Lamar Jackson, the non-exclusive franchise tag and the Dolphins

The Dolphins can't sign Lamar Jackson to a free-agent offer sheet now because they don't have first-round picks in the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts that would go to the Ravens if they failed to match.

You know why Miami doesn't have first-round picks in 2023.

One was traded for Bradley Chubb.

The other was lost after Brian Flores said the Dolphins tampered for Tom Brady.

Not ideal.

It's possible the Dolphins could sign Jackson to an offer sheet if he waited until after the April NFL Draft to sign Baltimore's offer. That's because at that time Miami would have picks in 2024 and 2025 to offer.

The Ravens' decision to not use the exclusive franchise tag is fascinating.

They're essentially challenging Jackson - who serves as his own agent - to shop around for a deal they will have the right to match.

It would be malpractice for Miami to not at least consider the option of Jackson.

Pairing Jackson with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle would be outrageously entertaining.

It is true Jackson has missed some time with injuries, like Tua Tagovailoa.

But Jackson would make the Dolphins an instant AFC championship contender.

In the NBA and NHL, NBA especially, we often see players forcing their way to one specific team.

Jackson has made it clear he'd love to play for the Dolphins one day.

He could play out the 2023 season on the tag and then consider joining Miami as a free agent in 2024.

He could tell the Ravens to trade him to the Dolphins, because he will play for only them.

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That's a Power Play, for sure.

Will a team - any team - offer a fully-guaranteed, Deshaun Watson-type contract?

Are the Ravens likely to match?

This is getting complex and it feels like Lamar could use an agent right about now.

Tua is going to have to live with the fact that his concussions will force Miami to contemplate if it can rely on him as the long-term quarterback of the future.

It's not Tua's fault. It's not the Dolphins' fault. It's nobody's fault.

Jackson is a very unique talent. The Dolphins drafted safety Minkah Fitzpatrick 11th overall in 2018, 21 slots before the Ravens made Jackson the last pick of the first round.

Other quarterbacks drafted before Lamar that year include Baker Mayfield (Browns), Sam Darnold (Jets), Josh Allen (Bills) and Josh Rosen (Cardinals).

The Browns, Jets and Cardinals got it wrong.

Some say the Dolphins should have found a way to get Jackson, the hometown hero at Boynton Beach High. It would have required moving up from 42 to 32. Instead, they drafted tight end Mike Gesicki, who was a good player.

It turns out 2018 was the final season in Miami for coach Adam Gase and quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Lamar would look great in aqua and orange. He'd love to wear aqua and orange.

But is it realistic? Seems like a long shot. But we'll see.

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lamar Jackson has been tagged by the Ravens. But it feels like the story isn't ending there.