INDIANAPOLIS _ Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray may have solidified himself as a top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL draft during the NFL combine this week.
After checking in a 5 feet 10, 207 pounds _ perhaps easing doubts about his undersized stature despite his stellar play _ there is a good chance Murray could be drafted in the top 5.
There is even more speculation Murray could be the No. 1 overall pick.
The rebuilding Miami Dolphins, eagerly searching for their first franchise-changing quarterback since Dan Marino, may be well out of the mix for Murray with the No. 13 pick in April's draft.
The Dolphins could also miss out on Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who along with Murray, is considered one of the top available players at the position.
"I'm not worried about Kyler, I'm worried about me," Haskins said on Friday, regarding his status among the position group.
"I'm going to do what I need to do in meetings and on the field (Saturday), and showcase my talents. I know I'm a franchise quarterback, and I'm going to be a really great quarterback in the NFL."
Murray, Haskins, Missouri's Drew Lock and Duke's Daniel Jones are quarterbacks who could be selected in the first round of the NFL draft, held from April 25-27 in Nashville, Tenn.
But it is unlikely the Dolphins would use their first-round pick to select a quarterback other than Murray or Haskins, especially in a draft loaded with defensive line talent _ an area of significant need in Miami.
Former Florida and West Virginia quarterback Will Grier could be a second-day pick, headlining the rest of the quarterback group, which includes NC State's Ryan Finley, Auburn's Jarrett Stidham, Washington State's Gardner Minshew, and North Dakota State's Easton Stick.
"I'm not totally sure where people have me or anything like that," Grier said. "I'm a very confident person. I feel like I'm the best quarterback in this draft, and I would've felt that way if I came out last year. I'm very confident in my abilities."
Grier, who said he likes to incorporate plays he has seen the New England Patriots run on offense into his repertoire, has met with the Dolphins this week.
Grier could replicate those plays in Miami where former Patriots receiver coach Chad O'Shea is now the Dolphins' offensive coordinator under new coach Brian Flores.
Grier said he met exclusively with first-year Dolphins quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell at the combine.
"He's a great guy and I have a lot of respect for him," Grier said of Caldwell with a smile.
Jones, the Duke quarterback who threw 52 touchdown passes with 29 interceptions, while completing 59.9 percent of his passes, said he has "not yet" met with the Dolphins this week.
But a meeting between Jones and the Dolphins occur at some point.
The Dolphins' stance on seven-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill remains non-committal as Flores and general manager Chris Grier continue to say the new coaching staff is evaluating the position.
Tannehill, Miami's starter since being drafted as a first-round pick in 2012, has led the Dolphins to a 42-46 record in six of his seven seasons.
Miami will likely try to shop Tannehill in a trade with hopes to land another draft pick this year. If the Dolphins are unsuccessful, Tannehill could likely be released with a post-June designation that could clear $18.75 million in cap space.
