2021 NFL Draft: Dolphins best bet to trade down from 3rd pick?

A look at what the Miami Dolphins should do with the 3rd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

If an NFL team is looking at how to rebuild quickly, the team to study would be the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins were one of the worst teams in the NFL last year going 5-11 on the season and finishing last in the AFC East.

This year they are showing they have a bright future led by one of the more respected coaches in the NFL in Brian Flores and a potential franchise quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa. This combination already has the Dolphins fighting for a playoff spot as they enter the season final at 10-5.

This season is also likely just the jumping-off point for Miami, as they have plenty of capital in the 2021 NFL Draft. One of the most valuable pieces they currently have is the number three pick. The team was able to land this piece by trading Laremy Tunsil to the Houston Texans last year for a first-round pick in 2020 and one in 2021 along with a second-round pick in 2021.

Miami could easily turn this pick into more picks in the future as well, by trading down from the number three pick. This pick could be valuable for a team looking to take either Zach Wilson or Justin Fields. The value this pick could garner is either another top-10 pick plus a second-rounder or if they decided to trade with a team like the San Francisco 49ers a first-rounder this year and a first-rounder next year, likely more.

Both of these moves would make sense for Miami as it would allow them to add a couple of key pieces to an already young, up-and-coming roster. If they decided to make a trade with a team like the Carolina Panthers they should easily be able to get a first and second-rounder in exchange.

The team could then use these picks to take a player such as Alabama wide receivers Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith with the Panthers first-round pick. Then with the second-rounder, they gained in this trade they could grab a pass rusher like Myjai Sanders.

The team could also look to add future assets in the 2022 NFL Draft by trading with a team towards the end of the first round. This would allow the Dolphins to still add two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts, and hopefully (for them) the team they traded down with would bomb next season like the Texans did this year.

While this is the more unlikely scenario, it could be the team’s best bang for the buck, if they are willing to wait one more year.

The one thing that could throw a wrench into Miami’s plans is if Houston beats Tennessee and Atlanta losses to Tampa Bay. This would cost Miami the number three pick, and teams might not be willing to give up as much for the fourth overall pick, especially if the top three quarterbacks in the draft are gone.