It’s Time to Trust in Tua

It’s been one of the busiest, if not, the craziest NFL Offseason of recent years. A massive domino has fallen in favor of the Miami Dolphins as they have traded for star-studded WR Tyreek Hill.

Even after today’s trade for former Chiefs’ WR Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins still have two No. 1s next year – their own and San Francisco’s.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2022

Per Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs traded six-time Pro-Bowl WR Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks: a 2022 1st-round pick (No. 29), a 2nd-round pick (No. 50) and a 4th-round pick, as well as 4th- and 6th-round picks in the 2023 draft, sources tell ESPN.

Welcome to the 305, @cheetah! 🐆🌴 pic.twitter.com/10AeFYCQiP

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 23, 2022

Faith in Tua

Basically, this shows the full faith effort the Miami Dolphins franchise has in Tua Tagovailoa.

After two season of realizing the team did not have enough support for their franchise quarterback, new head coach Mike McDaniel has shown his support for his QB. Actions, not words.

So far the Dolphins have given Tua Tagovailoa an upgraded offensive line, with the signings of Terron Armstead and Connor Williams.

Dolphins' offensive skill groups now:

QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridgewater

WR: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson, Devante Parker, Trent Sherfield

RB: Chase Edmonds, Raheem Moster, Myles Gaskin

TE: Mike Gesicki, Durham Smythe, Hunter Long

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 23, 2022

Signed one of the best WR’s in the NFL in Tyreek Hill along with a YAC demon in Cedrick Wilson. Re-signed one of his favorite targets in Mike Gesicki. 

Signed two competent running backs in Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert who are fits in the new offensive scheme.

#Dolphins offseason so far:

Hired Mike McDaniel as HC

Traded for Tyreek Hill

Signed: Terron Armstead, Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, Cedrick Wilson, Connor Williams, Teddy Bridgewater, Trent Sherfield, Alec Ingold

Tag: Mike Gesicki

Re-signed: Emmanuel Ogbah, Durham Smythe pic.twitter.com/Fz8AiU1s4B

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 23, 2022

The Pressure

Since Tua was drafted back in 2020, Tua has had to deal with adversity to this date. 

Rehab from a debilitating hip injury, a QB controversy with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Deshaun Watson rumors. A WR room that never fit his skillset, an offensive line that was the worst in the league in back-to-back years (32nd and 31st).

By no means has Tua Tagovailoa lived up to his potential; however, there has been a lot stacked up against him compared to other young quarterbacks.

Dolphins GM Chris Grier says “the door is shut on Deshaun Watson.” He says that is definitive and they believe in Tua Tagovailoa’s development going into Year 3.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 2, 2022

However, Mike McDaniel and the rest of the Dolphins Management have taken action to support Tua Tagovailoa, instead of meaningless words to show support. 

The only variable that could inevitably hold this offense back is if Tua fails to perform and injuries along the offense.

Tua Throwing Deep?

With all this talk about having the two fastest WR’s in the Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, there’s the notion that Tua and the offense should maximize the potential and throw deep more often.

The biggest criticism on Tua is that he cannot throw deep balls well. In 2020, Tua was 10/28 or 35% on deep balls thrown, good enough to be the 3rd best. In 2021, on passes that traveled over 20+ yards Tua’s passes were on target 69.6% of the time, which was best in the NFL.

Highest completion percentage on throws 20+ yards downfield — 2021 season

1. Justin Herbert — 48.4%
2. Tua Tagovailoa — 48.3%

Min. 20 attempts. #Dolphins pic.twitter.com/fTEI1GIY52

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) March 24, 2022

The sample size argument gets routinely brought up as it may not be enough to be a conclusive data point. However, the Dolphins offensive line averaged a league worst 2.1 seconds if pocket time. It takes time to read and throw deep balls.

Not to mention, two of his final seven starts he had a 29% air yard completion, which was the highest in the NFL.

Everyone loves the deep ball game as it is exciting, but it’s minuscule on a play to play basis, it’s not how the game is played a majority of the time. 

The New Offense

In retrospect, this bodes well for the short and intermediate game, along with Yards after Catch (YAC).

Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are two of the NFL’s best in yards after the catch and receptions within two seconds after the snap. Waddle with the 3rd most reception (46) and Hill with the 4th most (45).

The Miami Dolphins have acquired Tyreek Hill, and his role in new Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s offense will be unique

One of the league’s brightest young minds will now have the fastest receiver in NFL history, and his potential in MIA’s offense is excitinghttps://t.co/sId8I9Rrao

— Tyler DeSena (@TylerDeSenaNFL) March 24, 2022

In each of the last four years, the San Francisco 49ers led the NFL in YAC/reception. Mike McDaniel being the run game coordinator and offensive coordinator those last four years.

Last two years, Tua’s YAC/Completion was 4.6 in 2021 (30th) and 4.1 (2020) (31st). This year should se an increase in YAC/Completion numbers that fit Tua’s ability, along with expectations the franchise and fans want to see.

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*** This article was originally posted on PhinManiacs***

Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel