3. Tua Is An Elite Passer
Not that long ago, Tua Tagovailoa was being talked about in the same regards as Joe Burrow is currently. Whoever the quarterback needy team was picking at 1 would be crazy to look anywhere other than the Alabama prospect. The moves that put the Dolphins in this position to have three first round draft picks started having people say that Miami was “Tanking for Tua.”
It was all for well deserved reasoning too. In 2018 we saw Tagovailoa light up the college football world as the Alabama Crimson Tide rolled to an undefeated regular season and an SEC Championship win over the Georgia Bulldogs. They would go on to lose to Clemson in the National Championship game, but Tua had all but solidified himself as one of, if not the top, signal caller heading into his junior season.
In that season, Tua threw for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in 15 games that included all postseason matchups. There was only twice during that 15-game span that he only threw one touchdown, and only three games where he threw for under 200 yards.
Similarly, his 2019 season was shaping up to be just as impressive, statistically speaking, until he dislocated his hip, effectively ending his season and being the reason we sit here today talking about him being available at that No. 5 overall pick. He threw for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He was also improving on his completion percentage, having a 71% percentage in 2019 compared to finishing with a 69% percentage in his 2018 season.
What sets him apart from the rest of the quarterback group is his ability to make accurate and powerful throws at all levels of the field. Regarded by many as the most well-rounded passer coming into this years draft, there is a reason why he’s still considered a top-10 pick after such a serious injury.
In fact, if it wasn’t for two ankle injuries and a hip injury over the last two seasons for Tua, there would still be legitimate debate for who should be taken number one overall when Cincinnati is on the clock.
For a team that is rebuilding and trying to compete in what could be an open AFC East division with Tom Brady’s time potentially over in New England, the Dolphins need to have young and talented players at key positions. They can start at arguably the most important position by snagging their franchise quarterback at No. 5 overall.
