Saturday’s Dolphin Mailbag: Tua’s Contract, Waddle, Draft, and Further Topics

Who should be the target preference? How impactful could Erik Ezukanma be next season? Addressing these and other Miami Dolphins concerns – Part 1 of a Miami Dolphins mailbag on the final weekend before the 2024 NFL draft:

From Jason Sarney (@Jason_Sarney): Hey Jason, that’s the question, isn’t it, my fellow Expos-loving friend? I have and will continue to advocate for trading down if the opportunity arises for the Dolphins. I believe I’d prefer having, for instance, the 27th overall pick and a third-round selection rather than the 21st pick. But that’s just my take.

From Craig M (@Dolfan2334): What defines a successful draft for the Dolphins? Two day-one starters? Players who will be starting in a year or two? Additional picks this year and/or next? Hey Craig, generally speaking, I’d say acquiring valuable contributors with their first two picks would be a positive start, even if they don’t become immediate starters. While gaining extra picks would be beneficial, it shouldn’t come at the expense of losing an immediate contributor. Additionally, I’m not particularly keen on accumulating future picks at the cost of immediate assistance. That’s not the approach the Dolphins are currently taking.

From Jorge Boyd (@raga1922): Hi Alain, I sometimes disagree with your assessment of Tua, but one thing is clear – he needs to improve and find a way to win games even when circumstances aren’t in his favor. I’m curious about your thoughts on this? Hey Jorge, so you’re the one who occasionally disagrees with me on Tua! All jokes aside, your point is valid. However, it’s not solely about winning but also performing well in late-season games against playoff teams. In simpler terms, while it’s not entirely on Tua, he needs to be part of the solution in those situations, not part of the problem.

From Roger Dodger (@RogerDolfan): Why are NFL draft picks required to sign mandatory 4-year contracts with every NFL team? Why not 1- or 2-year contracts? It’s disheartening if you perform exceptionally well in your rookie year but can’t negotiate a new contract for another 3-4 years. Can NFL draft picks form a union before they are drafted? Hey Roger, this contractual structure has been collectively bargained between the owners and the NFL Players Association. NFL owners seek control over players for a minimum of four years. While it’s plausible for this to change or be challenged in court by incoming rookies, such occurrences are uncertain.

From Kyle Sweet (@Sweetturmz71): If you were the GM of the Fins and JPJ, Troy Fautanu, Jared Verse, Byron Murphy, Xavier Worthy, Brian Thomas Jr., Cooper DeJean were all still available, who would you prioritize if there were no viable trade-down options? Hey Kyle, I believe Fautanu would be my choice in that scenario. He could immediately step in as a starting guard and transition to left tackle when Terron Armstead’s tenure concludes. Just to note, Fautanu wasn’t available when I made my selection in the Fan Nation network-wide mock draft.

From Ed Helinski (@MrEd315): What’s your intuition regarding next week’s NFL draft for the Dolphins? Will it be a significant event or a disappointing outcome with their picks? Hey Ed, does it have to be one extreme or the other? I anticipate a draft focusing on fundamental selections, particularly targeting the trenches. It’s unlikely to be either flashy or disastrous.

From Olive Grove Jon (@Owlizee): Hi Alain, reflecting on your coverage of the Dolphins, what’s your standout and least favorite draft moment? From the Tunsil gas mask incident to passing on notable players like Rodgers, Ryan, and TJ Watt, I’d love to hear your picks. Hey OGJ, that’s a challenging question. While I don’t know if I’d label it as a “favorite,” the Tunsil situation was intriguing due to its complexity, and it ultimately turned out favorably for the Dolphins. Conversely, I must admit I was enamored with Lamar Jackson in the 2018 draft and was disappointed when the Dolphins didn’t select him, although I understood the unlikelihood of it happening. As for the most memorable, the 2007 Cam Cameron debacle during the draft party stands out vividly, particularly the fans’ reaction to the Ted Ginn Jr. selection.

From Brandon Quinn (via email): There’s been a lot of discussion about Tua’s contract lately. Assuming we offer him a fully guaranteed contract at a fixed percentage of the cap, how many years would you propose? What percentage would Tua accept? What figure would be reasonable to build a winning team around him? Tom Brady’s contract historically hovered around 10% of the cap. If Tua agrees to 12%, I’d sign him for 10 years or even a lifetime. But if he seeks 20% or more, like most QB deals, I’d offer a maximum of 3 years. Hey Brandon, based on the current cap, 12% would equate to $30 million, which I doubt Tua would settle for, considering Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert command around $50 million annually. On a broader note, why rush into a lengthy contract when Tua has yet to consistently excel, especially in critical moments? While Tua has shown promise in the past two seasons, he’s also fallen short late in games, albeit not solely due to him.

From Toby Marmorino (via email): Hi Alain, I’m puzzled why the Dolphins consistently lag behind in re-signing our own players, ultimately costing us in terms of finances or players leaving. We should prioritize securing contracts for Waddle, Phillips, and Holland promptly. DeVonta Smith just signed, indicating Waddle may demand more. The longer we delay, the more receivers re-sign, driving up costs. The same applies to defensive end and safety positions. It doesn’t require clairvoyance to plan ahead, especially with star players on the roster. Thank you for your insights. Hey Toby, I agree with your sentiments, but it’s not as straightforward as meeting every player’s demands, as it could deplete cap space. Negotiations require cooperation from both sides. Additionally, what figures would you have deemed appropriate for contracts for Wilkins and Hunt? The Dolphins did make efforts to retain them.

From Phillip Rhodes (@mindcrime): Any updates on Erik Ezukanma’s recovery from his neck injury? What are the chances of him making a significant contribution this season? If healthy, could he serve as a reliable WR3? Hey Phillip, I’ve already come across a couple of workout videos featuring Ezukanma, and he appears ready to go. Regarding his potential contribution in 2024, I’d advise cautious optimism. It’s uncertain, so it’s best not to rely on it, but if it materializes, it would be a welcome bonus.