The 2021 regular season has come to an end, so for teams like the Miami Dolphins who missed the postseason, it’s time to start looking at the offseason.
With just over half of the draft order set, mock drafts are starting to come out more frequently and will only happen more as teams are eliminated from the playoffs.
At this point, the Dolphins are projected to have the 22nd overall pick, as their only first-round pick originally belonged to the 49ers.
Draft Wire posted a mock draft on Thursday that had went through the first three rounds. In this mock draft, Miami selected offensive tackle Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa in the first round and running back Breece Hall from Iowa State in the second round.
With the Dolphins’ biggest offensive issues stemming from their offensive line play this past season, it would be inexcusable if they didn’t address the tackle positions this offseason. Penning has the size (6-foot-7, 320 pounds) and athleticism to play well at the NFL level, but the fact that he played against FCS competition would have people asking if he can make the jump.
Here’s what Luke Easterling of Draft Wire had to say about Penning and the Dolphins:
“The Dolphins have tried and failed to rebuild this offensive line, but they need to keep taking swings, especially if they want Tua Tagovailoa to reach his full potential. Penning is a small-school stud who dominanted lower-level competition, and has all the physical traits to be worthy of a first-round pick.”
Hall has been touted as an all-around back who can run, catch, and pass-block. That’s not very for a rookie. This season, Hall rushed for 1,472 yards on 5.8 yards per carry and 20 touchdowns, which was tied for most rushing touchdowns in the nation. He also added 36 receptions for 302 yards and three touchdowns in the receiving game.
The Dolphins struggled for most of 2021 to get production from their running back room. When Duke Johnson and Phillip Lindsay got opportunities it looked better, but they should still be interested in going after someone in the draft, and Hall could be a great fit.
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