Ever since the beginning of the 2019 college football season, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been projected to be the first quarterback taken overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. That changed when he suffered another major injury a few weeks ago. Tagovailoa suffered a dislocated hip and a fracture against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 16th. Tagovailoa went through surgery and his prognosis is labeled as excellent. He is projected to make a full recovery. The injury to him drops his NFL Draft stock significantly enough to where teams in need for a quarterback labeled him as a hit or miss. There are multiple teams interested in Tagovailoa and they acknowledged they will need to let him recover with his hip injury.
NFL Teams Who Could Draft Tua Tagovailoa
Cincinnati Bengals (1-11) – First Overall Pick
It is hard to believe there would be a worse team than the Miami Dolphins earlier in the season. Here is Cincinnati having to switch back and forth between long-time starting quarterback Andy Dalton and Ryan Finley. Cincinnati is 20th in passing yards per game (222.1), 31st in QBR (75.7), and last (32nd) in completion percentage (57.6). Tagovailoa’s latest injury drops him significantly in the draft. The Bengals might be more interested to select Ohio State defensive end Chase Young with the first overall pick and then trade for Tagovailoa in the first round. The Bengals could use Dalton and Tagovailoa much like Kansas City did with Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes II. Next season will be the last contract season for Dalton.
Miami Dolphins (3-9) – Third, 22nd, and 25th Overall Picks
The Dolphins have multiple trades to attempt to rebuild efficiency. Quarterback is one of the most needed positions for Miami as they don’t trust 37-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen for the future. The Dolphins are 27th in passing yards per game (201.7), have thrown the second-most interceptions (15), and are last in QBR (71). Relying on Tagovailoa to slip to the 22nd pick is a risk, but at this point, it’s not a far reach. Tagovailoa will still have his great arm strength but they may want him to play immediately if they select in the first round.
Los Angles Chargers (4-8) – 11th Overall Pick
This season more than any other, the Chargers have seen the decline of long-time starter in Philip Rivers. He will be 38 years old in December and the Chargers have no future franchise quarterback. The Chargers are fifth in the league in passing yards per game (276.9) but 20th in QBR (85.6). This was due to the Chargers’ one-dimensional offense when running back Melvin Gordon was holding out. Selecting Tagovailoa with the 11th overall pick isn’t a too-high risk even with his hip injury. He would have some young, reliable receivers at his arsenal.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7) – 12th Overall Pick
How many times have the Buccaneers faithful had to endure season after season of Jameis Winston’s up-and-down storylines on and off the field? Tampa Bay might let Winston walk after his contract is up at the end of the season. Coach Bruce Arians would love to draft a high-caliber quarterback that doesn’t turn the ball over often. In five seasons in the NFL, Winston has thrown 78 interceptions and committed 49 fumbles. In three seasons at Alabama, Tagovailoa has thrown for only 11 interceptions.
Las Vegas Raiders (6-6) – 14th and 17th Overall Pick
It seems like head coach Jon Gruden is fond of their current quarterback Derek Carr. The Raiders are 15th in the league in passing yards per game (234.1). The quarterback position is the least needed offensive area to address. If Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock decide to select their own franchise quarterback, then Tagovailoa might be available. Rookie running back Josh Jacobs and Tagovailoa could continue to develop their chemistry as they were both teammates at Alabama.
Tennessee Titans (7-5) – 19th overall pick
The Titans have given up on Marcus Mariota as their franchise quarterback. Ever since former Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill took over, he has brought life to the Titans. Tannehill is 4-1 as the starter with a win over Kansas City. Both quarterbacks are playing under the last year of their contracts. They could potentially let Mariota walk and bring back Tannehill as a short-term starter if they bring in Tua Tagovailoa. Tannehill will be 32 years old by the time the 2020 NFL season starts. If Tagovailoa isn’t 100 percent when the season starts, the Titans can let him recover and build up to his potential franchise role once he is ready.
New Orleans Saints (10-2) – 29th overall pick
The New Orleans Saints are in win-now mode as they are looking to win the Super Bowl this season. Both quarterbacks in Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater have played outstanding this season. Both are also unrestricted free agents in 2020 so the Saints will have to make a decision. It would be simpler to get either Brees to forego retirement or get Bridgewater for a longer contract and then get a franchise quarterback in the first. Tagovailoa is the quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft that has the arm strength and accuracy closest to Brees in his prime.
New England Patriots (10-1) – 31st overall pick
Much like the Saints looking for their franchise quarterback of the season, the Patriots are ready to look for theirs. Tom Brady is under the last year of his contract with the Patriots. New England is willing to give Brady a one-year contract until he decides to retire. CBS Sports currently has the Patriots selecting Tagovailoa with the 31st overall pick. With the offensive philosophy relying on the short passes and the need for slot receivers, Tagovailoa would steal for the Patriots. Tagovailoa would fully recover from his injuries while learning from one of the best quarterbacks to play in the NFL.
Chicago Bears (6-6) – 45th overall pick
The bad news for the Chicago Bears is that Mitchell Trubisky is not their franchise quarterback. The worse news is that they do not have a first-round pick due to the trade for defensive end Khalil Mack. Chicago needs to get a reliable franchise quarterback, so they do not waste away their defense’s potential to potentially help them win a Super Bowl. Chicago ranks 26th in the league in passing yards per game (202.4) and 21st in QBR (85.5). If Chicago is serious for their future, they can trade for veteran Cam Newton or a rookie like Tua Tagovailoa.
Main Photo:
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the first half against the LSU Tigers in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
