Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Three 2021 defensive draft prospects Miami Dolphins should avoid

By Timothy Rodriguez

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 1: After recovering a fumble and running 78 yards for a touchdown Andrew Van Ginkel #43 poses for the TV camera with Nik Needham #40 and Kyle Van Noy #53 of the Miami Dolphins against the Los Angeles Rams during second quarter action of an NFL game on November 1, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) The Dolphins defeated the Rams 28-17.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 1: After recovering a fumble and running 78 yards for a touchdown Andrew Van Ginkel #43 poses for the TV camera with Nik Needham #40 and Kyle Van Noy #53 of the Miami Dolphins against the Los Angeles Rams during second quarter action of an NFL game on November 1, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) The Dolphins defeated the Rams 28-17. /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 07: Tyler Shelvin #72 of the LSU Tigers celebrates defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 37-10 to win the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 07: Tyler Shelvin #72 of the LSU Tigers celebrates defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 37-10 to win the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Tyler Shelvin, IDL, LSU

Dolphins fans and media have been clamoring for a “traditional” nose tackle for years. Davon Godchaux never was that and is a free agent anyway. That is not Christian Wilkins’ role either. Rookie Raekwon Davis had an impressive season but is also not a true space-eating nose tackle.

The 2021 NFL Draft offers some opportunities to fill that role. Florida’s Tedarrell Slaton, BYU’s Khyiris Tonga, and LSU’s Tyler Shelvin are the hottest names in the class. Let’s focus on Shelvin, who happens to be the one who’s expected to go the highest. Shelvin is listed at 6-3, 368 pounds (pre-combine) and lined up at zero tech for the 2019 undefeated National Championship LSU Tigers team. Shelvin opted out prior to the 2020 season.

Games Watched: Alabama (2019), Florida (2019)

Shelvin is a player the Dolphins need to be steering clear from. For someone who is supposed to eat up space and open up things for his teammates, he really doesn’t do that. There were multiple times in the game vs Alabama where Landon Dickerson was able to lock him up one on one and force a stalemate. There were also times where Dickerson absolutely dominated him.

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Shelvin is a projected top 100 pick. If the Dolphins were to make that selection, it would be a misallocation of resources. If he’s not going to consistently take up two blockers and clog running lanes, then he doesn’t have much inherent value. Putting Shelvin on the field and taking snaps away from Davis would be a loss for Miami.

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