Who will Dolphins select at picks 6, 18?
Final first-round 2021 NFL mock draft: Who will Dolphins select at picks 6 and 18?
In the final version of his 2021 NFL mock draft, Dolphins columnist Omar Kelly hypothesizes what each team will do based on their needs, the runs on certain positions, and where the strengths and weaknesses in the draft’s talent pool could lead each team when the first round begins Thursday.
1. Jaguars: Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has all the tools needed to eventually become a franchise quarterback, and his upside is what likely motivated Urban Meyer to come out of retirement and coach in the NFL. After this selection, the focus should be to build a forceful team around Lawrence. Top needs: QB, OL, LB, WR
2. Jets: BYU QB Zach Wilson. Wilson’s arm talent and upside makes him the front-runner over Ohio State’s Justin Fields to become the Jets’ new starting quarterback. But anyone expecting immediate success must be patient because Wilson didn’t play against a high level of competition in college. Top needs: QB, CB, RB, LB
3. 49ers: Ohio State QB Justin Fields. Most NFL insiders suspect the 49ers aggressively moved up in the draft to select a quarterback to replace Jimmy Garoppolo, who might be traded during the draft. While the Mac Jones to San Francisco rumors have the league buzzing, Fields has the athleticism to open up San Francisco’s play-action passing game and possesses more upside. Top needs: DE, LB, OG/C, CB
4. Falcons: North Dakota State QB Trey Lance. Even though the Falcons are sticking with veteran Matt Ryan, who turns 36 in May, the best time to take a quarterback is when your team doesn’t need one and when the organization is embarking on a reset, which Atlanta started this offseason with a new GM and head coach. Top needs: Edge rusher, OT, TE, LB
5. Bengals: LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase. Chase was the main producer during quarterback Joe Burrow’s Heisman Trophy winning season at LSU. Reuniting those two could jump-start Zac Taylor’s stagnant offense, giving him another season to prove he’s head-coach material. Top needs: OT, TE, QB, LB
6. Dolphins: Florida TE Kyle Pitts. The Dolphins’ goal this offseason is to add playmakers to the offense, giving quarterback Tua Tagovailoa what he needs to succeed. Pitts is a generational talent at tight end, a player who has the potential to be a constant mismatch in the NFL. Miami could create a dynamic offense pairing him with Mike Gesicki. Top needs: Edge, RB, WR, C
7. Lions: Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle. After losing two of the team’s top receivers during free agency, the Lions add Waddle, a speedster who can ease new quarterback Jared Goff ’s workload by producing run-after-catch years. Waddle can also help on special teams as a return specialist. Top needs: WR, CB, OT, QB
8. Panthers: Alabama WR DeVonta Smith. Acquiring Sam Darnold in a trade buys the Panthers at least a season when it comes to finding a quarterback who could carry the franchise. But it would be wise to add a reliable playmaker to Carolina’s offense. Smith has the potential to become a phenomenal possession receiver. Top needs: QB, OT, CB, TE
9. Broncos: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II. Denver needs a quarterback who can challenge Drew Lock for the starting job, so trading up to land Fields or Lance if they slide is an option. But if Denver stays put and none of the ideal quarterbacks are there, don’t be surprised if they select Surtain, this draft’s top defender. Top needs: QB, CB, LB, Edge
10. Cowboys: Alabama CB Jaycee Horn. Horn, whose father Joe Horn played receiver in the NFL, has the technical skills to become a Day 1 starter. He’d compliment Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis well in Dallas’ secondary. Top needs: CB, DT, OT, S
11. Giants: Oregon OT Penei Sewell.The addition of Sewell, a phenomenal athlete with tremendous movement skills, would give the Giants an immediate answer at right tackle, providing quarterback Daniel Jones another protector and tailback Saquon Barkley a bulldozer who routinely gets to the second level on running plays. Top needs: LB, CB, WR, S
12. Eagles: Penn State LB Micah Parsons. The Eagles moved down from pick No. 6 because they are rebuilding, and seemingly have their sights set on a prospect other teams don’t view as a top-10 talent. Parsons, who is a phenomenal athlete, would give the Eagles an athletic option at linebacker. Top needs: TE, QB, WR, CB
13. Chargers: Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater. Quarterback Justin Herbert had a record-setting rookie season despite playing behind what can arguably be described as the NFL’s worst offensive line. The Chargers added center Corey Linsley this offseason, but need to improve the other spots on that unit. Slater’s talent puts him on par with Sewell as this draft’s best offensive line prospect. Top needs: OT, TE, Edge, CB
14. Vikings: Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw. If quarterback Kirk Cousin is going to survive and tailback Delvin Cook is going to thrive, the Vikings must beef up their offensive line. Darrisaw has the power and fast-twitchiness needed to manhandle most NFL edge players. Top needs: OT, OG, S, QB
15. Patriots: Tulsa LB Zaven Collins. New England needs to end its run of bad drafts, and the safest bet in the first round is to select the defender who won most of the postseason awards. Collins is the type of talent and leader that can help a defense tighten up immediately. Top needs: QB, LB, WR, CB
