Mel Kiper talks Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Burrow in latest forecast for No. 1 pick overall
By SDS Staff
Published:
Heading into the 2019 season, most football analysts treated it as a foregone conclusion that Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa would be drafted No. 1 overall in 2020.
NFL teams might not necessarily be “Tanking for Tua.” ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. appeared on “Get Up” to discuss his latest “Big Board” and his forecast for the No. 1 pick. On Thursday, he said that it’s a “three-horse race” – as far as QBs – with Tagovailoa, LSU QB Joe Burrow and Oregon QB Justin Herbert.”
“It’s a three-horse race,” Kiper said. “All three are vying to be that guy. Everybody thought it was guaranteed to be Tua. That’s not the case because of Burrow’s ascension up that board. Justin Herbert is coming off a phenomenal game against USC. He has more talent than any of the other two or any quarterback in this draft or the last 20 years. Herbert has that kind of ability. He’s not to the level of some of the other guys in terms of instinct and awareness, but talent? He has it.”
Kiper’s latest Big Board, however, doesn’t have a QB at No. 1 right now.
“There’s three quarterbacks all still being evaluated for that top spot and then there’s Chase Young that great pass rusher out of Ohio State,” Kiper said.
One can expect there will be plenty of NFL scouts on hand Saturday in Tuscaloosa to watch Burrow and (hopefully) Tagovailoa.
[H/T The Spun]
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
