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Miami Dolphins seven-round 2020 NFL mock draft

By A.J. Fagerlin

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Chris Lammons #30 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates with teammates after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Hard Rock Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Chris Lammons #30 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates with teammates after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Hard Rock Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Miami Dolphins
TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 10: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks off the field with Jedrick Wills Jr. #74 after being sacked in the third quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Alabama. Alex Leatherwood. 22. Offensive Tackle. 59

Pick Analysis. Jedrick Wills Jr.. Scouting Report. Offensive Tackle. Alabama. 23. player. 59

Now here is where it gets REALLY interesting. As it stands, the Miami Dolphins do have back-to-back picks here from the Steelers and Texans. With three first round picks, Miami really has a chance to hit it big and turn their ship around.

With their first pick they went out and got who they hope will fill the biggest need of any team in the NFL, a franchise quarterback. The second most important position in the game today? Many would say a guy to protect that franchise quarterback. This is especially important when that talented franchise quarterback has a bit of an injury history.

So why not take two guys early to help ensure that you can protect the centerpiece of the Miami Dolphins organization going forward? And why not make it two guys that have played with this quarterback before and are familiar with him and his style of play?

I know the odds of taking two players from the same school, let alone at the same position, with back-to-back picks is slim. But it makes sense, doesn’t it? The current tackles for the Miami Dolphins? Julie’n Davenport and Jesse Davis. Those are cornerstone guys that you want locked into the lineup protecting your brand new, injury-plagued quarterback.

Alex Leatherwood is the Tide’s current left tackle. He is incredibly athletic for a tackle from his days as a pulling guard, and can quickly move his feet to stay in front of the most talented edge rushers. He has an NFL body and the strength to manipulate defenders and open holes in the run game. He feels “at home” at left tackle, and could develop into a great in the NFL.

While Leatherwood is a more athletic tackle who excels with his quick feet and ability to block in space, Jedrick Wills Jr. is an anchor on the other side of the line. With his balance and sheer strength, good luck bull rushing him. He maintains a solid center of gravity and takes good angles to keep blockers away from the quarterback. In this scenario, Wills stays at right tackle, where he currently plays for Alabama, and will continue to protect Tua’s blindside at the next level.

Familiarity and comfort would play a huge factor in Tua’s growth in this scenario. Having two guys that he knows very well protecting him, Tua can continue to display the confidence that he played with at Alabama. Good tackles are hard to come by so locking in two of the best in the 2020 NFL Draft with their final two picks of the first round would be huge for the Miami Dolphins.

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