Being a senior at WKU and a Miami Dolphins fan since 2003, I was beyond excited when I saw that the Dolphins selected WKU's acclaimed quarterback Brandon Doughty in the 7th round of this year's NFL draft. I didn't think it would ever happen but I was pleasantly surprised to see the 2-time C-USA MVP go to my favorite NFL team and I instantly started thinking how Miami could use him and if he has a chance to become a starting QB for them. Let's look into the Dolphins QB personnel.
QB SITUATION: The Dolphins currently have 4 other quarterbacks on their roster besides Doughty. They return their starting QB of the past 4 seasons Ryan Tannehill, backup Matt Moore, 3rd stringer Logan Thomas, and former Miami (OH) player Zac Dysert.
Tannehill has had decent production for the Dolphins since he's been the starting QB and has improved on his stats each season but he has been hindered by constant changes on the offensive line, coaching changes, and has been one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the league the past few seasons. Tannehill has been very polarizing within the Dolphins' fan base because of his lack of consistency with the deep ball and a lot of the blame for the Dolphins inability to get into the playoffs has also been put on his shoulders. In college, Tannehill was a wide receiver converted to a quarterback at Texas A&M and has played the position since his final few seasons at the university and his senior year he threw for 3,700 yards and 29 TDs. He has even had that kind of production in the NFL yardage wise and he threw for 4,200 yards and 24 TDs just last season. Tannehill's future could be determined by how he and the Dolphins do this season with new players on the offensive line once again and a new head coach in Adam Gase. So how soon could Doughty actually become a contender?
If Tannehill doesn't show any improvement this season under the new coach and "improved" offensive line, the Dolphins could move on from him and bring in someone new as the starting QB. As of now, I would assume that long-time backup Matt Moore would most likely get the nod over anyone else on the roster to start. Moore has been second in command behind Tannehill ever since he has been the starting QB and with 9 years of experience in the league, I could picture Miami giving him the starting spot if Tannehill doesn't do well. But it is completely impossible for Doughty to get the starting position even this early in his career?
I don't think it's impossible but it all depends on how Doughty does in practice and all the summer mini camps and that will help determine if he can earn a spot either on the active roster or practice squad. Even if Doughty spends a year or two behind Tannehill or Moore on the active roster or as a reserve, I feel like it would be good for his development for him to learn all the plays and get adjusted to being in the NFL. I have even seen comments from some Dolphins fans (that are fed up with Tannehill) that said they wanted Doughty to start over Tannehill right away but realistically, I don't see Tannehill, who has started the past 4 seasons, getting beat out by Doughty in his rookie year. Last season Tannehill had a completion percentage of 61% and Doughty, who has been one of the most accurate passers the past few seasons in the NCAA, had a career completion percentage close to 70%. Doughty's accuracy will definitely be one of his strengths that could help put him above some of the other QBs on the Dolphins roster (Thomas and Dysert) but the biggest concern is his mobility. Doughty had the slowest 40 yard dash time among all QBs that were invited to the NFL Combine this season and with the offensive line issues that the Dolphins have had in the past, it would be very important for Doughty to have the ability to extend plays and be mobile in the pocket if the offensive line frequently collapses on him. Doughty fits the type of offense that Miami runs with Tannehill and he would be blessed with some good receivers with Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, and Devante Parker. The offensive weapons are there for him to use but whoever is Miami's quarterback just has to get the ball to them.
I did get to talk with Doughty at a meet and greet at Alumni Hall in Bowling Green a few months ago and my dad, who is a Cowboys fan, was asking him about what he thought of Dallas and potentially going there and playing behind their QB Tony Romo and Doughty said he didn't object to sitting behind Romo a year or two and learning the ropes and working his way up. Even now that he's with Miami, I imagine he still understands that he's going to have to work hard and learn fast in the NFL and being selected in the 7th round has definitely provided some more motivation for him to prove to everyone that he's better than a 7th round quarterback and he can play at an NFL level. He has been an underdog and has been slept on by most people outside of the C-USA for most of his career so this isn't anything new to him. I also imagine that him being close to home will be nice for him as well. I'm really excited to see how Doughty does with Miami and I feel like given the opportunity, he could become an NFL quarterback and eventually start but time will only tell.
