How Will Miami Draft in 1st & 2nd Round?
What will Miami do with four picks at the top of the draft
The excitement is just about boiling over with the 2021 Draft a day away! The Miami Dolphins have four picks in the first two rounds, this is a very HUGE draft for the future of this franchise. Really, the direction Chris Grier will take has a dozen directions: stick at #6, move up or back at #6 or #18, or with either of their 2nd Rounders. Plenty of options, but the key is whatever they do, the sum of their moves amounts to serious success.
Miami has stacked the picks, now they must buy smart
Honestly, the Dolphins do a very good job of keeping their draft cards close to the vest, so really it is anyone’s guess on what they’ll actually do come draft night. The building consensus among the fan base is Tight End Kyle Pitts at #6. I have to agree, I’m all for drafting him at #6… IF he’s available.
Unfortunately, the odds on favorite with the bookie website software is for Pitts to go at #4 at -200. This means someone would have to risk $200 to $100 for him to be selected with the 4th pick. This isn’t good news for Pitts hopefuls, considering the odds of him being selected by Miami is at +185, meaning it’s near 50% better chance he goes to Atlanta over the Phins! In addition, the odds are -290 that Pitts is drafted under 5.5, meaning the favorite is he’ll be gone by the 6th pick.
All these odds in combinations is very, very bad news for Pitts hopefuls!
If Pitts is gone by the time the Dolphins are on the clock–and it looks like he will be, then a lot of analysts think Ja’Marr Chase will be the pick! However, Chase might not make it past the Bengals. Personally, I still favor DeVonta Smith over Chase, even though he is a smaller receiver. Chase really only had one big season in college football and sat out last year. Smith played four seasons at Alabama and was a big contributor in three of those seasons. If anyone watches the tape on Smith, it’s easy to see he possesses that coveted ‘It factor’. Smith could play inside and out, which is a big plus. So, if Pitts isn’t available, I’d go with Smith, regardless if Chase is available or not.
What we want might not be what the Phins want
However, Miami may want one of the tackles Sewell or Slater. Although not a sexy pick, either player should be a plug and play starter from Day 1. Also, Miami could throw a curve ball and go defense and select Micah Parsons… who has been rumored have a serious shine in eyes of Coach Flores.
For the Dolphins 18th pick, I want running back Najee Harris. If Miami doesn’t select him at #18, I highly doubt he will be around at Miami’s 36th pick. However, this regime has already shown they don’t put a high value on running backs… so, I feel they’ll go with one of the top Defensive Ends on this pick.
Sorry fellow Harris fans, I doubt we get our dream fullfilled on this one.
This draft class doesn’t have a unanimous stud at DE, so players such as Kwity Paye, Jaelan Phillips, Jayson Oweh, and Gregory Rousseau could all be an option here. I’m not crazy about any of them.
Round #2 was a good one for Miami last year
For the Dolphins 36th pick, if they don’t select a running back at 18, then they’d better select one here. Miami shouldn’t be banking on striking gold on a mid-round running back, instead they should focus on getting one of the top three prospects in Harris, Etienne, or Williams. Hopefully, one of these players will still be available… and anyone of them would be fine by me. If we do get the ‘dream’ picks of Harris at #18, and Pitts at #6, then one of the second tier Wide Receivers in this very deep WR class would be a must.
Now, if we select a wideout at #6 and running back at #18, I’d go with an Offensive Tackle such as Alex Leatherwood, Christian Darrisaw, or Teven Jenkins whom all could be available at #36. If Miami is truly moving Hunt inside to right guard, then there is a sizable hole at right tackle.
Center MUST be an early focus!
For the 50th pick in the draft, I hope Miami addresses the Center position. First of all, we are taking a flier on a one year deal with Matt Skura… so to me there is still a huge question mark at Center. Picking a Center at #50 will give us the opportunity to select one of the best prospects at the position in the whole draft. This gives the best odds that this player will have a chance to succeed in the NFL. The best two Centers in the draft are Alabama’s Landon Dickerson and Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey. Either player would be fine by me and would not only fill a need, but also allow us to get the best talent in the draft at the position.
Now, all we can do is wait and see what dreams–if any–get fullfilled!
What are the rest of the Phins News fans hopes and dreams of Miami’s 1st two rounds of the 2021 Draft?
