Sunday, May 30, 2021

Miami Dolphins Post-Draft 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Miami Dolphins rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 13.0 (11th)
  • Best ranking: 10th (USA Today)
  • Worst ranking: 15th (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a post-draft roundup for the Dolphins in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 14

Player who benefited most from draft: QB Tua Tagovailoa

All of the offseason chatter surrounding the Dolphins was about building around Tagovailoa, and build they did. Adding a speedy wide receiver in Jaylen Waddle, an NFL-ready offensive lineman in Liam Eichenberg, depth at tight end in Hunter Long and a power running back in Gerrid Doaks is key for the maturation of the Dolphins' offense under its second-year signal-caller. And let's not forget Miami addressing the potential mentor role, signing backup QB Jacoby Brissett in free agency and declining to draft any competition at the position. This is Tagovailoa's team, and it's set up for him to take the Dolphins to the next level. -- ESPN Staff

NFL.com -- Rank: 14

Tua Tagovailoa has to wake up feeling great these days. The Dolphins have used this offseason to reaffirm their faith in the 2020 first-round pick in multiple ways. They let Ryan Fitzpatrick, the team's popular and productive backup QB, walk in free agency. They stayed out of the QB derby as veteran stars and draft prospects danced all around them. They signed a proven playmaker at wide receiver in Will Fuller. Then, on draft night, they used the No. 6 overall pick on Jaylen Waddle, an electric slot presence who further bolsters an offense that lacked explosiveness last season. Want to find out if your young quarterback can play at this level? Surround him with legit talent and see what happens.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 12

They had a heck of a draft and can be a playoff team in 2021. That would mean big-time growth from Tua Tagovailoa. It's definitely possible.

USA Today -- Rank: 15

After a strong draft, they seem poised to take the next step with second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa -- and that means going to the playoffs this year.

The Athletic -- Rank: 10

Let's try to put Tua Tagovailoa's performance into proper context. Last year, among 32 quarterbacks with at least 300 dropbacks, Tagovailoa ranked 27th in TruMedia's EPA per play metric. If we look at the last 10 years, among rookie quarterbacks with at least 300 dropbacks, Tagovailoa's performance ranked 21st among 31 players. In other words, we didn't see anything to suggest he's going to be amazing. On the other hand, he was pretty much in the middle range of what we typically see from rookie quarterbacks, so we shouldn't overreact either to his struggles.

The Dolphins loaded up at wide receiver, adding Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle. And they gave themselves more options on the offensive line. If Tagovailoa takes a step forward, this is a playoff team. If he doesn't, GM Chris Grier and Brian Flores have shown they're willing to make bold moves to move on quickly from players who they don't think are good enough.

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