NFL Draft 2020: Dolphins add protection for Tua, snag USC’s Austin Jackson

The Miami Dolphins made their second pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, adding USC’s Austin Jackson. He’ll be protecting fifth overall pick Tua Tagovailoa.

After successfully Tanking-for-Tua (Tagovailoa), the Dolphins started beefing up the protection surrounding their eventual starting quarterback by adding Andrew Thomas out of USC. They acquired this pick in the trade with Pittsburgh for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Jackson started 25 games for the Trojans at left tackle over the past two seasons, playing in 39 career games altogether. And while he might not be a plug-and-play starter on Day 1, he’s surely got the talent to become a Pro Bowl-type player with the right tutelage.

The Dolphins own a third first round pick Thursday night — 26th overall, acquired from Houston in the Laremy Tunsil trade. And while Tagovailoa is great for the future, Jackson is a project also. If their third first rounder is as well, how happy will Miami fans be with all the capital they started the night with? A rehabilitating quarterback and a project lineman?

The Dolphins can’t really go wrong with a top offensive tackle protecting Tua, but they could have addressed different needs here.

Grade: C-

I don’t like this pick for the Dolphins, especially with the way they acquired the original asset. After surrendering Fitzpatrick to the Steelers early in the 2019 season for the pick, many thought the Dolphins added a Top 10-12 pick. Unless Jackson is a multi-year starter and a staple along the line for Tagovailoa to lean on for years to come, though, this pick could be viewed as a huge swing-and-miss.