Mel Kiper Updates Tua Tagovailoa's NFL Draft Stock
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 9: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up before a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
When Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went down with an injury last month, the immediate concern was how it'd affect his future in the NFL. Losing such a talented player for the rest of the season stings, but it's even worse because it's an injury that can truly derail a career.
Fortunately for Tagovailoa, the expectation is that he'll make a full recovery from his hip injury.
Tagovailoa isn't ready to announce whether or not he'll enter the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the latest update on his stock should encourage him to submit his name.
According to ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, the chances of Tagovailoa slipping out of the first round are "slim to none."
Kiper added that Tagovailoa needs to avoid any major setbacks in his rehab though.
From ESPN:
Slim to none -- if there are no setbacks in his rehab from his hip injury. As you said, Todd, Tagovailoa is just too gifted. You're talking about the best pure passer in this class. Could he drop to the middle of the first round because of the injury? Yes. But he's going to go earlier than most people think. And some team is going to find its quarterback of the future.
Prior to the hip injury, the consensus around the league was that Tagovailoa would be one of the first five picks in the NFL Draft. It'd be unfortunate if his stock takes a major hit because of the injury, but it doesn't sound like that'll happen.
We'll find out soon enough if Tagovailoa will enter the upcoming draft. In the event he decides to go pro, the talented signal-caller should hear his name called in the first round.
