Miami Dolphins: Early 2021 NFL Mock Draft nets top-10 defensive studs
By Zach Cohen
More Power 5 offensive talent joins the Miami Dolphins.
Alabama. Najee Harris. 71. player. 829. Pick Analysis. RB. Scouting Report
The Dolphins passed on drafting a running back this year and instead opted to sign Jordan Howard and trade for Matt Breida. (Breida was technically one of the team’s fifth-round picks.) Both running backs missed time in 2019 and neither are signed past 2021. Needless to say, the team could not only use a long-term option but they could use a true No. 1 option.
Najee Harris has all the potential to be that guy. He ran for 13 touchdowns at Alabama last season and caught seven more. On top of that, Harris has played in every game over the past two seasons. There could be plenty of options for Miami to add a capable running back in the 2021 NFL Draft, and Harris could easily be one of them.
Cole Van Lanen. player. 809. Pick Analysis. Wisconsin. 102. Scouting Report. OT
The goal was for the Dolphins to hopefully land superstar tackle Penei Sewell at the top of the draft. Instead, Miami settled for two great defensive prospects. After multiple runs on offensive linemen in this mock draft, the Dolphins were finally able to get their guy at a reasonable price.
While an interior lineman would have been optimal, Cole Van Lanen isn’t a bad consolation prize. The redshirt senior from Wisconsin has displayed enough power and mobility to potentially make a move inside.
After all, this hypothetical gives Miami two offensive tackles to pair with Jackson; one of them will have to make a move to guard. As mentioned earlier, fortifying the offensive line should be the team’s highest priority. However, general manager Chris Grier isn’t the type of guy to pass on a better value in favor of a needed position. Luckily, Van Lanen could satisfy both with this selection.