Mel Kiper, Todd McShay address why Tua Tagovailoa must win now

While discussing the Miami Dolphins’ lack of draft picks through the first 100 spots, NFL draft experts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay noted how the 2022 season is a pivotal one for young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins loaded up talent to surround the former Alabama Crimson Tide star and now, it’s Tagovailoa’s time to shine.

“If you think about Miami’s additions and what they did in the draft last year getting Jaylen Waddle… they have a lot of pieces but do they all fit together,” Kiper started. “Two things, the offensive line and then Tua. Tyreek Hill’s said some great things about Tua up until this point … He thinks Tua can be spectacular. Everybody’s trying to get that Josh Allen level in that division. Everyone thought he was going to be really good coming out, he had that injury, but he’s a couple years removed now, he has no excuses.”

“They protected the quarterback and they got the best weapon they could possibly get in Tyreek Hill – it does come down to Tua,” McShay said. “If you’re Tua, you are saying, ‘Wow, I’ve got the keys to the car and the car is fast.’ You could argue this is the fastest offensive skill unit in the NFL. I’m excited to see the new product with a new coach. Tua gets to open things up and go back to what he had. At Alabama, he had those four wide receivers that went on to be first-rounders, he is used to this. He’s a point guard, he’s a distributor. He is a perfect fit for what they have around him now.”

Miami loads up on talent for 2022

Tua Tagovailoa only started 12 games due to injuries in 2021, completing 67.8% of his passes and throwing for 2,653 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Dolphins were 7-5 in games with the former Tide star at the helm.

Miami gave Terron Armstead, one of the top offensive linemen, a five-year deal worth $75 million in free agency. Additionally, the Dolphins signed offensive guard Connor Williams to a two-year deal. Miami also signed running backs Chase Edmonds (two years, $12.1 million) and Raheem Mostert (one-year, $2.1 million).

The highlight of Miami’s offseason is the acquisition of former Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill. Adding Hill to the Dolphins pairs him with second-year wideout Jaylen Waddle, giving Tagovailoa two quick and explosive receivers.

Mike McDaniel explains expectations, roles for Tua Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridgewater

The Dolphins signed Teddy Bridgewater to be Tagovailoa’s backup quarterback for the 2022 season. Miami gave Bridgewater a one-year deal worth $6.5 million not only to back up Tagovailoa but to help him develop as well.

“Around the Combine, I was describing specifically what I thought Tua really needed in support with a backup quarterback,” McDaniel said via Around the NFL’s Kevin Patra. “Unbeknownst to you guys, I was quite literally describing Teddy Bridgewater at the time, just not using his name. So, both players have (been) explicitly explained their roles and expectations. For that room to be their best, they need to know that.”

The Dolphins will be Bridgewater’s fourth team of his NFL career, and his fourth team in as many years. Last season, he led the Broncos to a 7-7 record in his 14 starts, completing just shy of 67% of his passes for 3,052 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.