Going against the grain in a major way, former NFL bust Ryan Leaf says Tua Tagovailoa isn’t a top-five quarterback in this year’s draft.
Speaking with Pat McAfee on Monday morning, Leaf said Tagovailoa “is not one of the five best quarterback draft prospects” in 2020.
“I hope I’m wrong five years from now, I hope Old Takes Exposed has me flat out on the floor going what the hell was this guy thinking,” Leaf said. “I just don’t feel like that’s going to be the case.
“I don’t think he has the ability to transition to the next level and be as successful as let’s say a Joe Burrow or a Justin Herbert,” Leaf said. “It’s just how I feel. The amount of film I’ve watched doesn’t necessarily reinforce that thought, it just keeps me a little off-putting in terms of what he can do without maybe the same type of talent that he had at Alabama.”
That’s…well that’s certainly a take.
Most of the chatter surrounding Tagovailoa these days is all about whether he’ll be healthy and stay healthy enough to become a long-term franchise quarterback. Reportedly, more than one team has failed him medically — that’s why some believe he could experience a draft-day slide.
His talent hasn’t been called into question by many, and honestly given what he did at Alabama the past few years that’s understandable.
Blessed with one of the most accurate arms in recent memory, Tagovailoa racked up 7,442 yards with 87 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 32 games during a three-year span playing for the Crimson Tide.
Recently, Tagovailoa put on a show with a virtual pro day that was shared on social media and proved he’s as sharp as ever — without any pressure in his face, that is.