Miami Dolphins rookie outlook for the 2021 season
By Nick Belotto
![KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a touchdown during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a touchdown during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1058084666-850x560-f0fd4db0c92878ca6a0b1ae7fef2f91f30884d00b51862f8b133ce1fe860407b.jpg)
Jevon Holland was one of my favorite picks from this last draft, even though I was a bit caught off guard with the selection when it happened.
Miami had a quiet need at safety going into the 2021 offseason and Miami solidified that pick with a very solid player who could be an impact starter for the team.
There were, of course, discussions about whether the Dolphins should have taken Holland over other talented safeties that were available. After watching the tape, however, Holland clearly fit the mold of “game breaker” that the Dolphins were clearly targeting in this draft.
With Bobby McCain’s release, the Dolphins have a void at one of the starting safety spots. Second year man Brandon Jones will be one of the front runners for the job, but Holland should push him early on and I could see him beating Jones out during training camp to run aside Eric Rowe. Holland is a ball-hawk type safety with incredible skills which will make him a solid “center field” player in the back end of this secondary. He would be a great compliment to Eric Rowe’s skill set.
If I were a betting man, I think Miami would more than likely work Holland into a number of different packages early on in the season. I could see him easily working into a starting position at about the week 6 mark, if not sooner, based on his play on the field and in training camp.
2021 season predictions: 10 Starts, 35 tackles, 4 interceptions