Tua Tagovailoa enters 2020 NFL Draft amid questions of possible return

Tua Tagovailoa has declared for the 2020 NFL Draft after his season-ending hip injury, making the top of the draft all the more interesting.

Tua Tagovailoa was always going to be a top-10 (if not top five) pick in the 2020 NFL Draft should he choose to enter. Even after a devastating hip injury ended his junior season prematurely, a favorable post-surgery diagnosis made that clear once again. However, questions of a possible return to Alabama were raised in recent weeks following the injury.

On Monday, however, Tua put those questions to bed. In a press conference alongside Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Tagovailoa announced that he’s declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft.

The left-handed signal-caller will not be cleared to begin throwing for several months given the nature of his hip injury. However, Tagovailoa still figures to be the second quarterback taken in the 2020 draft after LSU’s Joe Burrow given current projections. Where he lands is just as interesting.

Tagovailoa has been connected to the Miami Dolphins for quite some time, essentially as soon as their apparent “tank” of the 2019 regular season began. And while Brian Flores‘ team out-performed expectations by a mile, they still own the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and should have the opportunity to select Tua.

Having said that, the Alabama quarterback’s services are going to be highly coveted as he and Burrow appear to be in a tier above the rest of the class. And with other franchises such as the Los Angeles Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and even Oakland Raiders could be in the market for a quarterback, they could look to trade up for Tagoaviloa in the top four picks.

Of course, Miami has three first-round picks this year, meaning they could likely trump many offers to move up should that be necessary.

No matter where he lands though, the 2020 NFL Draft class just got stronger with the confirmation that the Alabama quarterback will be a part of it.