NFL Draft Grades - Miami Dolphins


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Miami Dolphins Upcoming 2025 Draft Picks (8)

2025 Pick 13. (R:1 P:13) - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grade: B+
There was some chatter that Kenneth Grant could fall to the 20s, but I never understood that. Some teams had Grant over Mason Graham. The Dolphins didn’t exactly get the draft board to fall their way with Jalon Walker and Tyler Warren not filling needs, but I like this pick. Grant is a tremendous talent, and Miami had absolutely nothing on the defensive line, save for Zach Sieler.

2025 Pick 37. (R:2 P:5) - Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
Grade: A-
Unlike the Seattle second-round pick, predicting this pick was much trickier. The Dolphins needed everything. One big hole is left tackle, thanks to Terron Armstead’s retirement. Jonah Savaiinaea is an athletic left tackle who fits the range in the second round. He can also play guard and fill a huge need at that position. The Dolphins only gave up a third and a very small swap early on Day 3 for this move up, so it was a great value.

2025 Pick 143. (R:5 P:5) - Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
Grade: B+
The Dolphins need as many defensive tackles as possible. Jordan Phillip is a bigger defensive tackle who could see action soon rather than later. I thought there was a chance he'd go in the fourth round.

2025 Pick 150. (R:5 P:12) - Jason Marshall, CB, Florida
Grade: B+
I'd say the Dolphins needed a cornerback, but they need everything. Jason Marshall has plenty of upside, but hasn't been able to put it together on the field. There's definitely upside with this pick, so I like this gamble.

2025 Pick 155. (R:5 P:17) - Dante Trader, S, Maryland
Grade: C-
Dante Trader was productive at Maryland, but I don't have great confidence in him panning out in the NFL because he's undersized. I thought he'd be a seventh-round pick, so I'm not a fan of this selection despite safety being a need.

2025 Pick 179. (R:6 P:3) - Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Grade: B+
I'm conflicted on this grade. On one hand, Ollie Gordon is insane value here because he easily could have gone in the third round. On the other hand, running back - even depth at the position - was the one thing the Dolphins didn't need, and the Dolphins are a team with massive holes everywhere on the roster.

2025 Pick 231. (R:7 P:15) - Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Grade: A
Quinn Ewers is finally off the board. I didn't like Ewers much as a prospect, but he should have been gone already. Ewers shined at the combine, so perhaps that's a sign that he can help the Dolphins in the event that Tua Tagovailoa gets hurt again.

2025 Pick 253. (R:7 P:37) - Zeek Biggers, DT, Georgia Tech
Grade: B
I have no issues with the Dolphins addressing their poor defensive line once again. Zeek Biggers is a large defensive tackle, but doesn't have much upside.




Walt's Mock Selections as of 4/25/2025 -View Current Mock Draft



Round: 1

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas Image for Tex

Jalen Ramsey is as good as gone, leaving the Dolphins with the duo of Storm Duck and Cam Smith at cornerback. Yikes! Addressing this key position has to be a priority. Jahdae Barron is a very instinctive cornerback who improved his ball skills in his final year. *** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: *** 1. Kelvin Banks/Grey Zabel, OT/G - Some offensive line options. Miami's blocking is atrocious, so getting a player who can play every position might be appealing. 2. Will Johnson, CB - Jalen Ramsey sounds like he's as good as gone, so the Dolphins will have a huge weakness at cornerback.

Round: 2

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State Image for PSU

The Dolphins stick with the secondary, as the safety position is a disaster as well. Kevin Winston is a big hitter with speed who plays the run well. Pick change; previously Benjamin Morrison, CB

Round: 3

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas Image for Tex

The Dolphins need to consider drafting a quarterback in the first few rounds, given Tua Tagovailoa's concussion history. Quinn Ewers has a big arm, but must improve his accuracy. Pick change; previously Riley Leonard, QB

Round: 4

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Caleb Rogers, OT, Texas Tech Image for TexT

This pick is obvious, given Miami's inability to protect Tua Tagovailoa or open running lanes for De'Von Achane. Caleb Rogers was one of the top performers in the agility drills at the combine. Pick change; previously Logan Brown, OT

Round: 4

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State Image for OSU

The Dolphins will be looking to add at least two cornerbacks, given their severe issues at the position. There might be some speed concerns with Denzel Burke, but he's a tough tackler. Pick change; previously Caleb Ransaw, S

Round: 5

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Jah Joyner, DE, Minnesota Image for MINN

The Dolphins have a strong pass rush, but they could stand to add some depth in that area. Jah Joyner is inconsistent and lacks physicality, but he's fast and possesses upside.

