Why the NFL’s latest offseason memo is a win for the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have quite a bit riding on the 2021 NFL offseason. As a franchise, Miami has pushed their assets into a more forward thinking view — so much so that the team is going to be selecting another four players in the top 50 of this year’s NFL Draft just one season after drafting five in the top 60 of the 2020 NFL Draft this past offseason. That kind of talent infusion is a first class ticket to a better roster, even if all of the picks made don’t end up being slam dunk, home run selections.
But with so much of the Dolphins’ offseason riding on the NFL Draft process, Miami has to be wary of an offseason draft cycle that will be unlike any other in league history — even in comparison to 2020. Because the NFL has provided all teams with a new memo regarding guidelines for getting to know the 2021 NFL Draft’s eligible talents amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. And it is restrictive, to say the least.
Here’s more from tonight’s NFL memo, which specifically bans private workouts, facility visits, dinners and film sessions with draft prospects. Also, clubs will be limited to three reps at any pro day. No combine either, so a whole new set of challenges for the 2021 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/9vD96X4SEQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 23, 2021
This is a huge shift. At least in 2020, the regular draft cycle was off to somewhat of a routine start through the beginning of March. So, to summarize:
No timing/testing or medical examinations outside of pro days and all-star games
No private visits
No in-person interviews
NFL teams are now effectively going to be flying blind and finishing their evaluations of players courtesy of spreadsheets and speed-dating style Zoom calls. That’s a tough pill to swallow. But the Miami Dolphins do have a leg up — it comes next week in Mobile, Alabama. Remember, the Dolphins’ coaching staff will be working hand in hand over the course of three days with some of the brightest senior draft prospects in all the country before attempting to lead the Senior Bowl’s “National team” to a win a week from today.
The changes to the draft process are a tough pill to swallow for all 32 NFL teams. But the Dolphins, as if they didn’t before, now undoubtedly have a leg up for their coaching access to three days of practices with a significant amount of the 2021 class next week in Mobile.
