The Miami Dolphins don't already have their quarterback in place with Tua Tagovailoa. They even have a strong backup in Mike White. But in today's NFL, the Dolphins know how important it is to keep their quarterback options open.
Miami wasn't able to secure a quarterback during the draft. However, the Dolphins did come to terms with an undrafted free agent. It shouldn't be a major shock if that player wound up making their final 53-man roster.
Gavin Hardison, Quarterback, UTEP
That player is UTEP's Gavin Hardison. Hardison's stats during his time at El Paso may not look overwhelming.
After all, he completed only 53.7% of his passes for his entire five-year college career. Hardison also totaled just 7,963 yards and 40 touchdowns to 33 interceptions. UTEP isn't even in a Power Five conference. After putting up *those* numbers in the C-USA, it's evident how he didn't hear his name called during the draft.
But there is more to Hardison's game than his modest numbers. He has a very lively and strong arm that shows up even against the sturdiest of competition.
That is a legit NFL throw. Hardison is on the move and delivers a perfect turkey hole dime to his receiver in a two-minute drill. UTEP wound up getting a field goal attempt on that drive, but they missed it. However, they wouldn't even have a chance to score on that possession if it weren't for that throw.
Hardison clearly has an NFL arm and scouts agree. The main issue with him, however, perhaps even more than his pedestrian numbers, is injury. Hardison only played in five games during the 2023 season with UTEP due to Tommy John surgery. He only had one full season of games and starts under his belt in five years of college ball. That would've been the 2021 campaign.
Hardison has arm talent worth developing. That alone could have gotten him drafted despite his poor numbers. But injuries did him no favors either and likely steered him away from hearing his name called in late April.
Dolphins' intriguing quarterback situation
Tagovailoa and White are not going anywhere. However, that third spot could be up for grabs. The incumbent for that spot is former Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson.
Thompson's NFL career has not been very stellar so far. He's completed just 57.1% of his 105 NFL passes. Thompson also has just one touchdown and three interceptions to show for himself in the seven regular season games he's appeared in.
The biggest stage Thompson has gotten in the NFL came in the 2022 Wild Card round. After injuries to Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater, Thompson was forced into starting Miami's playoff tilt against the Buffalo Bills. That was a tough ask for anybody, especially a rookie, but Thompson's play was not exactly great in that game either. He completed 18 of 45 attempts for 220 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Thompson's experience should give him a leg up in this competition, but the undrafted free agent has the goods to win this job in camp. Hardison will be a player to watch during preseason and training camp.
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