As the Dolphins begin the process of narrowing their options with the 21st pick in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, a case could be made to address any one of a handful of needs.

They need a young left tackle to develop in an eventual post-Terron Armstead era. (Armstead’s contract and excellent play this season likely assures his return in 2024, unless he surprisingly retires — something he didn’t rule out Monday.)

They could use another edge player because Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips might not be ready for the start of next season after major injuries and because Andrew Van Ginkel is an impending free agent.

They could use another defensive tackle to protect themselves if they are unable to come to terms with Christian Wilkins, who could always be slapped with the franchise tag. (Miami will know Wilkins’ status before the draft.)

They could use an inside linebacker who’s skilled in pass coverage.

They could use a well-rounded tight end who can stretch the field — a dimension the offense lacked this season.

They could use a cornerback if they don’t have a conviction about Cam Smith and want to prepare for life without Xavien Howard in 2024 or 2025. The Dolphins could save $18 million against the cap if they cut or trade Howard after June 1.

And they could use a guard if they’re unable to re-sign Robert Hunt or a center if they can’t strike a deal with Connor Williams.

An early look at players, at those positions, who are projected to go in the range of Miami’s pick at 21:

▪ Offensive line: ESPN’s Jordan Reid projects Miami will take Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan in the first round.

Reid — who, with Field Yates and Matt Miller are essentially replacing Todd McShay as ESPN’s draft analysts behind Mel Kiper Jr. — said of Miami: “Connor Williams and Robert Hunt are both on expiring contracts, and Terron Armstead has battled injuries, so adding a versatile offensive lineman who can play either spot makes sense. Morgan has played 98 percent of his 2,313 career snaps at left tackle, but his balance, strength and awareness would allow him to fill multiple positions at the next level.”

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has the Dolphins picking Oregon guard/center Jackson Powers-Johnson at 21.

“If this happened, it would be one of my favorite team-player fits in the draft,” Brugler wrote. “The Dolphins have obvious needs at guard and center, and Powers-Johnson is arguably the best interior blocker in this class. With his size, strength and athleticism, it is hard to find bad tape on him from this past season.”

Beyond Morgan, other offensive tackles projected for the mid-to-late teens and 20s include Alabama’s JC Latham (a powerful run blocker), Georgia’s Amarius Mims (“a nimble mover with great balance in pass protection and strength in the run game,” per Reid) and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga.

Other tackles in that range: Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton (one sack allowed in his college career; played right tackle but could play left tackle, as well), BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia and Washington’s Troy Fautanu, who played left tackle for the Huskies the past two seasons but is projected by some as a guard.

Among other first-round tackles, Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu are expected to be off the board before Miami picks.

“Teams are going to have the top eight to ten tackles in all different orders,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. “They are each outstanding but come with different skills and traits. I don’t think there’s a clear cut top guy right now. A bunch of guys competing for that top spot. Great year to need one! Loaded offensive tackle.”

The top interior linemen projected in that range are Powers-Johnson and Washington tackle Fautanu, who many evaluators envision as an NFL guard. The player who is considered this draft’s next best interior line prospect, Duke’s Graham Barton, is projected to go in the 30 range.

▪ Edge players: FSU’s Jared Verse likely will be gone before Miami picks — Brugler mocks him 14th — but he would be tempting if available. He had nine sacks, and his 16.5 percent pressure rate was 10th in the country.

Other edge players popping up in the teens or 20s among major network mock drafts: UCLA’s Laiatu Latu (10.5 and 13 sacks the past two seasons; Brugler has him 11th), Washington’s Bralen Trice (seven sacks this season), Alabama’s Chris Braswell (eight sacks) and Penn State’s Chop Robinson (5.5 and 4.0 sacks for Penn State the past two years).

NBC’s mock draft has the Dolphins taking Trice, noting he “plays as hard as any defender you’ll come across in college football.”

Alabama’s Dallas Turner is expected to be off the board long before Miami picks.

▪ Cornerbacks: Several are projected for the early teens through the early 20s, including Clemson’s Nate Wiggins (three interceptions and 17 pass breakups during the past two seasons), Alabama’s Terrion Arnold (five interceptions this past season and versatile enough to play safety, too) and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean (seven interceptions the past two seasons and a top safety prospect, too),

Pro Football Focus also has these three corners going in the 20s: Alabama All-American Kool-Aid McKinstry (allowed just 32 percent of the passes thrown in his coverage area to be caught last season), Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell (has forced an FBS-high 36 incomplete passes the past two years, per PFF), Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa (three interceptions during the past two seasons) and Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who can play on the boundary or in the slot.

▪ Defensive tackles: Wilkins’ status should be resolved by the draft, and because of the franchise tag mechanism, Miami wouldn’t be at risk of losing Wilkins unless it chooses to part ways, which doesn’t seem likely.

But if the Dolphins need a tackle, one player projected for the late teens and 20s include Texas’ Byron Murphy II (five sacks last season and strong against the run). PFF has UM’s Leonard Taylor III going 32nd.

Brugler has Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton at 28.

▪ Tight end: At this point, there isn’t one projected for the Dolphins’ range at 21. Several analysts have Georgia’s Brock Bowers going in the mid-teens; Brugler has him off the board at No. 5.

Per PFF: “He should be a top 20 lock; the question is how high?”

There’s no inside linebacker currently projected for the first round.

The Dolphins also have their own picks in the second, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds and the Chicago Bears’ sixth-round selection from the Dan Feeney trade.