The Dolphins’ evolving master plan seemingly clear for the first time since a regime change in January uprooted the Dolphins’ core, everyone has an opinion. Tanking is bad! Tanking is good! Brian Flores would have you believe this isn’t a tank at all. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion — but it’s hard to argue that the Dolphins are a better team for 2019 today than they were two weeks ago.
Which puts them strongly in contention to have the first overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft and, presumably, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.
The biggest threat to such a plan? According to former Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood, it’s QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Wood subscribes to Fitzmagic — in large part because he’s seen it for himself. Wood was a second year pro in 2010, the year in which the Bills went 4-12 and ultimately picked 3rd in the 2011 NFL Draft. The two players they missed the chance to draft? QB Cam Newton, as Wood referenced, and LB Von Miller — who is one of the best pass rushers of this decade.
The Bills started that season 0-8 and were 2-10 before late season wins over the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins elevated Buffalo out of a position to draft an elite player. If Buffalo had finished the year with 3 wins, they’d have been able to target Miller.
With two wins, Newton was theirs for the taking. Instead, Fitzpatrick orchestrated two late season wins — not dissimilar to Miami’s late season contests against bottom tier teams (Bengals, Giants) this December. The plan is clear — but tread carefully.
