Only the Dolphins know the truth. Everyone else is speculating, whether they’ll acknowledge it or not.
As someone else said, these guys aren’t ever going to say that the player they selected wasn’t their top choice. Maybe one day when they are long retired, they might. But in the here and now, it ain’t gonna happen.
As for turning in their card so quickly, that doesn’t prove a thing. I can understand someone thinking that it does. And it could truly be the reason why. But it’s not the only possibility.
MIA seemed to select very quickly most times they were on the clock. In those instances it could easily be because they had no intentions to trade the pick and based upon how things were transpiring in front of them they knew exactly which player they wanted OR they knew it was an “either or” situation contingent upon what happened the pick before them.
For example by the time ATL (then DEN) was on the clock they could have already decided that they were keeping the pick because they knew they’d get Williams or Holland. Once Williams went, it’s not hard to quickly hand in the Holland card.
I’m not saying that is what happened, but it easily could have worked that way. Or those speculating that Holland was the pick all along could have it right and the Dolphins are actually telling the truth in this instance.
Regardless, we don’t know that for sure and the speed of the selection doesn’t prove anything unequivocally.
The Dolphins have apparently now said that they had Waddle rated higher than Chase. Is that truth too, or is it more posturing since Waddle is the guy they got?
We all have our opinion, but it’s based upon circumstantial evidence. Nothing more.
Regardless of all that, Holland is who they selected. And I’m hopeful he’ll develop into the player many are saying he can be.