Patriots: Why 2021 matchups with Dolphins will be different
Dolphins draft was very strong but smells a little fishy
The Dolphins had the benefit of very high draft picks, but did not necessarily come away with the best players based on the quality of the picks that they had.
Miami kicked things off by making a great trade with San Francisco, who was desperate for a quarterback. The Dolphins received the 49ers’ 12th overall selection for 2021, first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, and a 2022 third-round pick, while San Francisco moved up to third overall.
They then partly reversed the process, trading the 12th overall pick plus a 2022 first-round draft pick for the sixth overall pick in a deal with Philadelphia. They also swapped late-round draft picks. That is, the Dolphins were suddenly willing to grossly overpay to move back up. What was this all about?
With the No. 6 pick, they drafted a wide receiver for Tua, a familiar face from Alabama in Jaylen Waddle. There’s no doubt Waddle is a sensational talent, but they definitely overpaid to move up to that position.
On defense, they added Jaelan Phillips, a six-foot-five-inch, 266-pound pass rushing outside linebacker from the Miami Hurricanes, No. 18 overall. Not everyone had Phillips as a first-round draft pick but he should still start as a rookie. Their second-round pick is Jevon Holland, a free safety from the Oregon Ducks who has an excellent chance to start in his rookie season.
We’re not entirely sold on the Dolphins getting their hands on the best possible talent despite having so many premium picks.
Nonetheless, Miami always seems to give the Patriots problems every year, but they could finally be turning the corner in the playoff conversation. It’ll all depend on Tagovailoa’s progression as well as the development of these top draft selections. They’re not exactly the Buffalo Bills, but the secondary and rushing attack could really pose issues for the Pats in their two matchups. More than perhaps ever in recent years, Miami cannot be overlooked.
