The first two selections in the 2020 NFL Draft are likely predetermined. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow will go to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 1 overall while the Washington Redskins will pick Ohio State defensive end Chase Young.
At third overall, the draft gets interesting.
The Detroit Lions have a need at just about every position, except quarterback. Matthew Stafford enjoyed one of his best seasons of his career 2019. Of course, he also had a very tough year while his wife continued her battle with cancer. Stafford may find he wants to spend more time with her and less time with the Lions. So perhaps the Lions could use a quarterback, too. But it’s more likely they consider another position — and frankly, they need help at every position. Detroit fits the profile of team that should trade down the draft board.
That’s when Tua Tagovailoa comes into play. The former Alabama signal-caller looked like the obvious No. 1 overall pick until Burrow came out of nowhere to be comparable to Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning and Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady and every G.O.A.T. draft prospect ever. (I’m being hyperbolic because that’s where the media is at with Burrow.) Tagovailoa is dealing with a hip injury, which seemed to briefly cheapen his draft value. But as his health should turn around just in time to give confidence to NFL teams, he will no doubt earn a spot as the No. 3 overall pick. More than one team will be willing to take him there. The hype will build steadily into the draft.
Strangely, the Lions are probably least likely to take Tua. Detroit should stick with Stafford. Tagovailoa is unlikely to be an upgrade, even when considering he’ll be on the rookie wage scale. Instead of drafting Tagovailoa, they should sell the opportunity to draft him to the highest bidder. The Dolphins, for example, pick at five and will likely have interest in the quarterback prospect. The Chargers, who have the No. 6 overall pick, will part ways with Philip Rivers. The Panthers, at seventh-overall, may trade quarterback Cam Newton. The Raiders could move up from 12th overall to take a quarterback. Bill Belichick and Nick Saban are bro-pals, and the Patriots may want Tua to succeed Tom Brady.
This is all to say that there is likely going to be competition to take Tua, and the Lions should leverage that competition so that Tagovailoa goes at No. 3 overall — to someone else. Detroit can essentially decide who gets the young quarterback.
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