Dolphins choose Tua over Herbert, send Twitter into frenzy
"Tank for Tua" didn't go exactly as expected, but in the end, the Miami Dolphins still got their man, and escaped the ire of Twitter pundits in the process.
The Dolphins held firm on Thursday despite numerous reports that they would attempt to use their multiple first-rounders to move up from the fifth overall selection, and Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa remained on the board for their pick.
So did Justin Herbert, but reports that the Dolphins preferred the Oregon signal-caller proved to be false. Herbert didn't have to wait long to be taken, however, with the Los Angeles Chargers making him their pick at No. 6.
The selection of the two passers in quick succession sent Twitter into hysterics:
The Dolphins just won the draft & they didn’t have to trade away any of their picks to do it. Well done, Chris Grier.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) April 24, 2020
Aaannnnnnd the Chargers just lost the draft, and didn’t have to trade any picks to do it.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) April 24, 2020
Brian Flores exceeded all expectations during his first year in Miami. The #TankforTua plan resulted in five wins. Yet, the Dolphins still landed their franchise QB. Now, THAT is how you rebuild the right way.
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) April 24, 2020
Chris Grier went for it. Grier took a smart, calculated risk on a potentially transcendent talent. Kudos to Grier. No matter how this plays out, Tua was the absolute correct decision. And I think this will work out well.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) April 24, 2020
All of Miami when Tua was announced pic.twitter.com/xPMrBpnAd7
— Mario (@Bollofever) April 24, 2020
The Dolphins now that they have Tua pic.twitter.com/OOTByuy1Vl
— The Ringer (@ringer) April 24, 2020
Justin Herbert, taken sixth overall, had the sixth-best QBR of any quarterback in the Pac-12 last year
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 24, 2020
When Herbert’s first read is covered pic.twitter.com/xDu7kyKA5D
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 24, 2020
If the NFL doesn't work out Justin Herbert has a future in movies where the quarterback goes "No dad, I'm giving up *your* dream". pic.twitter.com/8vUbRaFUsS
— Nate (@BarstoolNate) April 24, 2020