Report: Miami Dolphins starting Tua Tagovailoa so they ‘know what they have’ ahead of 2021 draft

A new report indicates that the Miami Dolphins’ surprising decision to start quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was due in part to the team’s need to see the rookie in action before preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter pointed out that because the Dolphins own the Houston Texans’ top two picks in 2021, finding out if Tagovailoa is indeed the quarterback of the future in Miami is vitally important.

“The Dolphins need to know what they have in Tagovailoa as they enter the 2021 draft with two picks in each of the first two rounds, courtesy of their trade last year that sent left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Texans,” Schefter wrote.

The Texans’ top 2021 pick could end up being among the most valuable selections due to the fact that the team currently has a 1-6 record. Several other teams also have one win on the year, while the New York Jets remain the only winless NFL team entering Sunday’s action.

One of the reasons the Dolphins need a good read on what Tagovailoa can do is because of the major quarterback talent that will be in the 2021 draft class.

The group is expected to include Trevor Lawrence of Clemson University, Justin Fields of Ohio State University and Trey Lance of the University of North Dakota.

Tagovailoa’s promotion to the Dolphins’ starting lineup came as a surprise to even some of his teammates, since veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick had helped lead the team to two consecutive wins.

However, if Tagovailoa shows that he can handle the job in the weeks ahead, the Dolphins can focus on using their wealth of picks in next year’s draft to fill other holes in the lineup.

Tagovailoa will get a stiff baptism on Sunday in his starting debut, as he faces the 5-2 Los Angeles Rams.