Miami Dolphins hypothetical first-round draft possibility
By Jeremy Wilks
As we inch closer to the draft, the excitement continues to grow. For the Miami Dolphins, they head into this draft with no shortage of draft capital. With two picks in the first round (6,18), and two picks in the second round (36,50), the Dolphins may not be done making moves…
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that:
The #Dolphins have already made two moves in the NFL Draft and they may not be done yet: Sources say they’ve received calls from teams looking to trade up to No. 6 and it is something they’re considering. Lot of things in play, but Miami could be at it again.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2021
Here is the realistic hypothetical draft scenario where the Dolphins could trade back. It’s a lot to take in, but hear me out…
The Miami Dolphins are on the clock with the sixth pick. The previous two picks went as follows…
4th Pick – Atlanta Falcons select TE Kyle Pitts
5th Pick – Cincinnati Bengals select WR Ja’Marr Chase
This would be the only scenario where I can see the Dolphins moving back. The fact that they are entertaining the idea of moving further back in the draft gives me the idea that they prefer Jaylen Waddle over DeVonta Smith.
Why do I think this?
If I were to take a guess, Ja’Marr Chase would be the #1 WR option for the Miami Dolphins. There is no reason to shop this pick if he is on the board at 6. With reports that the Bengals could be targeting Chase, the Dolphins have started listening to other trade offers to potentially move down.
If they were really high on DeVonta Smith, who is the #2 WR in the eyes of many scouts, then they would take him with the 6th pick. However, the fact that they are considering trading the pick and moving back gets me to believe that they are more than happy to take Waddle over Smith.
Let’s say the Dolphins move back in a trade with the Broncos and receive the #9 pick (makes a lot of sense for both teams)
The likelihood of one of Smith or Waddle going 7 (to the Lions) or 8 (to the Panthers) is fairly high in my opinion. If the Dolphins were so high on DeVonta Smith, they would select him with the 6th pick. The fact that they are considering moving down tells me that they are okay with not getting Smith and instead, taking Jaylen Waddle.
Who would you prefer: Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith?