How Tua Tagovailoa declaring impacts Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft

Big Blue could be getting calls from teams wanting to trade up to nab the Alabama standout

1/6/2020, 5:51 PM
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Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa has announced that he will be entering the 2020 NFL Draft, putting another top quarterback in play for teams this April.

For the Giants, the Crimson Tide standout shouldn't be on their radar, though they'll likely do their due diligence on him. Daniel Jones was selected sixth overall in last year's Draft, and after his rookie season saw solid numbers and performances, he looks to be their quarterback of the future. 

Tagovailoa's decision, however, could still impact Big Blue. 

 

For quarterback-needy teams like the Dolphins and Chargers, Tagovailoa could be the prospect they want to take. And Miami currently has the upper hand at No. 5 overall with Los Angeles coming in at No. 6 in the Draft order. 

In turn, either of those teams -- and maybe the Panthers if they want another quarterback to compete with Kyle Allen and Will Grier, granted Cam Newton's time in Carolina is finished -- could be calling GM Dave Gettleman to see if trading up is in the cards.

Tagovailoa does have a big red flag with his hip injury that teams will certainly be checking throughout the draft process. When the injury occurred against Mississippi State, many believed he wouldn't come out of Alabama. However, he is confident enough to face those questions and prove he will be healthy enough to impact his future team next season. 

His draft stock shouldn't plummet because of the injury, though things can always change depending on medical reports that may surface later on. The MMQB's Albert Breer is hearing from some Alabama coaches that Tagovailoa is "a left-handed Drew Brees," so you can understand why teams still have him high on their radar.

Gettleman has remained steadfast with his selections at No. 2 and No. 6 overall in his first two drafts with the Giants. But with Ohio State DE Chase Young likely off the board by the time the Giants select this year, trading down has a higher probability this time around. 

If Tagovailoa had stayed at Alabama, the probability of the Dolphins and Chargers calling would've been even higher, as Oregon QB Justin Herbert is the only other top quarterback prospect to pick that high in the draft. Still, there could be the scenario where the Chargers love Tagovailoa and want to jump the Dolphins to secure him. 

The Giants have several options to work with in this year's draft, whether that's taking the future left tackle or shoring up their defense with someone like Ohio State DB Jeff Okudah. Trading down is among those options and Tagovailoa's entrance into the vast pool of prospects should have teams calling to see if the Giants are willing to move around by the time they are on the clock in Las Vegas. 

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