The Miami Dolphins are in one of the best positions in the NFL going into the 2021 season. The Dolphins just missed the playoffs with a 10-6 record and made some very impressive strides in 2020.

Brian Flores did a really nice job with the Miami defense, making it one of the most well-rounded defensive units in the NFL. Offensively, the Dolphins were inconsistent, but did just enough in most games to pull out the win.

Even with a 10-6 record, the Dolphins had some trouble at quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick was playing at a surprisingly high level to start the season before Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins first round pick, took over.

Looking at the change through a short term lens, this didn't make much sense. Ryan Fitzpatrick's numbers were excellent before making the switch.

Through the first six weeks, the Dolphins were 3-3 behind Ryan Fitzpatrick who had 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, averaging 256 passing yards per game.

The Dolphins started Tua the next 9 weeks, going 6-3, but with mediocre quarterback play.

Tua only had 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, averaging only 201 yards per game. His numbers aren't terrible, but not exactly what you would expect from the fifth overall pick.

Tua was more of a game-manager in his first few starts and really only turned the ball over in their last do or die game against the Buffalo Bills in week 17. He did a nice job keeping the Dolphins in games, but didn't do very much to elevate them offensively.

Looking ahead to the 2021 draft, the Dolphins have the 3rd overall pick which belonged to the Houston Texans (Laremy Tunsil trade). Is it already time to move on at quarterback?

Absolutely not.

Let's take a look at the draft board.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have the first overall pick and are in need of a quarterback. It's very unlikely that they'll go with any player not named Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence is probably the most hyped prospect ever, and is almost surely going to go first.

The Jets are second on the board and they can go a few directions. If the Jets believe that Darnold is a franchise quarterback, the Jets may look to go elsewhere. The problem is that at pick 2, the only other valid option other than quarterback is offensive tackle Penei Sewell.

Sewell is an absolute monster, standing 6 foot 6, weighing in at 330 lbs. At Oregon, Sewell showed complete dominance across the Pac-12 with a combination of speed and immense strength. He could very well be an option for the Jets at two. Putting him on the opposite side of Mekhi Becton makes for a very scary offensive line.

That leaves quarterback prospects Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Zach Wilson all on the board for Miami. Each of these quarterbacks have made their case to be the third overall pick. But it would be foolish and wasteful to pick another quarterback this high in the draft.

NFL fans and executives have been spoiled with exceptional rookie quarterback play this year from Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow.

Both Herbert and Burrow were terrific in their debut seasons and have set the bar at unreachable heights for other rookie quarterbacks.

It's not like Tua has been bad. By rookie standards, he has been alright. The Dolphins QB doesn't turn the ball over very much, his accuracy still proved to be effective in the pros, and he led a lottery team to a 10-6 record in his rookie year.

Any other year, that's grounds for a rookie of the year type of season. This year, with Herbert and Burrow, Tua is so quickly labelled a bust.

Give the guy some time.

Some rookies need an entire year to adjust to the NFL before making an impact. Look at Patrick Mahomes, or Aaron Rodgers. Tua illustrated that he has the skills to be an effective NFL quarterback, he may just need some more time to adjust to the NFL than some of the other rookie QB's in his class.

The Dolphins should either trade down a few picks to accumulate more draft capital, or reach on a wide receiver at three. Although DeVante Parker and Mike Geisicki have been good for the Dolphins, they lack a true number one wide receiver.

Ja'Marr Chase or Devonta Smith are both excellent wide receiver options in the 2021 draft and are slated to go in the 5-10 range in the draft.

Teams like Detroit (7), Carolina (8), or Denver (9) may want to trade up from their spots for their chance to take a quarterback at pick 3.

Miami gets a wide receiver, a more pressing need, while acquiring more draft picks, while the other team has a chance to select their potential franchise quarterback.

The Jets may also move on from Darnold and take a quarterback, leaving Penei Sewell on the board for Miami. There is no better way to see quarterback growth than to protect him by acquiring reliable offensive lineman. Sewell is poised to be one of the best lineman to come out of the draft in years.

At the end of the day, Tua is a young quarterback coming off a major injury, playing his first real season in the NFL and had a winning record. To ask for him to do more seems like the expectations are a little high.

Tua will be a good pro, the Dolphins will just have to stay patient with his development. Give Tua a true wide receiver and a consistent running game and strides will almost surely be made.

Don't panic, Miami, Tua is the answer.