Free agency was a roller coaster ride for Miami Dolphins fans. The tampering period started on Monday, and many, including myself, thought Miami would be aggressive right away. They weren’t.
It began to feel like the Dolphins weren’t too interested in any of the free agents. Miami started to sign some players, but no big named, high-priced free agents. The Dolphins added a new starting punter, Michael Palardy, which was an underrated move. However, there was no splash to start the week.
Miami made some solid moves, signing backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, rotational running back Malcolm Brown, and rotational defensive lineman Adam Butler. They also added slot cornerback Justin Coleman, who will compete for some playing time.
Chris Grier did get crafty and traded Shaq Lawson, and a 6th round pick to the Houston Texans for starting linebacker Benardrick McKinney and a 7th round pick. This was arguably the best move he made so far this offseason.
Then there was the big splash in free agency. Miami signed wide receiver Will Fuller. Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa needed help, and Fuller will help tremendously. Fuller is a guy that can take the top off of the defense, but he is also a very underrated route runner. He will likely be Tagovailoa’s top target at receiver in 2021, depending on the 2021 NFL Draft.
Miami made some other small moves to fill out their roster, but the rush of free agency is over now, and it is time to focus on the draft. With that in mind, here is a post-free agency seven-round mock draft.
*I used The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Simulator to try and give this the most accurate and realistic feel.*
The Miami Dolphins get my No. 1 player at Pick 3.
ALL ABOARD! I am the conductor of the Kyle Pitts train, and the next stop is Miami! I have been all over Pitts’ dominance and what he will bring to the NFL, and the Dolphins.
Pitts is my No. 1 player in the 2021 NFL Draft, and I truly believe there has never been a tight end prospect like him to enter the NFL. He is more than special, and a word that has been flying around that I like is a unicorn. That is how unique Pitts is and how amazing he is going to be in the NFL.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah mentioned that the consensus around the NFL is that Pitts is the most likely player in the 2021 NFL Draft to become a Hall of Fame player, and I agree with that.
Many people have a hard time understanding why adding Pitts to the Dolphins would make sense since they already have tight end Mike Gesicki. It makes sense for some causal fans to think having two tight ends would not make sense, but Miami runs the 5th most 12-personnel in the NFL (1 running back, 2 tight ends). Having Pitts and Gesicki on the field at the same time would take the Dolphins’ offense to the next level.
It would allow them to make the defense have to match up in a way that would be near impossible to defend. In 12 personnel, you can run the ball down someone’s throat, but when you have two tight ends like Pitts and Gesicki, you can also pass without a problem.
It is also worth noting that Gesicki is due for a new contract after this season, and after seeing what some of the tight ends were paid in free agency during a COVD cap year, Miami may also want to get a better and cheaper option at their No. 1 tight end spot.
The Miami Dolphins get Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside protector at Pick 18.
Okay, yes, I was wrong about Isaiah Wilson taking the Miami Dolphins’ help when they traded for him. I predicted the trade would happen, mainly because Miami would be the only spot for Wilson to succeed and revive his career. I cannot control a person not wanting the help he is offered, and neither can the Dolphins, so that is why Wilson was released. I wish the kid well, and I am pulling for him to figure out his life.
Now that we got that over with, I believe there is a hole at right tackle for Miami. I thought Wilson would be the guy, but now I believe right tackle may be a spot the Dolphins target early in the 2021 NFL Draft. Penei Sewell will be the most popular name, and deservedly so. He is a monster, and if the Dolphins decide to take him at No. 3 instead of Pitts, I would understand it. That doesn’t mean I think it would be the best move, though.
Pitts is too rare to pass up, and you can add another great right tackle option at Pick 18. That right tackle is former Texas offensive lineman Samuel Cosmi. The former Longhorn is one of the most gifted athletes at the position. He is a 6-6, 314-pound beast that runs a 4.84 40-yard dash, had 36 reps of 225, and had great jumping numbers.
That all sounds good, but can he block? Pro Football Focus graded Cosmi as the highest-rated pass blocker vs. ranked teams in 2020, and they have him graded out higher as a pass blocker than Sewell (by 0.3). So as you can see, this kid isn’t just an athlete; he is the real deal.
Drafting Cosmi allows Miami to move Robert Hunt to right guard and Solomon Kindley to left guard. So one draft pick would improve three positions. This is a no-brainer to me.
The Miami Dolphins get an elite edge defender in Round 2.
Back-to-back Texas Longhorns… is Texas back!? No, but they do have some DUDES ready to contribute in the NFL right away, and their former edge defender Joseph Ossai would fit perfectly in Miami.
One of the most significant holes on the Dolphins roster is an edge defender. They still could sign Jadeveon Clowney to a 1-year prove-it deal, but even if they do, they need to find a player they can count on for the next 5-10 years at the position. Ossai would fit that description perfectly.
Out of all the edge defenders in the 2021 NFL Draft, I think Ossai would fit the Dolphins the best. He can do it all, play with his hand in the dirt, stand up and rush the passer, and drop in coverage from time to time if needed. He fits exactly what head coach Brian Flores is looking for in an edge defender. Miami released Kyle Van Noy, and they draft his replacement at Pick 36.
