There was an abundance of quality at signal-caller in the first two rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft. Three of the first six selections were quarterbacks: Joe Burrow of LSU was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the first overall choice, Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins at No. 5, and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers was selected by them one pick later.
The Green Bay Packers selected Jordan Love with selection No. 26 to become their fourth and last first-round quarterback. By selecting Jalen Hurts with pick No. 53, the Philadelphia Eagles selected the only quarterback available in the second round. The five quarterbacks all established themselves as starters for their respective clubs, although differing in their timetables. From then on, Burrow, Herbert, and Hurts have secured some of the richest contracts in NFL history.
Meanwhile, waiting for their paycheck, Tagovailoa and Love are growing impatient. Though the Dolphins are still holding out for a long-term contract, two of the top three quarterbacks taken following Tagovailoa have received compensation.
The fans’ questions have been about whether the Dolphins should have drafted Herbert if they could go back and start over, given the length of time it took for the parties to resolve their differences.
But Tagovailoa didn’t make his NFL debut until Week 6, and Herbert started from day one for the Chargers. In the end, Herbert won Offensive Rookie of the Year despite his rapid success. Before starting for the team full-time in 2022, Tagovailoa split time with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Not to be overlooked when comparing figures is the fact that Tagovailoa has participated in 53 games while Herbert has played in 62. Not only does the Dolphins signal-caller throw fewer interceptions, but he also has an advantage in completion % (66.9), passing yards per attempt (7.7), passer rating (97.1), and head-to-head record (2-1).
In throwing yards (17,223), passing yards per game (277.8), touchdowns (114), rushing yards (911), rushing touchdowns (11), and rushing yards per attempt (11), Herbert outpaces Tagovailoa in all categories. Neither player has won a postseason game while leading his team, although both quarterbacks have received one Pro Bowl invite.
As a whole, Herbert is the more formidable runner, whereas Tagovailoa wins most passing categories. When it comes to the playoffs in particular, both quarterbacks still have a lot of growing to do in their careers.