouldn’t get too irate with a year or two of utterly woeful performances if it offers a light at the end of the tunnel. Tanking seemed like the best option to Miami heading into the season as opposed to keeping their few superstar players and maintaining an average status within the league. Going back to the Cleveland Cavaliers for inspiration, when you think of the Cavs over the past 15 years or so is the infamous 17-65 season the first thing that crops to mind? Of course not, it’s the years of success that ensued with drafting Lebron James first overall in the summer of 2003. 

​Possessing the first overall pick is a luxury when there’s that stand out guy on the draft board. One of the obvious examples coming in 2011 when Carolina kicked off the draft by selecting Cam Newton off the back of his Heisman Trophy/BCS Championship heroics. The question some people are starting to ponder is who is that marque pick in 2020? Who comes in to a disheartened, possibly winless team, and turn things round? ‘Tanking for Tua’ quickly caught on and became the adopted tagline for Miami’s 2019 season with star players departing left, right and centre. Bama’s junior quarterback had been the Heisman favourite for almost the entirety of 2018 before an injury sustained in the SEC Championship opened the door for Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray to race in and make it a Sooners Heisman repeat. TuaTagovailoa has lit college football up since saving Alabama in the National Championship game against Georgia two years ago. Although spoilt for choice with the wide-receiver core in Tuscaloosa Tagovailoa deserves the plaudits. A dual threat with his ability to scramble and his incredibly strong arm it’s clear why there’s so much hype on the Hawaiian native. As I write this Tua is currently side-lined for Alabama which prompts me to note this is his second injury concern in as many seasons. Tua has the quality to make it in the pros but with his longevity questionable I wouldn’t say he’s a lock for the first pick and perhaps not the saviour Miami are seeking.Although I can see success for Tua in the NFL he won’t save Miami alone, they need to give him weapons, something that they lack severely. 

​Including the recent trade of running back Kenyan Drake to Arizona, Miami have now allowed their top receiving yards leaders from 2018 to leave. Two-time Superbowl champion Danny Amendola who led with 575 yards didn’t receive a new contract and is now on Detroit’s books. Second top receiver Kenny Stills got himself out of the Miami mess in a trade deal. Along with starting offensive tackle Laremy Tunsiland a few draft picks, Stills headed to Houston, in return the Texans sent three draft picks including a couple of first rounders this year and next aswell as two players. Offensive tackle Julien Davenport (who allowed the most QB hits last season) and cornerback Johnson Bademosi (who was cut 44 days later). Kenyan Drake finished the year as their 3rd top receiver with 477 and 2nd best rusher with 535 yards on the ground only behind veteran Frank Gore (722 on the season) meaning not only have last year’s three receiving leaders moved on but so too have the top two rushers! On the defence only 2 of the top 5 interception leaders stayed put with Flores’ side, Xavien Howard (led with 7) and Reshad Jones (tied for 2nd with 3). Intimidating linebacker Kiko Alonso led the teams forced fumbles numbers with 3 and was tied 2nd with 3 INT’s. You see where I’m going with this? Is Kiko still in Miami? Don’t be absurd, Alonso was traded to New Orleans for fellow linebacker Vince Biegel who never saw the field as a Saint. As for the teams lead sacker from a year ago, Robert Quinn, he packed his bags and headed to Dallas to represent ‘America’s team’ in exchange for a late round pick next year. Five-time Pro-Bowler Cam Wake was just .5 off Quinn’s sack record for 2018 but was made surplus to requirements and Tennessee picked him up in free agency. The Titans also took QB Ryan Tannehill off the Dolphins hands for a couple of late picks. Miami paid $5 million of Tannehill’s bonus on Tennessee’s behalf but will save up to $8 million due to the trade. Elsewhere exciting prospect Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety, had enough after the opening day crushing by Baltimore and requested a move. Miami granted Fitzpatrick his wish and accepted a 1st round pick next year as well as two more for the defensive back. 

