Tua Tagovailoa Rumors: Dolphins Tried to Meet QB in Person Before Travel Ban

The Miami Dolphins reportedly tried to secure a last-minute meeting with Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ahead of the 2020 draft before the NFL halted all travel in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the update Friday:

The Dolphins are expected to select a quarterback with the draft's fifth overall pick. The key question that's emerged over the past few weeks is whether they're going to take Tagovailoa despite the injury-plagued finish to his time with the Crimson Tide or opt for Oregon's Justin Herbert instead.

Here's a look at a statistical comparison between the prospects:

• Tagovailoa: 69.3% completion rate, 232.6 YPG, 87 TDs, 11 INTs in 32 games
• Herbert: 64.0% completion rate, 245.1 YPG, 95 TDs, 23 INTs in 43 games

Although the edge there goes to Tagovailoa, his health is a concern. He suffered a high-ankle sprain during each of his final two years with the Tide, and his final season at 'Bama ended prematurely because of hip and nose injuries, along with a concussion suffered against Mississippi State in November.

The 22-year-old Hawaii native said he's back to full strength ahead of the draft, though.

"I feel 100 percent," Tagovailoa told the NFL Network on April 1. "I feel like if there was a game today, I'd be able to go out and perform the same way I was able to perform in previous years. I feel as mobile as possible. I feel 100 percent."

In a typical draft year, the Dolphins would have been able to have to bring him to the team facility for a private workout to check on his mobility and see whether the signal-caller was moving at the same level he did during his peak play with Alabama. Their decision is tougher without that in-person evaluation.

Miami's pick adds more intrigue to a draft already features plenty of question marks.

If it does select Tagovailoa, Herbert or another quarterback at No. 5, the prospect will likely enter their rookie year as the favorite to win the starting job over Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen.