The consensus of most mock drafts for months had the Miami Dolphins taking Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
However, according to Mel Kiper's latest mock draft released Tuesday on ESPN, he has the Detroit Lions taking Tagovailoa with the No. 3 pick and the Miami Dolphins selecting Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert at No. 5.
After trade rumors began to swirl last week, the Lions have said they have no intentions of moving on from their longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford. The 32-year-old Stafford is entering his 12th NFL season after being the No. 1 pick in 2009. Last season, he suffered a back injury that sidelined him for eight games as Detroit finished 3-12-1.
Keeping Stafford could allow Tagovailoa to work his way in slowly while rehabbing his surgically repaired hip.
Kiper has the Giants taking Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah No. 4, with the Dolphins picking Herbert fifth.
"I think they should go with the top quarterback on the board, and that's Herbert," Kiper wrote in his mock draft explanation for the Dolphins pick. "I said during the season that he is a maddening evaluation because of his inconsistencies as a thrower, but he is rising after an MVP week at the Senior Bowl. Herbert has the highest ceiling of any of the quarterbacks in this class."
The Dolphins, who have five first-round picks over the next two drafts, also have two other first-round picks in April's draft.
With the 18th selection, obtained from the Pittsburgh Steelers as part of the Minkah Fitzpatrick midseason trade, Kiper has the Dolphins taking Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas.
With the 26th pick, obtained from Houston as part of the preseason trade that sent Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to the Texans, Kiper has Miami selecting Georgia running back D'Andre Swift.
The Dolphins, who have five first-round picks over the next two drafts, also own the Texans' first- and second-round picks in 2021.
Kiper stuck with what is widely believed to be the top two picks.
The Cincinnati Bengals likely will take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the first pick, while the Washington Redskins are expected to take standout Ohio State defensive end Chase Young at No. 2.
Round 1 of the draft will take place on April 23 from Las Vegas, with Rounds 2 and 3 on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25.
