Meet the Miami Dolphins 2021 Draft Class
Round 1 |Pick 6 — WR Jaylen Waddle
Jaylen Waddle proved to be one of the most explosive playmakers in college football during his three years at Alabama. Waddle ended his career at Alabama with 106 receptions, 1999 receiving yards, 17 receiving touchdowns, and 18.9 yards a reception. Waddle was also successful on special teams at Alabama contributing 947 total return yards and 3 returns for touchdown in three seasons for the Tide. Waddle also played alongside current Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama during the 2018 and 2019 season. Waddle had career-highs in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns during the 2018 season at Alabama with Tua, finishing with 45 receptions, 848 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. The 2018 season was the most number of games played together by Waddle and Tua at Alabama. This upcoming season Dolphins fans can be excited about the addition of Jaylen Waddle to a wide receiver group featuring Devante Parker (2016 Dolphins 1st Rd. Pick), Will Fuller (2021 off-season free-agent signing), Preston Williams, Albert Wilson (opted-out 2020 season), Lynn Bowden (might play RB in 2021), and controversial fan favorite Jakeem Grant.
Round 1 |Pick 18 — LB Jaelan Phillips
Jaelan Phillips had a unique path to the NFL after becoming a highly top-rated athletic defensive end out of high school in 2017 and enrolling at UCLA for two seasons. Phillips medically retired from football following the 2018 season and would leave UCLA to pursue a degree in music production. Following interest from the University of Miami, Phillips came out of retirement and joined the Hurricanes program in 2019. Phillips had to sit out the 2019 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. The 2020 season came and Phillips conquered finishing with 45 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and even one interception. Phillips will compete to be the starting pass rushing linebacker for Miami after the Dolphins traded pass rushing linebacker Shaq Lawson to the Houston Texans for inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney.
Round 2 |Pick 36 — S Jevon Holland
Jevon Holland was a highly-versatile, high motor defensive back that provided an athletic playmaking ability at safety for Oregon, but sat out in 2020 so we were unable to see him get that third season he might’ve needed. Holland primarily played at free safety for Oregon, he would finish his career with 108 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 9 interceptions, and one pick six. During his two seasons at Oregon, Holland proved to be an athletic roaming free safety displaying strong coverage skills and good hands to cause turnovers. Holland will fill the role former Dolphins free safety Bobby McCain had in the Brian Flores defense.
Round 2 |Pick 42 — OT Liam Eichenberg
Liam Eichenberg was a three-year starter at left tackle for Notre Dame. Eichenberg was a big physical run blocking tackle during his time with the Fighting Irish. At 6’6” and 306 lbs he will certainly add to the big physical offensive lineman stigma in Miami currently. The Dolphins list him as a right tackle so he’ll be competing with Dolphins plug and play starter Jesse Davis, and a newly acquired veteran tackle D.J. Fluker.
Round 3 |Pick 81 — TE Hunter Long
Hunter Long featured in 26 games at tight end in three seasons at Boston College. After being featured in only four games as a freshman, Long had a breakthrough season in 2019. In a predominantly run-heavy offense Long had 28 receptions, 509 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns in 2019. He had his best season at Boston College in 2020 with 57 receptions, 685 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. Long proved to be a big frame reliable pass catching tight end with average to above average speed. He will join a crowded Dolphins tight end room featuring Dolphins fans favorite red zone target Mike Gesicki (Dolphins 2018 2nd round pick), the reliable run-blocking Durah Smythe (Dolphins 2018 4th round pick), recently extended Adam Shaheen, and three off season tight end free agent signings.
Round 7 |Pick 231 — OT Larnel Coleman
Larnel Coleman was a three-year starter at UMass with experience at left and right tackle. Coleman proved to be a versatile offensive tackle and powerful in the run game. Coleman is currently listed as a left tackle and will attempt to make the Dolphins roster as one of the rotational offensive tackle backups.
Round 7 |Pick 244 — RB Gerrid Doaks
Gerrid Doaks proved to be a physical running back during his three seasons at Cincinnati. Doaks ended his collegiate career with 1712 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Doaks was given legitimate back up carries his freshman and junior season (missed his sophomore season due to injury) as a power back. Doaks was given a bigger role in 2020 and was the schools leading rusher with 673 yards and added 9 touchdowns from scrimmage. Doaks will join a running back room with 2020 Dolphins leading rusher Myles Gaskin, free agent signing Malcolm Brown, and sneaky explosive Salvon Ahmed.
