Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert have established themselves as Pro Bowl-caliber quarterbacks from the 2020 NFL Draft class. The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers signal-callers are also just 25.
Still, on Wednesday, one ESPN analyst said he believes NFL teams would prefer USC star and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams over one of those NFL QBs.
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Chris Canty Picks Caleb Williams Over Tua Tagovailoa
On a segment of “UnSportsmanLike with Evan [Cohen], Chris [Canty], and Michelle [Smallmon]” on ESPN Radio released Wednesday, the topic of Tagovailoa vs. Herbert was brought up.
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One co-host, however, bluntly stated that teams might prefer the potential 2024 first-round pick over Tagovailoa. Why this thought? It’s in large part due to Williams’ otherworldly playmaking and Tagovailoa’s poor durability.
That co-host was Super Bowl-winning defensive lineman with the New York Giants Canty, who believes that the Dolphins would prefer Williams over their current QB1. He also stuck with his claim that Herbert is better than the former Alabama standout.
“I don’t think he’s better than Herbert. I think he’s having the better season than Herbert, and I think a lot of it has to do with the scheme,” Canty claimed. “But I don’t think there’s a general manager out there in the NFL that says, ‘I want Tua over Justin Herbert.’ Hell, we don’t know if Tua can make it to a full NFL season.”
Canty, on at least two occasions, nodded yes that he believes Williams is also better than the Dolphins passer who is putting together MVP-like numbers for the 5-1 Dolphins.
“When did I miss the memo that we’re not worried about Tua anymore?” Canty asked.
Evan Cohen Reacts to Strong Take From His ESPN Colleague
Canty’s reaction spurred a strong response from Cohen, who questioned Canty’s take on Williams.
“Caleb Williams has a chance to be great. You’re telling me right now, the Dolphins could say, ‘We’re going to pause this season, Tua is going to be on some other team, and we’re going to get Caleb Williams the rest of the way?” Cohen asked.
“Sure,” Canty responded back. “That’s what I’m saying.”
Cohen, though, believes that all that does is add to the already mounting NFL pressure Williams has before he even throws his first Sunday afternoon pass in the fall.
“The perception is that Caleb Williams better be a Hall of Famer based on this conversation,” Cohen said. “Honestly, he better be a Hall of Famer because we’re talking about a guy that, and yes, I hold my breath the same way everyone else does (about the Miami QB’s health), but Tua, I believe, is the odds-on favorite to win the MVP award. And you’re saying you would take the USC quarterback over him. Think about that.”