Round: 5

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Seth McLaughlin, OG, Ohio State</a> Image for Ohio State</a>

It shouldn't surprise anyone to see another offensive line pick to Miami. Seth McLaughlin is a tough, intelligent technician.

Round: 7

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Garrett Dillinger, G, LSU Image for LSU

The Dolphins have multiple areas on the interior offensive line that they'll need to address. Garrett Dillinger is versatile in that he has some experience at left tackle, but mostly played guard.

Round: 7

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Kyonte Hamilton, DT, Rutgers Image for RUT

The Dolphins have lots of issues, including zero depth on the defensive line.

Round: 7

NFL Team Logo for Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Sebastian Valdez, DT, Washington Image for Wash

Here's more defensive line help for the Dolphins, who are desperate for depth in that area.




Past Grades and Selections


2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2024 Pick 21. (R:1 P:21) - Chop Robinson, OLB/DE, Penn State
B This pick makes a lot of sense. The Dolphins really needed a pass rusher with the team losing so many of them in free agency. Chop Robinson's range was in the 20s - arguably a bit ahead of Jared Verse, depending on whom you ask - so the Dolphins are getting appropriate value. They needed a pass rusher to hound all the great quarterbacks in the AFC, and Robinson will help them do that.

2024 Pick 55. (R:2 P:23) - Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
A I'm all for the Dolphins using resources to protect Tua Tagovailoa, given the injury history with the talented quarterback. Patrick Paul could have gone more than a dozen picks earlier than this, so I really like the value.

2024 Pick 120. (R:4 P:20) - Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
MILLEN I like Jaylen Wright and thought he should have been chosen in the third round. However, why would the Dolphins surrender a third-round pick to acquire him. They have a solid running back stable, so they didn't need to give up an important resource like this.

2024 Pick 158. (R:5 P:23) - Mo Kamara, DE, Colorado State
A Here's another stellar value pick in the fifth round. Mo Kamara appeared in the third round of my mock at times, so he's a steal here in the middle of the fifth frame. Kamara is a dangerous pass rusher, which was needed for the Dolphins after losing so many front-seven players this offseason.

2024 Miami Dolphins - Prospect:TBD

2024 Pick 198. (R:6 P:22) - Patrick McMorris, S, California
B+ Patrick McMorris is a very versatile, Jack of all trades-type player, who will be very useful for the Dolphins. He can be used at safety, nickel cornerback, and special teams. This is a solid choice.

2024 Pick 241. (R:7 P:21) - Tahj Washington, WR, USC
A I thought Tahj Washington could potentially sneak into the third round, so this is a steal for the Dolphins. Miami didn't have much receiving depth last year, so that's been fixed here and with other picks, as Washington is a slot receiver who can make some big plays.


2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2023 Pick 51. (R:2 P:20) - Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
B I think the Dolphins should have drafted an offensive lineman, given that they used a resource to acquire Jalen Ramsey. Still, a talented cornerback will be useful in the two matchups against Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers. Smith is a very talented player, but fell because of some character concerns.

2023 Pick 84. (R:3 P:21) - Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
B+ What a surprise, a disciple of Kyle Shanahan drafted a running back in the first three rounds! Devon Achane is not going to be a full-time running back, but he has explosive and great pass-catching ability, and he'll serve as a dynamic weapon in Miami's high-octane offense.

2023 Pick 197. (R:6 P:20) - Elijah Higgins, WR, Stanford
B- I feel like the Dolphins had bigger fish to fry than receiver, but they're at least getting a solid prospect at the position. Elijah Higgins has nice speed and an ability to separate. I had him in the fifth round.

2023 Pick 238. (R:7 P:21) - Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan
A The Dolphins desperately needed to address their offensive line. I thought Ryan Hayes had a chance to sneak into Day 2, so I love this value. Ryan Hayes has versatility as a tackle and guard.


