The Miami Dolphins will have two first-round draft picks in the 2021 NFL Draft unless they make a trade.
Miami currently holds the Houston Texans’ selection (No. 3 overall) and its own selection at No. 18.
The Dolphins could try to upgrade their backfield in the draft, as University of Alabama running back Najee Harris and Clemson University running back Travis Etienne are both expected to be selected early on.
One NFL executive believes that the Dolphins should select one of the two runners, but he did caution that pick No. 18 may be a little too high to select a running back.
“Executive 1 said he would select Alabama’s Najee Harris or Clemson’s Travis Etienne in the draft,” the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote. “‘Both those backs are phenomenal, guys that can catch, can run. What they have in [Myles] Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed was pretty good, too, but you need more.’ He prefers Harris but believes No. 18 might be too high.”
The Dolphins were led by Gaskin and Ahmed last season, but both running backs dealt with injuries during the 2020 campaign.
Gaskin appeared in 10 games and ran for 584 yards on 142 carries. He added three rushing touchdowns.
As for Ahmed, he carried the ball 75 times over six games for 319 yards and three scores.
Both players are underwhelming options, and as Miami tries to maximize quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s abilities, a strong running game could help him improve.
Miami could also make a trade to move down in the draft and select either Harris or Etienne while also acquiring more draft capital.
Regardless of their decision, the Dolphins are well positioned to improve their roster in the 2021 draft.
