2020 NFL Mock Draft: Tua declares, then heads to South Beach
By Brad Weiss
. Quarterback. Miami Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa. 5. player. 59
On Monday, at noon ET, one of the biggest decisions regarding the 2020 NFL Draft was made, as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stepped up to the podium to announce his decision. In the end, Tua is in fact heading to the NFL, and there is no way that, if he checks out medically, he falls out of the top-5 picks.
In fact, teams may end up trading up to get Tagovailoa, who is an incredibly accurate passer, and may have the highest ceiling of any of the other quarterbacks in this draft class. During his time at Alabama, Tua has had to deal with the injury bug, but that should not stop the Miami Dolphins from building their franchise around him with the No. 5 pick.
Remember, this is a Dolphins team that beat New England on the road to cap off their 2019 season, where they played much better than advertised. They hold three first round picks in 2020, and with their first of the three, they have to be focused on bringing in their franchise guy, even if it means sitting behind Ryan Fitzpatrick next season until he is healthy enough to go.
player. 13. . Quarterback. Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert. 6
A long time ago, the Chargers franchise was led at quarterback by a big-armed signal-caller from the Oregon Ducks football program. Flash forward nearly 50 years later, and the Chargers could once again head to Oregon for their next franchise quarterback, selecting Justin Herbert, who is fresh off a stunning victory in the Rose Bowl.
Herbert is a special quarterback, and comes into the NFL as arguably the most NFL-ready player at his position in this draft class. Not only did he start four years at Oregon, but he has the uncanny ability to make plays with his arm, and his legs, and the Chargers need that after years of Philip Rivers and his cement feet.
Los Angeles has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, and many expected them to challenge for a playoff spot this past season. Moving on from Rivers is the right move at this point, and in Herbert, they would get getting a successor that could come in and start right away, starting a new era of Chargers football.