I think Ossai has the tools to be in the NFL for a very long time. There was a game against Oklahoma State that I believe will have some people worrying about how he will do in the NFL, but I think he will be okay. He can stop the run like a boss and has the traits to get after the passer.
Ossai is 6-3, 256 pounds, and he ran a 4.63 40-yard dash and had a 41.5 inch vertical. As you can see, he is extremely athletic too. I do not know if he will make it to Round 2, but Miami needs to get him in their defense if he does.
The Miami Dolphins get their RB1 in Round 2.
Aaron Jones re-signed with the Green Bay Packers, so the dream of adding a running back that can run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield like a receiver went away. Or did it?
I am sure there will be many fans who comment on this article or tweet at me saying former Alamaba running back Najee Harris should be the choice at Pick 18. I am sorry, I still just do not think I can get on board with taking a running back that early, though Harris is talented, and I would understand the Dolphins’ thinking.
However, before you get angry and tweet at me confidently that the Dolphins can get Harris at 18, let me talk to you about my favorite running back in the 2021 NFL Draft. Former Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell opted out of the 2020 college football season because of COVID-19. This should not be a knock on the kid, as he lost some family members to COVID, and it made sense for him to protect himself and those around him.
The biggest issue with him opting out is that he now only has one-year of film and production. But let me tell you, that one-year was ELITE. This guy is going to be a star in the NFL. I also will add, only having one year of heavy usage is a positive in my eyes because he has more tread on the tires.
When you watch him play, he reminds me so much of New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara. Gainwell isn’t as thick as Kamara, he only weighed 201 pounds at his Pro Day, but he has balance and ability like Kamara. Gainwell can line up at receiver and beat you, or he can get a carry up the middle and hit the hole hard to pick up the tough yards. He reminds me a little of Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey too, where he can break a big run, but his homerun speed isn’t elite.
I am comparing him to two of the best dual-threat running backs in the NFL because I see Gainwell as that type of player. I think Gainwell will be one of the biggest steals in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Miami Dolphins get their future at center.
If there was one knock for the Miami Dolphins this offseason, it was how they handled the center position. They missed out on Corey Linsley, who signed a monster contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Miami watched Rodney Hudson get traded to the Arizona Cardinals for a 3rd round pick. It seemed like Miami was poised to sign Patriots center David Andrews, but Andrews is now a Patriot for life. Along with Andrews, New England signed Miami’s starting center Tedd Karras, leaving Miami with a big hole.
The Dolphins did sign former Baltimore Ravens center Matt Skura to a 1-year deal, but Skura is not the answer at center for Miami. He will likely start in 2021 for Miami, but they need to look for their future center in the 2021 NFL Draft. And that is where former Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz fits into this equation.
I think it is mixed where Meinerz will go in the NFL Draft. I would not argue if someone told me he would go in the 2nd round, and I also would not argue if someone told me he was going to go in the 4th round. That is why I have Miami taking a chance on him in the 3rd round.
Meinerz dominated at the Senior Bowl, where Flores and the Dolphins had a front-row seat. I think his Senior Bowl week will weigh heavy on the Dolphins and their decision-makers, ultimately leading to him becoming the Miami Dolphins’ future at center. I believe by drafting Meinerz, you can start Skura until you believe Meinerz is ready.
Or, if he is ready right away, Skura costs you nothing to have as his backup. I would be ecstatic if Miami was able to draft Meinerz in the 3rd round.
The Miami Dolphins replace Shaq Lawson.
After trading Shaq Lawson to the Houston Texans, the Miami Dolphins have not replaced him. That is where former Pittsburgh edge defender Patrick Jones II comes into play. Jones II should be able to give you the production Lawson gave you, and you can likely get him in the fourth round.
Jones II is a terrific run defender, but he flashes potential as a pass rusher too. I really wanted to see how he did at his Pro Day, but he pulled his hamstring, so I think he will be available in Round 4.
The former Pittsburgh Panther had a productive senior season, ending with 12.5 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. He improved every year in college, and Miami would mold him into a starter they could trust on the edge.
The Miami Dolphins draft my favorite prospect late.
Miami may be rolling with the players they have now in the slot, but I think they should add some competition to the room. And I think that competition would end up becoming a household name and a starter for Miami, even though he is projected to be a later-round pick.
Every time I use The Draft Network’s mock drafty simulator, I am always amazed they have Darden available so late. I do not think he will last this late, and if I were Miami, I would move up in the draft to get him in the later rounds.
Darden is my draft crush, and he is going to be fun to watch in the NFL. According to PFF, among the draft eligible slot wide receivers, Darden is first in catches (210), receiving yards (2,493), yards after catch (1,377), and touchdowns (33).
He is awesome.
The Miami Dolphins add a rotational safety with their last pick.
Miami has not addressed the safety position all offseason, and I think they will stick with the guys they have for one more season. Bobby McCain was a possible cap casualty, but it seems that he has survived and will be back. McCain did play over 89% of the snaps, so it makes sense to bring him back.
With their final pick in this seven-round mock draft, Miami takes a safety that can contribute on special teams. Former Florida Gators safety Shawn Davis may never be the best player on the field, but he will work hard to be the best. He flies around the field and will hit you in the mouth. Flores will love his energy, and adding him late makes a ton of sense.