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The Miami Dolphins have a few holes to fill if they want to climb back into the postseason mix and contend for the AFC East title in 2025. The good news for Miami is that the team has plenty of pick ammunition in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Miami has one pick in each of the first three rounds, beginning at No. 13 overall. On Day 3, Dolphins GM Chris Grier has two fourth-round picks, two in the fifth and three in the seventh to help bolster the depth or maneuver upward in earlier rounds with some extra trade fodder.
In this mock draft scenario, the Dolphins stand pat with their picks and make all their currently assigned selections. Here's one way the draft could play out for Miami.
Johnson was ticketed much higher than this until injuries ruined his 2024 season. A shoulder injury bled into a toe issue that knocked out the All-American playmaking cornerback after playing in parts of just six games. Despite the limited playing time, Johnson notched two pick-sixes to build off a well-earned reputation as one of the most dangerous corners to attack that he carried over from the Wolverines' national championship season.
The toe injury is an ongoing concern; Johnson skipped Michigan's recent pro day, still not cleared to engage in full-speed activity. As long as the Dolphins staff is good with that risk level, adding Johnson as a ball-hawking outside corner with great closing burst and a panache for making big plays in the big moments feels like a no-brainer decision at No. 13 overall.
Sanders proved to be a crafty and versatile pass rusher for the Gamecocks, and his skills should translate well to Miami. There is power to his game and Sanders packs some violent hands, whether he's playing as a 1-tech or a 5-tech and anywhere in between. Bulking up to 297 at the combine (he played at SC at 290) makes Sanders a better fit with Zach Sieler up front for the Dolphins. His attention to detail in the run game is a nice bonus to the 4-6 sack potential Sanders brings right away.
Fairchild started the last two seasons at left guard for Georgia and, if drafted here, would almost immediately become the best run blocker on the Dolphins roster. There are some inconsistencies in his game, but he's big, pretty athletic and plays with passion. Those qualities should endear him to the Miami staff as a more long-term solution at a position that has been problematic for a long time.
Jaylen Reed, S, Penn StateChase Lundt, OT, UConn
Reed and Lundt are each players who can come in as reserves with the potential to earn bigger roles sooner than later. Reed, in particular, could wind up earning a starting role out of training camp if he cleans up his tackling and plays more consistency. Lundt, all 6-foot-8 of him, brings loads of length and experience; he was a four-year starter at right tackle and improved every year at UConn. He provides an inexpensive swing tackle with starting-caliber athleticism, though lacking in the strength department.
They represent relatively safe middle-round investments on the depth chart, the kind of value pick that prevents the need for Miami to overpay for mid-level veterans in free agency.
Ja'Corey Brooks, WR, LouisvilleKyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
After playing it a little safer in the fourth round, the Dolphins opt to swing on a couple of higher risk-reward skill position players in the fifth.
Brooks emerged as an alpha weapon for Louisville after struggling to make a dent at Alabama. His speed, playmaking and confidence could keep that momentum surging into a big role early in the NFL, though his iffy hands and underwhelming overall college résumé are valid causes for concern.
Monangai is a powerful between-the-tackles back who was a nightmare for Big Ten defenders to try and tackle. He lacks speed and vision to be more than a situational back in Miami, but it's a situation the Dolphins can use.
Luke Newman, IOL, Michigan StateJalen McLeod, LB, AuburnJordan Oladokun, CB, Bowling Green
Newman offers bottom-of-roster potential as a rookie with some upside as he continues to grow stronger and quicker. His move from two-time FCS All-American to Michigan State showed real ongoing potential. He won't get outworked.
McLeod primarily played as a pass rusher at Auburn (and Appalachian State before that), but he's undersized for that duty in the NFL. He does offer intriguing upside as an off-ball backer who can serve as a pass-rush specialist in subpackages and on special teams as a rookie.
Oladokun's game took a big jump in his final season at BGSU, showing increased confidence and coverage awareness, as well as a few needed pounds of muscle. His quickness to the ball and ability to make plays with the ball in the air (5 INTs, 9 PDs as a senior) make him a great sleeper late in the draft. He also became a major asset on special teams, something that can help a reserve defensive back stick on a roster as a rookie.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Miami Dolphins 7-round mock draft update
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Miami has one pick in each of the first three rounds, beginning at No. 13 overall. On Day 3, Dolphins GM Chris Grier has two fourth-round picks, two in the fifth and three in the seventh to help bolster the depth or maneuver upward in earlier rounds with some extra trade fodder.
