Tua Tagovailoa had a better college career at Alabama than Justin Herbert did at Oregon, and Tua was rated higher by the vast majority of scouts entering the 2020 draft. So, it's hard to fault the Fins for taking Tua with the No. 5 overall pick that year, while the Chargers took Herbert at No. 6. Clearly, Miami blew it. Now there are reports out of Houston that Tua's time with Miami could be over after Sunday's game vs. Atlanta with the Fins and Houston Texans working on a Deshaun Watson trade. SportsLine offers odds on a deal.
Long-time Houston Chronicle writer John McClain reported today that the Texans and Dolphins could have a trade done this week and that "talks have intensified into serious negotiations." There's no way that Tua isn't shipped out if Miami gets Watson.
Texans GM Nick Caserio has been asking for three first-round draft choices and two second-round picks and reportedly doesn't want Tagovailoa. Thus, the Fins may have to trade Tua to another team – Denver, Washington and Seattle have been mentioned as possibilities – to add draft picks for a Watson package.
Miami always had been among the favorites for Watson, but obviously his off-the-field issues this winter put any deal on the backburner and the Dolphins wanted to see what they had in Tua. Watson has a no-trade clause but had said previously he'd like to play in Miami.
The NFL Trade Deadline is Nov. 2. Miami hosts Houston on Nov. 7. How awesome would it be for Watson to debut in that one? Would the NFL step in and finally put Watson on the Commissioner's Exempt List? Watson has simply been inactive all season with Houston.
There is plenty of talk that the disappointing Dolphins (1-5) will be sellers ahead of the deadline and could ship away guys like receivers Will Fuller and DeVante Parker (both currently hurt) and cornerback Xavien Howard.
Miami enters Sunday on a five-game skid and was embarrassed last Sunday in London, 23-20, by a Jaguars team that entered on a 20-game losing streak. Tua returned from a Week 2 injury and was solid enough, completing 33 of 47 for 329 yards, two TDs and a pick. He is what he is: Decent at times but not a franchise guy and too brittle.
Not clear yet if Miami will have Howard and fellow Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Jones vs. the Falcons after both missed the Jacksonville game injured. So did Parker and Fuller – he's on injured reserve.
Atlanta comes off a 27-20 win over the Jets in London in Week 5 but had last week off. Top receiver Calvin Ridley didn't travel over the pond for personal reasons but will return Sunday.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Deshaun Watson be dealt by the Nov. 2 Trade Deadline?
Who wins every NFL game? And which teams will sink your bankroll? Join SportsLine now to get NFL picks every week, all from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times and is up almost $8,000.
