The Miami Dolphins need a quarterback. Josh Rosen could be a smart acquisition

At some point, the value of a player is so much greater than what a team is seeking in trade, it's almost impossible to pass up.

Could the Miami Dolphins reach that point on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen?

The Miami plan, everything seems to indicate, has been about targeting a quarterback high in the 2020 NFL Draft and probably selecting one in the later rounds of the 2019 draft.

But what if, as respected national football journalist Peter King has suggested, Rosen could be had a for a third-round pick? Arizona could be forced to take whatever is the best deal they can get this Thursday or Friday, assuming they select Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray first overall.

King says the Dolphins have done as much work on Rosen as any team, which suggests that at the right price, sure, maybe it would be prudent to swing a deal.

Rosen would have to beat out veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick (competition is good) and later, possibly, a quarterback selected high in 2020. Unless Rosen were to emerge as a star, then the Dolphins could actually build around him on a rookie contract at a reasonable rate.

It's been reported the New England Patriots might have some interest in Rosen, at the right price. The Patriots often acquire players at what would seem to be below-market rates.

In desperate need of a quality quarterback, general manager Chris Grier can't summarily dismiss the notion that Rosen is worth exploring.

If the Patriots potentially see a value in Rosen, why wouldn't Dolphins and former Patriots offensive coordinator Chad O'Shea?

Of course Rosen is worth exploring. Miami may not have rated Rosen as highly as Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen last year, but Rosen's got world-class arm talent, mechanics, footwork and accuracy.

Grier, and first-year coach Brian Flores would have to decide if Rosen's leadership style and personality, even more than his skill set, meshes with their designs. Leading into the draft last season, some reports questioned Rosen's coachability.

Rosen was 33rd in the NFL in passer rating last season, but he was under constant pressure, behind a beat-up Cardinals offensive line. Rosen had 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, but as a rookie on a bad team, those numbers should be downplayed. And if they hurt his trade value, that just benefits the acquiring franchise.

For Grier, yielding a third-round pick wouldn't really be betting his future entirely on Rosen.

If it weren't to work out, or even if Rosen showed limited promise, Miami would still have the option to take a quarterback next year.

Grier, who by every indication is a straight-shooter, recently said you don't take a quarterback just to take a quarterback if, for example, there is an offensive tackle sitting there in the third round that you think can start for your team right away.

Miami has so many needs. And it makes more sense to think the Dolphins could draft some combination of defensive linemen, offensive tackle and cornerback in the first three rounds this week.

It also makes sense for Miami to consider trading back and acquiring more picks, in a Patriots-like fashion.

If Grier knows he has no interest in adding Rosen to his rebuilding roster, then the decision is easy.

But if Grier is interested in drafting a developmental quarterback like Jarrett Stidham, Will Grier, Ryan Finley or Brett Rypien in the mid-rounds, he's surely asked himself if Rosen would arrive with a much higher ceiling, potentially acquired at a surprisingly-similar cost.

jschad@pbpost.com

@schadjoe