In this latest installment of our ongoing pre-draft series, we take a look at the Miami Dolphins’ 2021 NFL draft team needs.
Miami is in a great position entering this year’s NFL draft. Armed with two first-round picks, the Dolphins can leverage their draft assets and QB Tua Tagovailoa to make an aggressive trade for disgruntled Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, or they can stay the course with Tagovailoa and continue building a strong roster around him.
As of press time, Miami has the 3rd and 18th overall picks. The most popular targets in 2021 mock drafts for those selections have been Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU) and Najee Harris (RB, Alabama) at three and 18 respectively. Both picks would make sense with the roster’s current composition.
Here are the Dolphins’ top needs entering the 2021 NFL draft.
Top Need: Wide receiver
Devante Parker and Preston Williams are a high-upside tandem but the Dolphins are in a position to land a blue-chip wide receiver in a talented class with the third overall pick. Considering the investment made in Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in 2020, Miami has to provide him with a more consistent option opposite Parker. Chase would make a ton of sense as a do-it-all pass-catcher, or Miami could wait until No. 18 and potentially land Heisman Trophy winner, Devonta Smith.
Secondary Need: Linebacker
The second level of the Dolphins defense needs a facelift and as a result, Penn State’s Micah Parsons is a reasonable name to keep in mind for Miami. The 2021 draft has some late-first-round linebacker prospects in its mix, and if the Dolphins are fixated on landing one in the top 32, I’d imagine they’ll trade down from No. 18 (maybe more than once).
Other Need: Running back
Myles Gaskin was productive when healthy last season but his smallish frame suggests he’s more of a change-of-pace back than a true bell-cow. Harris has been a popular pick in mock drafts for the Dolphins at No. 18 and it’s easy to understand why. He shared the same backfield with Tagovailoa at Alabama in 2019 and he proved in 2020 that he’s the most talented all-around back in this year’s draft. But he isn’t alone as a potential first-round target; Clemson’s Travis Etienne would make sense too. The good news for Miami is that there is plenty of quality Day-2 options available as well. Players like Ohio State’s Trey Sermon would be a nice consolation prize if they wait too long on Harris or Etienne.