NFL Exec: Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa Has 'Limitations' but 'a True Point Guard Type'

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was not chosen as one of the NFL's top 10 quarterbacks as part of ESPN's anonymous poll, but he received some recognition as an honorable mention.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an AFC executive acknowledged that Tagovailoa has some limitations, but also noted that he does a good job of executing what is asked of him:

"He's got very good timing, touch, anticipation and accuracy along with good pocket feel—he doesn't have top mobility and power/arm strength, so there are some limitations. He's a true point guard type who needs to get it out quickly and distribute to his playmakers, which he's done a good job of."

Tua is coming off his best NFL seasons, having thrown for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games for a Dolphins team that reached the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

There is no question that Tagovailoa benefited last season from the arrival of both head coach and offensive guru Mike McDaniel, and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.

With McDaniel scheming both Hill and Jaylen Waddle open, Tua thrived at times and led the NFL in yards per attempt (8.9), yards per completion (13.7) and quarterback rating (105.5).

Much of Tagovailoa's success was a result of finding Hill and Waddle in space and allowing them to do damage after the catch, but it is difficult to blame the former Alabama star for playing to the strengths of himself and his pass-catchers.

After Miami selected Tua with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, there were some serious questions about whether he could be the franchise quarterback moving forward, especially since he was inconsistent over his first two seasons.

However, Tagovailoa showed enough last season to enter the 2023 campaign without any controversy surrounding his status as the starter for the first time in his career.

Aside from a perceived lack of arm strength and mobility, Tua's biggest issue is unquestionably his inability to stay healthy.

He has yet to appear in more than 13 games in a single NFL season, including last season when he missed four contests due to being placed in concussion protocol on two separate occasions.

Additionally, Tua missed the Dolphins' loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

If Tagovailoa can stay healthy for the entire 2023 campaign and continue to facilitate the ball to Hill and Waddle in advantageous situations, he will have every opportunity to crack next year's top-10 list.