FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ The Miami Dolphins' interest in Tua Tagovailoa nearly resulted in their second meeting before next month's NFL draft.
The Dolphins attempted to set up a pre-draft visit with Tagovailoa at the team's facility last week, but logistics and concerns over the new coronavirus prevented the meeting from happening, league sources told the Sun Sentinel on Thursday.
Miami, which owns the No. 5 pick, wanted to meet last Friday with Tagovailoa, a potential top-5 pick, shortly before the NFL restricted teams from hosting pre-draft visits. NFL Network first reported the potential visit.
If Tagovailoa and the Dolphins met, it would have been their second interaction following the NFL combine in February _ and may have been the only opportunity to see Tagovailoa in person with his April 9 pro day at Alabama also canceled.
Tagovailoa, however, intends to have an on-field workout and provide video of the session to NFL teams to show the progress he's made with his mobility following November hip surgery. Logistics of the workout are still being finalized. Tagovailoa was cleared by doctors to increase his football workload earlier this month.
Along with Miami, the Washington Redskins, who own the No. 2 pick, and the Los Angeles Chargers, who have the No. 6 pick, also have expressed significant interest in Tagovailoa.
Washington could take Tagovailoa at No. 2 to compete with incumbent quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who was the No. 15 pick last year. The Redskins could also persuade the Dolphins, Chargers or another team into a trade for the No. 2 pick.
Detroit, which owns the No. 3 pick, is also believed to be a potential trade partner for a team looking to land Tagovailoa early in the draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals, who are expected to take LSU's Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick, the Lions, who have quarterback Matthew Stafford still in tow, and the New York Giants, who own the No. 4 pick and drafted Daniel Jones No. 6 last year, are not believed to have the same level of interest in Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins' interest in Tagovailoa dates to the end of the 2018 season when Miami began its rebuilding process under general manager Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores.
Grier has seen Tagovailoa play four times, while Dolphins owner Steve Ross has seen him play twice. Ross has also expressed concerns about Tagovailoa's health and durability.
The Dolphins did not make any quarterback moves in free agency, even with former Patriots legend Tom Brady available, opting to stick with 37-year-old starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and former No. 10 pick Josh Rosen. This re-affirms Miami's plan of adding a potential franchise quarterback during the draft.
Despite not being able to meet with Tagovailoa last week, Miami was able to host Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, who was training in South Florida, for pre-draft visits.
