2021 Miami Dolphins Draft

Today is draft day for the NFL and specifically for my favorite team the Miami Dolphins. I wanted to get some thoughts down, so that later on I could look back to see if the Dolphins would have been better off with me as the GM. 

As I write this now the Dolphins have the 6th and 18th pick. Here are my preferences in order:

1) Draft Ja'Marr Chase. It is hard not to see Chase being a bust considering how amazing he was at LSU and how his fellow receiver (Justin Jefferson) did extremely well as a rookie last year. The Dolphins have had success drafting LSU receivers (Jarvis Landry) and this is clearly the best case scenario. Unfortunately it is somewhat unlikely in that he available for the Dolphins because he is likely to go to Cincy.

2) Trade down. If they can get a decent offer I love the idea of trading down and getting more picks. I was a big fan of the original trade with the Eagles where they got two 1st round picks to move down from 3 to 12. I  wasn't as big of a fan going from 12 up to 6. 

3) Draft Penei Sewell. I'm not sure how to measure offensive lineman, but he is supposed to be very good and I like the idea of protecting Tua. It seems preferable to draft the top offensive lineman as opposed to a receiver that you might not love.

4) Draft DeVonta Smith. It has seemed like destiny for the Dolphins to draft Smith all year. They need a receiver and all year Smith was the best receiver. The fact that his last game was in the title game in Miami and it happened to be his best game just makes it seem like a perfect fit. Yes he is small, which is why I would prefer options 1-3, but I would still be happy to see him as a Dolphin

5) Draft Jaylen Waddle. I am not sure why this pick worries me so much....it seems like the most likely outcome, but I am just not sure about Waddle. I still think he could help out, which is why it is still a top 5 option, but I still have my doubts.

With the 18th pick it is harder to pick who will be available or not. Will someone like Smith or Parsons fall? I will try to revise the projection based on who is available, but right now I would go:

1) Hope someone like Smith / Waddle / Parsons drops to the Dolphins. Draft them.

2) Draft Najee Harris. The Dolphins need a dominating running back and while taking a running back in the 1st round is no longer a popular thing, I think Harris will be worth it.

3) Draft the best defensive player who can rush the passer. Maybe Paye or Phillips. 

Updated with thoughts from one of my closest friends / a fellow Dolphins fan:

Also, we disagree quite a bit.  My list without a full explanation is officially:

1. Pitts
2. Chase
3. Trade Down
4. Waddle
5. Sewell
6. Smith

At 18, I really want Jaelan Phillips although it looks like he will likely be gone by then.  I would also like Parsons if he were to fall to that point.  Or OT if they don’t get Sewell.

1. Phillips
2. Parsons
3. Trade Down
4. OT
5. Etienne