What Are Miami’s Options If They Move On From Tua Next Year?
Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2024 season rapidly approaching, the Miami Dolphins are at an impasse with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has had some success in the league but hasn’t always been consistent. He’s also had more than his share of durability concerns, including several concussion scares.
While he was healthy throughout 2023, the Dolphins still have questions about him overall, which is why they have yet to sign him to a long-term extension. It doesn’t help that quarterback salaries have once again skyrocketed, with Jared Goff landing $53 million per season and Trevor Lawrence coming in at $55 million. Reports indicate Miami doesn’t see themselves paying that for Tua, which could lead to his exit in 2025.
If that were to happen, Miami could have a few options that make sense. First, let’s dive into the incoming class of rookies and see which players they could feasibly target without having to trade multiple first-round picks to obtain.
NFL Draft Options for the Miami Dolphins
Carson Beck, Georgia
He’s not exactly a surefire star but Carson Beck put himself on the map in 2023 with Georgia. A redshirt junior, the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder got his first opportunity to be a full-time starter and didn’t disappoint. He threw for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and just six picks.
Where Beck stands out is with his accuracy, which is what Mike McDaniel loves about Tagovailoa. The only real concern with Beck is whether or not he remains a realistic option for Miami. Another strong season could be enough to push him to the top of the class and out of their range. For now, however, he remains an option.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
While Beck came out of nowhere, Quinn Ewers started with a lot of promise but has yet to live up to his top prospect status. Ewers was a highly sought-after prospect entering the NCAA but never saw the field with Ohio State. He transferred to Texas and has slowly developed his game, coming on strong in 2023. In two seasons, he’s completed 69 percent of his attempts for 5,656 yards with a 37-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
This year will be telling for Ewers since Texas lost AD Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Jonathon Brooks, and Ja’Tavion Sanders to the NFL. If he can replicate the success he had with those players, it should push him into the Round 1 conversation. It could also give Miami faith that he can move the chains effectively with their collection of offensive stars.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama
From one Alabama product to another. Miami could look to replace Tagovailoa with Jalen Milroe, who had a great redshirt sophomore campaign. He managed to throw for 2,834 yards with 23 touchdowns and six picks while also hurting teams with his legs. Milroe ran for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns, which included 35 runs of 10-plus yards. As impressive as that is, it’s his accuracy on the deep ball that would make him a home run in Miami.
Free Agency Options for the Miami Dolphins
Jameis Winston
This one might not seem ideal at first, but the Dolphins could do a lot worse than Jameis Winston. Winston, currently with the Cleveland Browns, might not ever live up to his status as a No. 1 overall pick, but he’s a fearless passer who was trending in the right direction under Sean Payton in New Orleans. He led them to a 5-2 start in 2021 and had 14 touchdowns against three picks before a torn ACL ended his season.
Winston never got the starting gig back, but still has 22,104 yards passing with 141 touchdowns and 99 picks in his career. He might not be elite, but his salary tops out at $8 million with Cleveland — and he needs to hit a lot of incentives for that number. It’s hard to say the difference between Tagovailoa and Winston justifies Miami paying $55 million or more in a world where Winston maxes out at $8 million.
Justin Fields
Another stop-gap solution for the Dolphins would be Justin Fields, the former Ohio State product who never caught on with the Chicago Bears. Fields got a raw deal with the Bears, who never successfully built around him. Instead, they asked him to do it all and blamed him when it didn’t work. They even moved on after he finally showed promise in 2023 when he had exactly one offensive weapon in D.J. Moore.
Ironically, his replacement has all the toys Fields never got. Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze join Moore this year, which will help Caleb Williams succeed in the NFL.
Perhaps Fields will make the most of his shot with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but if they stick with Russell Wilson, it could be worth it for Miami to kick the tires on Fields. He would have more help with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle than he’s ever had. It could be very fun watching Mike McDaniel draw up plays with the mobile gun-slinger.
Dak Prescott
The final option would be the most expensive, but offers the most upside. Dak Prescott finds himself in a similar situation as Tua with his team balking at a deal — but this one makes little sense. Sure, the Dallas Cowboys are blaming Prescott for their shortcomings in the playoffs, but his career has mirrored Tony Romo’s. The problem is the organization itself. They’ve convinced everyone it’s the quarterback letting them down, but refuse to look at themselves in the mirror for putting too much on one player while creating a culture of disappointment.
Prescott enters 2024 without any security beyond this season, and he can’t be franchise-tagged since the team botched his last contract. He’s put up some impressive numbers including throwing for 4,500-plus yards with 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year. He’s another quarterback who could see his game brought to a new level with Hill, Waddle, and the Miami ground game at his disposal. The only question is whether or not they think he’s worth $60 million, because that could be the price tag by the time he hits the open market.
Up Next