The Miami Dolphins still have a season to play this fall — yes. But the future is so promising for this team based on the year one results of coach Brian Flores and the waves of NFL Draft capital that this team has been able to assemble in order to build the team to Flores’ vision. So excuse our excitement about next April’s 2021 NFL Draft — the possibilities are endless!
ESPN’s Todd McShay just dropped his own exploratory hypothetical for the 2021 NFL Draft, releasing his very first mock of the new draft cycle and his impression of the Dolphins’ needs are clear — he thinks this team needs better weaponry for Tua Tagovailoa. Here are McShay’s picks for the Dolphins and his reasoning behind the selections.
No. 5 overall — WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU Tigers
“I’ll start by saying that if Sewell were available, he’d be the pick. Even after Miami drafted Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt with early picks in April, protecting Tua Tagovailoa is still the team’s top priority. But with Sewell off to block for Burrow in Cincinnati, let’s help Tagovailoa another way. Chase is the best available prospect here and a true No. 1 wideout, but he also fills a glaring need for the Dolphins. DeVante Parker had a breakout season with more than 1,200 receiving yards, but the next-most-productive Dolphins WR in 2019 was Preston Williams at 428. Chase had 1,780 yards and 20 scores last season with the Tigers, and he has the dynamic playmaking tools to be an elite producer at the next level for Tua for years to come.” – Todd McShay, ESPN
Chase to Miami would be a dream come true. Of course, landing Chase at No. 5 would mean this season would probably be more of a frustrating one for the Dolphins, who did overachieve in 2019 on their way to five wins. To pick in the same spots and likely finish with the same records with two divisional rivals in New York and New England worse off than they were a year ago would be a hard pill to swallow. Chase, paired with Parker and Preston Williams, would be a mighty fine consolation prize.
No. 15 overall — RB Travis Etienne, Clemson Tigers
“After going with the talented Chase at receiver with its first pick, Miami might consider Jevon Holland (Oregon) here to address its safety woes. Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith is worth a look too. A big offseason certainly helped the Dolphins along in their rebuild, but there are still a lot of problematic areas. While I like Matt Breida’s speed, he’s a free agent next spring, and Jordan Howard hasn’t shown much juice. Etienne would give Tagovailoa an explosive young backfield-mate with a great combination of initial burst and straight-line acceleration. He’s a home run hitter in space, and nabbing him here makes for a scary Tagovailoa-Chase-Etienne offensive core.” – Todd McShay, ESPN
Etienne would be a replacement for Breida for sure. He’s gotten better catching the ball as his college career has gone on, too. But there’s something about this pick that doesn’t feel very “Miami” based on how the team approached their first two NFL Drafts. Miami is willing to take some risks — but investing in low-value positions early on isn’t something that Chris Grier has given the indication he’s willing to do. Miami has made eight picks on the first and second days of the 2019 and 2020 NFL Drafts and five of those picks have gone to the trenches — plus one quarterback, one cornerback and one safety. Etienne makes sense for the Dolphins, but the value is questionable based on Miami’s track record; especially when you consider they scorned D’Andre Swift, JK Dobbins, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jonathan Taylor with early picks last year.