2020 NFL Draft: Matt Miller’s latest mock draft is not kind to Miami Dolphins

Hide your eyes Miami Dolphins fans, this 2020 NFL Draft scenario would not be kind to your team.

With the 2020 NFL Draft just over two weeks away, we are starting to hear more and more specific rumors of how the process will play out. Plugged in draft analysts are making predictions often and as the 2020 NFL Draft draws near, we have to stay paying more attention to their mock drafts.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller is one of these plugged in draft analysts who we need to be paying attention to and his latest mock draft is not kind to the Miami Dolphins. On the latest Stick to Football podcast, Miller went through his latest first-round scenario, using information that he has from around the league. With their three first-round selections the Dolphins were able to land the following players:

• Pick No. 5: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
• Pick No. 18: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
• Pick No. 26: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

Honestly, the only pick here for the Miami Dolphins that I do not absolutely hate is Swift. He is the top running back in this class, but taking a running back in the first round is rarely the best use of resources. I do not particularly love the value of Swift at No. 26, but I don’t hate the pick overall. The other picks, however, are a completely different story.

While releasing the mock draft picks on the podcast, Miller talked about speaking with sources inside the league who suggest that Justin Herbert is higher on the Dolphins’ board than Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. While I believe what Miller is saying and realize that Herbert going ahead of Tua is a realistic possibility in the 2020 NFL Draft, it is still a massive mistake.

Herbert has ideal size and a big arm. He also shows fantastic accuracy at times and impressive athleticism at the quarterback position. However, he did not show the ability to play out of schedule in college. Herbert looked like a premier prospect when he was adequately protected and his first read was open, but when he was pressured or had to adjust on the fly, he consistently struggled.

Unless he significantly improves at the next level, Herbert is going to have to be placed in a strong situation behind a rock-solid offensive line in order to have success in the NFL. In today’s NFL, you need to have a quarterback who can improvise. At this point in his career, Herbert has not shown the ability to do that.

This leads us to the Dolphins’ next pick. While they have made some improvements to the interior of their offensive line, the Dolphins legitimately need to find two quality starters at the offensive tackle position. Julie’n Davenport and Jesse Davis simply are not going to get the job done. They need to find offensive tackles who can come in and compete right away. Austin Jackson, who they took with the 18th pick of Miller’s mock, is not that guy.

Jackson has ideal size for an NFL offensive tackle and fantastic overall athleticism up front. He has quick feet and long arms which leads to a ton of natural upside at the position. That being said, Jackson is an incredibly raw player who has serious footwork and technique flaws in his game.

He is not ready to come in and take immediate snaps, making him a major reach at No. 18 overall. Jackson is a developmental prospect who needs to sit for a year or two before seeing serious playing time. Especially if they end up taking Herbert, the Miami Dolphins must find at least one offensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft who can come in be solid immediately. Jackson just is not that guy.

I don’t hate the Swift pick, but taking a quarterback who struggles under pressure and relying on an offensive tackle who is not ready to play is a dangerous combination. Miami Dolphins fans better hope that this scenario does not play out on the first day of the 2020 NFL Draft.