Who Will Lead Miami Dolphins? - Week 1 Starting QB Predictions & Odds

• The struggling Miami Dolphins have a quarterback decision to make in 2020, currently with three options to choose from.
• Journeyman Ryan “Fitzmagic” Fitzpatrick is the odds on favorite since he already has the job and knows the game plan.
• Rookie phenom Tua Tagovailoa is healthy but guys new to the NFL rarely get the job or perform well when they do.
• Could this finally be the season third-year QB Josh Rosen gets his shot?

The Miami Dolphins effectively “tanked for Tua” last season, ending up 5-11 and in last place of the AFC East with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting QB, although their 5th overall draft pick was still good enough to snag the young sensation from Hawaii by way of the University of Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa.

Now second-year head coach Brian Flores is faced with a difficult decision (though a good one to have), which is having to choose between three solid quarterbacks as his starter in 2020, each with their own strengths and weaknesses attached.

Here we take a quick look at each of the three candidates for the starting role as the signal-caller in Miami, as well as the predictions and odds they have all been given for earning that critical job by the start of the season.

Odds taken 8 June, 2020, from DraftKings

If you want to find out more about DraftKings, like bonuses, how to open an account, pros/cons, and more, check out our DraftKings in-depth review. 

Keep in mind the odds in these wagers will shift plenty of times before the actual games are played, so be sure to check back here often to get all the latest numbers.

15-Year NFL Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick Has the Experience

Fitzpatrick will turn 38 years old this season, but if Dolphins’ offensive coordinator Chan Gailey is looking to start a talented guy with vast experience under center in Week 1, FitzMagic is the man.

Last season, Fitzpatrick got the job done decently, completing 311-for-502 passes for 3,529 yards and 20 touchdowns with 13 interceptions, though admittedly those totals were only good enough to lead the team to five wins on the year.

But Fitz knows the offense from last season and whatever is new to him this season he has plenty of experience digesting and putting such things on the field quickly, so if you’re looking to put your money on the most likely option, Fitzpatrick is your man.

Rookie Tua Tagovailoa Has the Talent to Start

Tua Tagovailoa was an unbelievable college quarterback – the fans of Alabama football still talk about him coming into the college championship game in 2017 in the second half to replace the ineffective starter, Jalen Hurts, and lead the team to victory.

The trouble with Tua is his injury history, a bad ankle and then a knee injury costing him valuable playing time in 2019 plus causing him to undergo surgery, a reputation that led to him slipping down to the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft.

But anyone who watches a healthy Tagovailoa play football knows that this kid’s talented arm and football IQ will most likely translate at the NFL level, and assuming he can stay uninjured Tua might just give the Dolphins the chance to finally turn things around.

Josh Rosen Frustrated Trying to Be the Man, First in Arizona, Now Miami

After slipping to the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Josh Rosen appeared to be unhappy when he was interviewed by the media afterwards, vowing to make the teams that passed on him pay.

That did not happen as a rookie started for the team that drafted him, the Arizona Cardinals, who eventually traded him to the Miami Dolphins, where he has started just 3 games and has posted an 0-3 career NFL record.

There is a huge need for a young QB starter in Miami so it is Rosen’s job for the taking, but first, he will have to fix his habit of throwing the ball to the other team, so far with 19 career interceptions in just 16 games starting under center. 

Pick: Take the favorite, Fitzpatrick, for this bet since it’s for Week 1 and the Dolphins will most likely want to start their season with a veteran under center.