Tua Tagovailoa is not expected to return to Alabama to rebuild his stock, but said stock has taken a hit thanks to the severe hip injury he suffered last weekend. The junior Crimson Tide star can be downgraded to the No. 3 quarterback in next year’s class, per ESPN.com’s Todd McShay, who has LSU’s Joe Burrow and Oregon’s Justin Herbert ranked ahead of Tagovailoa.
“If he could’ve finished healthy, I think he would’ve been the first to go, so I do think it affects things, because there’s not a safe one now,” an AFC college scouting director told SI.com’s Albert Breer. “He was the safe one—he’s gonna be smart, accurate; he’s won at a high level, been on the big stage. Now, there’s not a safe one.”
Both Sam Bradford and Carson Wentz were top-two overall selections despite significant injuries occurring in their final college seasons, but the nature of Tagovailoa’s setback likely stands to ding his stock a bit more.
Here is the latest surrounding the next crop of draft-eligible prospects:
- While Tagovailoa and Herbert were viewed as the frontrunners to be the first quarterback taken in 2020, Burrow has now ascended to the favorite to land in that position, Breer hears. The second-year LSU starter is a Heisman Trophy candidate, having throw 38 touchdown passes as a senior. Though the former Ohio State backup was not previously on the first-round radar after an unremarkable junior season, his production has swayed NFL execs this year.
- McShay rated Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm as a second-tier quarterback prospect, and Breer adds some scouts expect the third-year Bulldogs starter to return for his senior season. Fromm plays in a run-first system, and scouts view him as more of an intangibles-geared prospect than one that will dazzle evaluators with physical ability, per Breer.
- Herbert, however, does possess those athletic traits, and Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller would be surprised if the Ducks senior falls out of the top five next year. The Dolphins were high on Herbert last year, and NFL GMs were trekking to some of his junior-season games. Tagovailoa’s injury stands to benefit the 6-foot-6 Herbert, Miller adds, as the former was previously on track to be taken ahead of the Pac-12 standout.
- Good news for Iowa fans. First-round tackle and defensive end prospects Tristan Wirfs and defensive end A.J. Epenesa are as of now expected to return to school for their senior seasons, Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. Wirfs is viewed as one of the top tackles in the nation, with the 6-6, 280-pound Epenesa having totaled 22.5 sacks in his Hawkeyes tenure.
this injury worked out well for Tua. he might not get picked by Miami or Cincinnati.
A positive out of the negative. Well done.
Round of an applause he’s going to New England
I gather this is because the Patriots had such great success with Alabama QB Walter Lewis.
I would rather have Jake Fromm
Fromm has zero chance of becoming a starter in the NFL. He’ll be lucky to be drafted before the 4th round.
Hahaha analysis like that ought to get you a scouting job any day now.
Herbert is a way better pro prospect then Joe Borrow.
Agreed. Burrow is a product of his system IMO. I’ll think he’ll be a good quarterback but he doesn’t throw the ball like Herbert or Tua. Those dudes can absolutely sling it.
I hope the Bengals draft a coach !
The good news is they now have 53 ickey players that can do the shuffle.
Low key Lamar Jackson and Sam Darnold are younger then Joe Burrow……
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Even with the hip injury, Tua is a lot more deserving of a #2 overall pick than Trubisky ever was…
Herbert not good tonight. Looks like Phillip Rivers.
Cowboys draft Tua in the 1st. Rehabs all year. Franchise tag Dak, let him walk a year later.
John Elway rating QB prospects. Elway gave himself a new title but didn’t tell anyone. It is a secret until he finally lands a QB that other teams didn’t have rated 3 rounds later.
Dolphins will still draft Tua. Take a gamble on a elite QB or settle for another QB who could be a wasted draft pick. I do like Jalen Hurts as a sleeper. P.S. not a Alabama homer
Tua throws them open. Jalen waits until they are open. That’s Tebow-esque. Jalen could be a Taysom Hill-type tho for some team. Not too many innovators in the league these days tho.