As the end of the college football season comes to a close, people are looking towards the upcoming NFL Draft. All season, we have been hearing about the Dolphins “Tanking for Tua,” but the first overall pick could be due west, and next year we could hear about the newest QB for the Miami Dolphins, Joe Burrow.
Why Not Tua?
I love Tua Tagovailoa. Some do not share my love, such as former kicker Lawrence Tynes.
While I think a 5th-7th round pick is a bit extreme, but he does have a point, and there are two big knocks against Tua.
His Durability
When on the field and healthy, Tua Tagovailoa is one of, if not the best quarterback, in the country. Part of the issue is his durability. During the SEC championship game against Georgia, Tua struggled and had one of his worst games. He went 10/25 for 164 yards, one TD, and two INTs. This is also the game Tua had to leave due to injury, given Jalen Hurts a chance to be Alabama’s hero one last time. After making the National Championship, Tua went 22/34 for 295 yards, two TDs, and two INTs. These are not the numbers of a number one overall selection, and if Tua gets hurt again, expect to see him fall down draft boards. Even if he stays healthy, there is another reason Joe Burrow could jump him.
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Alabama is Too Good
Now, I am not saying Alabama is better than an NFL team, regardless of that team potentially going 0-16. My point is Alabama is better than the other college teams. Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy is a top 5 prospect. Henry Ruggs is the 56th prospect on that list, and the number nine receiver. Rounding out Alabama’s receiving corps is Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith. Put me behind Alabama’s offensive line, and I could throw for two TDs just throwing slants to these guys. Now, Tua is throwing four or five a game, so I’m not saying anyone could do as well as him. What I am saying is the Dolphins simply don’t have the talent around them Tua is used to. Being a rookie QB is hard enough, and doing so with a drop in relative talent is almost impossible. While I am listing all of these negatives about Tua, do I think Joe Burrow is the answer?
Why Should Joe Burrow Go Number One?
Joe Burrow is a graduate transfer, using up his fourth year eligibility in Baton Rouge. Before he transferred to LSU in 2018, Burrow was in Columbus with the Buckeyes. While with Ohio State, he sat behind JT Barrett for two years and Dwayne Haskins for one. Dwayne Haskins was a stud his last year in Ohio State, so that is not a knock against Burrow.
During his first year as a starter, Joe Burrow threw for 2,894 yards with 16 TDs and five INTs. LSU’s offense last season was a far cry from what it is today, which makes those numbers pretty impressive. What is more impressive is Burrow’s jump in a pro-style offensive. So far he has 1,864 yards for 22 TDs and three INTs through five games. A jump like that is amazing, and makes you wonder just how high his ceiling is.
Who Should the Miami Dolphins Draft?
Joe Burrow. I am not saying that I think Joe Burrow will be a better NFL quarterback. What I am saying is Joe Burrow will be a better quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. Miami’s offense (and everything else) is bad. Joe Burrow has shown he can be effective in less than great offenses, and as the Dolphins get pieces and improve, Joe Burrow will improve with the team, and we will see him putting up similar numbers. If Tua goes to a team like Minnesota, or the Bengals (if they keep Green, Mixon, and Eifert), he will have a great career. To put it simply: Joe Burrow is the safest bet for a team with no talent.
