Tua Tagovailoa decision benefits the Cleveland Browns in 2020 NFL Draft

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced he will enter the 2020 NFL Draft, which will benefit the Cleveland Browns on draft night.

The Cleveland Browns are still without a head coach and general manager, but it is still clear what their biggest need is this offseason. They also received some help to fill that need in the 2020 NFL Draft when Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced Monday he will be entering the draft.

Cleveland will not be in the market for a quarterback this offseason because of the presence of Baker Mayfield. So Tagovailoa’s decision to enter the draft does not directly affect the Browns’ draft plans. However, Tagovailoa entering the draft could push a target of the Browns closer to their 10th overall selection.

The Browns are expected to target an offensive tackle with their first-round selection, no matter who becomes the general manager and head coach. It was a clear weakness in 2019 and hindered the offense all season. Browns starting left tackle Greg Robinson is also a free agent this spring.

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The 2020 draft class has three clear top offensive tackles: Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr., and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs (if he declares). All three tackles are expected to go in the top-10 to top-15 range of the draft. Tagovailoa’s decision could push all of the tackles closer to the Browns selection, giving Cleveland a better chance of landing the No. 1 offensive tackle on their board.

Now that Tagovailoa officially declared himself for the draft, it will cause quarterback needy teams to target the Alabama quarterback. Tagovailoa is one of three quarterback who are expected to be top-10 selections, along with LSU’s Joe Burrow and Oregon’s Justin Herbert. There are at least four teams within the first 10 selections who will be targeting a quarterback, so there will be a run at the position early.

Had Tagovailoa not entered the draft, there would not have been another quarterback that would garner attention in the first 10 selections. That would have increased the odds at least one of the offensive tackles would have been selected before Cleveland would be on the clock. And if Wirfs decides to stay at Iowa for another season, there would be even more pressure to land either Thomas or Wills.

The top-10 of the 2020 NFL Draft could go a number of directions, as there are several top-tier receivers available, as well as defensive play-makers. Depending on what teams value in terms of position value will determine the direction of the top of the draft. And with several teams needing a quarterback with only three available at the top of the draft could create chaos in the trade market.

However, the guaranteed addition of Tagovailoa to the draft class means the Browns will have a greater chance of addressing their biggest need at offensive tackle. It also gives the Browns a better chance of landing the offensive tackle who they believe is best suited to protect Mayfield’s blindside for the next decade.