The Tua Tagovailoa injury was one of the saddest moments many football we\u2019ve seen in a long time. He put his body on the line for Alabama and was such a special player when healthy, redefining the record books for Alabama and the style of offense they play. Looking back, he is the best pure passer the Crimson Tide\u2019s storied program has ever had. But are we looking back when it comes to his college career or is it still looking forward?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tagovailoa was the sure-fire No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft before the injury but this might lead him to come back for one more season. Or if he does hit the draft, how will it impact his stock since he\u2019s dealing with a relatively serious injury? Let\u2019s take a closer look at his options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Tagovailoa does head to the NFL Draft, it does feel like his stock is now going to drop. That being the case, the better bet with this prop is on the over, mostly because teams are going to be extremely worried about Tagovailoa\u2019s durability. NFL teams have a profound fear of injuries and if it seems that a quarterback is an injury magnet, someone who simply can\u2019t stay healthy, that will influence their decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, this isn\u2019t the first time he\u2019s been banged up. He was impacted by an ankle injury at the end of last season and then suffered a similar injury to his other ankle this season. And now there\u2019s the hip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teams might not want to spend the high-end money connected to a Top 10 or Top 15 draft pick if they feel he\u2019s injury prone. The back end of the first round would be the much more natural landing place for Tagovailoa under these circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is unfortunate, but it is the likely reality. Tagovailoa\u2019s recovery from the surgery he just had will cause him to miss the NFL Combine and limit the number of opportunities he will have to impress various NFL teams via pro days. There will be at least three quarterbacks taken ahead of him: Joe Burrow is one, Justin Herbert is another, and either Jacob Eason or Jalen Hurts should also go ahead of Tua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Top 10 looks like the least probable of these options. The fear NFL teams have about brittle or frail quarterbacks is pronounced. It is a shame, but it is real: injuries do scare away NFL teams. The option which makes the most sense here is the 21-32 range. Teams will not be on the hook for as much guaranteed money or signing bonuses and they will take less of a hit in terms of their budget. The pick range of 11-20 is possible, but even before Tua suffered his season-ending injury, it was clear that he did not handle blitzes or pressures as well as other quarterbacks in the draft. Joe Burrow had already passed him in the draft order and now the injury will knock him down further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 21-32 range is the best bet if you are thinking about the long-term decisions NFL franchises must make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all of the injuries Tua went through, the young man needs to get paid. He\u2019s already proven a lot at Alabama and there\u2019s no real need for him to come back. Think about what he\u2019d be risky too: another injury and the potential to fall even further. Nobody is questioning his talent at his point as they\u2019ve seen him prove it. He has far more to lose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And keep in mind that Tagovailoa might not be too worried about this development. Getting selected at the top of the draft means you\u2019re going to a bad team. Getting drafted later might mean that he sits for a year, but ends up in a better environment. Just take a look at Lamar Jackson, who was selected at the back end of the first round by the Baltimore Ravens. If Tua goes to someone like the Miami Dolphins or Cincinnati Bengals, he might be running for his life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At any rate, it\u2019s likely we\u2019ve seen him play his last down at Alabama. He\u2019ll head to the NFL Draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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