2021 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers
Denver Broncos
When you play in a division that houses the Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill and the Las Vegas’ Raiders’ Henry Ruggs III, let alone quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, it’s imperative to have playmakers on the permitter on defense and an ability to light up the scoreboard on offense.
The Broncos added both in this draft.
Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain is among the more dominant defensive players, and a lockdown cornerback who might develop into one of the premier players at the position in the NFL. Surtain allowed only 3.3 yards after the catch per reception and just four touchdowns in three seasons in the SEC.
Meanwhile, after losing running back Phillip Lindsay in free agency, the Broncos added slashing running back Javonte Williams.
Defensively, Baron Browning steps in as an immediate starter as an off-ball playmaker who could also provide some pass-rush boost off the edge. The Broncos got better on both sides of the ball this weekend.
Grade: A
Miami Dolphins
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier boldly and aggressively collected assets in this and next year’s draft in the weeks leading up to it, and has methodically filled some of Miami’s biggest needs so far this weekend.
Even after signing Will Fuller in free agency, and dropping him to a receiving corps with DeVante Parker, Grier and the Dolphins chose Alabama wide receiver — and one of the biggest threats in the vertical game in this class — Jaylen Waddle No. 6 overall. Waddle reunites with Tua Tagovailoa, and throws open the Dolphins’ playbook after averaging 10.3 yards after the catch per reception and catching four touchdowns last season.
This season is all about evaluating Tua and Miami hopes to make the postseason in the process, a task that got significantly easier by drafting Waddle and then adding Notre Dame offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg in Round 2 to help keep the quarterback upright.
Tagovailoa now has the offensive weapons, and support up front, to take the next step in his development, and the Dolphins have one of the more exciting young rosters on both sides of the football with a defensive-minded head coach in Brian Flores, that could make Miami a sneaky competitor in 2021.