Josh Rosen: Should the Dolphins be interested?

The Miami Dolphins are in rebuilding mode and according to Dolphins beat writers, the team is prepared for a painful 2019 season. No, they aren’t ‘tanking’, but as free agency approaches, look for them to clear cap space by cutting, trading, & not re-signing veteran players that aren’t living up to their contracts.

The general consensus is that the Dolphins will focus on building from the inside-out. That means this offseason will be filled with drafting and signing players on both the offensive and defensive lines. This strategy, along with a painful 2019 season that could bring about a high draft position, will have the Dolphins set up to grab a top-rated QB in the 2020 draft next April.

But, what if they did something unconventional and took a chance on a player that may be available in the very near future? Rumors at the Combine were swirling that the Arizona Cardinals are enamored with Kyler Murray (I am too, so I understand the infatuation). If that’s the case, they’ll most likely trade their first round pick from last year, QB Josh Rosen. Although Rosen had a rough first year in 2018 (11 TDs, 14 INTs), he is still young, has a ton of physical talent, and could develop into a franchise QB for his next team. I should add that some are speculating that the Cardinals are NOT taking Murray and this is simply a smokescreen to tempt a team in to trading up to the #1 pick to get him.

A few people have floated the idea that the compensation for Rosen would likely be a 3rd round pick, however I think some team will likely pony up a 2nd round pick. So the question is, will the Dolphins be interested? Should the Dolphins be interested? Couldn’t you see the Patriots making a move like this, to groom Rosen behind Brady?

Lets just get through the reasons to object to the Dolphins pulling off a move like this. First, I know certain beat writers have said that the Dolphins didn’t think too highly of Rosen last year when they evaluated him for the draft. Was that narrative driven by then-head coach Adam Gase? Or was that Chris Grier’s assessment? It really doesn’t matter because it could be misinformation anyway.

Second, Rosen didn’t exactly shine in his first season with the Cardinals. The problem with evaluating his first year is that he was a rookie and he played on a terrible team with an even worse offense line than the Dolphins have. So if you are making this move, you’re doing so based on the potential you saw in Rosen in college. It is unfair to label him as a bust after just 1 season.

Ultimately, I am on board if the Dolphins were to make this move. IF, the Dolphins could trade their 3rd round pick this year for Rosen, it would be a low-risk, high-reward move that could uncover the franchise QB they’ve been searching for, for 19 years. A second round pick would be more difficult to swallow.

But, if it’s only a 3rd round pick for a 1st round talent? Sign me up. This type of move would also dispel the ‘tanking’ myth that is out there. They could still approach free agency and the draft the same way they planned (building the trenches, getting younger, and cheaper). Speaking of cheaper, Rosen’s financial cost to the Dolphins would be minimal (which is why I think the asking price will be more than a 3rd round pick).

Here’s the best part, if Rosen shows improvement and shows signs that he can be a franchise QB, you can afford to spend money in the coming years on building the roster around him, while he’s still on his rookie contract. At worst, he’s terrible, and the Dolphins are in position to draft a QB high in the 1st round in 2020.

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