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The Miami Dolphins prioritized the trenches in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL draft. The team picked massive nose tackle Kenneth Grant at No. 13 overall in Round 1 and followed it by trading up to snag offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea early in Round 2.
Now the team has seven more selections at its disposal Saturday with one pick in Round 4 and three each in Rounds 5 and 7.
What should the Dolphins do with those picks? Here are the team's five biggest remaining needs heading into Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft:
Tight end isn't really a glaring need, especially since Jonnu Smith put together a career best season and set Dolphins franchise records with 88 receptions, 884 yards, and eight touchdowns. However, behind Smith on the depth chart is Julian Hill, whose 37.2 PFF grade was the lowest on the Dolphins offense last year.
Having a solid backup plan for the 29-year-old Jonnu Smith is certainly not a bad idea for the Dolphins. It would help the quarterback protection and running game if another blocker and/or playmaker can enter the offense and make a significant impact.
The Dolphins could still use some depth on their defensive line behind Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, and first-round selection Kenneth Grant. There isn't much quality depth behind those three starters, and Grant is yet to suit up for his first game.
This could be viewed as a similar situation to the Dolphins selecting Mohammad Kamara in Round 5 of last year after taking Chop Robinson in the first. When a position is lacking for depth, it is never a bad idea to add another young presence to develop into a potential impact player.
There is always the option to look for a few last-minute free agent signings to build up depth, but a younger talent in the draft is probably more desirable for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins addressed their interior offensive line with the selection of Savaiinaea in Round 2, but there is still work to be done. Both the tackle and guard positions are lacking for depth behind their starters. An injury to any of their starting linemen would be disastrous. Avoiding offensive line drama in 2025 could be paramount for Chris Grier's job security, so he's likely not done addressing this need.
Since Grier already addressed the interior, it would now make sense to beef up the tackle depth. The Dolphins currently have Austin Jackson and second year tackle Patrick Paul as the projected starters. Miami signed former Bears lineman Larry Borom early in free agency, who has the ability to play every position in case of an injury. But he wouldn't be viewed as a great short- or long-term option.
After Terron Armstead's retirement, and Kendall Lamm's departure to Philadelphia, the Dolphins need to find some suitable talent behind their starters. Jackson is coming off a season-ending knee injury, and Paul left much to be desired with his play during his rookie year. Whether it is guard, tackle, or both, any Dolphins addition up front could have a chance to compete for a role early in their career.
The Dolphins' need at corner exploded with the recent news of Jalen Ramsey landing on the trading block. The reports of Ramsey's relationship with Mike McDaniel being irreparable, make severed ties appear inevitable. The Dolphins also cut their other starting cornerback Kendall Fuller early in the offseason to free up some cap space. This leaves the Dolphins with Kader Kohou in the nickel, along with Storm Duck and Cam Smith out wide if Ramsey is indeed traded.
Numerous mock drafts projected Michigan cornerback Will Johnson or Texas corner Jahdae Barron to Miami at No. 13 overall. However, the Dolphins passed on both players in the first round and Johnson again in the second. Considering the safety group is already in question, having difficulty at the cornerback position would make for a difficult season defending opposing passing attacks.
It's quite possible that the Dolphins are going into 2025 with an expectation that their current young talent will take a step up in their development. Kohou is entering his fourth year, Smith his third, and Duck his second. However, it is probably in the Dolphins best interest to give themselves one or two more options at such an important position.
The Dolphins will have two new faces at the safety positions in 2025 after Jevón Holland left to join the New York Giants and Jordan Poyer hit free agency, where he remains unsigned. The Dolphins safety group recorded zero interceptions a season ago, yet the current group may be even worse off in 2025.
Miami brought in Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis in free agency to compete with special teamer Elijah Campbell and 2024 sixth-round pick Patrick McMorris. Since the Dolphins haven't addressed the safety group early in the draft, they could be content with the signings they've made in free agency.
However, none of the safeties currently on the roster has been a consistent starter during their career. It would do the Dolphins well to further increase their options by selecting a young safety on Day 3.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Dolphins top 5 remaining needs for Day 3
Continue reading...
Now the team has seven more selections at its disposal Saturday with one pick in Round 4 and three each in Rounds 5 and 7.
What should the Dolphins do with those picks? Here are the team's five biggest remaining needs heading into Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft:
5. