NFL Draft 2024: How good are Miami Dolphins' draft slots of No. 21 and No. 55?
The Dolphins have picks in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft on April 25 and 26.
Miami's first scheduled pick is No. 21 overall and second pick is No. 55.
The Dolphins yielded their third-round pick after an NFL finding of tampering.
Miami has not had a first-round pick in the last two years. So general manager Chris Grier must really make good use of this one.
Who have Miami Dolphins have taken at No. 21 and 55?
The only time Miami has picked 21st was 1980, when the Dolphins selected defensive back Don McNeal of Alabama. McNeal played 110 games, with 18 interceptions.
In 1983, Miami used the 55th pick on nose tackle Mike Charles of Syracuse. Charles played 101 games, with 14 sacks.
In 1970, Miami used the 55th pick on defensive back Tim Foley of Purdue. Foley played 134 games with 22 interceptions.
That's three-for-three and three good reasons for Dolphins' optimism.
NFL Draft History of No. 21 Pick
In looking at the 21st pick of the last 10 NFL Drafts, Miami could land a really good player (Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, selected with a pick obtained in the Tyreek Hill trade) or a disappointing player (Eagles receiver Jalen Reagor, Bengals offensive lineman Billy Price, Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis or Bengals tackle Cedric Ogbuehi).
It seems clear Pick 21 is no slam dunk.
Perhaps this is an area where teams reach for talented players who slip for some reason.
Perhaps this is an area where teams draft what they perceive to be a safe pick with a lower ceiling.
Former Texan and Dolphin Will Fuller was a 21st pick. Like many players, he had injury issues that restricted his full potential.
Some other 21st picks: Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, Colts defensive tackle Kwite Paye, Packers safety Darnell Savage and Packers safety Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix.
It's a coincidence that the Packers drafted safeties in that spot five years apart.
The Dolphins could really use a player capable of contributing in a big way in 2024.
But Grier is going to have a hard time passing on a player who sticks out on his board - even if it is not at an obvious position of need.
NFL Draft History of No. 55 Pick
In looking at the last 10 NFL Drafts, the Dolphins could land a really good player (Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice, with a pick that was also part of the Hill trade, or Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd), or a player who flames out (Bengals running back Jeremy Hill) or never really takes off (Ravens tight end Maxx Williams).
Some other 55th picks: Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth, Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, Texans tackle Max Scharping, Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson, Giants defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson.
If the Dolphins bypass an offensive lineman in Round 1, it would seem quite probable they would use their Round 2 pick on a big man.
If the Dolphins nab an offensive lineman in Round 2, they could always look to edge rusher, defensive lineman, wide receiver or safety with the 55th pick.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
NFL DraftApril 25-27DetroitESPN, ABC, NFL Network
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins have NFL Draft picks 21 and 55. What history says about slots
