Miami Dolphins: Best-case scenario 7-round 2021 mock draft

I ranked former Clemson running back Travis Etienne as my No. 1 running back in the 2021 NFL Draft, and well, let’s just say the Najee Harris truthers were not happy with me. I am sure the Harris fans were also not happy that Miami did not take him with pick 18, but I have a reason and theory that people need to understand.

Miami traded back to pick 6, essentially locking up the first three picks being quarterbacks. You add that Atlanta could take a quarterback at pick 4, or there are reports they may trade the pick to a quarterback-needy team. So that would be four quarterbacks taken before pick 18, meaning pick 18 would be the 14th best non-quarterback in the draft. Then think if another quarterback goes before 18, making the 18th overall pick the 13th best non-quarterback.

That is why Miami should not take a running back at pick 18. It just does not make sense, no matter the need. Micah Parsons will be playing for 8+ years in the NFL and is an elite talent at the position.

For the same reasons I listed, I think running backs will drop in the 2021 NFL Draft. If the Dolphins are patient, they may get the best running back at Pick 36. I could see Etienne going in the first round, but I think teams will see too much value with all of the quarterbacks gone, so the running backs will go in round 2.

Etienne would be a perfect fit in Miami, and he would give them an Alvin Kamara-like weapon.