The Miami Dolphins themselves have a tough conversation about this month’s 2021 NFL Draft. Any decision you make regarding players to invest in is a challenge. There is a lot of dynamics in the game for each selection that causes ripple effects in the rest of your selection; so no decision should be taken lightly.
But the dolphins have an even less enviable decision to make with the # 18 overall roster at the end of the month: set up a high-value position like pass rusher and risk missing out on a running back that gets a could give a huge boost to your running race? Or do you set up the running back to meet the need and hope to find the best of someone who can boost your pass rush?
Miami won’t have to wait long for their next scheduled pick at No. 36 overall, but there’s a fair chance the team’s favorite goal won’t be there in either spot the next time they get in line. If the dolphins are committed to upgrading the pass rush, it probably makes sense to stay at number 18 and make the choice – be it Kwity Paye, Jaelan Phillips or Azeez Ojulari. The demand for pass rushers will crop up quite quickly in this design and the dolphins currently have the proverbial high ground against a possible flight.
But if Miami wants to line up a running back, exploring a trade-in situation might be the best card for Miami. The overhaul of the Dolphins’ roster is in full swing and while the team is unlikely to be able to cater for an additional rookie league with 12+ players this season, Miami is currently missing from the Day 3 roster. The Dolphins, those having four top-50 tips and five in the top-100 have only three selections the rest of the way: one in the 5th round and two in the 7th round. A trade of 18 would provide an excellent opportunity for the dolphins to craft extra picks to get more bat swings in this year’s draft class.
And best of all, if you trade a don from the age of 18 and still make sure to land your favorite running back, the dolphins will likely have improved their position twice in the first lap – as the dolphins will likely trade again. the draft order after swapping the number 3 overall pick to make sure they would be able to pick up the same player they were looking for at number 3 overall.
Securing the same players you would line up at No. 3 and No. 18 overall, but getting both in later slots while adding more choices is a great way to open an NFL Draft. We’ll see if Chris Grier and the dolphins here are keen on taking such an approach in the coming weeks.