Final first round predictions for the Miami Dolphins 2021 NFL Draft
By Nick Belotto
The Miami Dolphins have two picks in the first round of this week’s draft and there are still questions as to who they may take at six and 18.
After weeks of speculation and predictions about the best college football prospects, the NFL draft is finally upon us. On Thursday night, the NFL world will be glued to their television sets to see which impact players they will be able to choose from as the teams continue to build rosters to compete for championships on a consistent basis.
The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a more than a favorable position with the opportunity to select two playmakers in the first round of the draft. They will be able to fill two needs on their roster in the first round alone and have enough ammunition in rounds 2 and 3 to find impact starters and finalize this rebuild that started a few years ago.
After months of speculation about who the Dolphins will take and what they will do on night 1, it’s time to give my final predictions for Miami’s two selections in the first round.
The Miami Dolphins will have a ton of options available to them on draft night, which puts them in a prime position to get a few game-changers.
9th Overall: DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama
For my first prediction, I can’t see Miami actually staying put at 6 overall. There is more than enough talk about this year’s class of quarterbacks and Miami should be able to capitalize on one of them being available at 6. If either Atlanta chooses a skill position player, it doesn’t matter what Cincinnati does and Miami will be getting a number of phone calls for their selection.
One team that makes sense for a trade-up is Denver, who doesn’t seem to be sold on Drew Lock. If Trey Lance, Mac Jones, or Justin Fields (for some strange reason) is available at 6, I could see Denver moving up to select their quarterback of the future.
That pushes Miami to number 9 overall, and with that selection, they are still able to get one of the top playmakers in the draft. DeVonta Smith may not have the size of a Ja’Marr Chase or a Kyle Pitts, but he is an electric athlete and the chemistry between him and Tua Tagovailoa is going to re-develop immediately.
Miami was able to still get a top player, secure another first-round pick for next year and add some capital in this draft. Chris Grier is already winning this night and still has another pick.
18th Overall: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, DW, Notre Dame
After another trade with their first pick, Miami is going to sit tight on their second first-rounder and select a defensive prospect that can help this defense play at an elite level once again.
Yes, I labeled Owusu-Koramoah as a DW, or defensive weapon.
Owusu-Koramoah has the athleticism to do a bunch of different things on the field from lining up in the box, lining up outside, and even potentially playing a little bit of safety. This pick sounds like a match made in heaven for Brian Flores who could use a player like Owusu-Koramoah all over the place.
The hyper-athletic linebacker will need to do a better job finishing tackles in the NFL, but he could be a stud in a defense that already has a ton of playmakers on it. Owusu-Koramoah is one of my favorite players in this draft and he could be an anchor for Miami’s defense for a long time.