Tua Tagovailoa Rumors: 'No Chance' Lions Select Alabama QB in 2020 NFL Draft

Despite rumors that the Detroit Lions may be looking to make a change at quarterback, they reportedly aren't considering taking Alabama signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

According to ESPN's Matthew Berry, a highly trusted source told him there is "no chance" the Lions take Tagovailoa.

Bernie Smilovitz of Local 4 in Detroit reported in February that the Lions had been engaged in trade talks involving Stafford for a "couple of weeks." However, Lions general manager Bob Quinn texted Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press to tell him the rumor was "100% False!!"

Stafford missed the final eight games last season with non-displaced fractures in his upper thoracic spine, but he was on pace for a career year before the injury.

The 2014 Pro Bowler completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The Lions went 3-4-1 in his starts but didn't win another game after he landed on the shelf.

Given the nature of the injury Stafford suffered last season and the fact that he is 32, it would make sense for the Lions to consider other options. The 2020 draft class has some intriguing quarterback prospects in Tagovailoa, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Jordan Love.

Burrow is likely to go No. 1 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Washington Redskins seem poised to take Ohio State defensive end Chase Young second, leaving the Lions in an advantageous position at No. 3.

They could stay put and take the best quarterback or best available player, or they could trade down and accrue more picks since teams may be looking to jump ahead of the Miami Dolphins at No. 5 to grab a quarterback.

There is no denying Tagovailoa's talent. He won a national championship in 2017 and then finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2018 when he completed 69.0 percent of his passes for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns and six interceptions.

He was well on his way to being a Heisman finalist against last season with 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns and three picks in nine games, but a hip injury that required surgery ended his season prematurely.

Tagovailoa also missed time with ankle injuries in 2018 and 2019, so he brings some injury concerns with him to the NFL.

Berry's report doesn't necessarily mean the Lions are committed to Stafford and out of the market for a quarterback in the 2020 draft, but given the risk that comes along with Tagovailoa, perhaps they have more interest in Herbert or Love with a later pick instead.