Miami Dolphins: 2021 NFL Draft late-round sleeper targets
By Ian Higgins
8
Kylin Hill HB
After relying upon a combination of Matt Breida, Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed throughout the 2020 campaign, the Miami Dolphins will continue to look to reinforce their running back group with high-value mid-round selections. With the current selection of backs on the roster skewing to the side of receiving over conventional power, the Miami Dolphins should look for a versatile back capable of handling his own between the tackles.
A north-south runner who is willing to put the shoulder down, Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill managed 5.6 yards per carry on 242 attempts for ten touchdowns over the course of the 2019 season. With the lateral agility to navigate rushing lanes and the balance to take on defenders in the hole, Hill has the tools to be a productive ballcarrier from shotgun between the tackles.
After totaling only 18 catches through 13 games in the 2019 season, Kylin Hill made sure to make his receiving ability known with 23 catches through his short three-game stint before opting out of the 2020 season. With this new dimension to his offensive capabilities as well as a functional record in pass-protection, Hill can look to insert himself into the Miami Dolphins’ backfield as a lead ballcarrier and third-down option.
Potential Draft Position: Round 5, Pick 157
95
Khyiris Tonga NT
After adding former Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler via free agency, the Miami Dolphin’s 3-4 defensive line is now led by a combination of Butler, Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis. Lacking a true nose tackle, the Miami Dolphins could look to add to the position with one of their day three selections in the 2021 NFL Draft.
At 320 pounds, BYU nose tackle Khyiris Tonga is a conventional central stalwart that holds his ground in the run game and commands the attention of double teams. Alongside his ability to win leverage when locked into a blocker, Tonga shows no issue disengaging from blockers when the ballcarrier is nearby, producing an impressive number of tackles at the line of scrimmage.
Despite being so effective in early-down situations, Tonga will likely find himself being selected on the third day of the 2021 NFL Draft due to his niche playstyle. Placed within a defensive front which relies upon a selection of personnel with varying profiles, Tonga can fulfill an integral role within the Miami Dolphin’s front-seven.