Miami Dolphins fans will have no shortage of rooting interests this fall. The Dolphins themselves look to be on the bounce back and should be poised to make a run at a .500 record this season — or perhaps even better if the team ends up overachieving. But Miami’s long-term visions of championships will be boosted by the successes and failures of another team; and not one they’ll actually have to face off against on the gridiron.
The Dolphins — and their fans — will be closely eyeing the Houston Texans, whose first and second round picks in 2021 belong to Miami courtesy of the Laremy Tunsil trade last August. In 2019, Houston won a playoff game against Buffalo and ultimately handed the Dolphins the No. 26 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft (which would eventually become DB Noah Igbinoghene). The Dolphins themselves picked 5th.
In 2021, we should see the gap between these two teams’ picks in the order be much closer; but how close could they realistically get? Is there any way the Texans end up flopping hard enough for Miami to pick first courtesy of Houston?
It would be a surprise, but there’s some evidence to back a regression is coming for Houston. First and foremost, the team swapped out DeAndre Hopkins for a regressing David Johnson and also acquired WR Brandin Cooks to take Hopkins’ place. Not a terrible downgrade, but a downgrade none the less. Defensively, the Texans are a mess. The team was 19th in scoring defense (385 points) and 28th in yards allowed. The Texans yielded nearly 5.0 yards per carry (4.8) and allowed 33 passing touchdowns last season — it got ugly.
And to make matters worse, Houston didn’t really get better on defense, either. The team bid farewell to NT D.J. Reader (Cincinnati) in free agency and their standout signing in free agency is DB Eric Murray, who spent last season in Cleveland and is projected to play a starting safety role.
The Colts will be better in the AFC South this year thanks to the arrival of Philip Rivers. The Titans are running it back and figure to be contenders once again. With Houston’s indifference to improve the defense and their downgrade from DeAndre Hopkins on offense; it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that Houston misses the playoffs.
And if the Dolphins subsequently overachieve, then yes — we may see Miami come on the clock first courtesy of of the Texans in April.