2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2022 Pick 102. (R:3 P:38) - Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
B Grade
Channing Tindall isn't much of a surprise with this pick. The Dolphins brought in so many linebackers for top-30 visits because they really needed help at the position. Tindall makes sense in this range as an athletic defender with nice upside.


2022 Pick 125. (R:4 P:20) - Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech
C Grade
It feels like the one thing the Dolphins didn't need was a receiver, so why spend a pick on one with so few selections. Erik Ezukanma is an intruging receiver with nice size, but where does he fit into the roster?


2022 Pick 225. (R:7 P:4) - Mark Robinson, LB, Ole Miss
B Grade
I pegged Mark robinson in the seventh round, so he makes sense as the Steelers' 225th-overall pick. Robinson can provide some much-needed depth the Steelers currently lack at linebacker at the moment.


2022 Pick 248. (R:7 P:27) - Andre Anthony, 3-4OLB, LSU
B Grade
The Buccaneers needed edge-rushing depth, so perhaps Andre Anthony will be able to make the final roster. I tried slotting him in the seventh round, but never fit him into the mock. This is a fine pick though.



2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades

2021 Pick 6. (R:1 P:6) - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
B Grade
The Dolphins couldn't really go wrong as long as they went with one of Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith and Penei Sewell. That said, I would have preferred the other two options, especially Sewell. With Will Fuller and DeVante Parker on the roster, receiver wasn't a huge need, while the offensive line continued to be. The Dolphins need to protect Tua Tagovailoa, which they could have done incredibly well with Sewell.


2021 Pick 18. (R:1 P:18) - Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
B- Grade
This is such a difficult grade. Based on talent alone, Jaelan Phillips is worth an A+. He's a tremendous athlete and a devastating pass rusher. He could be a star for the Dolphins. Unfortunately, he has a long medical history, and one or two concussions could knock him out for a long time. This is such a risky choice. It could easily pan out, but it could also be a huge bust. Players with injury worries typically fall, so I'm surprised that Phillips went this high.


2021 Pick 36. (R:2 P:4) - Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
B Grade
Over Trevon Moehrig? That's a surprise. Still, the pick makes sense. Jevon Holland was a prospect some team in the middle of the second coveted. He's a very instinctive linebacker and will be able to play right away. He'll fill a big need in Miami's secondary.



2021 Pick 50. (R:2 P:18) - Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia
A Grade
Azeez Ojulari was someone people mocked in the first round. We did as well, at least until we got some news that teams flagged him for an injury, which would explain his fall. However, he's well worth the risk here, especially after a trade down in which the Giants secured a third-round pick in 2022. I mocked Ojulari to the Giants with their natural second-round choice, so this deserves a high grade.


2021 Pick 81. (R:3 P:17) - Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
B- Grade
The Dolphins really wanted Kyle Pitts, but missed out on him because the 49ers selected Trey Lance instead of Mac Jones, creating a domino effect where Pitts was snatched off the board. Hunter Long is a solid, tough and smart player, but he lacks speed and the ability to separate.


2021 Pick 102. (R:3 P:38) - Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan
B- Grade
The 49ers lost multiple defensive backs this offseason, so they had to address both positions during the 2021 NFL Draft. Ambry Thomas is a fine selection. I had him slotted early on Day 3, so taking him at the end of the third frame isn't too bad.


2021 Pick 156. (R:5 P:12) - Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE/DT/3-4DE, Wisconsin
F Grade
Isaiahh Loudermilk has a cool name, but that's about it. I've had him in the seventh round, so I don't hate the value. The problem is that the Steelers traded way up for him. Teams weren't dying to draft this guy, so there's no reason for the Steelers to squander resources for a player without a natural position because he's a tweener.


2021 Pick 231. (R:7 P:3) - Larnel Coleman, OT, Massachusetts
B Grade
This is the Dolphins' first pick since No. 81, which is kind of nuts. It's also nice that the Dolphins were able to obtain another offensive lineman to help protect Tua Tagovailoa. I had Larnel Coleman in the seventh round of one of my updates, so the range makes sense.


2021 Miami Dolphins - Prospect:TBD