The Miami Dolphins fell just shy of a playoff spot in 2020 after a promising start to their campaign. Sadly rookie quarterback woes and poor defensive play in the secondary lead the Dolphins not to the playoffs, but back to the drawing board this offseason.
In the first round of the 2021 NFL draft the Dolphins selected Jaylen Waddle, wide receiver, and college go-to target of Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Waddle will enrich the offensive attack of Miami which saw its fair share of growing pains last season. But it’s their second pick of the draft that might prove to be not only a massive steal, but the most productive rookie of their entire class.
Jevon Holland is no stranger to football, his dad not only played but coached in the CFL for years. Holland had higher aspirations. Born in Coquitlam, BC Holland excelled on the gridiron, prompting the family to move down south to give him a greater chance at success. Holland would attend Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland California where he dominated on both sides of the ball. He earned a scholarship to the University of Oregon where he made an immediate impact, leading the team in interceptions his freshman season. Holland would go on to earn the starting role full time in his sophomore season again leading the team in interceptions.
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Covid would strike, and Holland would opt out of the 2020 NCAA season and declare for the NFL draft a full year in advance. While already a top safety prospect, a full year of non-contact training did very little to halt his draft stock from rising.
Many believed the standout to be a first round caliber pick leading to the shock of many when all 32 teams passed on him in the first round. It didn’t take long in the second round for him to go off the board as the Dolphins selected him with just the fourth pick on day two.
It was widely believed the Dolphins were all in on running back Javonte Williams heading into day two before the Denver Broncos traded up to snag Williams away from Miami.
This might prove to be one of the best things to happen to Miami. Their passing defense ranked in the low bottom third of the league come the end of the season, and the Dolphins have since released long-time starting safety Reshad Jones.
The Dolphins have not made the playoffs since 2016, and haven’t won a playoff game since 2000. The 2020 campaign proved they are right there in contention. They have the right head coach and general manager combination, but still need additional help on the back end. Should Holland prove to be the ball hawk he was at Oregon, Miami could be looking at ending their twenty year long playoff drought, creating an absolute star in the process.