The Miami Dolphins’ 2020 NFL Draft will need some time to settle in before we can declare general manager Chris Grier’s effort a rousing success or not. One thing we do know for certain is that Miami’s infusion of new talent will have this team looking drastically different. But while a vast majority of the team will be welcoming fresh faces into the fray, one key position group appears to be headed for status quo after the 2019 season.
The wide receivers.
The Dolphins locked in DeVante Parker on an extension and look to return Preston Williams from injury — but the reinforcements behind them will look familiar as well. The Dolphins will have Jakeem Grant, Allen Hurns and Isaiah Ford back. The team has yet to make a decision on Albert Wilson, too — after no action for the receiver room in the 2020 draft it would seem as though Wilson’s odds of making the roster are better than they were a few months ago. And 2019 waiver wire adds in Gary Jennings and Mack Hollins are also in the fray.
But no new blood.
Which brings us to one way too early bold prediction for the Miami Dolphins’ 2021 NFL Draft. They’re not only going to draft a wide receiver, they’re going to draft one in the first round. There are a slew of candidates, but two obvious names jump off the page.
Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. Why? Because both were key targets for new Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 2018 and 2019 campaigns. With Miami seemingly deferring on adding weapons, the all too obvious play will be for Miami to look to use one of their two 1st-round picks in 2021 on one of Tagovailoa’s favorite college weapons. Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy came into the league this year with Tua — but Smith and Waddle are probably 1st-round selections if they stay healthy ahead of next spring.
What better way to make your new franchise quarterback feel at home while replicating his college offense than by surrounding him by one of his college targets? We’re a long way off. But the writing looks to be on the wall as the Dolphins embark on building the optimal supporting cast for their young signal caller.