Dolphins land Ja’Marr Chase in post-blockbuster mock draft
Miami Dolphins mock draft — Day 2
With two picks in the second and one in the third round, the Miami Dolphins are sitting with three picks on day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s a great position to be in. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they aren’t in a great position with our board to kick off day 2. Inexplicably, three running backs went in the first round — Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, and Javonte Williams. Miami was certainly hoping one of those three would fall to them at 36. However, there’s still a lot of talent available at positions of need.
Round 2, Pick 36: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
One of those positions is linebacker. Both Missorui’s Nick Bolton and Tulsa’s Zaven Collins are available here, and if that’s how things played out in April, Bolton should be the pick for the Dolphins. Both players would provide an instant upgrade to the Dolphins linebacker corps, but Bolton provides more versatility than Collins. Bolton is ultra-athletic, and provides more overall impact at the position than Collins. Both are great options, but the nod goes to Bolton here.
Round 2, Pick 50: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
The theme of the board not being kind to the Dolphins continues with their second pick in the second round. Interior offensive line is another position the Dolphins are likely looking to upgrade through the NFL Draft. There are two main prospects — Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey and Alabama’s Landon Dickerson — the team likely has their eyes on. Unfortunately, both have flown off the board before Miami comes back around at pick 50.
With players like Minnesota wide receiver Rondale Moore, Oklahoma EDGE Ronnie Perkins, and Texas EDGE Joseph Ossai still on the board here, the Dolphins may be tempted to double-dip. However, it may be a bit early to take a second wide receiver or pass rusher. Instead, the pick here is Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph.
At first glance, it may seem like a luxury pick to take a cornerback with the defensive backs Miami currently has on their roster. However, it has been reported that Miami may look to upgrade the position early in the draft. All of the big names at the position are off the board already, but Joseph is a sneaky good pick. He’s under the radar, but he has the tools teams covet at the position. It may not be a popular pick, but Joseph would provide a lot of value.
Round 3, Pick 82: Quinn Meinerz, IOL, Wisconsin-Whitewater
The Miami Dolphins missed out in this NFL mock draft on an interior offensive lineman in the second round. They get the chance to rectify that with their pick in the third round. Players like wide receivers D’Wayne Eskridge and Tylan Wallace, and cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu are still on the board here, along with running back Michael Carter. However, as tempting as it is to take Carter after missing out on the first round running backs, small-school product Quinn Meinerz is the pick here.
If you’d asked draft people who Quinn Meinerz was back in November, only the biggest grinders would have had an answer. Meinerz has come from relative obscurity at Wisconsin-Whitewater to become the darling of the all-star circuit. Nobody maximized their opportunity — or helped their NFL Draft stock — more than Meinerz, and it pays off with a third-round selection.
Meinerz would come in and be penciled in as the likely day 1 starter for the Dolphins at the center position. He also provides the team with position flexibility, being able to move outside to guard should the need arise. The Dolphins are all about value and flexibility, and this pick is right in line with that philosophy.