Jevon Holland of the Miami Dolphins is introduced prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Hard Rock Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)Getty Images
There are no days off for general managers in the National Football League. While the season winds down in February, the busiest time of year heats up for the 32 general managers who prepare for their every move to be watched during the offseason. It all leads to the quickly approaching NFL Draft, which is just under two weeks away. For Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, this marks his ninth draft at the helm.
Grier has brought in top-tier talent like Xavien Howard, Christian Wilkins, and Tua Tagovailoa throughout the years, but perhaps the most impressive draft class of his tenure was the incoming group in 2021.
After acquiring Tagovailoa the year prior, the Dolphins needed to find a solid pass catcher. With the No. 6 pick in the draft, the Dolphins became the second team to draft a receiver as they selected Tagovailoa’s Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle, just one pick after the Cincinnati Bengals picked LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase.
Waddle had an immediate impact on the team with an outstanding rookie season, spearheading the offense with a team-high 1,015 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Years later, Waddle serves as the perfect complement to Tyreek Hill. Waddle has accumulated 3,385 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns through 47 career games.
Twelve picks later in the 2021 draft, the team took linebacker Jaelan Phillips off the board. Phillips didn’t have to go far, as he had wrapped up his collegiate career at Miami. Similarly to Waddle, Phillips quickly impacted the squad, collecting 42 tackles, 16 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks during his rookie campaign.
In 2023, the linebacker was well on his way to a career-best season with 43 tackles, 11 quarterback hits, and 6.5 sacks in just eight games. Unfortunately, an Achilles tear ended an exceptional season short.
In the second round, the Dolphins selected two additional high-impact players in Jevon Holland (No. 36) and Liam Eichenberg (No. 42). Holland, a safety out of Oregon, has quickly established himself as a leader in Miami’s secondary.
Holland has recorded 239 combined tackles, 21 passes deflected, eight quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, five interceptions, four forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries throughout 45 career games.
While Eichenberg hasn’t developed at the rate that many had hoped, head coach Mike McDaniel isn’t ready to give up on the offensive lineman yet. Eichenberg has earned the starting nod in 38 of 43 game appearances and served as a versatile option for the offensive line with the ability to play all five positions.
Grier hit the nail on the head with the 2021 draft, gaining three key long-term playmakers and at the very least, a quality depth player on the offensive line.