NFL Draft Notebook: Miami Dolphins need to explore QB options beyond Tua Tagovailoa

In this week’s NFL Draft Notebook, we start by examining how the Miami Dolphins should approach their quarterback situation following another concussion for Tua Tagovailoa. We also name our week two Rookie of the Week and highlight several other rookies who have made impressive starts to their NFL careers.

Quarterback concerns in Miami

The biggest NFL storyline of the weekend centered around Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered yet another concussion. This has reignited concerns about how much longer he will continue playing in the NFL. If Tagovailoa experiences another concussion and decides to retire at the end of the season, it would leave the Dolphins with a significant void at quarterback, as the current roster lacks a clear starting-caliber replacement. Even if Tagovailoa manages to finish the season without further injuries, questions about his long-term future will remain. In this article, we’ll explore three potential ways Miami could address their quarterback situation moving forward.

First, let’s consider the best-case scenario: Tagovailoa returns healthy and remains on the field for the rest of the season. This outcome would be ideal for Miami, but the team should still plan for the future by drafting a quarterback in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Dolphins would likely target a quick decision-maker who fits their fast-paced offense. While this might rule out a player like Miami Hurricanes’ Cameron Ward, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier could be a strong option on day three. Nussmeier’s accuracy and ability to hit receivers in stride would complement the playmaking skills of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, offering more potential than backup Skylar Thompson and newly signed Tyler Huntley.

If Tagovailoa sustains another concussion and retires after this season, the Dolphins may turn to a veteran quarterback, especially given their "win-now" mentality. One possible target could be Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold, who is set to become a free agent. With Minnesota likely transitioning to their 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, Darnold could seek a fresh start, making him a viable option for Miami.

The least likely, yet still plausible, scenario is for the Dolphins to use a first-round pick on a quarterback to replace Tagovailoa. However, given the team’s immediate desire to compete, they may hesitate to draft a rookie who could be a liability early on. Georgia’s Carson Beck might be their preferred option, but he is projected to go within the top ten of the 2025 NFL Draft, likely out of Miami’s reach. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who runs a system similar to Miami’s, could be a more realistic option and might be available when the Dolphins are on the clock.

No matter what happens with Tagovailoa, the Dolphins will need to secure a quarterback who provides long-term stability for the future.

NFL Draft Notebook Rookie of the Week

This week’s NFL Draft Notebook Rookie of the Week is Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. In just his second career game, Harrison made a significant impact early, catching all four of his targets and scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter of the Cardinals' dominant 41-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

His standout moment came on Arizona’s opening drive, with a remarkable toe-tapping, over-the-shoulder catch in the back of the end zone. According to NFL.com's NextGen Stats, the play had just a 13.7% completion probability, highlighting the skills that made Harrison my top-rated player in the 2024 NFL Draft and second highest-rated player overall. His body control, focus, and strong hands—which helped him become the first Ohio State receiver with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons—were all on display.

Harrison’s second touchdown came on Arizona’s next drive when Kyler Murray connected with him on a dig route, which Harrison turned into a 60-yard score. In addition to those two scores, he caught a 15-yard fade that got the Cardinals out from their own goal line and his other catch converted into a crucial first down.

Next week will be crucial for Harrison and the Cardinals as they take on the Detroit Lions. A win could cement their status as NFC contenders, following a dominant victory over the Rams and a narrow week one loss to the Buffalo Bills, who recently beat the Miami Dolphins by 21 points.

NFL Draft news and notes

Close second: Malik Nabers of the New York Giants was a strong contender for NFL Draft Notebook’s Rookie of the Week. Despite the team’s 21-18 loss, Nabers was exceptional, hauling in 10 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets. He was clearly the focal point of the offense, as no other player was targeted more than four times. The only blemish on his day was a dropped pass late in the fourth quarter on a crucial fourth down, sealing the Redskins' victory.

One more rookie who shined: Brock Bowers also made his mark, catching all nine passes thrown his way for 98 yards, including two tough grabs in traffic, and picking up five first downs. This was Bowers’ second strong performance of the season, following a six-catch, 58-yard effort in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Heading into week three, Bowers leads all tight ends in targets, receptions, and yards, showcasing why he was the unanimous top tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Panthers quarterback plan: The Panthers’ gamble to trade up for Bryce Young in the 2023 NFL Draft hasn’t paid off. After a rough rookie season, Young has continued to struggle, completing just 55% of his passes and going 5-for-15 on throws over 10 yards. With no touchdown passes and three interceptions, he’s already been benched. Although it’s clear Young isn’t the Panthers’ future at quarterback, drafting another QB with a top-three pick in 2025 would be a mistake. None of the upcoming prospects are worth a top-five pick, and the team needs a faster turnaround to retain fan support. Their best option is to sign a veteran quarterback or make a trade.

H-town: The NFL recently released its list of cities that produce the most NFL talent based on where players went to high school. Miami, Florida ranked first, raising questions about why both Florida and Florida State are struggling. However, Houston, which ranked sixth, stands out to me. Having coached in Houston and now running Blair Quarterback Academy, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible talent in the city, particularly the speed of skill players and the production of elite quarterbacks. Two of the best are Jalen Milroe, a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, and DJ Lagway, a possible future first-rounder.

Major concern: The Bears' offense has fallen short of expectations this year. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has struggled, earning a 44.1 passing grade according to Pro Football Focus. However, the biggest issue is the interior of the offensive line. Williams hasn’t had a clean pocket, which has led to nine sacks. The O-line has also failed to create much push in the run game, with the Bears averaging only 3.5 yards per carry, ranking 29th in the NFL. Expect the Bears to address this position early in the 2025 NFL Draft and possibly sign key free agents.