16. Cardinals: Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley. While the Cardinals have a need at tailback after losing Kenyan Drake in free agency and could possibly selection one in the first round, Arizona has an even greater need at cornerback. Farley is long, and fluid, and he excels in press coverage. Top needs: RB, CB, Edge, ILB
17. Raiders: TCUFS Trevon Moehrig. The Raiders need to improve their secondary, and seemingly left that unit to be addressed in the draft. Moehrig is a pure center-fielding free safety, who possesses great range and a knack for finding the football (seven interceptions in 34 games. Top needs: OT, S, CB, ILB
18. Dolphins: Alabama RB Najee Harris. The simplest route to alleviating pressure on a young quarterback is to give him a forceful run game. The Dolphins, who ranked 29th by averaging 3.9 yards per carry in 2020, would instantly become a physical running team by selecting Harris, a violent back with phenomenal hands and body control. Top needs: Edge, RB, WR, C
19. WFT: USC OG Alijah VeraTucker. Washington has one of the NFL’s best defensive fronts, which means coach Ron Rivera’s team can turn its attention to offense. Because a solid offensive line is the foundation to success on that side of the ball, Washington selects the highest-rated lineman and then figures out whether Vera-Tucker should be a tackle or a guard. Top needs: OT, LB, S, QB
20. Bears: Oklahoma State OT Teven Jenkins. Chicago needs to find an offensive tackle who can serve as an immediate starter, potentially replacing Bobby Massie at right tackle. Jenkins is tall, wide and athletic. He’d help the Bears reset the line of scrimmage. Top needs: QB, OT, WR, CB
21. Colts: Michigan DE Kwity Paye. The Colts need to create more pressure off the edges, and even though that’s not Paye’s specialty, his explosiveness, get-off skills, and ability to set the edge should help Indianapolis tighten up on defense. Top needs: OT, CB, WR, Edge
22. Titans: Northwestern CB Greg Newcome II. The Titans were the only team to allow opponents to convert more than 50 percent of third downs, which shows that they need to focus on improving the defense. Newsome is a fluid athlete with quick feet and excellent instincts. He would pair well with Titans newcomer Janoris Jenkins. Top needs: Edge, CB, TE, WR
23. Jets: Notre Dame OLB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The Jets are seemingly moving on from Neville Hewitt, a free agent who contributed 209 tackles last season. Owusu-Koramoah has the movement skills of a safety. He’s more than capable as a blitzer, but might need time to blossom in the NFL because he only played two seasons at Notre Dame. Top needs: QB, CB, RB, LB
24. Steelers: Georgia LB Azeez Ojulari. The Steelers add the draft’s best pass rusher, and put Ojulari on the opposite side of TJ Watt, giving Pittsburgh a solid foundation for what seemed to be a declining defense last year. Ojulari’s speed and ability to dip around the edges would create havoc early. Top needs: C, RB, QB, CB
25. Jaguars: Miami DE Jaelan Phillips. After selecting Lawrence, the Jaguars need to shift their focus toward improving the defense. Phillips had a phenomenal Pro Day, showing off his athleticism. He has some medical concerns due to several concussions that could impact his draft grade, but he’d be a perfect end to put on the opposite side of Josh Allen. Top needs: QB, OL, LB, WR
26. Browns: Washington LB Joe Tryon. Signing Jadeveon Clowney to play opposite Myles Garrett will help the Browns create more pass-rushing pressure. Adding Tryon, an athletic edge player who has the ability and skill set to work as an outside linebacker, gives Cleveland a forceful pass-rushing unit. Top needs: Edge, DT, WR, CB
27. Ravens: Miami DE Greg Rousseau. The Ravens are in the market to add an edge rusher because of the free agent defections of Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue. Rousseau has the size needed to play everywhere on Baltimore’s defensive line, and closing skills to be a double-digit sack producer. Top needs: Edge, WR, S, RB
28. Saints: Alabama QB Mac Jones. Jones’ accuracy and quick decision-making indicate that he is the type of quarterback coach Sean Payton can mold into an elite passer in his offense in time. With Jameis Winston in the fold, the Saints have the ability to let Jones watch and learn as a rookie. Top needs: CB, WR, DT, LB
29. Packers: Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood. Green Bay needs to put its focus and energy into giving veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers the tools he needs to win a second championship. Leatherwood looks the part of a Day 1 starting tackle. He has length, power and decent movement skills. Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DT
30. Bills: Clemson RB Travis Etienne. Buffalo adds a home-run hitter who possesses the speed to take check-down passes the distance. He’d help open up the Bill’s passing game, and push Devin Singletary and Zack Moss for the starting spot. Top needs: CB, Edge, WR, TE
31. Ravens: Texas OT Samuel Cosmi. Baltimore uses the pick they acquired for trading Orlando Brown to the Chiefs to select one of the draft’s more polished offensive linemen. His blend of length and athleticism is exactly what the Ravens annually look for. Top needs: OT, WR, LB, Edge
32. Buccaneers: Alabama DT Christian Barmore. There are only so many one-year deals left in Ndamukong Suh, who turned 34 in January. That’s why the Buccaneers should select Barmore, who possess a broad frame and powerful hands, and ease him into Tampa’s defensive line rotation. Top needs: DT, Edge, S, QB