With the NFL Draft fast approaching, speculation and predictions are running rampant among football fans and analysts alike. One such analyst, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., has made a bold prediction for the Miami Dolphins. Kiper believes that the Dolphins could potentially draft a high-upside quarterback in case their newly acquired QB, Malik Willis, doesn’t pan out.
The Miami Dolphins have been in search of a franchise quarterback for quite some time now. After a disappointing season with veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and an underwhelming performance from Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins knew they needed to make a change. So, when the opportunity to acquire Malik Willis presented itself, they jumped at the chance.
Willis, who played for Liberty University, has been turning heads with his impressive skill set on the field. Standing at 6’1” and weighing 215 pounds, he possesses a rare combination of speed, agility, and arm strength. In his final season at Liberty, Willis threw for 2,260 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing for 944 yards and 14 touchdowns. His dual-threat abilities have drawn comparisons to the likes of Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson.
The Dolphins showed their faith in Willis by signing him to a lucrative contract worth $67.5 million. However, as with any young quarterback, there is no guarantee of success in the NFL. This is where Kiper’s bold prediction comes into play.
Kiper believes that the Dolphins should have a backup plan in case Willis doesn’t live up to expectations. And what better way to secure a backup plan than by drafting a high-upside passer in the upcoming NFL Draft. With the sixth overall pick, the Dolphins have the opportunity to select a talented quarterback who could potentially become their future franchise player.
One of the top prospects in this year’s draft is North Dakota State’s Trey Lance. Lance, who is just 20 years old, has shown great potential in his limited playing time. In his only full season as a starter, he led North Dakota State to an undefeated record and a national championship. He threw for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns with zero interceptions while also rushing for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Kiper believes that Lance’s raw talent and potential make him an ideal choice for the Dolphins. He also pointed out that Lance could benefit from sitting behind Willis and learning from him before taking over as the starter. This could be a similar situation to what we saw with Patrick Mahomes and Alex Smith in Kansas City.
Another potential option for the Dolphins is Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Fields, who is known for his accuracy and athleticism, has been projected as a top-five pick in most mock drafts. However, there is a chance he could fall to the Dolphins at the sixth spot. If this happens, it would be hard for the Dolphins to pass up on such a talented player.
While some may see Kiper’s prediction as a lack of faith in Willis, it actually shows the Dolphins’ commitment to building a strong and competitive team. With a high-upside passer waiting in the wings, the Dolphins would have a backup plan in case things don’t go as planned with Willis. This would also create healthy competition and push Willis to perform at his best.
In addition to Kiper’s prediction, there have also been talks of the Dolphins potentially trading down in the draft to acquire more picks. This would give them the opportunity to draft a quarterback later in the first round, such as Alabama’s Mac Jones or Florida’s Kyle Trask. Both players have shown great potential and could benefit from sitting behind Willis and learning from him.
Overall, Kiper’s prediction may seem like a hypothetical scenario, but it is a smart and strategic move for the Dolphins. In today’s NFL, having a strong and reliable quarterback is crucial for a team’s success. And with a high-upside passer waiting in the wings, the Dolphins would be well-equipped for any situation that may arise.
The NFL Draft is always full of surprises, and it will be interesting to see what the Miami Dolphins decide to do with their sixth overall pick. Will they stick with Malik Willis and trust in his abilities, or will they take a chance on a high-upside passer? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure, the Dolphins are determined to find their franchise quarterback and build a winning team. And with Kiper’s prediction, they have another option to consider in their quest for success
