Byron Jones expects big jump from Tua Tagovailoa in Year 2, can’t wait to see his ‘magic’

Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones is expecting to see major progress from starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the 2021 campaign.

The 23-year-old Tagovailoa started nine of the 10 games he played in as a rookie quarterback, winning six of those starts.

Tagovailoa completed 64.1 percent of his passes on the year. He threw for 1,814 yards and 11 touchdowns and nearly got the Dolphins into the postseason.

After the Dolphins selected Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft, it seemed likely that he would use his first season to get adjusted to the professional game and get completely healthy after a serious injury in his final collegiate season.

However, Tagovailoa quickly immersed himself into learning the Dolphins’ offense and managed to rehabilitate a surgically repaired hip to make major strides in his development.

That invaluable rookie experience is surely one reason why Jones is so positive about what Tagovailoa can give the Dolphins in the year ahead.

Jones is hoping for a bigger year for himself in 2021 after arriving with the Dolphins last year as a free agent. He had just two interceptions on the season, with his efforts largely overshadowed by his fellow cornerback Xavien Howard.

Besides Jones, Tagovailoa’s college coach at the University of Alabama, Nick Saban, also believes that the second-year player will take a big jump in productivity this season.