Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Miami Dolphins Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Miami Dolphins from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The 20-year-old Pitts won the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end, as he finished the abbreviated 2020 season with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. While technically a tight end, Pitts has generated some comparisons to Hall-of-Famer Calvin Johnson in terms of measurables. While there is only one Megatron, Pitts profiles as a player capable of dominating any defender lined up across from him.
Kyle Pitts' PFF grade when lined up as a WR and covered by CBs: 92.8
He's a potentially unstoppable pass catcher at any receiving position.
Emmanuel Ogbah led Miami with a career-high nine sacks, but the team parted ways this offseason with Kyle Van Noy (six) and Shaq Lawson (four), both of whom they had just added in 2020. Meanwhile, Ogbah is entering a contract year.
Paye is a freakish athlete that topped Bruce Feldman's Freaks' List heading into last season. Given the rare physical traits for his size and his tenacity, Paye's best football is ahead of him and his upside is through the roof if he can put it all together.
By trading out of the position that would have guaranteed access to one of this year's top quarterbacks, the Dolphins appear to be committing fully to Tua Tagovailoa. If he is to take the next step, Miami will need to surround him with playmakers. A bully after the catch, Chase would be an ideal No. 1 target.
It isn't just that reuniting Tagovailoa with former All-SEC standouts might make his development as a franchise quarterback that much easier, Harris -- and previously projected All-American receiver Ja'Marr Chase -- really are that good.
Chris Grier and Brian Flores worked the draft impeccably to go from No. 3 to 6 and still get a top-flight talent. Pitts is the most versatile tight end prospect we've seen in more than a decade.
I know everyone wants to send a running back to Miami but I just can't do it. Especially not when the Dolphins need EDGE help and the twitchy Paye is sitting there ready to be your edge setter.
With this pick, the Dolphins would prove their trade down from the third pick to be a brilliant move. They would get the best wide receiver in the draft in Chase (the player they might've taken at No. 3) while adding a future first-round pick.
This might be a little high for a running back, but Harris is the best at his position in this year's draft, and adding Harris along with Chase would provide an immediate boost for Miami's offense.
After trading down from No. 3 to No. 12, the Dolphins paid an expensive price to jump back into the top six. Miami made the move with the idea of drafting an offensive difference-maker and Pitts (the top non-quarterback in the class) certainly qualifies.
Parsons is the type of freaky talent that coach Brian Flores would love to add to his defense. With his background as both an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher, Parsons has elite athletic traits and can fill multiple roles in the Dolphins' scheme.
Sewell might be tough to pass on here, but Chase would give Miami a highly confident playmaker who can make life easier for Tua Tagovailoa with his separation, competitive ball skills and run-after-catch ability.
It feels more prudent for them to wait for a running back, which they can grab at Nos. 36 or 50 overall in Round 2. The Dolphins didn't add a pass rusher this offseason and currently have some uninspiring options to chase quarterbacks.
The debate here was between Phillips and Georgia's Azeez Ojulari. We sided with Phillips because of his length and extraordinary athletic burst. His medical and character reports will determine his draft landing spot. He could go from a top-20 pick all the way to a second-rounder.
You didn't see this one coming, did you? All along we've talked about the Dolphins adding weapons for Tua Tagovailoa, and Pitts is the ultimate weapon in this class. Why couldn't they take him? This gives Miami four really good pass-catchers around Tagovailoa in Pitts, Will Fuller V, DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki. Pitts and Gesicki are versatile enough to play inline or out wide. They're matchup nightmares for defenses. Another thing to note: Several teams have Pitts at No. 2 overall on their boards. Miami also gets to keep its pick at No. 18 to get help on defense.
Yes, this is the first edge rusher off the board, all the way down at No. 18. It's not an elite class, but Paye could start a run on edge defenders all the way into Round 2. There is quality overall, even if there aren't any instant stars. Paye is my top-ranked defensive end, a gifted athlete who didn't put up sack production at Michigan (11.5 sacks in four seasons). Teams will be on his potential and traits, though. With two picks down so far and the trade up for Kyle Pitts, Miami has two players who rank No. 1 at their positions.
Most mock drafts have Penei Sewell coming off the board before Slater, but a few teams have told me it'll be the other way around. Miami took offensive linemen with early picks last year, but I think they'll continue to build there and protect the QB.
The Dolphins had some success with a running back by committee last season, but Harris is a cut above. He'd be joining his college teammate, Tua Tagovailoa, in Miami's quest to win its first AFC East crown since 2008.
