Tua Tagovailoa was not the Miami Dolphins biggest gamble
By Ronald Evans
With all the angst created over the drafting of Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins took a bigger gamble than Tua’s health.
Drafting Tua Tagovailoa should have been a no-brainer for the Miami Dolphins. Perhaps it was. Some, even most of the Dolphin’s concerns about Tua’s hip recovery, may have been the Dolphins not wanting to trade up to get Tua.
The reasons the Dolphins could not pass on Tua outweigh any risk of future injury. The most important goal for the Dolphins’ future, as explained by Dolphins Wire was complacency.
Why the Dolphins had to bank on Tua was his,
"championship pedigree and a million dollar smile …frustration for the Miami Dolphins fans over the course of the past decade or so has been an understandable but annoying byproduct of the team’s mediocrity.The Dolphins are banking on new franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa not just being a catalyst for better offensive play, they’re banking on his being the remedy to one of the cruel facts about Miami over the last decade.No one seems to care about the Dolphins."
Make no mistake, the Dolphins did not draft Tua to not play next season. Even with the re-signing of Ryan Fitzpatrick, if Tua is healthy enough, the Dolphins want him to be ‘the guy.’ Given that plan, the greatest risk for the Dolphins with the NFL Draft, and other offseason moves, is rebuilding the offensive line.
The Dolphins had one of the worst offensive lines in the league last season. Incoming talent is needed, at least at three positions. The Dolphins drafted for two of those new starters to be at tackle. The selections were former USC Trojan, Austin Jackson (first round, 18th pick) and former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun, Robert Hunt (second round, 39th pick).
If the rookies win starting roles, the assumed designation will be Jackson at left tackle and Hunt at right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson allowed only “11 quarterback hits on 1152 pass blocking snaps in his career.”
He did, however, exhibit vulnerability against A.J. Epenesa in USC’s Holiday Bowl loss to Iowa. Which could be why Hunt is tabbed to protect Tua’s blind-side from the right tackle spot.
If the two rookie tackles don’t match the Dolphins’ expectations, Tua cannot be risked. Yes, he can be smarter about getting rid of the ball quicker. Nick Saban and QB-Guru, Trent Dilfer have counseled Tua on that importance. But if the Miami offensive line is leaky again, Ryan Fitzpatrick might be the better option. If the Dolphins make an often expected trade for Josh Rosen, Tua will have to play if Fitzpatrick gets hurt. How big of a gamble the Dolphins recognize in two rookie tackles will be indicated by who is QB3.
Next. How the Dolphins viewed their Tua pick. dark
Tua Tagovailoa can be the solution to much of what ails the Dolphins offense. That is if Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt quickly make the Phins pass protectors much better.