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With the 2025 NFL draft just a week away, experts are taking some of their final stabs at projected the outcome. On Wednesday, Dane Brugler of The Athletic predicted all 257 selections, including the 10 picks currently held by the Miami Dolphins.
Here's our breakdown of each pick made by Brugler for the Dolphins in his complete seven-round mock.
Earlier this offseason, penciling in a safety at No. 13 overall was a logical choice. Given the current state of the depth chart and the comments made by Dolphins general manager Chris Grier on Tuesday, it'd be a surprise if the Dolphins are eyeing Emmanwori for their pick.
After signing Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis in free agency, Grier told reporters that he believes the team already has a pair of starters on the roster.
Believing everything a GM says in the final weeks before the draft is foolish, but there are much more egregious holes along the defensive line and at cornerback, where Jalen Ramsey is set to depart.
Among the players Miami passed on in this mock are Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, and Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
While continuing to ignore both the defensive line and cornerback holes would be surprising, an investment in the offensive line makes plenty of sense. The Dolphins signed James Daniels to start in one of the guard spots, but the current favorite to fill the other is Liam Eichenberg -- a former second-round pick who has never proven himself a reliable starter in four seasons with Miami.
Jackson, a versatile 6'4, 315 pound lineman, could potentially take over right away on the interior and complete the Dolphins' starting lineup up front.
It's a little late to be hunting for a day one starter, but Porter has the requisite length (6'3) and athleticism (4.3 40-yard dash) to compete right away, even if he only notched one year of starting experience in the collegiate ranks.
It's a similar story with Broughton, who didn't get much starting experience until 2024 with Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat in front of him on the depth chart for years. But he's 6'5, 311 pounds and made an impact for the Longhorns in his final season with four sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
The Dolphins signed a backup for Tua Tagovailoa in Zach Wilson, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they looked for a new developmental talent after giving up on Skylar Thompson. While Gabriel doesn't check many of the traditional boxes at 5'11, he's the kind of smooth, decisive operator in the pocket that could potentially thrive in a Mike McDaniel offense.
If all goes according to plan, the Dolphins don't need a ton of help on the edge with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips both returning from injury to join 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson. There's also 2024 fifth-rounder Mohamed Kamara, who didn't see the field much as a rookie. Still, depth is important -- especially given the recent absences of Chubb and Phillips -- and Ingram-Dawkins potentially has the size (6'5, 276 pounds) to bulk up and contribute at defensive end in Miami's 3-4 defense.
The Dolphins have their starting offensive tackles in Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson, and there's a decent amount of unproven depth too in Kion Smith, Larry Borom, and Bayron Matos. But following the retirement of Terron Armstead and departure of Kendall Lamm, it makes plenty of sense to keep accruing players to compete for spots on the offensive line.
If Grier is to believed, Tyreek Hill isn't going anywhere. Still, the Dolphins have seen very little production at receiver aside from the star duo of Hill and Jaylen Waddle. They tried to rectify that by drafting Malik Washington and Tahj Washington last year, and by adding Nick Westbrook-Ikhine earlier this year. But depth at receiver is still thin and TeSlaa is full of potential at 6'4 with 4.43 speed.
The more, the merrier at cornerback. While Stout spent much of his collegiate career on the outside, he'd likely compete to play on the inside in nickel and dime packages due to his 5'9, 181 pound frame.
The Dolphins parted with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, and added former Vikings and Raiders running back Alex Mattison earlier this year. While they have a promising duo of the future in De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, there's little doubt that Miami will add a running back or two, whether that's Day 3 of the draft or undrafted free agency.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Breaking down Dolphins' picks in The Athletic's mock
Continue reading...
Here's our breakdown of each pick made by Brugler for the Dolphins in his complete seven-round mock.
Round 1, No. 13 overall: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Earlier this offseason, penciling in a safety at No. 13 overall was a logical choice. Given the current state of the depth chart and the comments made by Dolphins general manager Chris Grier on Tuesday, it'd be a surprise if the Dolphins are eyeing Emmanwori for their pick.
After signing Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis in free agency, Grier told reporters that he believes the team already has a pair of starters on the roster.
Believing everything a GM says in the final weeks before the draft is foolish, but there are much more egregious holes along the defensive line and at cornerback, where Jalen Ramsey is set to depart.
Among the players Miami passed on in this mock are Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, and Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
Round 2, No. 48 overall: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
While continuing to ignore both the defensive line and cornerback holes would be surprising, an investment in the offensive line makes plenty of sense. The Dolphins signed James Daniels to start in one of the guard spots, but the current favorite to fill the other is Liam Eichenberg -- a former second-round pick who has never proven himself a reliable starter in four seasons with Miami.
Jackson, a versatile 6'4, 315 pound lineman, could potentially take over right away on the interior and complete the Dolphins' starting lineup up front.
Round 3, No. 98 overall: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
It's a little late to be hunting for a day one starter, but Porter has the requisite length (6'3) and athleticism (4.3 40-yard dash) to compete right away, even if he only notched one year of starting experience in the collegiate ranks.
Round 4, No. 116 overall: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas
It's a similar story with Broughton, who didn't get much starting experience until 2024 with Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat in front of him on the depth chart for years. But he's 6'5, 311 pounds and made an impact for the Longhorns in his final season with four sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
Round 4, No. 135 overall: Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
The Dolphins signed a backup for Tua Tagovailoa in Zach Wilson, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they looked for a new developmental talent after giving up on Skylar Thompson. While Gabriel doesn't check many of the traditional boxes at 5'11, he's the kind of smooth, decisive operator in the pocket that could potentially thrive in a Mike McDaniel offense.
Round 5, No. 150 overall: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, EDGE, Georgia
If all goes according to plan, the Dolphins don't need a ton of help on the edge with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips both returning from injury to join 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson. There's also 2024 fifth-rounder Mohamed Kamara, who didn't see the field much as a rookie. Still, depth is important -- especially given the recent absences of Chubb and Phillips -- and Ingram-Dawkins potentially has the size (6'5, 276 pounds) to bulk up and contribute at defensive end in Miami's 3-4 defense.
Round 5, No. 155 overall: Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
The Dolphins have their starting offensive tackles in Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson, and there's a decent amount of unproven depth too in Kion Smith, Larry Borom, and Bayron Matos. But following the retirement of Terron Armstead and departure of Kendall Lamm, it makes plenty of sense to keep accruing players to compete for spots on the offensive line.
Round 7, No. 224 overall: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas
If Grier is to believed, Tyreek Hill isn't going anywhere. Still, the Dolphins have seen very little production at receiver aside from the star duo of Hill and Jaylen Waddle. They tried to rectify that by drafting Malik Washington and Tahj Washington last year, and by adding Nick Westbrook-Ikhine earlier this year. But depth at receiver is still thin and TeSlaa is full of potential at 6'4 with 4.43 speed.
Round 7, No. 231 overall: Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky
The more, the merrier at cornerback. While Stout spent much of his collegiate career on the outside, he'd likely compete to play on the inside in nickel and dime packages due to his 5'9, 181 pound frame.
Round 7, No. 253 overall: Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
The Dolphins parted with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, and added former Vikings and Raiders running back Alex Mattison earlier this year. While they have a promising duo of the future in De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, there's little doubt that Miami will add a running back or two, whether that's Day 3 of the draft or undrafted free agency.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Breaking down Dolphins' picks in The Athletic's mock
Continue reading...
