No Burrow, No Young For Phins? No worries… Trade Back?

M.J.

5 years ago

If Phins can’t get Young or Burrow a trade back for extra picks would be a win too

Phins fans have been waiting a long time for success

The Miami Dolphins fanbase is a ‘tale of two cities’. Half of the fans remember when the Phins were a storied franchise dominating the AFCE. The other half has only known the Phins as ‘nosedivers’ or, on its best years, as mediocre. All of us Dolphins fans though have one thing in common… we love our team and are disgruntled over the constant losing.

I don’t know which side of the fanbase is suffering the most. It’s a timeless question: Is it better to have had and lost or never to have had at all? The answer is far above this hack writer’s pay grade, so I won’t even try to unravel this one. But, I can say something about one element of this question: Desperation is a dangerous trap and it will catch you every time.

The Miami Dolphins can’t be desperate this offseason…

… and neither should fans because if this regime is going to get it right they must be patient. Chris Grier must maximize every drop of these top 4 picks. He can’t get fixated on a position or player and give the farm away.

My fellow Phins fans, this isn’t a one year fix. We need to give this regime 2-3 seasons to pull this build together. Yes, it’s easier said than done. And yes, we should see the arrow point up next year. But short cuts by the Front Office now will lead to big problems later. And impatience by fans will drive us crazy.

The O-line might not get to where it needs to be until 2021. We might not find our QB till then either. But, if Grier is as patient as he has been and maximizes every move… a good team will come.

This Front Office has all the tools in the world to build a winner

So, if the stars don’t align for Miami to draft Joe Burrow or Chase Young, trading back would be the next best option. Imagine going into the next draft with three draft picks again? We could keep this train of multiple 1st Round picks going to years! Think of the team that can be built with that amount of ammo? We no longer have players to trade to get extra draft choices, but we can sell the picks we do have to desperate teams for even more picks!

There are certainly talented players beyond Burrow and Young in this draft. History says that the best players are found out of the Top 5 picks. But, beyond Burrow or Young are any other players worth forgoing the multiple quality picks Miami could fetch in a trade back… if a team is interested? The best sportsbook software sites say the odds are very low… and so would I.

Top prospects beyond Burrow and Young ‘considered worthy’ of a Top 5 pick

WR JERRY JEUDY, ALABAMA: Jeudy isn’t an option despite his talent because Miami has Parker and Williams. Other teams though will be very interested.
CB JEFFREY OKUDAH, OHIO STATE: Howard is locked up long term, so CB isn’t on the first tier of concerns. But CB is a crucial position, Miami is thin in their secondary, and Howard has a balky knee, so Miami will need to add to the position at some point… just not in the Top 5 while sacrificing a few picks if a trade is offered. Also, this draft has a handful of quality CBs in this draft.
OT ANDREW THOMAS, GEORGIA: Miami’s O-line is terrible… and that might be understating it. Thomas is a better run blocker than pass blocker, but he provided excellent protection for Fromm in the Georgia/LSU game. According to PFF, “Thomas has faced arguably the toughest slate of rushers of any top linemen. Already, he’s matched up with Julian Okwara, Khalid Kareem and Jonathan Greenard.” Thomas is the pick if Miami can’t trade back, but is he worth the extra 1st and a 2nd Miami could pick up in a trade? This draft has a few quality Left Tackles who Miami could have later in the 1st: OT Josh Jones, Alex Leatherwood, Andrew Thomas, and Tristan Wirfs. Thomas would be quite the draw for a trade if the Redskins pick after Miami.

Isaiah Williams is a very interesting prospect

LB ISAIAH SIMMONS, CLEMSON: Miami struggles in the middle of the field and neither Baker or McMillan are complete players. Simmons is the total package and he is built in the mold of Brian Urlacher. Perfect for modern football. As per PFF, ” Simmons is one part linebacker, one part safety, one part whatever you want him to be. He’s got a freaky build at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds and freaky athleticism. He’s broken up 13 passes on 756 coverage snaps in his career and picked off two others.” Simmons is a unique player in this draft and fits Miami’s scheme perfectly. Still, is he worth the extra picks in a trade back? I’ll say this, he is a very intriguing player. Check out his play below.

Having the 3rd Overall pick in this draft is a power card

I want Miami to get their hands on Burrow or Young. While I’ll hope they get lucky, odds are they won’t. Still, the 3rd Overall pick in this draft will have extra weight with the so many teams having 1st Round quarterbacks stuck behind Swiss chess offensive lines. Look at what the Texans were willing to pay for Laremy Tunsil! Everyone knows we need offensive linemen and are a threat to grab the top Left Tackle. Maybe, a team desperate will make the Tunsil deal happen again… this time for the rights to draft Thomas?! I can dream, can’t I? Go Phins!!!