Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Here’s who oddsmakers believe will be taken with No. 3 pick in draft
The Miami Dolphins have some intriguing options with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
The Dolphins, in desperate need of offensive playmakers, could use their first of two first-round picks on one of the best pass catchers in the draft like Alabama’s DeVonta Smith, LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase or Florida’s Kyle Pitts.
The Dolphins could also use their pick on a standout offensive lineman like Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell or a standout defender like Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
It would be a draft-day surprise if the Dolphins select a quarterback to replace starter Tua Tagovailoa after just one season.
And that may influence Miami to trade its No. 3 pick to gain several draft assets from a team hoping to select one of the top quarterbacks.
According to BetOnline, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has the best odds, at 2 to 1 or +200, of being taken with the No. 3 pick in April’s draft.
Followed by Fields for the No. 3 pick are:
Sewell, perhaps the best offensive tackle in the draft field, at 9⁄4 or +225.
Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner and former Tagovailoa teammate in college, at 7⁄2 or +350.
Chase, the best receiver in college football in 2019, also at 7⁄2 or +350.
BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, who is among the top three quarterbacks in the draft, at 5⁄1 or +500.
Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, who fared well against defensive end Chase Young in college, at 5⁄1 or +500.
And North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance at 12⁄1 or +1200.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the heavy favorite at 1⁄50 (-5000) to be the top pick, while BetOnline gives Fields a 12⁄1 (+1200) chance to be the top pick, followed by Sewell at 18⁄1 (+1800).
Wilson has the best odds to be the No. 2 pick in the draft (at 6⁄5 or -175), followed by Sewell (7⁄4 or +240), Fields (9⁄4 or +260) and Lance (5⁄1 or +500).
So, what do the odds say about the Dolphins’ options with the No. 3 pick?
Sewell wouldn’t be the sexy pick for Miami, but could be the safe and most reassuring option to protect Tagovailoa.
Smith and Chase could bolster the Dolphins’ passing game. After all, what’s so great about having a top-three pick if you can’t use it to build with one of the best players available in the draft?
If Fields or Wilson are available at No. 3, the Dolphins could be weighing trade offers from teams like the Atlanta Falcons (No. 4), Detroit Lions (No. 7) or Carolina Panthers (No. 8).
The Dolphins could also use that selection to trade down for a late top-10 pick and another secondrounder, plus more compensation to aid the third year of their rebuilding effort.
The draft begins on April 29.