The NFL Draft is less than two months away, and with the combine concluding on Sunday, many teams will have a better idea of what pool of players they're selecting from. The Miami Dolphins announced that GM Chris Grier and HC Mike McDaniel would return in 2025 immediately after the season ended. This announcement came with mixed reception from the fans, but Grier and McDaniel did address some concerns in their end-of-season press conference. The trenches will be a priority in this draft, and some help in the secondary will be something else to target, although the latter may be an issue to tackle in free agency instead. Here's how things could shape out as we enter draft season.
2025 Miami Dolphins (Mock) Draft
Round 1, Pick 13) Armand Membou OT (Missouri)
The "sexy" pick here would be Penn State TE Tyler Warren or Michigan CB Will Johnson, and if one of them is still on the board, the Dolphins would undoubtedly be tempted to pull the trigger. However, that's a big "if," and beefing up the offensive line is the more sensible choice. Alabama's Tyler Booker is another option here to play guard, but I've opted for more of a hybrid tackle/guard in Armand Membou. Liam Eichenberg and Robert Jones are both unrestricted free agents, leaving a massive gap in the offensive line. Membou is a clean prospect, though he is a bit undersized.
He scored phenomenally in the athleticism drills and has the power and technique to match. Scouts are enamored by his quickness and the use of his hands in the passing game. At 13, he won't be the best player on the board, but he would be the sensible pick for the Dolphins, given their needs.
Round 2, Pick 48) Xavier Watts S (Notre Dame)
It's easy to imagine the Dolphins doubling up on offensive linemen with the first two picks, but the team has other needs. Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer are free agents, so prioritizing the safety position would be wise. Enter Notre Dame's Xavier Watts. Watts had outstanding production, 13 interceptions, and 135 tackles in his final two seasons and was a two-time first-team All-American.
His measurables aren't outstanding, but he has tremendous ball skills and a feel for the game. He would provide a boost to a Dolphins secondary that only managed ten interceptions last season.
Round 3, Pick 98) Miles Frazier IOL (LSU)
Back to the offensive line, we go with Miles Frazier. Another SEC guy, Frazier, has the size of a traditional offensive lineman. He's a four-year starter who would return to South Florida, as he played for two years at Florida International University before transferring. His lead blocking would be crucial to open up running lines in this offense, which loves explosive runners, namely De'Von Achane, who will have the backfield all to himself with Raheem Mostert having been cut.
Round 4, Pick 115) Josaiah Stewart EDGE (Michigan)
Pass rushers in the NFL are like three-point shooters in the NBA; you can never have enough of them. First-round rookie Chop Robinson found success last year but played limited snaps as he was picked based on his potential. The Dolphins just restructured Bradley Chubb's contract prior to free agency due to injury concerns. There are also worries around Jaelan Phillips after his second consecutive season-ending injury.
It may be wishful thinking for Stewart to fall into the fourth round, but the questions about his size will hurt his stock. Stewart is a speedy rusher who totaled 30 sacks in four seasons at Michigan.
Round 4, Pick 135) Tommi Hill CB (Nebraska)
Depth at corner was a significant issue for the Dolphins last season. Jalen Ramsey took a while to be fully healthy but eventually found his feet, although he is thirty now. Kendall Fuller was cut, so it would not shock me to see the Dolphins attack the corner position with an earlier pick. Hill ticks all the boxes regarding size and athleticism but does not have the same number of reps as some of the other names mentioned. He also missed six games due to plantar fasciitis in 2024, but game time is available for him in Miami if he can stay healthy.
Round 5, Pick 151) Jake Briningstool TE (Clemson)
Jonnu Smith broke all sorts of Dolphins tight end records in 2024. It took him a while to establish himself in the offense, but once he did, he was one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. However, there is no depth behind him. Durham Smythe was cut, and Julian Hill is mainly used for blocking. So why not go after a tight end in Briningstool, who brought the Clemson record for career receptions by a tight end and scored seven touchdowns in his senior season. He'd mainly be used in two tight-end sets, but the Dolphins need another body.
Round 5, Pick 156) Tonka Hemingway DT (South Carolina)
Yup, another player in the trenches. Calais Campbell was outstanding last season, but he'll turn 39 when the season starts and can't play forever. Hemingway is undersized for a DT, which means he may also have a future at EDGE. He'd be a project pick, but he wouldn't be pressured to start immediately while he figures out his preferred role.
Round 7, Pick 226) Chimere Dike WR (Florida)
The Dolphins love speed at receiver, so why not take a punt on a guy who ran 4.34 with a 1.51 10-yard split? His production was limited, and there's a chance he goes earlier just by his forty time, but it's a decent late-round punt.
Round 7, Pick 233) Shemar James LB (Florida)
Back-to-back gators here with Shemar James. The Dolphins need someone to fill the gap left by Duke Riley, who played almost exclusively on special teams in 2024. James has experience playing special teams and does well on blitzes.
Round 7, Pick 252) Donovan Edwards RB (Michigan)
The Dolphins have moved on from Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson Jr. is unlikely to re-sign. Achane and Jaylen Wright will get the bulk of snaps in the backfield, but why not bring in another playmaker in Edwards, who is slightly taller but still has sub-4.45 speed. He may have never been the lead back for Michigan, but he has significantly contributed to the program's success in the past few seasons.
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