The 2020 NFL Draft is closer than ever and we’re just hours away from finding out where Tua Tagovailoa will land. As the hours tick down, though, it looks increasingly unlikely that Tagovailoa will experience a dramatic fall on draft day.
According to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, there is continued talk throughout the NFL that Tagovailoa’s draft-day slide will send him out of the top-20.
Tagovailoa is one of the most gifted players in the 2020 draft class and enjoyed incredible success at Alabama. Scouts compare his game to Drew Brees for his exceptional accuracy and even compared to Patrick Mahomes for his ability to throw on the run.
However, there are significant long-term durability concerns for the left-handed quarterback. Multiple teams reportedly failed Tagovailoa’s medical grade and among the persistent concern for his long-term availability is a fear that he will need eventually need his hip replaced.
If the Miami Dolphins pass on him with the No. 5 overall pick and the Los Angeles Chargers grab an offensive tackle, Tagovailoa’s slide will really begin. The Las Vegas Raiders could be the next viable option to take him, but the organization has expressed extreme confidence in Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota.
From that point on, there isn’t a clear team that would likely take him with a top-20 selection. If that happens, the likeliest stopping point for his slide could be the New England Patriots with the No. 23 overall pick.