2021 NFL Mock Draft | Miami Dolphins negotiated with Carolina Panthers in not one, but two simulated experiments

Now that the Super Bowl is over and Tom Brady has officially won another ring (vomit), we can all turn our attention to the 2021 draft of the NFL. More specifically, being upset about the simulation sketch of an expert or analyst that we don’t necessarily agree with.

That’s it folks, it’s simulated recruitment season.

That means it’s time for everyone to activate their favorite mock draft simulator – PRO FOOTBALL NETWORK and THE DRAFT NETWORK – and become the general manager television addict we all want to be. For others, this is their livelihood.

Regardless of which side of the spectrum you are on, we can all agree on one thing.

“Simulated drafts are like bottom holes, and everyone has one.”

Let’s take a look at the latest simulated drafts by Todd McShay and Dane Brugler.

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Todd McShay ESPN (2/9)

I am a few days late in this first simulation sketch, which is why I have skillfully decided to combine the two to obtain the ideal effect and maximum effort. The first simulation sketch is from our good friend Todd McShay from ESPN. Yea, the same Todd McShay who was on his podcast with Mel Kiper and Field Yates and said that he believed, really believed, that Sam Darnold was not only a better defender than Tua Tagovailoa, but that his commercial value was also greater.

Now that I got it off my chest, this simulated draft is really good.

The Jacksonville Jaguars take Clemson’s quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, first overall. This is expected. But secondly with the Jets is where most of the simulated drafts differ, and this one is no different. Ultimately, New York will decide how valuable overall choice # 3 is for Chris Grier and the Dolphins.

In this simulated draft, however, McShay made the Jets take BYU QB Zack Wilson.

I also think the Jets will be QB, but I still believe Justin Fields is QB2, despite having been duped by Ohio State quarterbacks in the past. However, the Jets get a new QB, and with Penei Sewell yet on the board, the Dolphins trade with the Carolina Panthers.

Here’s what McShay says about the trade.

OK, my guy Mel Kiper Jr. waived the no-trade clause in our simulations, so come on. The Panthers give the Dolphins a call in this scenario, seeing a chance to jump the line to get a quarterback at No. 3. Miami originally acquired this choice through an August 2019 negotiation with the Texans, but now hands the selection over to Carolina in exchange for choice 8, the second round of the Panthers (39) and a 2022 of the first round. It is a great victory for the Dolphins, who almost missed the playoffs this season and can now grow even more around QB Tua Tagovailoa. But it’s also a good price for Panthers, who need their QB for the future.

Carolina takes over the state of North Dakota QB Trey Lance …..

Moving.

The plan here had to be for the Dolphins to land DeVonta Smith or Ja’Maar Chase in an exchange at # 8. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Eagles (Chase) and Detroit Lions (Smith) attacked Miami. But there was no need to panic because another wide receiver was still on the board.

A wide receiver that, like Smith, also has chemistry with Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa.

With the eighth choice in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

So in our simulated trade scenario, Miami takes an extra in the first and second rounds and yetreceives an evasive ace in the attack. Tagovailoa was ranked 35th out of 35 qualified quarterbacks this season in yards per attempt when targeting wide receivers (6.2), and the WR group was No. 30 in the NFL in yards after receiving for reception (3.18). Waddle took 48 passes from Tagovailoa during Bama’s days together, and he would be a dangerous option against DeVante Parker.

This would not only be the first time that a school would send several wide receivers for the first round in consecutive years, but it would also be the first time that two from the same school left the board so quickly. (The previous high was last year, when Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy, from Alabama, were off the board by No. 15.)

I like that choice. And if it’s an exchange with the Panthers or the Dolphins decide to go Penei Sewell in # 3 and exchange for Waddle, your fit in the Miami attack is perfect. He’s everything the WR room lacked in 2020 and more.

With the choice of Dolphins’ second round in the draft, they select a player that most fans are extremely familiar with.

With the 18th choice in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

After getting a Tagovailoa receiver at nº 8, let’s turn our attention to the defense and maintain a strength exactly like that. Miami had 41 sacks in 2020, tied for 10th in the NFL, but the rich get richer with Phillips, who has amassed eight this season. Dolphins will love its speed and length just around the corner. And looking at 2022, it would mitigate a potential loss from Emmanuel Ogbah or Jerome Baker at the free agency.

Yes, I would be a little hesitant to write Phillips based on his extensive history. But no one can deny how talented he is. And when healthy, Phillips showed that he is a force to be reckoned with continuously.

Adding a Phillips caliber pass-rusher to Miami’s upward defense is unfair.

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Dane Brugler ATHLETIC (11/02)

Todd McShay’s mock draft was excellent, but Dan Brugler’s is better.

I think what separates this simulated draft from the previous one is that the Dolphins are clearly using their draft choice chest to move up and down the board accordingly. Although I like Smith more than Waddle, I’m not going to let this pick take Brugler’s to the limit.

Here’s what Brugler had to say about DeVonta Smith for Miami.

8. Miami Dolphins (via CAR) – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

A player that the Dolphins are likely to consider if they take 3rd place overall, Smith is a dynamic game creator due to his instincts, speed and skills with the ball. Gathering him with Tua Tagovailoa will help the second-year defender to take another step forward in his development.

Miami would then switch back to # 24 with the Pittsburgh Steelers to choose Tulsa’s playmaker linebacker.

24. Miami Dolphins (via PIT) – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

In terms of schema adjustment, Collins in defense of Brian Flores is one of the most logical projections in this mock. And Dolphins are able to trade back (for the second time in this scenario) and still place it here at No. 24 while adding choices later in the draft.

Finally, the Dolphins negotiate with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at position 32 to acquire Clemson RB Travis Etienne.

Etienne was my favorite runner-up candidate a season ago, before deciding to return to school for another season. However, I now prefer Najee Harris based on Miami’s current running back stable. But if Harris is RB1A, Etienne is RB1B. He is the second best running back in this class, and if the Dolphins like him enough to move up to 32nd place, no one will question his decision.

(NOTE: Developing a RB in the first round will give the team another year of control)

Which simulated sketch do you like best? Let me know in the comments section below!