Tua Tagovailoa was one of the most talked-about players in this year’s NFL Draft, and his arrival in Miami will surely trigger a substantial amount of interest in the Dolphins’ progress throughout 2020. After spending three years in Tuscaloosa, the 22-year-old will be aiming to take the NFL by storm this season, and he’ll be confident of establishing himself as the best quarterback in the AFC East.
Miami Dolphins ‘finally got their guy’ in Tua Tagovailoa, according to former All-Pro Patrick Surtain
“When you have a generational talent like that, you can’t pass him up, and I think the Dolphins made the right decision.”https://t.co/tFdVVsaNX4 pic.twitter.com/UadFLqlLdz
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) May 1, 2020
The division has traditionally been dominated by the Patriots with 16 of the last 17 AFC East titles heading to New England. The Dolphins are the only franchise to briefly knock Bill Belichick’s side off their perch during that period, and although we may not see a repeat of that remarkable feat anytime soon, they are likely to be significantly stronger, if their new arrival can hit the ground running in September. This season is the first time that the Patriots won’t be able to call upon the iconic Tom Brady, and the void left by NFL’s most successful quarterback of all time could easily be filled by the former Alabama man.
Tua is unlikely to simply turn up and call the shots, and he will face some significant competition this season; however, he appears to have all of the attributes and characteristics to help him dominate this division. Jarrett Stidham still has to win over Patriots fans, whilst Josh Allen is still learning his craft at New Era Field. Sam Darnold is an interesting propositionfor the Jets and has improved season-upon-season, yet he still needs to fully prove himself at the highest level. Both Allen and Darnold already have a couple of seasons under their belt, and that is certainly something which could give them a slight advantage during the early stages of the campaign.
As the fifth overall selection at this year’s draft, there is plenty of pressure on the Hawaiian to perform in the NFL. He is 15/2 in the latest NFL draft betting odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, behind only Clyde Edwards-Helaire and first overall pick Joe Burrow. As a result, he will face plenty of scrutiny throughout his debut campaign, and he must avoid committing any high profile errors during the opening few weeks. He is the kind of character who is likely to attract the media spotlight, and even with the added pressure, this generational talent must concentrate on showcasing his durability in South Beach and proving his doubters wrong.
Although many predicted that Brady’s departure could result in far less media coverage of the division this season, Tua’s arrival is likely to ensure that football fans and the media will opt to keep a keen eye on proceedings in the AFC East. The city is understandably excited about his arrival and he must now deliver on the promise that he displayed during his eye-catching spell in college football. During his three seasons in Alabama, he proved incredibly reliable, and he rarely let his standards drop. Having reached the play-offs just once in the last decade, the Dolphins need to bounce back from yet another disappointing season, and Tua should be the man to help them turn things around.
The @MiamiDolphins draft Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick! #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/7WneJstHcU
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2020
He missed the end of last season through injury, and although he is likely to be fit and raring to go come September, he must ensure that he is fully prepared for the physical demands that will be required to play regular top-flight football. There is plenty of pressure on his young shoulders; however, he appears to have the ability, personality and temperament to succeed in NFL, and it surely won’t be long before he establishes himself as the AFC East’s best quarterback.