The Miami Dolphins have done an excellent job accumulating Draft picks and building a young, talented team under General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Brian Flores.
The Dolphins went from 5-11 under Flores in his first season to 10-6 in 2020. With the help of a very successful 2021 NFL Draft, the sky is the limit for this Dolphins team moving forward.
The team came into the event with multiple picks in both the first and second rounds and turned those picks into premium players that can help right away. The highlight of Miami’s 2021 NFL Draft was their sixth overall pick, Jaylen Waddle. But the team did well to add starters throughout and continue to build a winning football team into the future of this proud Miami Dolphins’ franchise. Check out my grades below for each pick Miami made during the 2021 NFL Draft.
Round 1, Pick 6: Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama
Entering the 2021 NFL Draft, the goal was clear for the Miami Dolphins: Build-around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. And the team did exactly that, with the addition of Alabama speed-demon Jaylen Waddle among others. After missing out on both Kyle Pitts and Ja’Marr Chase early on, the Dolphins hit a home run by selecting Tagovailoa’s former teammate Waddle.
Waddle may be the most explosive player in the 2021 NFL Draft, with Tyreek Hill-like explosiveness and the knack to score from anywhere on the field. He has elite speed, agility, and return ability and will score a ton of touchdowns in Miami. Waddle has number-one type talent and should help in a variety of ways in year one. He will start in the slot right away and should take over return duties from Jakeem Grant as well.
Pick Grade: A