​Do Miami have anyone left? Receivers Amendola and Stills were always going to be tough to replace but Allen Hurns signed to lend a hand. In came journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick who put pen to paper with his 8th team since entering the league in 2005. The Harvard man wasn’t alone however, with Kyler Murray going first overall Josh Rosen’s future in the desert looked bleak, so Miami transferred over a pair of draft picks and took the ex UCLA QB to South Florida. At 36 years of age Fitz was a quick fix but where does Rosen sit amongst all the Tua talk? Time will tell if Rosen has a future at Miami. Should Miami take Tua in next years draft they’ve got to help him out, give him something to work with. Top three receivers gone, top two rushers away, it’s going to take more than a rookie quarterback to get back to the glory days of Shula and co. Dip into the free agency and get targets for him. Personally, I think Miami have extended their tanking a bit much, granted they had to let go of enough players to gain more picks and to drop their overall standard so to finish with a poor record, but they don’t have much to build on. Tua or whoever takes the reigns at QB next season could have done with the likes of Kenny Stills and Amendola in a tough rookie season, clutch players, and if they struggle the likes of Frank Gore/Kenyan Drake would be ideal to hand the ball off too and lighten the load. Miami now find themselves starting from scratch, a proper rebuilding process. They’re going to need receivers, a decent running-back to replace Drake, pass rushers to make up for the losses of Wake and Quinn, a stronger offensive line, even some defensive-backs after Fitzpatrick left the team and of course the glory position, a franchise quarterback. 

For me the best player in college football this season, most NFL ready and obvious first pick is the monster at defensive end for Ohio State, Chase Young. Men against boys is all you can say when watching what Young does for the Buckeyes, his footwork and the speed he thrusts his hands about offensive linemen to get to the quarterback is in a class of its own. Put it this way, Chase Young looks like a better prospect than either of the Bosa brothers did out of college. Miami fans might not like to see their team pass up on a quarterback with the first overall pick, but they need to start somewhere, and Chase Young is certainly someone you want on your team. ​

Miami have thirteen picks in total in 2020’s draft including three first rounders, one of their own (potentially first overall) as well as a pick from both the Steelers and Texans. Two picks in the second round, again one of their own and another via the New Orleans Saints. Rounds 3-5 could see the Dolphins with as many four selections, two certainties and another couple pending via the leagues compensatory policy. The Dolphins see out the draft with four picks in the final two rounds. As we so often see this could (and probably will) change in the weeks coming into the draft with teams trading players and/or picks all over the place. With a guaranteed five picks in the opening two rounds however Miami have a great opportunity to get some of the most promising college talents or perhaps use their vast draft capital to make some clever trades. Rumours were circulating on the trade deadline that Le’Veon Bell was looking for a way out of New York after a tough start to his Jets career. Miami could tempt their AFC East rivals with an early round draft pick (aswell as another couple of picks I would imagine) to try and offer the three-time Pro-Bowl running-back a new challenge. The Jets were also said to have been ‘listening to offers’ for their exciting young safety Jamal Adams, the former LSU man has looked a step above his fellow Jets in the secondary and could easily be lured to another side if the future looks brighter than the woeful New York Jets have all season. As is the case every season, the trade deadline creates speculation all across the country. Stefon Diggs, perhaps the best hands in all of football, had his name tossed around newspapers, social media etc. Another wide-receiver said to have been on his way out was A.J. Green at Cincinnati, with the Bengals currently 0-8 (a worse record than the Dolphins) there’s probably a better chance Green seeks a move than Diggs but both are possibilities. ESPN reporter Adam Schefter had even thrown Tom Brady rumours out there, with both the future hall of famer and his own trainer reportedly selling their homes in Massachusetts. It is highly unlikely Tom Brady leaves the Patriots dynasty to join a team in turmoil like Miami but with so many draft picks (especially rounds one and two) they could try and pull off the unthinkable. 

Miami have a mountain to climb to get back to the glory days but under the right leadership they have a great opportunity. The Dolphin’s will have the most cap space amongst the NFL in 2020 and currently have four more draft picks than they’ve had touchdowns so far this season. Once the dust settles on this campaign the Dolphins will have to get to work, this could be their most crucial off-season ever as they have so much to work with. This tank could be dangerous.