Last May, the Dolphins acquired a seventh-round pick from Atlanta in exchange for defensive end Charles Harris, then traded it to Tennessee in exchange for tackle Isaiah Wilson and a 2022 seventh-round pick. Finally, in the DeAndre Washington deal, the Dolphins received pick 258 from K.C., which was the second-to-last selection in the entire 2021 draft.
The Dolphins used this pick to select WR Jaylen Hill from Kentucky. The Dolphins have signed five of their seven draft picks: LB Joe Walker, Jr., S Jeff Gladney, CB Byron Jones, and WR Jaylen Hill. They also reached agreements on fourth-year options for DT Jordan Phillips and G Tyler Shatley. Only two players drafted by the Dolphins will not be on the team next season: RB Kalen Ballage (traded to Seahawks) and C Billy Price (released).
Overall, this was a good class for the Dolphins. They added some depth at several positions, including wide receiver, where they were very thin behind Allen Robinson and Preston Williams. Also, they should be able to help out some along the offensive line. This class ranked 14th out of 32 teams.
By the end of the 2020 season, the Dolphins have the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft. Instead of selecting the best non-quarterback in the draft, they traded the selection to the 49ers in return for the No. 12 overall pick (which they subsequently flipped to the Eagles for the No. 1 overall pick). The trade was part of a complex series of moves that left many fans confused and outraged. It also helped the Dolphins avoid taking one of their own players with the third overall pick.
Here is how the Dolphins did in the draft:
Round 1, Pick 3: Defensive End Kyree Campbell from Arkansas
Round 2, Pick 6: Offensive Tackles Jawaan Taylor from Florida and Kolton Miller from UCLA
Round 3, Pick 3: Cornerback Julian Love from Notre Dame
Round 4, Pick 7: Safety Deionte Thompson from Alabama
Round 5, Pick 10: Linebacker Devin White from Ohio State
Round 6, Pick 11: Guard Wes Martin from New Mexico State
Round 7, Pick 13: Running Back David Montgomery from Iowa
Round 7, Pick 14: Wide Receiver Hakeem Butler from Louisiana Tech
Round 7, Pick 15: Tight End AJ Ellington from Arizona State
When everything is said and done, the Dolphins will have two selections in each of the first three rounds, as well as some future draft capital. They will be able to add depth to an already strong squad with six of the top 102 picks, but the No. 6 pick should assure them a crack at a blue-chip prospect.
The Dolphins have never had more than two picks in one round. Their most was four in 1995 when they picked fourth, fifth, seventh, and ninth. That's probably all they can take part in given the fact that almost everyone you want is gone by then.
In 1998, the Dolphins had three first-round picks after trading away their second-round choice for Wayne Chrebet. They chose defensive end Jason Taylor, safety Donovin Darius, and wide receiver Mark Clayton. All three players started at least ten games for the team over the course of their careers. This shows that it isn't necessary to trade away your early picks if you are willing to spend money to improve your team.
The only other time the Dolphins have had more than one first-round pick was in 2001 when they had two of them after trading away their third-round choice for Charles Johnson. They selected quarterback Jay Fiedler and cornerback Will Allen. Fiedler didn't last long in Miami and was eventually replaced by Jake Batch, but Allen started every game he played in and was named an All-Pro selection at the conclusion of his rookie season.
The Dolphins picked Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle with the No. 6 selection in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, reuniting him with his college quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, in Miami. The duo helped lead the Crimson Tide to a national championship last season.
Waddle is expected to contribute right away for an offense that also features former Kentucky star quarterback Josh Allen. The Dolphins traded up to select Waddle after failing to reach a deal with Notre Dame's Justin Layne, who went to four straight Super Bowls with New England. The Patriots selected Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker with their next pick (No. 31).
Miami drafted Waddle even though Ohio State receiver K.J. Hamler was available at No. 6. Hamler would have been a perfect fit for the Dolphins' offense under new coach Dan Campbell. But Campbell and general manager Chris Grier felt like they needed to take a wideout early on in order to give second-year quarterback Matt Moore some help this season.
Hamler missed most of 2019 with a knee injury but still managed to finish with 55 catches for 788 yards and eight touchdowns. He announced his return from injury during the NCAA tournament.
As for Waddle, he is considered by many to be one of the best receivers in the draft.
The Miami Dolphins' choices and draft order in each round of the 2021 NFL Draft are detailed below. This year's draft will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, from April 29 to May 1, 2021. The Dolphins have the 17th pick in the first round.
The draft order is based on the team's record the previous season. If two teams have the same record, the draft order is determined by a series of rules. The team with the higher grade from the Football Operations Department gets the next highest number of picks (e.g., if both teams receive grades of A-), or else a random draw is used to determine the order. Teams that did not make the playoffs can be guaranteed to get an earlier selection than those who did.
The draft starts at 8:00 am ET on ESPN. Fans can also watch online via streamonwatch.com.
The Miami Dolphins have selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1995 when they picked quarterback Mark Donnal in the first round. They've had a total of nine players chosen in the first round over that period of time. Running back Jay Ajayi is the only player drafted by the Dolphins to ever appear in the Pro Bowl. He was selected as a starter in 2015.