Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Doesn’t Crack Top 15 of Chris Simms Rankings

Once you hear the identify Chris Simms, just a few moments come racing to thoughts. The primary one is watching Jon Gruden should spoon-feed him a play name a number of instances, and it was embarrassing however comprehensible as a result of it simply feels like a phrase salad to me. Nonetheless, for an NFL QB who solely has to check a playbook, it’s not a very good look.

The second time is when Simms stated that solely idiots assume Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was better than Taysom Hill. That was much more embarrassing. It’s most likely one thing Simms will attempt to neglect and by no means repeat, like saying Voldemort.

Nonetheless, Simms is a reasonably revered NFL analyst, and being a former NFL quarterback offers him some cachet to speak and rank NFL quarterbacks.

Yearly Tagovailoa has been within the NFL, Simms has ranked him horribly, and that didn’t change in 2024.

Tagovailoa ranked 18th out of the highest 40 quarterbacks within the NFL, and simply from my first look, seeing Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, and Kyler Murray above him makes me wish to crumble the rankings up, throw it within the trash and dismiss it, however it’s information so I can’t do this.

I wouldn’t have Tagovailoa within the prime seven proper now, however after that, you make the case that he’s higher than each different quarterback. I’ve stated this in earlier articles, however it’s value repeating. If in case you have a top-five quantity throughout the board and have the bottom time to throw, then you definately’re a top-ten quarterback.

Fortunately for us, Mr. Simms didn’t simply throw the rankings on the market and disappear. He gave an in-depth evaluation of why Tagovailoa was ranked the place he was.

Simms’ rationalization is a little bit of a rollercoaster. He praised Tagovailoa’s numbers, his anticipation, his contact, being an elite deep ball thrower, and his potential to learn the sector higher than most quarterbacks. That’s all spot on and looks like what you’d say a few top-five man.

His detractions of Tagovailoa, resembling his lack of ability to hold the offense and the shortage of off-script performs are comprehensible and agreeable. That’s the ultimate stage of Tagovailoa’s recreation, however a few of his different criticisms push his rating off a cliff.

The “I can present you 4 video games, and also you’ll surprise if he’s even a starter” is each quarterback within the league. There are ups and downs to a season and even the very best look god-awful at instances. Simply watch some Josh Allen tape. I may discover you greater than 4 video games of Trevor Lawrence, and he’s at eleven.

The criticism of what’s round Tagovailoa is an outdated, dangerous take. Each quarterback wants assist. The closest I’ve seen a quarterback carry his group was Pat Mahomes final 12 months, and he had Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, a top-five offense line, and a top-three protection.

Mahomes even had Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in his early years, and nobody stated a peep about assist. Joe Burrow had Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. Justin Herbert walked into the league with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler. Jalen Hurts had AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and DeAndre Swift final 12 months.

The Lions preserve drafting weapons for Jared Goff with a top-three offensive line. I imply, Brock Purdy has Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and a top-three offensive line. Are we going to penalize Tagovailoa for having Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle? That’s simply selective reminiscence on his half.

I do know quarterback rankings are all the time subjective, and whenever you’re a nationwide voice, I get that you just don’t wish to stroll again a few of your most viral takes, however there comes some extent the place you acquire extra credibility simply by admitting you had been flawed. I don’t see that occuring any time quickly, and this rating helps that assumption. Perhaps subsequent 12 months.

Tell us within the feedback how you’re feeling about Tua Tagovailoa’s spot and Chris Simms’ rankings general.