2021 NFL draft sneak preview

The Dolphins again will be prominent players in the 2021 NFL draft, thanks to the final returns from the major Laremy Tunsil trade with the Houston Texans.

- ALAIN POUPART

In addition to their own selection, the 18th overall in the first round, the Dolphins have inherited the third pick thanks to Houston’s 4-12 record in 2020.

And that third overall pick offers all sorts of interesting scenarios for Miami.

The Dolphins certainly could try to find a trading partner to move down and pick up an additional premium pick (or more) this year or next, though preferably still early enough in the first round to be able to land a top prospect.

Although this next scenario is extraordinarily unlikely because no one expects the Jacksonville Jaguars to pass up the chance to take Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Dolphins could use that third overall pick as part of a package to move up to No. 1 (we're not even mentioning moving up to number 2 because it's almost impossible to envision the New York Jets making that kind of trade with a division opponent).

The other option, of course, is for the Dolphins to merely stay put at number 3 and take the prospect of their choice. Most national mock drafts to this point — they’ll be coming nonstop until the draft day — have that selection as either tackle Penei Sewell of Oregon or one of the top two wide receivers in the draft, LSU's Ja'Marr Chase or Alabama's DeVonta Smith.