The Miami Dolphins are heading into a pivotal offseason that includes them having three first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. Among the options they have with their No. 5 overall pick, Tua Tagovailoa seems to be a viable choice for them.
Over the past couple of seasons, Tagovailoa has become one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the 2020 draft class. However, a multitude of injuries at Alabama in the last two seasons has caused his draft stock to take a slight hit.
This past season, the Alabama signal-caller completed 71.4% of his attempts for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Unfortunately, a serious hip injury caused the dynamic quarterback's season to come to an abrupt end.
At the least, Tagovailoa is confident that he'll make a full recovery and is expected to be throwing again by April. Even amid the injuries, there's no denying the talent that Tagovailoa has. In light of that, here are three reasons why Miami cannot afford to pass on Tagovailoa in the 2020 NFL Draft.
3. The Dolphins won't be able to select Joe Burrow
Unless the Dolphins are willing to part ways with all three of their first-round picks and basically their entire future, they won't be able to select Joe Burrow in the draft. Burrow is regarded as the best quarterback in the 2020 class after putting together a historic season at LSU in 2019.
Since they aren't able to land Burrow, the next best thing at quarterback is undoubtedly Tagovailoa. The three-year quarterback at Alabama fills Miami's need at quarterback and provides them with a talented leader.
There are going to be teams who may try to trade-up in the draft to select Tagovailoa ahead of the Dolphins. Luckily for Miami, they have the draft capital to trade-up themselves if need be.
2. Miami is capable of being patient with his injury
While the Dolphins are in desperate need of a quarterback, they aren't just a quarterback away from being a contender. Provided that, Miami is a team that is capable of being patient with his hip ailment.
Despite the expectations of throwing again in April, Tagovailoa may need more time to adjust to the other aspects of playing football again. Giving him time to get acclimated to the speed of the NFL is going to be vital to his development.
In the event that Tagovailoa can't start in Week 1, the Dolphins have Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick signed a two-year, $11 million contract with Miami last offseason.
1. The Dolphins don't have their long-term answer at quarterback on the roster
The Dolphins were able to surprisingly win games with Fitzpatrick under center for them in 2019. The journeyman quarterback is set to return in 2020 and could start if Tagovailoa isn't ready at the start of next season.
Along with Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins acquired Josh Rosen via trade in last year's NFL Draft. But after starting in three games in 2019, it doesn't appear that Rosen is the franchise quarterback in Miami.
Even though Fitzpatrick impressed in his lone season with the franchise, he isn't the long-term answer as he turns 38 in 2020. As for Tagovailoa, he'll turn 22 in March.
Given his age, he could become the franchise quarterback for the Dolphins for years to come. Don't screw this up Dolphins.
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