I wanted to realistically look at trade up scenarios for the Miami Dolphins from the 5th overall pick in the 1st round (pick 1.5) of the 2020 NFL Draft. The draft point scenarios use draft pick points from Drafttek.
There's really only three scenarios for the Dolphins if they intend to use pick 1.5 on a QB: the "Must Have Joe" scenario where they are in love with Joe Burrow and will do what it takes to get him, the "Must Have Tua" scenario where they think Tua Tagovailoa is a MUCH better prospect than Justin Herbert , and the "Fine with Tua or Herbert" scenario (or Jordan Love at a later pick).
"Must Have Joe" Scenario:
- The way you have to think about it as not that the Bengals really want Joe Burrow, you must think like they already have Joe Burrow. That's what they expect, their fans expect, the whole world expects; so for them to not have Joe, they would effectively be losing Joe, and the Bengals would want a premium akin to what people typically assign to losses as compared to gains (two to one). Given the 1300 draft point difference between pick 1.1 and 1.5, the Bengals would want 2600 equivalent draft points at least. In my mind, this is nothing less than all three Dolphins 1st rounders this year and either two 2's or a 1st rounder next year. So 4 1st rounders for the 1st overall pick this year in your "Must Have Joe" Scenario
"Must Have Tua" Scenario:
- If you want the peace of mind that you'll get Joe or Tua, you trade up to pick 1.2. I assigned a 50% premium on the Redskins draft points that they'd want to move down to 1.5, but really they'd probably want a premium between 50-100%. If you fully believe in both quarterbacks, I don't see the Redskins saying no to all three Dolphins 1st rounders this year as that'd be a 78% premium paid on the difference in draft points. And I think there's a good chance the Redskins would accept pick 1.5 with either the combo of picks 1.18 + 2.56 or 1.26 + 2.39 and then a future 3rd rounder throw in
- If you think that the Redskins really want Chase Young and feel comfortable just trading up with the Lions at pick 1.3, I could see pick 1.5 + either pick 1.26 or two 2nd rounders getting that trade up done. Unfortunately you probably can't close on this deal until right before or during the draft, as you make it easy for the Chargers or some wildcard team to jump to pick 1.2 and then you have to cough up even more to match their offer
- If the Giants were to call while on the clock and say they have a deal in place with the Chargers, only then do I see the need to jump up from pick 1.5 to 1.4. But if that were the case you would have to beat the supposed Chargers offer or maybe just swap 3rd round picks with the Giants to make up the draft points difference
"Fine with Tua or Herbert" Scenario: (or Jordan Love at a later pick)
- If you're truly fine with either scenario, just stick at pick 1.5