QB SITUATION: The Dolphins currently have 4 other quarterbacks on their roster besides Doughty. They return their starting QB of the past 4 seasons Ryan Tannehill, backup Matt Moore, 3rd stringer Logan Thomas, and former Miami (OH) player Zac Dysert.
Tannehill has had decent production for the Dolphins since he's been the starting QB and has improved on his stats each season but he has been hindered by constant changes on the offensive line, coaching changes, and has been one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the league the past few seasons. Tannehill has been very polarizing within the Dolphins' fan base because of his lack of consistency with the deep ball and a lot of the blame for the Dolphins inability to get into the playoffs has also been put on his shoulders. In college, Tannehill was a wide receiver converted to a quarterback at Texas A&M and has played the position since his final few seasons at the university and his senior year he threw for 3,700 yards and 29 TDs. He has even had that kind of production in the NFL yardage wise and he threw for 4,200 yards and 24 TDs just last season. Tannehill's future could be determined by how he and the Dolphins do this season with new players on the offensive line once again and a new head coach in Adam Gase. So how soon could Doughty actually become a contender?
If Tannehill doesn't show any improvement this season under the new coach and "improved" offensive line, the Dolphins could move on from him and bring in someone new as the starting QB. As of now, I would assume that long-time backup Matt Moore would most likely get the nod over anyone else on the roster to start. Moore has been second in command behind Tannehill ever since he has been the starting QB and with 9 years of experience in the league, I could picture Miami giving him the starting spot if Tannehill doesn't do well. But it is completely impossible for Doughty to get the starting position even this early in his career?
I don't think it's impossible but it all depends on how Doughty does in practice and all the summer mini camps and that will help determine if he can earn a spot either on the active roster or practice squad. Even if Doughty spends a year or two behind Tannehill or Moore on the active roster or as a reserve, I feel like it would be good for his development for him to learn all the plays and get adjusted to being in the NFL. I have even seen comments from some Dolphins fans (that are fed up with Tannehill) that said they wanted Doughty to start over Tannehill right away but realistically, I don't see Tannehill, who has started the past 4 seasons, getting beat out by Doughty in his rookie year. Last season Tannehill had a completion percentage of 61% and Doughty, who has been one of the most accurate passers the past few seasons in the NCAA, had a career completion percentage close to 70%. Doughty's accuracy will definitely be one of his strengths that could help put him above some of the other QBs on the Dolphins roster (Thomas and Dysert) but the biggest concern is his mobility. Doughty had the slowest 40 yard dash time among all QBs that were invited to the NFL Combine this season and with the offensive line issues that the Dolphins have had in the past, it would be very important for Doughty to have the ability to extend plays and be mobile in the pocket if the offensive line frequently collapses on him. Doughty fits the type of offense that Miami runs with Tannehill and he would be blessed with some good receivers with Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, and Devante Parker. The offensive weapons are there for him to use but whoever is Miami's quarterback just has to get the ball to them.
I did get to talk with Doughty at a meet and greet at Alumni Hall in Bowling Green a few months ago and my dad, who is a Cowboys fan, was asking him about what he thought of Dallas and potentially going there and playing behind their QB Tony Romo and Doughty said he didn't object to sitting behind Romo a year or two and learning the ropes and working his way up. Even now that he's with Miami, I imagine he still understands that he's going to have to work hard and learn fast in the NFL and being selected in the 7th round has definitely provided some more motivation for him to prove to everyone that he's better than a 7th round quarterback and he can play at an NFL level. He has been an underdog and has been slept on by most people outside of the C-USA for most of his career so this isn't anything new to him. I also imagine that him being close to home will be nice for him as well. I'm really excited to see how Doughty does with Miami and I feel like given the opportunity, he could become an NFL quarterback and eventually start but time will only tell.
