Could another trade be coming in 1st round?
Could the Miami Dolphins consider yet another trade with their top pick in the 2021 NFL draft?
It’s a possibility, according to report Monday from the NFL Network that says the Dolphins have received calls from teams looking to trade up to the No. 6 slot in the draft.
“Lot of things in play, but Miami could be at it again,” the report said.
First a quick recap before speculating on the Dolphins’ motives:
The Dolphins had the No. 3 pick, and on March 26 sent it to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, first-round picks in the 2022 and 2023 drafts and a third-round pick in 2022.
Shortly after, the Dolphins turned the No. 12 pick, a fourthround pick and a 2022 first-round pick into the No. 6 pick and a fifthround pick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The two moves, made by Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, indicated two things:
The Dolphins got out of the top three, where quarterbacks are expected to be taken this year, showing the franchise’s faith in starter Tua Tagovailoa while getting a fifth-round pick, a 2022 third-round pick and a 2023 firstround pick along the way.
There must be a player they covet enough to get back into the top 10.
But could Grier really consider another move down in the draft again?
Monday’s report could lend to the idea the Dolphins very well have offers in place by teams they’re receiving calls from with hopes to drive up the price come draft night.
Let’s look at what could happen during the draft, which begins on April 29:
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to take Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence with the first pick, and the New York Jets are apparently leaning toward BYU’s Zach Wilson with the second pick.
San Francisco is evaluating both Ohio State’s Justin Fields and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance for the third pick.
Many believe the draft really begins with the fourth pick, owned by the Atlanta Falcons, who have been coy in their draft intentions this offseason.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is 36 years old. The team also has a new coach in Arthur Smith, the offensive coordinator who revived former Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s career with the Tennessee Titans.
The Falcons could select the last top four quarterback remaining, or Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, who some consider is a generational talent in this draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals, who pick before Miami, could be in the mix for either Pitts, LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase or Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell with the fifth selection.
Conventional NFL draft thinking suggests a trade up would come if a quarterback is still on the board. And the Dolphins could certainly be up for a trade if Pitts and Chase, considered the two best receiving targets in the draft, are off the board by time the clock starts for the No. 6 pick.
If another Dolphins trade
happens, it’ll likely come (or won’t happen) until draft night when Miami has word which player is still on the board to consider with the sixth pick.
Miami will surely consider a trade down to a later pick to gain another draft asset, like a future first-round pick or mid-round selection, if a player they coveted is gone.
Some teams that could be in the mix:
Carolina at No. 8 despite acquiring quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason.
Denver at No. 9 despite already having a young quarterback in Drew Lock.
The Patriots at No. 15, although a trade up with Atlanta would make more sense for New England and Miami’s sake as AFC East rivals. Maybe Washington at No. 19 or the Chicago Bears at No. 20, but the Dolphins might not trade that far back.
Also, remember: The Dolphins own the No. 18 pick in the first round, two second-round picks (No. 36 and 50), a third-round pick, a fifth-round pick and two picks in the seventh round during the draft.
There’s a possibility the Dolphins could do something with their No. 18 and No. 36 picks (the fourth pick in the second round) if there’s another player they covet.
The best example of this may be a running back like Alabama’s Najee Harris, who could be taken by other teams in the late 20s or with the first three picks in the second round before Miami’s selection.
Monday’s report, just adds to the intrigue surrounding the wheeling-and-dealing Grier and the Dolphins ahead of the 2021 NFL draft.