Will Tua Tagovailoa Start For The Miami Dolphins? Ryan Fitzpatrick Favored To Be Week 1 Quarterback

The Miami Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa with the No.5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, hoping that the rookie will be their franchise quarterback. The former Alabama star might just have to wait a little bit to prove that the organization made the right decision.

Despite rumors that Tagovailoa is in line to win the starting job in training camp, Ryan Fitzpatrick is the overwhelming favorite to be under center for Miami in Week 1.

DraftKings Sportsbook gives Fitzpatrick -278 odds to begin the season as Miami’s starter, while Tagovailoa is a +235 underdog to be the team’s No.1 quarterback. Fitzpatrick has 2/7 odds to be atop the Dolphins’ depth chart in Week 1 at BetOnline, where Tagovailoa has 2/1 odds to be the starter.

Tagovailoa hasn’t played competitive football since Nov. 16 against Mississippi State when he suffered a serious hip injury. The quarterback has said he feels completely healthy months after surgery, but Miami might choose to be extra cautious.

Before getting hurt, Tagovailoa completed 71.4% of his passes for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 200.6 passing efficiency rating in nine games. The 22-year-old was considered the top prospect in college football before getting hurt, even over Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow.

Fitzpatrick went 5-8 as Miami’s starter last season, including five victories in his last nine games. The 37-year-old threw for 3.529 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His 85.5 passer rating was the second-best of the starting quarterbacks in the AFC East.

Josh Rosen isn’t considered a threat to be the Week 1 starter with 25/1 odds. The 2018 first-round pick has a 63.5 passer rating in 20 career games.

The Dolphins are scheduled to kick off the 2020 season on the road against the New England Patriots on Sept. 13.