Fans will be watching the Dolphins’ draft class closely, but Miami also added an UDFA who could have an effect.

Tua Tagovailoa isn’t the quarterback the Miami Dolphins currently have on staff. They even have Mike White as a capable backup. However, the Dolphins understand how crucial it is to have options at quarterback in the modern NFL.
During the draft, Miami was unable to select a quarterback. The Dolphins did, nevertheless, agree to terms with an undrafted free agent. Should that player wind up making their final 53-man roster, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise.
That player is Gavin Hardison of UTEP. Hardison’s numbers from his time at El Paso might not seem impressive.

After all, after his five years in college, he only completed 53.7% of his passes. In addition, Hardison only accumulated 7,963 yards with 40 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. Not that UTEP is in a Power Five conference at all. It’s obvious how he missed his name being called during the draft after posting those numbers in the C-USA.

However, Hardison’s game consists of more than just his low stats. He possesses a really powerful and energetic arm that is evident even against the toughest opponents.
It’s a legitimate NFL throw. In a two-minute drill, Hardison is moving and throws his receiver a nice turkey hole dime. On the drive, UTEP eventually had a chance at a field goal, but they missed it. But if it weren’t for that throw, they wouldn’t have had a chance to score during that possession.

Scouts concur that Hardison possesses an NFL arm. But injury is perhaps a bigger problem with him than his lacklustre numbers. Because of Tommy John surgery, Hardison was limited to playing in just five games for UTEP during the 2023 season. During his five years of collegiate play, he only completed one complete season of games and starts. That campaign would have taken place in 2021.
Hardison has a promising arm skill. Despite his lacklustre stats, that alone might have led to his draft selection. However, ailments also did him no favours and most certainly prevented him from participating in the late April name call.

The Dolphins have an intriguing quarterback scenario with White and Tagovailoa, who are here to stay. That third place, though, might be up for grabs. Skylar Thompson, a former Kansas State quarterback, is the current occupant of that position.

So far, Thompson’s NFL career has not been particularly successful. Merely 57.1% of his 105 NFL throws have been completed. In his seven games throughout the regular season, Thompson has only managed three interceptions and one touchdown.

In the NFL, Thompson’s greatest moment was during the 2022 Wild Card round. Teddy Bridgewater and Tagovailoa both suffered injuries; therefore, Thompson had to start Miami’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. That was a challenging request for any player, but Thompson wasn’t exactly playing well in that contest either. He gained 220 yards on 18 of 45 tries, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Although Thompson’s experience should give him an advantage over his rivals, the undrafted free agent is capable of winning this position in camp. A player to keep an eye on in the offseason and during training camp is Hardison.