In this mock draft scenario, the Dolphins stand pat with their picks and make all their currently assigned selections. Here's one way the draft could play out for Miami.
First round: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
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Johnson was ticketed much higher than this until injuries ruined his 2024 season. A shoulder injury bled into a toe issue that knocked out the All-American playmaking cornerback after playing in parts of just six games. Despite the limited playing time, Johnson notched two pick-sixes to build off a well-earned reputation as one of the most dangerous corners to attack that he carried over from the Wolverines' national championship season.
The toe injury is an ongoing concern; Johnson skipped Michigan's recent pro day, still not cleared to engage in full-speed activity. As long as the Dolphins staff is good with that risk level, adding Johnson as a ball-hawking outside corner with great closing burst and a panache for making big plays in the big moments feels like a no-brainer decision at No. 13 overall.
Second round: T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
Sanders proved to be a crafty and versatile pass rusher for the Gamecocks, and his skills should translate well to Miami. There is power to his game and Sanders packs some violent hands, whether he's playing as a 1-tech or a 5-tech and anywhere in between. Bulking up to 297 at the combine (he played at SC at 290) makes Sanders a better fit with Zach Sieler up front for the Dolphins. His attention to detail in the run game is a nice bonus to the 4-6 sack potential Sanders brings right away.
Third round: Dylan Fairchild, IOL, Georgia
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Fairchild started the last two seasons at left guard for Georgia and, if drafted here, would almost immediately become the best run blocker on the Dolphins roster. There are some inconsistencies in his game, but he's big, pretty athletic and plays with passion. Those qualities should endear him to the Miami staff as a more long-term solution at a position that has been problematic for a long time.
Fourth round (2 picks)
Jaylen Reed, S, Penn StateChase Lundt, OT, UConn
Reed and Lundt are each players who can come in as reserves with the potential to earn bigger roles sooner than later. Reed, in particular, could wind up earning a starting role out of training camp if he cleans up his tackling and plays more consistency. Lundt, all 6-foot-8 of him, brings loads of length and experience; he was a four-year starter at right tackle and improved every year at UConn. He provides an inexpensive swing tackle with starting-caliber athleticism, though lacking in the strength department.
They represent relatively safe middle-round investments on the depth chart, the kind of value pick that prevents the need for Miami to overpay for mid-level veterans in free agency.
Fifth round (2 picks)
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Ja'Corey Brooks, WR, LouisvilleKyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
After playing it a little safer in the fourth round, the Dolphins opt to swing on a couple of higher risk-reward skill position players in the fifth.
Brooks emerged as an alpha weapon for Louisville after struggling to make a dent at Alabama. His speed, playmaking and confidence could keep that momentum surging into a big role early in the NFL, though his iffy hands and underwhelming overall college résumé are valid causes for concern.
Monangai is a powerful between-the-tackles back who was a nightmare for Big Ten defenders to try and tackle. He lacks speed and vision to be more than a situational back in Miami, but it's a situation the Dolphins can use.
Seventh round (3 picks)
Luke Newman, IOL, Michigan StateJalen McLeod, LB, AuburnJordan Oladokun, CB, Bowling Green
Newman offers bottom-of-roster potential as a rookie with some upside as he continues to grow stronger and quicker. His move from two-time FCS All-American to Michigan State showed real ongoing potential. He won't get outworked.
McLeod primarily played as a pass rusher at Auburn (and Appalachian State before that), but he's undersized for that duty in the NFL. He does offer intriguing upside as an off-ball backer who can serve as a pass-rush specialist in subpackages and on special teams as a rookie.
Oladokun's game took a big jump in his final season at BGSU, showing increased confidence and coverage awareness, as well as a few needed pounds of muscle. His quickness to the ball and ability to make plays with the ball in the air (5 INTs, 9 PDs as a senior) make him a great sleeper late in the draft. He also became a major asset on special teams, something that can help a reserve defensive back stick on a roster as a rookie.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Miami Dolphins 7-round mock draft update
Continue reading...
