Tag: Tua Tagovailoa surgery

2020 NFL mock draft: Updated 3-round projections after Week 11

See how Tua Tagovailoa’s season-ending injury impacts Luke Easterling’s latest three-round projections for the 2020 NFL draft

We’re halfway through November, which means while the NFL playoff picture is starting to come into clearer focus, so is the top of the board for next year’s NFL draft.

While the league’s worst teams are jockeying for position at the top of the first round, the nation’s top college prospects are trying to take advantage of key opportunities in big games down the stretch.

Here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL draft could shake out, using the latest updated order after Week 11 games:

1. Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

For the longest time now, it’s seemed Tua Tagovailoa was written into this spot with permanent marker. But Burrow’s performance so far this season has launched him into the No. 1 overall conversation, while a hip injury has ended Tagovailoa’s season. Burrow looks like the real deal in every way.

2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

Another franchise in disarray, Washington needs to add as much talent as possible, regardless of position. They already have their quarterback of the future in Dwayne Haskins, so they need impact players elsewhere on both sides of the ball. Young is a monster of a pass rusher with all size, athleticism and technique to be a dominant player at the next level.

3. New York Giants | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

Offensive tackle is a bigger need and a more premium position, but GM Dave Gettleman has proven he’s willing to go for the dynamic playmaker over the pick that seems to make more sense. Jeudy is an explosive pass-catcher and the most polished route-runner in college football.

4. Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

After his season-ending hip injury, Tagovailoa is obviously the biggest wild-card in this year’s class. He’s since had successful surgery, and is expected to make a full recovery. That being the case, I’m leaving him in this spot for now. If his recovery has any setbacks that cause him to miss key workouts leading up to the draft, his stock could still take a hit.

5. New York Jets | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

If Sam Darnold is ever going to develop into the franchise quarterback the Jets drafted him to be, he’ll need a franchise left tackle to keep him upright. Thomas is the best of a deep class, and would be an immediate upgrade for New York.

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Tua Tagovailoa has successful hip surgery, prognosis ‘excellent’

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had successful surgery to repair a scary hip injury that will end his 2019 season

A terrible situation for one of the nation’s top prospects continues to bring positive developments.

After suffering a scary, season-ending hip injury in Saturday’s loss to Mississippi State, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa appears to be in a best-case scenario.

The Crimson Tide’s star player underwent successful hip surgery in Houston on Monday morning, and an official statement from the school says that Tagovailoa’s prognosis is “excellent,” and that a full recovery is expected (via Fox 6’s Kelvin Reynolds):

Widely regarded as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Tagovailoa will miss the rest of the 2019 season. Though he still has eligibility remaining and could return to Alabama for the 2020 season, most expect him to declare for the 2020 draft.

Tagovailoa was tackled awkwardly by multiple MSU defenders in the second quarter Saturday, with many questioning why Tagovailoa was still in the game, considering the Tide were up 35-7 at the time. He was just weeks removed from surgery to repair an ankle injury.

Tagovailoa’s draft stock and long-term prognosis appear to be in good shape following this news, and here’s hoping he indeed makes a complete recovery and can return to full strength both on and off the field.

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