2020 NFL Draft: Complete first round mock delivers pass rusher to Chiefs

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A general view of AT&T Stadium prior to the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A general view of AT&T Stadium prior to the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 32
Next
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 from Oregon of the South Team warms up before the start of the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 from Oregon of the South Team warms up before the start of the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

5. Miami Dolphins – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Analysis by Arrowhead Addict contributor Travis Steffen

The chant “Tank for Tua” was the key phrase for Miami Dolphins fans heading into the 2019 season. After a turnover in personnel and coaching staff, the organization made it clear they were starting over. Miami wanted to move away from the Band-Aid philosophy and commit to a complete makeover. With a plethora of draft capital, the Dolphins have set themselves up to do just about anything.

Speculations surrounding the Dolphins drafting Tua Tagovailoa are all over the place. Given his medical history, which includes a season-ending dislocated hip with posterior acetabular wall fracture and ankle surgeries on both sides, there is plenty of reason to have concerns, especially in an offseason where teams cannot host their own medical evaluations. In this situation, Tagovailoa was already off the board so it won’t matter.

Here, Miami selects Justin Herbert, quarterback out of Oregon. Herbert has been in discussions as the quarterback likely to come off the board after Burrow in recent rumors. Some of that is a smokescreen, but it’s not a terribly difficult feat to see happening. Miami might be one of the better landing spots for a guy like Herbert. Given the Los Angeles Chargers are sitting at number six with a need for a quarterback of the future, this move made sense.

Questions remain on what Justin Herbert can be at the next level following his career at Oregon where he became the starter early in his freshman season. Whether he can carry his team to victory in big games or whether we have seen him plateau already after his sophomore season are both valid discussions. One thing to keep in mind is that the offense he was in gave him zero help—not only in development, but also in his ability to prove himself to the NFL.

Regardless, Herbert is a talented quarterback who will need a coach to help his consistency. His physical intangibles are clearly there with his talented arm and good athleticism. Throwing him into the fire Week 1 would not likely benefit someone like Herbert, which makes Miami a good fit. With Ryan Fitzpatrick having one more year left on his contract, Herbert can have a redshirt season learning from the experienced veteran who has played in just about every offense.

Whether he starts later in the season or not until 2021, Herbert has the opportunity to develop without pressure for 2020. It would give the Dolphins their quarterback of the future, and they would still have a massive amount of draft capital to build around him not only in this draft, but in 2021 as well. (Travis Steffen)

Other Players Considered: None