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The 2020 NFL Draft has concluded, along with all the Undrafted Free Agent signings.

The Dolphins drafted Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa with the 5th Pick. Despite the fact that this was a necessity for the Dolphins to obtain a franchise QB, the draft could have been more beneficial for Miami. Here’s why:

Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 8th overall pick. Simmons won several awards —2019 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, 2019 First Team All-ACC, 2019 Butkus Award, and 2018 CFP National Champion— along with having the ability to play four different defensive positions. This versatility could have been very useful for the Dolphins, especially because the Giants passed on him.

The Dolphins could’ve benefited if they drafted Simmons. The Chargers would have taken a quarterback either way for the 6th pick, and another quarterback wasn’t drafted until the 26th spot. This left QBs open for the 18th pick. According to several Chargers fans, they would have rathered pick Tua, but are happy with Herbert. This implies that either Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, or Jordan Love would have been available for the Dolphins 2nd Pick.

So lets say the Dolphins pick Simmons at pick 5 and the Chargers pick Tua Tagovailoa 6th, and no other QB was taken until the 18th pick. This would leave two of the quarterbacks that the Dolphins have done research on. The options given would not matter too much for the rest of the draft. Miami takes their franchise QB with their 2nd pick. Check that off the list. With the Dolphins last 1st Round pick, they are able to take a good offensive lineman to protect the drafted QB.

Now another question pops up – What about Noah Igbinoghene, the original 30th overall pick? The answer is they wouldn’t need him. Isaiah Simmons played four positions in college —linebacker, defensive end, safety, and cornerback— proving that the CB position that was needed has been fulfilled, and the Dolphins can draft a OL at the 30th pick, and then continue on normally.

With all this being said, the Dolphins could have benefited more than they did  if they would have taken Isaiah Simmons with their 5th pick.

Either way, Miami had a good draft, fulfilling several needed positions.

Photo credit: Giants Wire