NFL insider pegs Miami Dolphins as a strong candidate in free agency for former second overall pick

"I'll tell you where else Marcus Mariota is gonna be an option - in Miami with Tua, his good friend Tua," Schefter said. "He'll be an option there. So, there could be a little bit of interest in Marcus Mariota Between the Miami Dolphins and Chip Kelly and the Las Vegas Raiders. And that's a great spot for Marcus because he's got two no (income) tax states, so he's going to have some interesting choices this offseason."

Mariota is an interesting option for the Dolphins.  The second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, he hasn't ever blossomed into a starter who's going to get you to a Super Bowl, but he has plenty of experience over a decade-long career and has solid numbers, particularly solid when you talk about the backup role. 

Over 10 seasons, Mariota has a 34-40 record as a starter, with a career completion percentage of 63% with 16,134 yards and 97 touchdowns to 55 interceptions.  Last season with Washington, he was 34/44 passing for 364 yards with 4 touchdowns and no picks in a relief role of Jayden Daniels. 

You're not going to be able to find someone who's going to give you quality starter abilities off the scrap heap all that often.  For every Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold renaissance years, there are many, many more times where journeyman QBs never take that step. 

And that's not what the Dolphins need.  They need someone who could come in and provide simply competent quarterback play if Tua goes out.  And that's something that, if they had last year in a handful of games, would likely have found themselves back in the playoffs for the third straight season. 

We'll find out when free agency gets underway if the Dolphins indeed are looking at the former Oregon quarterback as insurance to prevent another 2024 disaster from happening in South Florida.