Miami Dolphins: Team needs entering the 2021 NFL draft
By Ian Higgins
Despite having a standard seven selections within this year’s draft, the Miami Dolphins have managed to front-load their draft capital with four selections within the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL draft. Having come off a 2020 season that saw the ‘rebuilding’ roster narrowly miss a wildcard berth, the Miami Dolphins are primed to make splashes and add star-talent to the roster.
Led by a combination of rookie Tua Tagovailoa and veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Miami Dolphins had their own woes on the offensive side of the ball highlighted by a distinct lack of raw talent at receiver to elevate the offense. Currently fronted by Devante Parker and Mike Gesicki, this combination is a suitable pairing that still needs their true number one threat.
In the running game, 2019 seventh-round selection Myles Gaskin burst onto the scene and inherited the leading role in the Miami backfield as a dual-threat scat-back who offered an easy completion to his rookie signal-caller. Although his production indicates the capability to carry on as the lead-back for the Miami Dolphins, Gaskin still lacks the explosiveness to elevate the Miami running-game beyond their 22nd ranked rushing offense.
The highlight of the Miami Dolphins 2020 season though was a sixth-ranked scoring defense led by free-agent additions Kyle Van Noy and Byron Jones. Brian Flores has also successfully carried his defensive game-planning showcased in New England to South Beach, elevating the play of his front-seven with amoeba-fronts and diverse pressure-packages to confuse even seasoned NFL quarterbacks.
Entering the 2021 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins have one of the most intriguing situations in the NFL, having the option to either add top-end talent to fill a shortlist of needs for their roster or trade-down to acquire a bevy of day two and three picks to patch and improve numerous slots across the depth chart.