Did the Dolphins make the right choice choosing Tagovailoa over Herbert?
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert meet after an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.
The first two rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft were loaded with talent at signal-caller. Three of the first six picks were used on quarterbacks, as the Cincinnati Bengals used the first overall pick on LSU’s Joe Burrow, the Miami Dolphins picked up Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5, and one pick later, the Los Angeles Chargers opted for Justin Herbert.
Jordan Love was the fourth and final first-round quarterback, secured by the Green Bay Packers with pick No. 26. The Philadelphia Eagles took the sole quarterback of the second round, using pick No. 53 on Jalen Hurts. Though their timelines have varied, all five quarterbacks became starters with their respective teams. Burrow, Herbert, and Hurts have since earned some of the most lucrative deals in NFL history.
Tagovailoa and Love, on the other hand, are losing patience as they await a payday. Two of the three top quarterbacks selected after Tagovailoa have been paid, yet the Dolphins continue to stall on a long-term deal.
The wait for the parties to reach an agreement has raised questions throughout the fanbase—if they were to do it all over again, should the Dolphins have drafted Herbert?
While Herbert was a day-one starter for the Chargers, Tagovailoa didn’t make his NFL debut until Week 6. Herbert hit the ground running, eventually earning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Tagovailoa split time with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick before becoming the team’s full-time starter in 2022.
While comparing stats, it’s important to note that Herbert has played in 62 career games and Tagovailoa has competed in 53. The Dolphins’ signal-caller has the edge in the head-to-head record (2-1), total record (32-19), completion percentage (66.9), passing yards per attempt (7.7), and passer rating (97.1), while throwing fewer interceptions.
Herbert surpasses Tagovailoa in passing yards (17,223), passing yards per game (277.8), touchdowns (114), rushing yards (911), rushing touchdowns (11), and rushing yards per attempt (11). Both quarterbacks have earned one Pro Bowl bid, and neither player has led their team to a playoff victory.
Overall, Tagovailoa leads most passing categories, and Herbert is the stronger runner. Both quarterbacks are still early in their careers and have plenty to prove, specifically in the playoffs.
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