What we’re hearing now about NFL draft and what Mando’s gut says Dolphins are going to do
In the last two hours I have talked to three people who have told me the same thing about the first round of the NFL draft:
1. I’ve been told the New York Giants love Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas as their pick at No. 4.
2 I’ve been told multiple teams have Justin Herbert ahead of Tua Tagovailoa on their draft boards.
3. And I’ve been told repeatedly that any move the Dolphins make to go up from No. 5 overall in the first round in the draft is more likely about a quarterback than an offensive tackle.
This goes against the grain of what reputable national reporters have been saying -- specifically about the QB over OT trade scenario. Multiple national reports have been about the Dolphins wanting to trade up for an OT ahead of a QB.
So lots of information.
Or disinformation.
Which is why I am now going to go with my gut...because I trust my gut, especially in recent years as it has gotten bigger.
This is what my gut says:
My gut cannot believe the idea that Miami wants to trade up to draft an offensive tackle. That just rings hollow to me because it is insane. I love Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas more than most. Love him!
But give up a second-round pick to select him at No. 3?
That just feels off.
If the Dolphins want a tackle so badly, they could just as easily stay put at No. 5, keep the second-round pick, watch the Giants pick Thomas at No. 4, and take the next best tackle on their board -- perhaps Tristan Wirfs or Jedrick Wills Jr. And onward they could go.
Moving up for Thomas? Or any tackle?
My gut, busy eating bacon, doesn’t buy it.
My gut does believe the Dolphins are seriously into the idea of having to move up, however. They have already attempted to move up to No. 1 overall spot, as I reported on March 9 they would.
So they tried (and failed) to trade up to No. 1 for the top quarterback on their draft board. I believe the Dolphins could be trying to trade up to No. 3 to draft the second quarterback on their draft board.
That makes sense to me. And my gut. Because it is what reasonable and successful teams generally do.
And so the next question is simple: Who are the Dolphins focused on if they’re trying to trade up for a quarterback?
My gut tells me it’s Justin Herbert.
I believe the Dolphins would like to select Justin Herbert.
Multiple people have told me this will never happen. But my gut tells me this is the guy over Tua Tagovailoa.
So why?
Because the Dolphins wouldn’t have to trade up to pick Tua Tagovailoa. He’s as likely to drop as rise into the top 3. So why would the Dolphins be trying to trade up to pick him?
And what about at No. 5?
I’ve spoken to four NFL heads of football operations or former heads of football ops and asked who they would pick if they were the Miami Dolphins. All four told me they would pick Justin Herbert.
So I’m going with them. And my gut.
And if my gut is wrong, I’ll be fine with that. I’ll fire my gut.
I need to fire my big ‘ol gut anyway.
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 1:34 PM.
