Analyzing The Miami Dolphins 2025 Draft Class

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Miami, FL – Looking to add depth to major holes in their roster, the Miami Dolphins left the 2025 NFL Draft with a wide variety of talent. They wasted no time bulking up the offense and defense with an emphasis on the trenches.

Entering the draft, I felt that the two main areas Miami needed to address were the offensive line and the secondary. Thankfully, both were addressed alongside some other positions that now have more depth. A few trades were made, but nothing too groundbreaking.

Regarding controversy, one player drafted late might stand out in the eyes of Fins Nation. But overall, there’s a lot to unpack on the draftees for Miami and where they fit in the roster.

KENNETH GRANT – DEFENSIVE TACKLE – MICHIGAN

With Miami’s 13th overall pick in the draft, they went with the best player available in the trenches, in my opinion. People have thrown insults like “soft” at the Dolphins and their playmakers. There’s nothing soft about Kenneth Grant, who can provide immediate support on defense. And yeah, playing games in Ann Arbor made him used to the cold.

Standing at 6’3 and weighing 339 pounds, Grant is a huge presence that still has athletic playmaking abilities. His first season with Michigan was quiet, but he became a threat in 2023 and 2024. With 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception, he was part of a dominant defense that helped the Wolverines win the CFP in 2023.

There are a lot of positions that need fixing for Miami, such as the offensive line and secondary.

But Miami is still looking for a Christian Wilkins replacement.

So, just like last season with Chop Robinson, they turn to the Big Ten to bulk up the defense. 🐬 pic.twitter.com/lsQ7HfKk2J

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) April 25, 2025

The Dolphins are still looking for a long-term replacement for Christian Wilkins. Adding pieces that can both stop the run and pressure the quarterback was a need for Miami. Ultimately, they drafted a player who can help them with both. I can see Grant getting starts immediately for Miami early this upcoming season.

JONAH SAVAIINAEA – OFFENSIVE GUARD – ARIZONA

Another position that saw the loss of a big-name player, the offensive line was reeling. With Terron Armstead retiring, the Dolphins needed a replacement for him. This is why Jonah Savaiinaea was so lucrative to Miami, to the point where they traded up to get him.

The Dolphins traded with the Las Vegas Raiders to land Savaiinaea. Miami had to give up an additional second, third, and fourth-round pick to get him, but gained an extra fifth-round pick in the process.

What makes the 6’4, 324-pound product from Arizona valuable to Miami is his versatility. He’s excelled at every position on the offensive line except center on both the left and right sides of the ball. It’ll be a fun battle between him and Liam Eichenberg for a starting spot.

JORDAN PHILLIPS – DEFENSIVE TACKLE – MARYLAND

Day Two for the Miami Dolphins in this draft began a little later than expected. They traded away their first fourth-round pick to the Houston Texans, along with a seventh-rounder, in exchange for a sixth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick.

There’s something about Miami and looking toward the Big Ten to improve their defense. Jordan Phillips will provide the Dolphins with depth at the position, which is all you can ask for with a fifth-round pick.

This man is strong, thanks in part to his high-school career as a wrestler and weightlifter. He’s put up solid stats in his two years at Maryland with 57 total tackles. I can’t see Phillips as an immediate starter, unlike Grant. However, he can certainly be used as a weapon as the game progresses to tire down opposing offensive lines.

JASON MARSHALL JR – CORNERBACK – FLORIDA

It’s always cool to see local talent get drafted by an NFL team. In this case, Jason Marshall Jr was born and raised in the 305, a five-star recruit out of Miami Palmetto High School, and stayed in-state to attend college at Florida.

This was a solid draft class when it came to the secondary, so don’t be surprised to find talent in the fifth round. Clocking in at 6’1 and weighing 201 pounds, he’s got an NFL frame. There’s no telling what Miami’s starting corners could look like, especially with the rumors of a Jalen Ramsey trade still in the air. This is where you’ll need to turn to the reserves like Marshall.

The moment Jason Marshall Jr. became a Miami Dolphin 🐬

🎥: @jasonjr3_ pic.twitter.com/oaFmRKZ83G

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 26, 2025

DANTE TRADER JR – SAFETY – MARYLAND

The SECOND player to come from Maryland in this draft, Dante Trader Jr, is another piece to the puzzle for Miami’s secondary.

He was consistent in his four years at Maryland, racking up 190 total tackles and 16 pass deflections. He even doubled as a lacrosse player during his time with the Terrapins. If he can’t get immediate snaps on defense, perhaps special teams could be a role he can be used in.

OLLIE GORDON II – RUNNING BACK – OKLAHOMA STATE

In my opinion, this might be the steal for the Miami Dolphins in this draft. Ollie Gordon II was poised to have a season for the ages for Oklahoma State in 2024. That was coming off his remarkable campaign in 2023, leading the FBS in rushing yards with 1,732.

Unfortunately, the Cowboys regressed badly in 2024 on offense, and Gordon experienced a few injuries that set him back. Still, the potential is there for Gordon, who features a unique play style for the Dolphins.

While De’Von Achance and Jaylen Wright are deadly fast and can leave defenders in the dust, Gordon specializes in physical running through the middle. He could prove to be the weapon Miami needs in short-yardage plays that can break loose when needed, like Raheem Mostert in 2022 and 2023.

QUINN EWERS – QUARTERBACK – TEXAS

Yeah, this is the controversial pick that I mentioned earlier. I don’t think many expected Miami to draft a quarterback, and if they did, it would be a player like Dillon Gabriel or even Shadeur Sanders. Instead, the Fins went with the QB from Texas, Quinn Ewers.

Now, Ewers has had plenty of success at college. With over 9K yards and 68 touchdowns in three years at Texas, he can be an accurate pocket passer. 2024 was considered a down season for Ewers. But still, both he and Arch Manning led Texas to the CFP Semifinals, falling to the eventual champion Ohio State Buckeyes.

I don’t think Ewers has a shot of being a starter. Tua Tagovailoa will be the starter, no doubt about it. The main QB battle will be for the backup position between Ewers and Zach Wilson. There’s no hiding it, Tua’s health during a season is a big concern for him, so having reliable backups is a must for Miami.

ZEEK BIGGERS – DEFENSIVE TACKLE – GEORGIA TECH

If it wasn’t clear which position the Miami Dolphins prioritized to bulk up in this draft, their last pick made it obvious. Defensive tackle Zeek Biggers is a decent pickup late in the draft.

Another pickup with longevity, Biggers was a reliable piece for Georgia Tech. He collected one of three pass deflections for the Yellowjackets in their upset win over Miami last season. For as solid as he’s been on defense, he’s a serious force on special teams with four blocked kicks. If he were to get immediate playing time, it might be on the special teams.

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