Miami Dolphins: 2021 NFL Draft late-round sleeper targets
By Ian Higgins
5
Josh Palmer WR
Although the Miami Dolphins will be likely to expend one of their first-round selections in the 2021 NFL Draft on a new top wide receiver for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, there is still the distinct possibility of Brian Flores swinging twice on this deep receiver class. Currently highlighted by incumbent red zone target Devante Parker and newly acquired speedster Will Fuller, the Dolphins’ receiving group has a distinct need for size on the boundary.
After being limited by the scenario surrounding him at Tennessee, Josh Palmer saw a significant boost to his overall draft stock after showing there is more to his game than his prototypical athletic profile. At 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, Palmer blends size with speed to create an athletic profile capable of both producing down the boundary and after the catch.
What Palmer showed NFL scouts during the senior bowl though was his improvement in his route running, using his natural physicality to fight through contact at the top of the route. Eerily reminiscent of top wideouts such as De’Andre Hopkins and Michael Thomas, Palmer is a rare athlete whose draft stock odes not accurately reflect his talent.
Potential Draft Position: Round 5, Pick 157
31
Jamar Watson EDGE
After releasing outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy during free agency, the Miami Dolphins will be looking to procure additional depth on the edge to complete a versatile outside linebacking group. Currently led by Andrew Van Ginkel and Emmanuel Ogbah, the addition of a bendy, explosive edge defender would round out a unit that played well above their weight in 2020.
Listed at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Jamar Watson is a sufficiently sized 3-4 speed-rusher with a well-packed athletic frame giving him impressive mobility in space. Having shown off his abilities in coverage, Watson fits day one as a capable defender in the flats who can wrangle elusive ball carriers making receptions behind the line of scrimmage in the open field.
Dolphins' 7-round mock draft after major trades. dark. Next
Translating this open-space mobility into pass-rush production, Watson is an edge-rusher who opts to value explosiveness to the corner over strength. Explosive off of his first step, Watson can bend the edge and create shorter paths to the ballcarrier for additional tackles for loss. With 11.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons in Kentucky, Watson has proven to be a productive edge defender with a high pass-rush ceiling.
Potential Draft Position: Round 7, Pick 260 or UDFA