Time to step up
Dolphin Digest|June 2021
The Dolphins added playmakers in the 2021 draft, but their contributions likely won’t be as important as those from the Classes of 2019 and 2020
Alain Poupart
Time to step up

The Dolphins made some nice additions in the offseason, most notably speedy wide receiver Will Fuller V and then four of the top 42 picks in the 2021 NFL draft, but they won’t be the players most important to whatever progress the team can make next season.

Yes, Fuller and top picks Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillips, Jevon Holland and Liam Eichenberg definitely could — and hopefully will — play a big role in trying to help the Dolphins improve from their 10-6 record of a year ago.

After all, that is why the Dolphins brought them to South Florida.

Waddle, in particular, has the kind of skill set that should make it easy — as easy as it can be for any NFL player — to make an immediate impact. And by skill set, we’re obviously talking about his speed.

There’s a reason he’s pretty much universally compared to Tyreek Hill, who the Dolphins saw first-hand last December wreak havoc with his big-play ability.

It’s that speed that made Waddle the choice for the Dolphins over his more heralded Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith, the Heisman winner who almost unanimously is considered the better pure wide receiver prospect.

But Waddle was the perfect fit for the Dolphins because his ability to turn a simple bubble screen, jet sweep, quick slant, you name it, into a long gainer was what this offense needed.

It’s what Tua Tagovailoa needed.

And that made Waddle appealing to the Dolphins because it’s pretty clear that the success (or lack thereof) of the team in 2021 is dependent on Tagovailoa more than any other player.

Denne historien er fra June 2021-utgaven av Dolphin Digest.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 2021-utgaven av Dolphin Digest.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA DOLPHIN DIGESTSe alt
Xavien Howard worth every penny
Dolphin Digest

Xavien Howard worth every penny

The Miami Dolphins were in the news daily during the offseason, but it was mainly regarding starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2021
Offensive line an early season concern
Dolphin Digest

Offensive line an early season concern

PARTING SHOTS

time-read
1 min  |
October 2021
Can Miami tackle their tackle issues?
Dolphin Digest

Can Miami tackle their tackle issues?

The Miami Dolphins currently have a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 second-round pick, a 2019 second-round pick, and a player who has started 56 games for them over the last four seasons to choose from at right and left tackle.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2021
Solid preseason offers hope for running game
Dolphin Digest

Solid preseason offers hope for running game

How unlikely would it be if the answer to the Dolphins running game concerns is a former seventh-round pick in his third season out of Washington who was the last of 25 running backs taken in the 2019 draft?

time-read
1 min  |
September 20, 2021
How good can the defense be?
Dolphin Digest

How good can the defense be?

Had it not been for the Miami Dolphins’ defense last season, they would not have won 10 games.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 20, 2021
Dolphins 101 with Professor Klump
Dolphin Digest

Dolphins 101 with Professor Klump

Miami finally has their guy at quarterback

time-read
3 mins  |
September 20, 2021
Who is calling the plays?
Dolphin Digest

Who is calling the plays?

The Miami Dolphins have struck out the last two seasons at hiring the right offensive coordinator for their football team.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 20, 2021
AROUND THE AFC EAST
Dolphin Digest

AROUND THE AFC EAST

Buffalo has their future QB...do the other teams?

time-read
3 mins  |
September 20, 2021
PARTING shots
Dolphin Digest

PARTING shots

It’s time for Baker to become elite

time-read
4 mins  |
August 30, 2021
Time to take stock of Tua
Dolphin Digest

Time to take stock of Tua

The Dolphins quarterback showed improvement in his second camp, but the question remains as to how big a jump he can make in 2021

time-read
4 mins  |
August 30, 2021