Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has had an impressive start to his NFL career, and 2023 was his best season yet.
So, what is next for the former top-five selection in the 2020 NFL Draft?
How Many Quarterbacks Were Drafted in 2020?
Tagovailoa was the fifth overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, getting picked right after offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (Giants) and one pick before quarterback Justin Herbert (Chargers).
The Crimson Tide product was one of 13 quarterbacks taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the second quarterback selected that year.
Of the 13 selected, five were picked in the first two rounds combined, and all five are currently starters for their respective teams: Joe Burrow (Bengals), Tagovailoa (Dolphins), Herbert (Chargers), Jordan Love (Packers), and Jalen Hurts (Eagles).
Of the first five QBs selected, two — Burrow and Hurts — have led their respective teams to the Super Bowl. The other three — Tagovailoa, Herbert, and Love — have led their teams to the playoffs at least once.
Which Quarterbacks Were Drafted Before Tua?
Tagovailoa was the second quarterback selected in the draft that year, right after the No. 1 overall selection and 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, Joe Burrow from LSU.
The two, who faced off twice in their college days — Tagovailoa winning in 2018, and Burrow winning the rematch in 2019 — were the choice by many to be the first and second quarterbacks selected in the draft that year. But if not for a hip injury Tagovailoa suffered during the 2019 season, it may not have been a consensus for Burrow to go No. 1 overall.
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While Burrow was coming off a national championship with LSU in 2019, Tagovailoa also had a national title under his belt, winning it all with Alabama as a freshman in the 2017 season.
In the 2018 College Football Playoff Championship Game, Tagovailoa replaced ineffective starter Jalen Hurts in the second half and led the Crimson Tide to a come-from-behind 26-23 overtime victory over Georgia.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Career So Far
Tagovailoa was the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick to start his NFL career and did not see his first action on the field until Week 6 vs. the New York Jets in a mop-up role during a 24-0 victory.
In four seasons, the Dolphins have gone 32-19 in games started by Tagovailoa, a win percentage of nearly 63% (.627). His last two seasons have been his best to this point. In 13 starts in 2022, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating (105.5), while throwing 25 touchdown passes to only eight interceptions.
This past season, Tagovailoa was one of the league’s best quarterbacks. He started every game for the first time in his career and led the NFL in passing yards with 4,624. Only one Miami quarterback has ever thrown for more yards in a season — Dan Marino (1984, 1986).
Tagovailoa also earned his first Pro Bowl selection, becoming just the third quarterback in franchise history to be selected to the Pro Bowl (Marino, Bob Griese).
However, this weekend will be his first playoff start (he was forced to miss last year’s playoff loss to the Bills because he was never able to clear concussion protocols).
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