Expectations for Dolphins QB Josh Rosen are probably too low

Are expectations too low for new Miami Dolphins QB Josh Rosen? At this point, it seems like the general public is far too low on him.

The Miami Dolphins waited, waited, and waited some more during the 2019 NFL Draft before they finally pulled the trigger on a trade for 2018 first-round pick Josh Rosen.

The Dolphins parted with a second-round pick (62nd overall, used on WR Andy Isabella) in the 2019 NFL Draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to get Rosen, pennies on the dollar for a quarterback who was considered among the best players in a very good draft class last year.

It’s been easy to forget how highly coveted Rosen was coming out of UCLA.

Even in a draft class with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, as well as fellow top 10 pick Josh Allen and another first-rounder in Lamar Jackson, Rosen was considered the best pure passer in last year’s class.

Mechanically, Rosen was nearly flawless. Athletically, even though he was somewhat limited, Rosen has a diverse background that made him anything but a statue in the pocket.

The only significant concerns surrounding Rosen were his injury history and whatever you thought of his personality.

As a football player, Rosen’s abilities weren’t ever really in question.

His velocity may not have been as good as Mayfield’s and Darnold’s, but Rosen could put the ball where it needed to be with regularity and most people felt like he had franchise QB potential.

That potential did not die in Arizona.

Rosen played with an historic offensive line in the desert. Historically bad. The Cardinals’ offensive line allowed Rosen to be sacked a whopping 45 times on 393 drop backs.

Not only was Rosen sacked a ton, he was also hit way too many times. The Cardinals allowed an additional 44 hits on Rosen last season and 234 total pressures with 54 blocking penalties.

It’s no wonder Rosen struggled throughout the year, and it’s no wonder the Cardinals felt it better to have a quarterback who could get out of the pocket and improvise on a more consistent basis.

Of course quarterbacks are mostly better with a clean pocket. Rosen might not get that all the time in Miami, but I’ll bet it will be with more regularity than he had in Arizona.

Rosen was essentially getting hit or sacked once every five times he dropped back. He was pressured more than 50 percent of his drop backs. The inability of his offensive line to protect him did not kill his ability to develop into a franchise QB, and I think the Dolphins’ move to acquire him was one of the best of the offseason in the NFL.

Rosen has star power. He can be a franchise QB in the NFL. He will have a better overall cast around him in Miami and a staff that obviously believes in him and wants him there. It could end up being a much healthier environment all-around and Rosen should excel.