There is no denying it: the Miami Dolphins are banking a lot of their future in these next two drafts. Not only do they boast six picks in the top 100, but they are also loaded for 2021, with another six in the first three rounds. After trading away young stars in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Laremy Tunsil, that gives you options, but also a lot of need in key spots all over the field. Fortunately, they were big spenders in free agency, snagging Byron Jones and Kyle Van Noy, among others.
It feels like we, as collective sports fans, have very little information, which means an exciting draft. I have whittled it down to four different directions in the draft, addressing different needs at different times. Let’s get into it.
Option #1
This option is the perfect combination of exciting and logical. You could make a case that I reached for Isaiah Wilson. But at this point, the top 5 OTs were already off the board. Putting together a first round that grants you a QB of the future and offensive linemen is a huge win.
Into the second round, banking on the upside of Grant Delpit is a steal here at 39. If he can turn back the clock to his 2018 playing days, fans will not be missing Minkah Fitzpatrick for long.
The combo of Jonathan Taylor and Tee Higgins is going to ignite some fire into the Miami offense while providing Tua with weapons all over the field. A rare combo of size and speed out of the backfield, and a big body WR with potential, is quite the haul.
Option #2
This mock has more of a defensive focus, putting supplemental pieces at every meaningful position. Waiting on a QB appears to work out, as they snag my OT1, Jedrick Wills, at five and pick up Jordan Love at 18.
The next three picks bolster the other side of the ball. They snag two playmakers in Kenneth Murray and AJ Terrell, two athletes from big-time schools. Josh Uche put on a show at the Senior Bowl, that likely turned some heads, making him a smart pick at #56.
Finally, one of the biggest offensive wildcards in the draft. Antonio Gibson put together big play after big play at Memphis, even with limited minutes. He is electric with the ball in his hands and is great value here at 70.
Option #3
For this mock, we adopt the Air Raid Offense methodology. Half the defense, double the offense. Now Brian Flores is no Mike Leach, but this is my article. If I want offense, they will pick offense.
No Dolphins fan would complain at the idea of Jerry Jeudy at 18. I was pretty surprised myself. Looking down the rest of the list, I see a bunch of playmakers. Even our lone defensive pick, Kyle Dugger, is a pure athlete and had one of the best combines out of any defensive prospect. I also had him on my podcast a couple of months ago, which you can check out here (Shameless plug, I know).
Laviska Shenault has some injury concerns, but can be a QBs best friend when healthy. In the 3rd round, as the Dolphins GM, I do not mind taking a risk like that for what I believe could be a star WR.
Option #4
This draft has BPA written all over it. The Dolphins are able to pick up high- level prospects at nearly every position. Isaiah Simmons and CeeDee Lamb both have star potential, and Cesar Ruiz can lock down any position in the middle on that offensive line.
In the later rounds, they pick up a potential rookie starter in Zach Baun. It depends on who you ask, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire is making a case for RB1, and they got him at 56.
But the biggest question mark may be, no QB? That is right. The Dolphins forgo the draft to find their QB1. That is because there is one unsigned in free agency right now . . . JAMEIS WINSTON.