2021 NFL Mock Draft, pre-free agency: Bears trade for Russell Wilson, Bengals move up for Penei Sewell

Suffice it to say that the Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock experience has not yet yielded the results the Raiders hoped when they formed the duo. And one of the big reasons for that has been the consistent lack of performance from the defense. Picks like Clelin Ferrell haven’t panned out as hoped and the silver and black are still looking for a player who can be a tone-setter rushing off the edge.

Though he does have some risk involved, Jaelan Phillips could be that player. A former 5-star recruit, Phillips had a tumultuous ride to get to Miami in 2020 but he thrived with the Hurricanes. He’s a great athlete with a blend of size and explosiveness that makes him a versatile weapon. Moreover, he does have some nice polish. He needs more technical refinement but he could be a huge boost for the Las Vegas front seven.

Especially with the release of Kyle Van Noy already this offseason, we should be talking about how big of a need linebacker could be for the Dolphins this offseason. Brian Flores had Miami operating as one of the best units in the league this past year but a lot of that is predicated upon having versatile and talented pieces in the middle of the defense. So with Micah Parsons still on the board, they can’t pass that up.

In terms of raw talent, Parsons might be a top-10 player in the 2021 draft class. His athleticism is phenomenal and he’s showcased his immense range on film. The Penn State star has work to do in terms of his mental development and feel for a traditional linebacker role but his high school background as a rusher along with his physical traits make him a potential star for the Dolphins under Flores.