The NFL Draft is next week.
In the first-ever “all virtual” venue, one of the most intriguing players is Tua Tagovailoa of the University of Alabama. A native Hawaiian, he accomplished a lot of things with the Crimson Tide through three seasons – including a national championship in 2017. Despite having multiple surgeries, especially one to his right hip, he has passed all of his medical requirements.
He projects as a top five pick; however, most analysts don’t expect him to fall out of the top-10.
For a while, Miami was thought to be the spot for Tagovailoa at No. 5. Things have changed since then, as the Dolphins are now after Justin Herbert of Oregon. The Los Angeles Chargers would be an ideal landing spot, but one also must think about the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. Washington holds the No. 2 overall pick and though the prize would be Chase Young out of Ohio State, Tagovailoa has been linked as an option for the Redskins as well.
Landon Collins, who enters his sixth NFL season in the fall, was featured on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday to discuss the matter. Following a strong career with the Crimson Tide, the New Orleans (La.) native and former All-American safety was selected in the second-round of the 2015 NFL Draft to the New York Giants.
After four years in the Big Apple, he signed a six-year deal worth $84 million on March 13, 2019 to join the Redskins. In his first season, he led the team in total tackles (117) and had 9.5 tackles for loss, four breakups and two forced fumbles.
Although he loves Tagovailoa and Alabama, Collins said he’s fine with Dwayne Haskins.
“He would definitely be a great asset to our team, but we drafted our first-round pick QB last year,” Collins said. “I think Tua would be a great asset, but we already have one. I believe we should keep the guy we have.”
Haskins played in nine games as a rookie in 2019, totaling 1,365 passing yards with seven touchdowns to seven interceptions. In his lone year starting at Ohio State (2018), he accounted for 4,831 passing yards with 50 scoring tosses to eight picks. Regardless of the team having a new coaching staff, Collins is firm on Haskins and he demands the best from his quarterback.
“When he’s prepares and he knows what he has to do on the field, he’s gunslinging it, he’s pushing the ball downfield, he’s making plays,” Collins said of Haskins. “That’s just how I see it.”
Washington has the Alabama defense from 2016 in players such as Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, Ryan Anderson, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Reuben Foster. Cam Sims represents the lone former Tide offensive player for the Redskins, but Tagovailoa could join him?
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Collins seems to be solid on Haskins for now.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
