The Miami Dolphins don’t play for another day, but there’s still plenty of football to watch this afternoon! And with so much college football on display, Dolphins fans will have plenty of daydreaming ahead of them as the Dolphins will enter the 2021 offseason with a war chest of NFL Draft picks at their disposal to reload the roster and build themselves up across whatever the team deems are the critical positions to improve this season.
Who should the Dolphins (and you) be watching this weekend? Here are five prominent 2021 NFL Draft prospects to keep an eye on today as potential fits for the Dolphins.
WR Anthony Schwartz, Auburn Tigers
The Iron Bowl is always sure to offer a heavyweight showcase of NFL Draft prospects. This year’s edition of the game may have up to twenty 2021 NFL Draft prospects in it when things are all said and done. You know about Jaylen Waddle, who is out for the season. You know about DeVonta Smith, Tua Tagovailoa’s favorite college target. But on the other side of the field, Schwartz is a track athlete with pretty impressive football chops and he’ll get his best opportunity to showcase what he can do against a bunch of future NFL cornerbacks when Alabama and Auburn clash today.
RB Travis Etienne Jr, Clemson Tigers
Miami’s need for an upgraded rushing attack is, well, rather obvious. And if the Dolphins want to check the box with an accomplished, explosive talent, Etienne would be the top choice for most offenses in the league. He’s developed himself well as a pass catcher and that has allowed him to always have an impact on the game, even if the run game isn’t clicking. The Clemson Tigers face a good Pittsburgh Panthers defense today, so we may see some of those receiving skills put to use as the Tigers look to continue their push to a rematch with Notre Dame for the ACC Championship.
WR Kadarius Toney, Florida Gators
The Dolphins need a little bit of spice after the catch. They don’t currently feature many players capable of taking a catch, creating some missed tackle attempts and breaking off a big play. No one in college football is doing that better than Toney right now. Toney’s electric play has helped boost the stock of Gators QB Kyle Trask as well — but the Dolphins’ interests should lie with the formula Toney is winning with: he’s an electric pinball after the catch. The Gators square off against a tough Kentucky defense today and Toney should be in line for yet another big game.
DT Jordan Davis, Georgia Bulldogs
If the Dolphins bid farewell to Davon Godchaux this offseason, they’ll certainly need to add some beef up front to help keep this team stout up the middle and further enhance the run defense. You won’t find many maulers at the point of attack playing better this season than Davis — who is a mountain of a man and would pair with Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis to give Miami a high-profile trio of defensive tackles. Sprinkle in Zach Sieler and Miami’s depth on the line would suddenly look a whole lot better. Georgia plays South Carolina this afternoon and Davis will have the chance to dominate the opposition. If he takes advantage, it can help him solidify his resume as a potential 2nd-round prospect next April, meaning Miami would have two cracks at him.
DE Jayson Oweh, Penn State Nittany Lions
Perhaps the best individual clash of prospects will take place between two underachieving Big Ten teams. Penn State’s pass rushers Oweh and Shaka Toney will butt heads with a potential top offensive tackle prospect in Michigan’s Jalen Mayfield. Oweh has all the traits the Dolphins will like — length, explosiveness, bend and plenty of weight on his frame with room to add more. Oweh’s final form as a pro player should be expected to mirror what we see now from Miami defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah; although he may require some patience to develop into that caliber of a player. The good news for the Dolphins? They should have plenty of stability to work with this young talent for several years, so this feels like a proper fit.
