Danny Kanell says Dolphins should move on from Tua Tagovailoa, identifies QB in 2026 draft class
By Jacob Moss
Published:
It may seem hard to remember now, but heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was viewed by many as one of the top prizes coming out of the college ranks.
Tagovailoa was drafted by the Miami Dolphins fifth overall in that cycle, and while he has had some success as a pro, the majority of his time in the NFL has been an up-and-down experience with several serious concussions along the way.
All of this led to CBS Sports’ Danny Kanell to suggest that the Dolphins move on from their current franchise quarterback in favor of a new one on Saturday morning’s episode of the College Football Pregame on CBS Sports HQ.
“Historically, we’ve seen ‘Suck for Luck,’ we’ve seen ‘Tank for Tua,’ now I’m saying ‘Flop for Fernando, ‘” Kanell said. “I want the Miami Dolphins to clean house, and take Fernando Mendoza with whatever draft pick they’re left with at the end of the season, which has been abysmal… I think that they need to clean house, draft Fernando Mendoza, the local kid.”
Mendoza has seen his draft stock soar over the course of the 2025 season with the Indiana Hoosiers, with his stellar play helping to guide the program to its first 8-0 start since 1967, and their highest ranking ever in the AP Poll at No. 2.
If he can continue his stellar play over the rest of the season, then he could end up being one of the first players selected come next April, whether it be by the Dolphins or some other squad.
