2021 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after Super Bowl LV

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Jan. 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) runs for a 5-yard touchdown during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports /

DeVonta Smith. 3. player. WR. Alabama. 59. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

If I’m the Miami Dolphins and I know I need a receiver, I’m reuniting Tua Tagovailoa (assuming he doesn’t get traded) with DeVonta Smith with the third overall pick. These two have chemistry already and Smith only got better after Tua left Alabama, becoming college football’s best player in 2020.

In fact, Smith had 68 catches for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns in Tua’s last season at Alabama and then 117 yards, 1,856 yards, 23 touchdowns and a Heisman Trophy in 2020. He played the same amount of games (13) in 2020 as he did in 2019 yet he put up monster numbers.

The Dolphins could benefit from this already-established connection between Tua and DeVonta and also fill a need at the same time. Miami needs a receiver, offensive line help and a linebacker and the latter two would be reaches at No. 3.

Sure, Miami could always trade back, but taking the draft’s best receiver, in my opinion, at third overall would be a win.

Outside of DeVante Parker (793 yards), no other wide receiver had more than 400 yards in 2020. Smith would change that right away.

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