The Miami Dolphins entered the 2020 NFL Draft with more picks (14) than any other team. As rumors and trade winds scattered through every media source, it was Brian Flores and General Manager Chris Grier that kept their cards close and stayed patient.

The Dolphins brass decided to stay put at No.5 and selected their quarterback of the future, Alabama’s Tua Tagavailoa.  Tua went 22-2 as a starter for the Crimson Tide and fits the bill of being a team leader on and off the field. After passing up Drew Brees twice in his career and selecting Minkah Fitzpatrick over Lamar Jackson, the Dolphins couldn’t take the chance of passing on one of college football’s greatest stars in the history of the quarterback position. Tua will have to answer to critics after his season ending hip-surgery, but there is no rush for the former national champion to play as he will learn the ropes from journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick as the young offensive line continues to gel.

It was clear that the Dolphins brain trust went in with a solid plan to not only draft a young qb, but to protect him at all costs. Miami spent the No.18 selection on the youngest player in the draft, Austin Jackson (20 years old) from USC. Jackson could start his career at left tackle as he will likely be protecting the blindside of Fitzpatrick in his rookie season. Draft critics were all over the board with this pick, but its hard to blame Miami for taking the upside tackle who will eventually be asked to protect Tua at all costs.

Continuing the trend of building through the trenches, the Dolphins selected OL Robert Hunt from Louisiana-Lafayette with the 39th pick in the second round and followed that pick with Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama.

As a member of the Rajun Cajun, Hunt was known for pancaking defenders to the floor and at 6’5 325 lbs. He has experience playing both guard and tackle but is projected to be better suited at guard. The Dolphins signed OG Erick Flowers in free agency to man the LG position so expect Hunt to compete at RG and/or RT.

The Dolphins continued to beef up the offensive line in the 4th round when they selected OG Solomon Kindley from Georgia. If you’re watching a DeAndre Swift highlight tape, its not hard to notice number 66 opening up holes the size of 6-lane highways for the speedster to make a long gain. Kindley earned the nickname “Big Fish” in college and revealed he has a lot of family that live in Miami. It was only fitting that the Dolphins made this pick to secure the interior.

Davis was drafted to add to a 3-man rotation of first round pick Christian Wilkins, and Davon Godchaux. Flores’ defense has multiple 3-4 formations so Davis could be asked to play nose tackle. In 4-3 sets, the Dolphins will rely on newly signed Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah to create pressure from the ends and if former first round pick Charles Harris can match expectations, it should dramatically improve the defensive unit.

At the end of the first round the Dolphins decided to trade back and acquire an additional 4th from the Green Bay Packers, who took QB Jordan Love with the 26th pick. At 30,  Miami then selected Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn. At the time of Igbinoghene’s selection, the Dolphins decided to pass up the number 1 ranked running back on the board in Jonathan Taylor which surprised many.

Multiple scouting reports have said that Igbinoghene is an aggressive man coverage defender with excellent speed and a good physical tackler. It’s hard to blame Brian Flores for what he believes could be his next top nickel corner on a Dolphins defense that already has Xavien Howard and Byron Jones.

The Dolphins finished the 3rd round by selecting Brandon Jones, S, Texas.

Jones underwent labrum surgery in January and missed the Senior Bowl. Jones opted to impress potential NFL suitors by breaking down almost four games’ worth of defensive tape to display his experience.