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Miami Dolphins: Starting Tua Tagovailoa leads to epic rookie matchups

By Timothy Rodriguez

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 18: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins reacts against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 18: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins reacts against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Tua Tagovailoa
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Tua Tagovailoa has given us some rookie matchups to look forward to

On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins announced that they will be starting the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick had started the previous six games and led the team to a 3-3 record. With the Dolphins going into the bye, head coach Brian Flores felt it was time for the young signal caller to play.

With Tua coming in, the Dolphins are adding one of the most prolific passers in college football history to their offense. He will have to get used to some things that will be different from his days at the University of Alabama. The first is pass protection. The Dolphins offensive line is improving and trending upward, but still has quite a way to go. Secondly, NFL receivers do not get the same type of separation that his quartet of first round receivers got in college.

Now that they have a potential “star” quarterback, the Dolphins are somewhat relevant. While they do not have any nationally televised games remaining on their schedule, there are certainly some marquee games to watch in terms of quarterback. Outside of his games against his fellow 2020 quarterback rookies, Tua will get to face off against four former number one overall pick quarterbacks, along with two previous MVP winners.

However, the most highly anticipated games are against fellow rookies Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow. We preview these matchups here are Tua prepares for his first start.

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