Dolphins trade of Ereck Flowers might hint at drafting Penei Sewell

Oregon football star Penei Sewell might be going to the Miami Dolphins after the Ereck Flowers trade with the Washington Football Team.

With the Miami Dolphins dealing offensive lineman Ereck Flowers to the Washington Football Team, this move could be indicative of something bigger, like drafting Oregon football star Penei Sewell at No. 6 overall.

Miami initially had the No. 3 overall pick at the start of the offseason. The Dolphins would trade back to No. 12 in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers before getting back up into the top 10 in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 6. Sewell and Northwestern standout Rashawn Slater could be readily available for the Dolphins to take with their first first-round selection of 2021.

Did shipping Flowers to Washington signify the Dolphins are taking an offensive lineman at No. 6?

Are the Miami Dolphins eyeing Penei Sewell at No. 6 after trading Ereck Flowers?

Even though Sewell could have gone as high as No. 2 to the New York Jets earlier in the draft process, an offensive lineman will not be coming off the board until the Cincinnati Bengals are picking at No. 5. Since Cincinnati is old school and is typically reluctant to make draft-day deals, what the Bengals do in the top five will signify if Sewell will be taking his talents to South Beach.

At this juncture, Cincinnati will take one of four players at No. 5: Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts, LSU Tigers wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Sewell or Slater. That is it. Pitts could fall to the Bengals at No. 5, but it feels like he is going to the Atlanta Falcons the pick before at No. 4. Chase caught passes from Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow at LSU. He is very much in play for the Bengals, too.

As for if they want to go with an offensive lineman, there are reasons to take either Sewell or Slater. While Sewell could be the Bengals’ next version of Anthony Muñoz, Slater might be a tad more pro-ready and could play multiple positions along the offensive line besides. Interestingly, the Dolphins are looking at the same four players at No. 6 as Cincinnati at No. 5.

Ultimately, if the Falcons take Pitts and the Bengals take Sewell, then the Dolphins will probably go with Chase to help bring second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa along. Since Pitts is not likely to be getting past the Bengals at No. 5, it feels like the Dolphins are going to take either Chase or Sewell with their No. 6 selection. Slater is probably going a few picks later to Detroit or Carolina.

Miami dealing Flowers to Washington could mean the Dolphins prioritize drafting a lineman.