Daily Draft Digest: Tua Tagovailoa speaks on rookie season with Dolphins

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Now moving into the month of February, the 2021 NFL Draft is 152 days away as hundreds of prospects look to boost their stock and prepare for the combine. This leads us into another edition of Daily Draft Digest, and one where we take a look at the Miami Dolphins, the New Orleans Saints, and a Division-III prospect making waves.

We start with the Dolphins, and with their rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Tua honest about rookie season with Dolphins

After a rookie season where Tagovailoa started on the bench, then frequently returned in-game for Ryan Fitzpatrick to take over, the Miami quarterback spoke honestly about how he felt 2020 went as he made an appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio:

"“This past season wasn’t up to my expectation that I have for myself. But there were a lot of things that I was able to learn from. Being able to look at the defenses and how different all of the schemes are with the defensive coordinators. Everyone runs multiple things. Hopefully having this offseason I can compartmentalize everything and have a much better season this year.”"

There is no doubt that 2020 was a difficult year for any rookie to step in with a virtual minicamp, an expedited training camp, and a shortened process overall. As Tagovailoa prepares for his sophomore season, a full offseason and a sense of familiarity will go a long way for Tua. But will he be afforded that?

Tagovailoa has heard the Deshaun Watson trade rumors, and hopes he has done what it takes to prove he can be a future franchise quarterback for the Dolphins moving forward. Ultimately he knows it is out of his control:

"I don’t hear too much of that. The only time I heard about it was from my agent. That’s something that would be out of my control, regardless. That would be on the decision of the Miami Dolphins organization. I have to control what I can control. Work hard. And be able to prove myself next year.”"

Saints have big plans for young TE

Another rookie who saw inconsistent play in 2020 was third round tight end Adam Trautman. This however, may have been due to lack of playing time than anything as he and Jared Cook continued to trade reps. He finished the season with just 15 catches for 171 yards and one touchdown for the Saints.

However, with the Saints up against the salary cap, the veteran Cook is expected to be one of the cuts made, making the tight end job Trautman’s to lose. Jeff Duncan of The Athletic sees a “big sophomore campaign” for the former Dayton Flyer in 2021. The Saints currently hold the 28th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Rise of a Division-III prospect

More from With the First Pick

The Reese’s Senior Bowl has come and gone, and risers and fallers continue to be named. One of the more surprising risers, however, was University of Wisconsin-Whitewater guard Quinn Meinerz. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Ben Bartch and Ali Marpet, Meinerz not only held his own during his week in Mobile, Alabama, but stood out as well.

Oliver Hodgkinson of Pro Football Network named Meinerz as a winner of the event, stating:

"“Meinerz was strong, controlled, and demonstrated he can play with excellent leverage. He also showed versatility in lining up at guard and center during the week. His toughness was illustrated by playing through practice with a broken hand. Despite the injury, he passionately pleaded to be allowed to play on Saturday. The kid is impossible not to root for.”"

dark. Next. Mock Draft: Patriots land Kyle Pitts, Najee Harris to Dolphins

Marpet saw himself become a second round pick despite coming out of Hobart, and Bartch a fourth rounder out of St. Johns. Just how high can Meinerz fly now after a successful Senior Bowl? Many believe he has what it takes to become a top-100 pick this upcoming April.

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