The Dolphins 2021 draft class had a Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde feel to it. The players that they selected in the earlier rounds of the draft were a huge help to the team’s 10 win season, but their later round selection proved to be useless to the team’s immediate success and it is unlikely that some of them will even be with the team at the start of next season.
Round 1: Number 6 – WR Jaylen Waddle (Starter)
Jaylen Waddle was drafted by the Miami Dolphins to add an explosiveness to their offense that they haven’t had before. Waddle finished the season with 67 receptions, 1,456 yards, and 18 touchdowns. He averaged 21.7 yards per catch and averaged 112 yards per game. 35%(512) of his total yards came after the catch and his longest catch went for 85 yards. Jaylen Waddle was injured twice this season. His first injury happened in week 2 and he was sidelined for a total of three games. He also experienced a strain in practice during week 16 which kept him out of the game for that week. Waddle was voted to his first pro bowl this season and he finished in third place in the offensive rookie of the year voting polls. He also finished in second place in the best wide receiver voting poll. Jaylen Waddle was a crucial part of the offense for the Dolphins and despite the injuries that he sustained, he was the team’s leader in receiving yards and touchdowns. Waddle also showed how versatile he can be when he took his lone carry of the season for a 4 yard rushing touchdown. Jaylen Waddle has all of the physical attributes to be one of the league’s greatest receivers and if he can stay healthy, we expect to see him as one of the league leaders in receiving yards next season.
Grade – A+
Round 1: Number 18 – DE Jaelan Phillips (Starter)
The Miami Dolphins ran a lot of 3-4 formations that asked Jaelan Phillips to rush from the edge, but also in some instances asked him to cover the middle of the field. Phillips doesn’t have the best play recognition, but his speed and acceleration allowed for him to play the position without fault. Phillips had 55 tackles (29 solo and 26 assists) 13 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. He was second on the team in sacks but he did miss a lot of tackles this season. Phillips is a rising star for the Dolphins, but he isn’t a player that’s going to be able to take over a game when needed. If the Dolphins can pair him with another dominant pass rusher, we can expect to see Phillips produce more in his second season. Jaelan Phillips had a lot of concerns regarding his health coming out of college and while he didn’t miss a game this season, there were moments in almost every game where he had to sit out for more than a quarter. If the Dolphins are able to help him improve his strength and conditioning, we can expect to see a stronger effort out of him from start to finish.
Grade – B-
Round 2: Number 36 – FS Jevon Holland (Starter)
Jevon Holland outshined almost all of the veterans in camp and preseason. He outright won the free safety starting position and Jason McCourty was asked to step in as the team’s starting strong safety. Holland was the leading tackler for the Dolphins. He had 97 total tackles (69 solo and 28 assists). He had 6 tackles for loss, 7 interceptions, 7 deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 touchdowns. Holland finished second in the defensive rookie of the year voting and he was one of the biggest standouts for the Dolphins on defense. Holland quickly learned the defense and was voted by his peers to call out the plays in the huddle. It will not be long before Jevon Holland grows into his role as a Dolphin and is one of the team captains.
Grade – A
Round 2: Number 42 – RT Liam Eichenburg (Starter – Backup)
The Dolphins have a very young offensive line and Eichenburg was drafted to fill the right tackle position. When you draft an offensive linemen with this high of a selection, the hope is that he would be able to come in and make an immediate impact. He played in 8 games this season. In those 8 games, he played 353 downs, and gave up 3 sacks. Eichenburg didn’t prove to be what the Dolphins were looking for, so midway through the season, they traded away a second and third round pick for 32 year old RT Mitchell Schwartz. The hope is that Mitchell Schwartz is going to retire with the Dolphins in a few seasons and in that time span, Eichenburg will sit behind him and grow into the offensive linemen that the Dolphins hoped he’d be when they drafted him.
Grade – C-
Round 3: Number 81 – TE Hunter Long (Starter)
Hunter Long was drafted to be the backup to emerging star tight end Mike Gesicki. The Dolphins fell in love with Long athleticism and he was able to play in every game this season. Long played primarily in heavy and two tight end sets, but he still had a productive season in his backup role. Long had 17 receptions, 280 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns. He averaged 16.5 yards per catch and proved to the ownership of the Dolphins that he has the ability to go up and s***** the ball out of the air when they need him to. The Dolphins struggled with finding a third tight end for even heavier sets, but Hunter Long’s reliability gave them an asset in both the passing and run game.
Grade – C
Round 7: Number 231 – LT Larnel Coleman (Practice Squad)
Larnel Coleman spent the entire season on the Dolphins practice squad. He was never called up to the active roster, but when the season ended, the Dolphins offered him a 3 year $3.49M dollar contract. It’s likely the Dolphins will place Coleman back on the practice squad next season, but for now Coleman has made an impression on the ownership for the Dolphins.
Grade – F
Round 7: Number 244 – HB Gerrid Doaks (Practice Squad)
Gerrid Doaks spent the entire season on the Dolphins practice squad. He was never called up to the active roster and the Dolphins ended up signing rookie free agent Salvon Ahmed. Salvon Ahmed quickly became the team’s starting halfback and he warmed the hearts of Dolphin fans and ownership. Doaks was given a 2 year $940K contract, but currently he is the team’s fifth best halfback. When the Dolphins have to cut down their roster in the fall, Doaks is a likely cut candidate.
Grade – F
