Editor’s note: This article has been modified since publication to clarify the source of the original speculation regarding a potential trade.
The Cincinnati Bengals were awarded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft after going 2-14 on the season. Many people are assuming that they will take LSU standout quarterback Joe Burrow with the first selection since they are looking for a replacement starting quarterback. However, there have been rumors that another team trying to tank for a starting quarterback may be sliding into the Cincinnati’s phone line to make a move for the pick.
That team would be the Miami Dolphins, who are also looking for their new starting quarterback. What has been circulating has been a major trade deal that would forfeit multiple first-round picks for the chance of drafting Joe Burrow. ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via an ESPN broadcast) was among those to mention he expects the Dolphins to make a heavy pursuit for the No. 1 pick, presumably so they can acquire Burrow.
The clip, which can be found below, features the highly-regarded insider suggesting the Chargers and Panthers could explore moving up to No. 1, in addition to the Dolphins. Schefter also mentioned that such rumors come up every year, as seen by the rumors of the Cardinals considering moving down from No. 1 and passing on Kyler Murray last season.
This is where all the talk of the Dolphins trading up for Joe Burrow is coming from: pic.twitter.com/VBvmzV4svK
— Alejandro 🇨🇴 (@MiamiAlejandro) January 16, 2020
A trade would likely have the Miami Dolphins parting with a presumed package as follows.
Cincinnati Bengals would receive:
- 2020 first-round pick (fifth overall)
- 2020 first-round pick (18th overall)
- 2020 second-round pick (39th overall)
- 2021 first-round pick
- 2021 third-round pick
Miami Dolphins would receive:
- 2020 first-round pick (first overall)
This trade would ultimately give up most of the Dolphins’ first-rounders that they had accumulated this past year through trading their better players. This trade would also lock in the fact of the Dolphins rebuilding the team for the future through that pick, which would be Burrow. Trade packages of the perceived magnitude only happen when there is a quarterback prospect involved. The Bengals would only be willing to part with a prospect like Burrow if the package was this sweet.
Originally, at the beginning of this past season, the team was reportedly locked in on Alabama’s star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and they will still be able to get him with the fifth overall pick. But with injury concerns to Tagovailoa, the team could use a handful of their assets to trade up in the draft and get a quarterback who has not dealt with injuries.
This trade would benefit the Dolphins as they would lock in a young quarterback who could be their franchise quarterback. The Dolphins know that Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a long-term answer, as the veteran quarterback is already 37 years old. And the quarterback they traded in last year’s offseason, Josh Rosen, has not shown anything to impress the Dolphins in keeping him for the long term. Most teams are readily available to trade away multiple first-round picks if it means having a chance at a star quarterback, as we have seen multiple times teams trade multiple picks to move up for the quarterback that they want.
In 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles traded three top-100 picks in that draft along with a 2017 first-round pick and a second-round pick in 2018 to the Cleveland Browns for the second overall pick so that they could draft their future quarterback in Carson Wentz. Joe Burrow has the same potential as Carson Wentz and could be a franchise quarterback for an organization.
Joe Burrow this season broke an FBS record for touchdowns in a season with a total of 60, and only threw six interceptions. With over 5,500 passing yards and a very impressive 76 percent passing accuracy, Burrow has been the up and coming quarterback talent that any team would want on their roster. For the Dolphins, he would be their next franchise quarterback, but would most likely wait behind Ryan Fitzpatrick for a year to develop to the speed and knowledge of the NFL.
Why would the Cincinnati Bengals take this trade? Well, this trade would help the team rebuild much quicker. The Bengals would receive four additional picks for moving back four spots in the draft. They would have two picks in the first round and two picks in the second round, which is filled with talented players that could fill in the holes that the Bengals have. The team could build up an offensive line that would be able to protect their future quarterback for when they get one. They could use one of those four picks to draft a quarterback such as Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert of Oregon.
The Bengals could rebuild their team for success ahead of when they draft a quarterback by using the picks on offensive weapons that could help a young quarterback thrive or through defensive players that could help the team win games. The Bengals also would receive a first-round pick and a third-round pick in the 2021 draft which also has a big-name quarterback in Trevor Lawrence out of Clemson. They could use the pick of their own or of the Dolphins to draft Lawrence.
The trade would help both teams, as the Bengals would receive more picks to rebuild their roster, and the Dolphins would be able to get their next franchise quarterback. Each team has a reason to make the deal done, and at the same time, the Cincinnati Bengals could field better offers to teams that are also looking for a new quarterback such as the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, or the Carolina Panthers.
