Tua Tagovailoa is coming into a very good situation with the Dolphins

The Dolphins selected Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft. The Crimson Tide signal caller couldn’t really have asked for a better situation to be in as a rookie.

It’s been two decades since the Miami Dolphins had a true quarterback they could rely on. They’re hoping 2020 first round pick Tua Tagovailoa will become that kind of player for them and that’s why they spent the fifth overall pick on the Alabama product.

Tua threw for 7,442 yards and 87 touchdowns in his three years with the Crimson Tide and was honestly looking like he’d be the first overall pick prior to the 2019 season. Well, Joe Burrow came out of nowhere and “stole” that title from him, so “Tank for Tua” was now “Blow for Joe”.

Whatever the moniker, it all worked out perfectly for Miami, who got the guy they wanted and didn’t have to trade up at all.

Tua Tagovailoa enters his rookie season being able to recover from surgery and not have any immediate pressure on him.

Typically, a first-round rookie quarterback is expected to start at some point during the course of his first year in the pros. While that could end up being the case for Tua if injuries or poor play occurs, the Dolphins would be wise to give him the entire season to rest up and recover from the hip surgery he had earlier this offseason.

Miami learned that Ryan Fitzpatrick can win them games last year and they do still have Josh Rosen on their roster as well. Rosen isn’t going to be the answer, but he’s a suitable answer while Tua rests up.

The Dolphins’ defense should be much improved from a season ago and will help that team stay competitive. As long as FitzMagic is able to stay healthy and productive, there isn’t a need for Tua to be rushed onto the field.

Unlike Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa has the benefit of knowing he won’t be the immediate starter. He can take the Chiefs’ approach with Patrick Mahomes, where he sits on the sideline and learns from the starting quarterback. While it likely won’t go quite as well as it did with Mahomes and the Chiefs, it’s a solid plan for a young quarterback coming off surgery.

A year to learn the system while also recovering from surgery is a good situation for Tua to be in and fortunately, the team who took him will provide him with that perfect situation.