For some, the Miami Dolphins wide receiver group is a position of strength. For others, there are concerns that there aren’t enough proven playmakers. And while both DeVante Parker and Preston Williams (before getting injured) flashed last season, there are still many questions once you get to the third spot on the depth chart.
The Dolphins’ front office must feel the same way, too. According to Simon Clancy, co-host of the Dolphins Three Yards Per Carry podcast, Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was a target of the Dolphins with their 26th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. This piece of draft news was later confirmed when a source told PFN that this was, in fact, true.
When the San Francisco 49ers selected Aiyuk with the 25th overall pick, that set the Dolphins in another direction, where they traded down after the New Orleans Saints selected Cesar Ruiz. Ruiz was another player the Dolphins were said to be targeting.
This scenario was also recently discussed during our newest Miami Dolphins Mailbag, along with other 2020 NFL Draft rumors and tidbits as a final review for the team’s first-round selections.
With that piece of news, and with Andrew DiCecco mocking a wide receiver to the Dolphins in his first 2021 NFL Mock Draft, it may be a good idea for Dolphins fans to keep their eyes on the wide receiver position this college football season.
But who might those players be? Here are four prospects that the team could target in the first and second rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jaylen Waddle – Alabama
As previously mentioned, DiCecco’s first two-round mock draft of the 2021 cycle featured a wide receiver with the sixth pick overall in the first round. That player was Alabama speedster, DeVonta Smith. DiCecco’s pick makes sense, given Smith’s rapport with new Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Another player that has some built-in chemistry with Tua is fellow Alabama receiver, Jaylen Waddle.
This explosive return man and wide receiver prospect has flashed some serious upside as a part-timer on offense and special teams ace. He is among the best return men in the country and will step into a full-time in 2020 following the losses of Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III. Waddle may be the least experienced and accomplished offensive player on this list, but he will likely be the first off the board.
Waddle offers Tyreek Hill-like explosiveness and suddenness as a receiver and utility player and is a threat to take it the distance any time he touches the ball.
Wow. @AlabamaFTBL's Jaylen Waddle hit 21.88 mph. Tyreek Hill's top ball carrying speed this year is 21.95. #lookout pic.twitter.com/XICpb84aDE
— Logic Sports (@LogicSports3) November 25, 2018
Adding Waddle to a group that includes an up-and-comer in Preston Williams and 2019 breakout star DeVante Parker, the Dolphins could be a very explosive team in 2021.
Tamorrion Terry – Florida State
If the Dolphins want to go a different route than speedsters like Smith and Waddle, they could continue to add size with FSU star Tamorrion Terry. However, Terry is not just a bigger possession target; he also has the speed to burn in the open field. At 6’4″, 210 pounds, the big Seminole receiver is an imposing threat on the outside and would give the Dolphins three alpha-type receivers in this offense.
Terry has been a big-play machine for a Florida State offense that has lacked consistency from their quarterbacks and skill position players. He has provided an excellent, steady target for his quarterbacks with strong hands, outstanding leaping ability, and tremendous concentration.
I discussed how Tamorrion Terry could be a potential first-rounder back in April, and his blend of size and speed could lead to a selection earlier than expected. He could stand to add some muscle to his frame, which would help him fight off jams from stronger corners and improve his draft stock. With the great depth of this class, Terry is not a lock for the first round. Therefore, the Dolphins could have an intriguing receiver target at the top of the NFL Draft’s second round.
Amon-Ra St. Brown – USC
An intriguing second-day NFL Draft target for the Dolphins is USC receiver and former top high school recruit, Amon-Ra St. Brown. After missing out on another talented Pac-12 receiver in Aiyuk, the team could come back to that same conference here with a selection of St. Brown. The versatile junior receiver caught 77 passes for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns last season while working with two different starting quarterbacks, including true freshman Kedon Slovis.
St. Brown has been overshadowed somewhat early in his career by fellow former Trojan and Colts’ second-rounder, Michael Pittman. However, 2020 should be his time to shine as an explosive slot receiver with the ability to play outside and win with excellent speed and route-running strength.
This route Amon-Ra St. Brown just ran is a thing of beauty#Devy @DevyWatch pic.twitter.com/ynHwGQQoVh
— Clayton Stefan (@DW_Clayton) November 17, 2019
He is a budding star in this offense and will get a chance to show he can be a number one receiver this season playing alongside another talented player in Tyler Vaughns. While St. Brown is not currently being discussed as one of the top receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft, I believe he is a dark horse to go earlier than expected in April. If the Dolphins can snag him in the second or third round, St. Brown would be an intriguing third option in this Miami offense.
Rondale Moore – Purdue
Another explosive receiver that should spark Miami’s interest is Purdue gadget man Rondale Moore. The electric pass-catcher set the college football world on fire during his freshman season in 2018 but missed most of the 2019 season due to injury. Moore racked up 114 catches for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also rushing for two more.
Moore is a target monster that specializes in making plays in the slot and out of the backfield. However, he also has the skill set needed to make makes down the field as an outside receiver. He has been a do-it-all type player for Purdue and will be a welcomed sight back in the Boilermakers lineup this fall. Like Waddle, Moore has a lightning-quick first step and excellent short-area quickness and agility.
When I watch Moore play, his size at 5’9″, 180 lbs and build, combined with his playing style, are similar to Seattle receiver Tyler Lockett. Both players are built like slot receivers but have the toughness and athletic ability to make plays on the outside. Moore would be a fantastic fit in the slot for Miami and will be under substantial consideration with one of their two first-round picks.
Scott Gorman is a writer for PFN covering the 2021 NFL Draft. You can follow him @sgormanPFN on Twitter. Be sure to also follow the PFN Dolphins account on Twitter: @DolphinsPFN.