Miami Dolphins: Ranking the Rookie Impacts From the 2021 Draft Class
The Miami Dolphins had a decent haul coming out of this year’s NFL Draft. With the offseason heading into training camp, which rookies will have the biggest impact? Grading out their potential impact, not the selection itself, where does this class rank?
Jaylen Waddle: A-
The Alabama prospect should come in and make an immediate impact on the offense. Not only will he have the chemistry with second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but he’s also a spark that needs constant attention from defenses. Give him too much room and he’ll make you pay. Put too much coverage on him, the rest of the offense could be awarded a mismatch.
Jaelen Phillips: A
Phillips is graded slightly better than Waddle in terms of impact. The Dolphins needed someone who can blow things up upfront and get after the ball. Phillips was rated as one of the better defenders in this draft and he’ll only get better with opportunity. He’ll have every chance at an opportunity in Miami as their defense continues to bloom.
Jevon Holland: A-
Here’s a guy who again can come in and make an immediate impact. Miami has been light at safety the past few years. Holland is a guy who’s in the right spot more often than not. With a secondary worth bragging about, he might fade into the background and that’s okay. If he makes a quick transition, you’ll be hearing his name a lot on game day.
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Liam Echenberg: B-
Echenberg might have to prove he’s a starter for the Dolphins. Miami has been piecing their offensive line together for a couple of years now and each guy will have to earn his keep. No one is a lock along the line so whoever progresses the fastest will start on game day. Echenberg has the talent to succeed, he just has to compete first.
Hunter Long: C+
Long won’t come in and take over for Mike Gesicki, but he won’t have to. Early in his career, he might be a situational player called upon to be the Swiss Army knife player whose skills are best used until he can fully develop at the NFL level. How quickly that happens is completely up to him. Down the road, his impact might be much better, but early on he’ll have a lot to prove.
Larnell Coleman: C
Coleman is another lineman who will have to make a name early on. Too many draft picks fade into the background in camp. If he’s hungry enough there are definitely spots that can be filled on their line but he might be another situational/relief player at first. So much of their late-round picks depend on their ability to learn the playbook and implement their skills right away. Coleman might be a coin toss.
Gerrid Doakes: C+
Doakes is at the back end of a suspect running game. The Miami Dolphins might be okay with who they have, but skeptics have reason for doubt. That’s not to say Miami won’t be able to expose weakness in defenses, it just means there’s plenty of opportunities for guys to make an impact. Doakes can be one of those players if he can find plays on the ground as well as in the passing game. Unfortunately, so will the rest of the Dolphins’ backs.
Miami has a high ceiling and a very low floor. So much of this season isn’t just riding on great on field play, it’s all in how quickly players develop. That’s where Brian Flores needs to be their guy. Plenty of coaches in Miami’s past knew the X’s and O’s but not many knew how to get the most out of their players. If Flores can continue to grow the Dolphins and push these guys to their potential, all is well for the Miami Dolphins.
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.
