A little Tuesday morning draft buzz … We are unofficially in single digits this morning with just 9 days to go until the draft. And there is a little buzz growing this season, although it always comes with the attached warning that this is prime smoke and mirrors season. The sense around the league as best we can figure for example is that it appears to be growing less likely that Miami will be trading up with Cincinnati to the #1 pick in next week’s lottery. The Dolphins simply don’t want to give up literally all the draft capital they have accumulated – they do have three firsts and two second round picks this year, not to mention extra picks in both opening rounds in 2021 – simply to acquire one player. There is also a growing sense that Miami, that does need a QB, may actually be focusing in on Oregon’s Justin Herbert who they may very well be able to get staying put at the 5th pick. In fact, it appears that Herbert, who has long been one of the more polarizing prospects in the 2020 draft, may be hot again. As has been noted, Herbert has elite physical skills and arm talent, but has left questions about his leadership skills and pocket presence. If in fact the Dolphins are looking at Herbert, that would represent something of a change as most analysts have figured Miami would be the most likely team to trade up with Detroit to the 3rd selection to take Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. However, with Miami apparently cooling on the former Tide star, there is growing speculation that the LA Chargers might be seriously thinking of working out something with the Lions in order to bring him to the west coast. With only journeyman Tyrod Taylor at the position after the departure of long-time starter Philip Rivers, the Chargers are almost desperate at the position. The Chargers had been thought to want a name veteran to lead them into their new stadium whenever the league gets going, but they lost out on the Tom Brady sweepstakes and don’t appear to have any interest in either of free agents Cam Newton or Jameis Winston. As such, Tagovailoa, who does have a national reputation, might be a nice consolation prize. And with Miami apparently losing interest in Tagovailoa, Jacksonville and Las Vegas, a couple of other teams that never felt they could outbid the Dolphins to get him, reportedly have renewed interest. Both have extra first round picks this year, with the Jags holding the 9th and 20th selections and the Raiders #s 12 and 19. You also hear that people around the league expect that if either Herbert or Tagovailoa slide out of the top 5-6 picks, that New England may look into making a big move up from #23 in search of a replacement for Brady. Stay tuned!
