Pundits Are Insane to Think Tua Tagovailoa Will Somehow End up With the Patriots

Tua Tagovailoa to the New England Patriots? No way in hell.

Despite sustaining a season-ending (and, we all worried, career-altering) injury in the Alabama Crimson Tide's decisive victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs this week, it now seems quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is going to make a full recovery.

And when that recovery is made, he won't be drafted at the end of the first round. That much, we know.

Yet, somehow, Jets QB Mike Tannenbaum has gotten it through his head that Tagovailoa will fall past all QB-needy teams this draft cycle and fall directly to the bottom of the first round, where the New England Patriots lie. For real? The NFL Draft is a long and winding process, but it's almost a guarantee that Tua will be off the draft board by then.

And plus: what if he simply returns to school in an effort to prove his rebuilt body is complete? It can't hurt. Once he reestablishes value that way, the Pats can't sniff him.

After undergoing a successful surgery on Monday, the Crimson Tide quarterback is expected to begin rehabbing his hip injury in the coming days and make a full recovery prior to the draft next April.

Prior to his injury, Tagovailoa had been a potential No. 1 overall pick, and regardless of his injury, he is not expected to fall far, if he even falls at all. The Tampa Bay Bucs would like a word.

Sorry, New England (and every executive having night terrors right now), but the notion of the Heisman candidate ending up in the northeastern United States next season seems a bit far-fetched, unless Bill Belicheck and company decide to trade up and select their successor to Tom Brady.