Dolphins select Oregon safety Holland, Notre Dame OL Eichenberg on Day 2
The Miami Dolphins may have missed out on a top running back for the second straight NFL draft.
But let’s focus on the positives for the Dolphins: Miami landed a talented safety, and an offensive lineman to build depth at both areas to begin the second round on Friday.
The Dolphins selected Oregon safety Jevon Holland with the No. 36 pick. And six picks later, Miami traded up to draft Notre Dame offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg with the 42nd pick.
The Dolphins sent their No. 50 pick and a third-round pick in 2022 to the New York Giants to ensure they picked two players within the first nine picks on the second day of the 2021 draft.
Miami still has to make the No. 81 pick in the third round Friday night.
Holland can play safety and nickel cornerback, and his versatility speaks to the type of players
Dolphins coach Brian Flores loves to have on his defense. Holland also produced turnovers at Oregon, and the Dolphins hope his ball-hawking ways continue in the NFL.
Holland, a COVID-19 opt-out last season, had nine interceptions during his first two seasons, which were tied for the third-most in college football during that span. He was the best available player on the Dolphins’ board after the best running back available was taken one pick earlier.
“Whatever the coaches want me to play, I’ll fill that job for them. Really, I say it a lot, but I’m here to help the team win in any shape or form,” said Holland, who emulates his game after Kansas City Chiefs standout safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Eichenberg started 38 straight games during his Notre Dame career, and has not allowed a sack in his last 33 games in college. While he played left tackle in college, Eichenberg could compete for the Dolphins’ starting right tackle job as a rookie.
Eichenberg said he worked with Dolphins offensive line coach Lemuel Jeanpierre during his pro day at Notre Dame, which he believes led to Miami drafting him.
“I think I made a great impression, and he made a great impression on me,” Eichenberg said of Jeanpierre. “I’m fortunate I’m going to be coached by him.”
Miami still has its biggest remaining need at tailback after the Denver Broncos swooped in and traded with the Atlanta Falcons for North Carolina’s Javonte Williams at No. 35.
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, losing out on Williams brought some early signs of déjà vu when they missed out on drafting J.K. Dobbins in the same round last year when six running backs were taken in the first two rounds of the draft.
During the first round Thursday, the Dolphins added Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle and UM defensive end Jaelan Phillips as their next foundational pieces to their rebuild led by Flores and general manager Chris Grier.
The Dolphins told NFL Network that Waddle, their No. 6 pick in the draft, was the second-best player on their draft board behind the first overall pick, quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The dynamic slot receiver and electric return specialist will reunite with his college quarterback in Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins also believe Phillips was the best edge rusher in the draft and were surprised he was available for their taking with the No. 18 pick.
Phillips, who suffered multiple concussions at UCLA and briefly retired from football, will get to pursue his NFL career in the same city and stadium he revived it with the Hurricanes.
Miami also has a fifth-round pick and two seventh-round picks to make on the draft’s final day Saturday.
Along with running back, the Dolphins will look to address needs at center and linebacker as the draft progresses this weekend.