The latest 2021 NFL mock draft, courtesy of Draft Wire, will give Miami Dolphins fans something to chew on — these are not your stereotypical candidates mocked to the Dolphins. How much so? The two round simulation of Aprils’ draft features zero in the way of Alabama Crimson Tide players, a far deviation from some of the mocks that see the Dolphins manage to secure 3 or even four Crimson Tide prospects in the first two rounds.
But keep an open mind, Miami! Here are the picks selected by Draft Wire in their latest 2021 NFL mock draft to further help the Dolphins reload for a postseason run in 2021.
No. 3 overall – WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
No. 18 overall – LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
No. 36 overall – OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
No. 50 overall – RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina
Chase is a prospect who some Dolphins fans have soured on due to the perception that he’s too much of the same kind of receiver as what Miami already had on the roster — and Tua Tagovailoa struggled to make that work down the stretch this season. But he’s a physically dynamic player and the most rare blend of athletic traits among the top prospects eligible in this year’s class.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ defensive target is a hybrid player; that will sit well with Brian Flores. But Miami needs better run defending ability in addition to more pass coverage from their linebackers. So while Owusu-Koramoah helps, he wouldn’t be the only addition needed to offer Miami the improvements necessary to feel as though the issue has been addressed completely.
In the second round, Miami gets two prospects who will undoubtedly help the run game. Williams may be the best total fit with what the Dolphins seem to want to do schematically. And Radunz is a small-school mauler in the run game; but his addition will introduce some questions about what Miami will do with 2020 1st-round pick Austin Jackson. Does he move to right tackle and push Robert Hunt to guard? Would Radunz switch sides?
This influx of players offers help in the right places for Miami. But the team would still need to thread the needle to ensure the pieces are implemented correctly.