Tua Tagovailoa

Multiple concussions marred what was otherwise a fantastic season for Tagovailoa last year. The Dolphins gave him an offensive-minded coach in Mike McDaniel and the league’s best deep threat in Tyreek Hill, and Tua took advantage. After ranking 29th in average target depth (7.0) in 2021, Tagovailoa was second in the league last year at 10.0 yards. That propelled him to an NFL-high 8.9 YPA, and with a 25/8 TD/INT ratio (5th) he led the league in passer rating at 105.5. Even with a commensurate drop in accuracy that comes with longer throws, Tagovailoa finished 10th in the league on-target percentage (74.0). The only thing that slowed him was injury, as he missed two early season games and then the final two games (plus the Dolphins’ wild-card loss) with concussions. He’s healthy entering this season, though, and has perhaps the league’s best WR duo in Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who combined for 3,066 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns last year. Tight end Mike Gesicki left in free agency, but the Dolphins didn't get much out of him anyway. Last season’s concussions don’t necessarily make Tua more prone to a head injury this year, but the Dolphins, who were criticized for their handling of his first concussion, figure to be more cautious if Tua is injured this season. The history of missed games adds some risk, and Tua doesn’t get much rushing production, but those are about the only drawbacks with the strong-armed and accurate Tagovailoa as a fantasy quarterback.

Tagovailoa made some gains last season, but he was still mediocre. The biggest trouble came from the lack of a downfield passing game. His on-target (78.6 percent, 3rd) and completion rates (67.8 percent, 7th) benefited from short, easy throws, as a mere 7.7 percent (30th) of his passes were downfield attempts — his average target depth was 7.0 yards (29th). When he did go downfield, though, he was successful. On attempts of 20-plus yards, his 63.3 percent on- target rate ranked second, which led to league highs in completion percentage (50.0) and YPA (18.2). Tagovailoa has the arm and accuracy to stretch the field — he just needed playmakers, blockers and maybe more confidence. Will Fuller and DeVante Parker played only 12 games combined last year, leaving Miami thin behind rookie Jaylen Waddle and TE Mike Gesicki. The Dolphins addressed that this spring by trading for Tyreek Hill, perhaps the league’s top deep threat, after adding Cedrick Wilson as a solid No. 3 receiver earlier in the offseason. The offensive line should also be improved, thanks to the additions of LT Terron Armstead and LG Connor Williams, and a new coaching staff led by Mike McDaniel could benefit Tagovailoa. The Dolphins did their part, now it’s time for Tua to do his.

The fifth overall pick in last year's draft, Tagovailoa entered the season recovering from a serious hip injury and backing up Ryan Fitzpatrick. By Week 7, though, he was the starter. While he flashed a strong arm and dual-threat skills, he largely underwhelmed — in fact, he was twice pulled for Fitzpatrick. Tagovailoa ranked 24th in average target depth (7.8), 29th in completion percentage (64.1) and 30th in YPA (6.3). He really struggled in the face of the pass rush, as his on-target percentage under pressure was 40.7 percent (31st) for a 28.9 passer rating (33rd of 35 QBs). In Tua's defense, he was not served well by his teammates. Miami receivers struggled to get separation, which limited the yards after catch (27th) and forced Tua to throw 20.3 percent of his attempts into tight windows, fifth highest in the league (Fitzpatrick was first at 21.7 percent). The Dolphins addressed the problem, signing vertical-threat Will Fuller and drafting Tua's speedy former Alabama teammate 
Jaylen Waddle sixth overall. The Dolphins also swapped out OC Chan Gailey by promoting RB coach Eric Studesville and TE coach George Godsey as co-coordinators. How the offense will change is unclear, but for Tagovailoa's sake, hopefully it's a more innovative attack. The pressure is on for a big step forward this season.

The fifth overall pick in this year's draft, Tagovailoa likely would compete for the Week 1 starting job if not for injury concerns. Specifically, a hip dislocation suffered last November. Tagovailoa was given medical clearance for football activities in March, but the extent of his recovery is uncertain. Durability is about the only question with Tagovailoa, who also had surgery on both ankles, sprained his right knee, fractured his left index finger and suffered a concussion during his three-year stint at Alabama. The lefty's dual-threat skills are plenty evident, getting top marks from scouts for his accuracy and decision making. (Indeed, at Alabama he threw 87 touchdowns to a mere 11 interceptions in 32 games.) At 6-0, he doesn't have ideal height, but gone are the days when short stature is held against a quarterback, especially one who is mobile outside the pocket and possesses a strong arm with a quick release. Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to start, but Tagovailoa could ease into the job later this season, provided his hip checks out. Fitzpatrick turns 38 in November, and Tua is the future. Any rookie quarterback is a risk (especially behind an offensive line as weak as the Dolphins'), but Tagovailoa has the skills that portend fantasy upside.