Miami Dolphins: 3 Best picks to make at No. 18 in 2021 NFL Draft

2. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

You couldn’t tell the Miami Dolphins lacked an elite pass rusher based on stats alone. Brian Flores knows how to dial up complex blitzes which is why they finished with 41 sacks, 10th in the NFL. Emmanuel Ogbah led the team with nine sacks in a defense that put him great situations.

However, he can’t do it alone. Kyle Van Noy was an undervalued player on the defense. His ability to drop in coverage in addition to coming off the edge can’t be overstated. With him gone, the Dolphins need an elite edge rusher. The 2021 NFL Draft doesn’t have the depth of years past.

Taking an edge rusher with the No. 18 makes sense given they can’t wait until the second round given the lack of depth and the over prioritization of the position. Zaven Collins at No. 18 isn’t over-drafting or reaching, he has elite traits ideally suited for Brian Flores’ defense.

The off-ball linebacker proved he’s capable of dropping in coverage with solid hip fluidity and awareness. Collins had a pick-six against Tulane as part of his four interceptions and two pass defenses on the 2020 season. The 6-5, 260-pound backer does a great job off the edge as well, as evident by his three sacks against Oklahoma. He’s a plug-and-play backer for a team that utilizes multiple fronts and dials up complex blitz’s like Flores’.