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The Miami Dolphins haven't picked in the top 20 of an NFL draft since taking Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips at Nos. 6 and 18 overall in 2021. Now the Dolphins are set to pick at No. 13 on Thursday night.
With only a dozen players set to come off the board before Miami's pick, the list of potential options isn't too long.
Some players, like Colorado's Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, won't realistically be available to the Dolphins. Others, like quarterback Shedeur Sanders or running back Ashton Jeanty, just don't make much sense.
Here are 13 players who stand out as the most realistic candidates to be the Dolphins' first-round pick (sorted alphabetically):
The winner of the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy, recognizing college football's best lineman, is about as pro-ready as it gets after spending three years as the Longhorns' left tackle. But the 6'5, 315-pound lineman may project best as a guard in the NFL ranks.
What Barron lacks in prototypical size (5'11, 194 pounds), he makes up for with 4.39 speed and tremendous production. He earned the Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing college football's best defensive back, and held opposing passers to a 34.2 passer rating in 2024, per PFF.
Most project Campbell to be the first offensive lineman off the board and a top 10 pick. But if he slides, the Dolphins could jump at the opportunity to take a three-time All-SEC tackle and 2024 All-American, who could potentially play at either guard or tackle in the NFL.
The tremendously athletic Gamecocks safety had a private visit with the Dolphins and could provide an upgrade in the secondary after the team parted with both Jevón Holland and Jordan Poyer. But after the team added Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis in free agency, it'd be a surprise if Miami took a safety in Round 1.
The Wolverines' All-American defensive linemen seemed like a surefire top five pick, but that shifted in the last week before the draft. Now it seems like a potential dream scenario for the Dolphins that would place a 6'4, 296-pound destroyer in the lineup with Zach Sieler.
The other Wolverines defensive lineman to consider is projected by most to go a little later in the first round. But Grant's a 331-pound nose tackle with all the physical attributes to be a high-end run stuffer in the NFL.
Harmon is also projected to go near the end of Round 1, but could be a consideration for the Dolphins due to his ability to make plays in the backfield. The 6'5, 313-pound lineman had 10.5 tackles for loss in 2024 and showed versatility to play multiple spots on a defensive line.
While injuries limited him in 2023 and 2024, Johnson was a shutdown corner on the field dating back to his freshman season with the Wolverines. The 6'2 defensive back was credited with allowing zero touchdowns in his last two years at Michigan and he's a pretty stout run defender to boot.
Membou blew the doors off the NFL Combine when he ran a 4.91 40-yard dash and recorded a 34-inch vertical at 6'4, 332 pounds. That blend of size and athleticism could make him a tank in the Dolphins' zone blocking scheme and, potentially, a better fit at guard than tackle.
Most believe Nolen will land in the back half of Round 1, but he shouldn't be ruled out as an option for the Dolphins. The 6'4, 296-pound lineman was an All-American in 2024, finishing the year with 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Starks was a popular mock draft selection for the Dolphins before free agency. But as was previously mentioned with Emmanwori, Miami addressed the safety position earlier this offseason and Dolphins GM Chris Grier said he believes the team already has its pair of starters on the roster.
Stewart's chances at being the Dolphins' pick depend mostly on what position the team envisions him playing in the NFL. At the combine, Stewart recorded incredible numbers but measured in at 267 pounds -- much lighter than the 290 pounds he was listed on the Aggies' roster. But at the Senior Bowl, he was 281. If Miami sees him as a high-ceiling defensive lineman capable of playing five-technique, he could be the team's replacement for Calais Campbell.
Zabel made himself everyone's draft crush earlier this year when he dominated at the Senior Bowl. While he played left tackle for the Bison in 2024, Zabel may be the top pure interior offensive lineman of the draft class and projects as a plug-and-play guard. The 6'6, 312-pound lineman has plenty of athleticism too with an impressive 36.5-inch vertical.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 13 candidates to be the Dolphins' first-round pick
Continue reading...
With only a dozen players set to come off the board before Miami's pick, the list of potential options isn't too long.
Some players, like Colorado's Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, won't realistically be available to the Dolphins. Others, like quarterback Shedeur Sanders or running back Ashton Jeanty, just don't make much sense.
Here are 13 players who stand out as the most realistic candidates to be the Dolphins' first-round pick (sorted alphabetically):
Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas
The winner of the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy, recognizing college football's best lineman, is about as pro-ready as it gets after spending three years as the Longhorns' left tackle. But the 6'5, 315-pound lineman may project best as a guard in the NFL ranks.
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
What Barron lacks in prototypical size (5'11, 194 pounds), he makes up for with 4.39 speed and tremendous production. He earned the Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing college football's best defensive back, and held opposing passers to a 34.2 passer rating in 2024, per PFF.
Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Most project Campbell to be the first offensive lineman off the board and a top 10 pick. But if he slides, the Dolphins could jump at the opportunity to take a three-time All-SEC tackle and 2024 All-American, who could potentially play at either guard or tackle in the NFL.
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The tremendously athletic Gamecocks safety had a private visit with the Dolphins and could provide an upgrade in the secondary after the team parted with both Jevón Holland and Jordan Poyer. But after the team added Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis in free agency, it'd be a surprise if Miami took a safety in Round 1.
Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Wolverines' All-American defensive linemen seemed like a surefire top five pick, but that shifted in the last week before the draft. Now it seems like a potential dream scenario for the Dolphins that would place a 6'4, 296-pound destroyer in the lineup with Zach Sieler.
Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
The other Wolverines defensive lineman to consider is projected by most to go a little later in the first round. But Grant's a 331-pound nose tackle with all the physical attributes to be a high-end run stuffer in the NFL.
Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Harmon is also projected to go near the end of Round 1, but could be a consideration for the Dolphins due to his ability to make plays in the backfield. The 6'5, 313-pound lineman had 10.5 tackles for loss in 2024 and showed versatility to play multiple spots on a defensive line.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
While injuries limited him in 2023 and 2024, Johnson was a shutdown corner on the field dating back to his freshman season with the Wolverines. The 6'2 defensive back was credited with allowing zero touchdowns in his last two years at Michigan and he's a pretty stout run defender to boot.
Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
Membou blew the doors off the NFL Combine when he ran a 4.91 40-yard dash and recorded a 34-inch vertical at 6'4, 332 pounds. That blend of size and athleticism could make him a tank in the Dolphins' zone blocking scheme and, potentially, a better fit at guard than tackle.
Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
Most believe Nolen will land in the back half of Round 1, but he shouldn't be ruled out as an option for the Dolphins. The 6'4, 296-pound lineman was an All-American in 2024, finishing the year with 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Starks was a popular mock draft selection for the Dolphins before free agency. But as was previously mentioned with Emmanwori, Miami addressed the safety position earlier this offseason and Dolphins GM Chris Grier said he believes the team already has its pair of starters on the roster.
Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
Stewart's chances at being the Dolphins' pick depend mostly on what position the team envisions him playing in the NFL. At the combine, Stewart recorded incredible numbers but measured in at 267 pounds -- much lighter than the 290 pounds he was listed on the Aggies' roster. But at the Senior Bowl, he was 281. If Miami sees him as a high-ceiling defensive lineman capable of playing five-technique, he could be the team's replacement for Calais Campbell.
Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Zabel made himself everyone's draft crush earlier this year when he dominated at the Senior Bowl. While he played left tackle for the Bison in 2024, Zabel may be the top pure interior offensive lineman of the draft class and projects as a plug-and-play guard. The 6'6, 312-pound lineman has plenty of athleticism too with an impressive 36.5-inch vertical.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 13 candidates to be the Dolphins' first-round pick
Continue reading...
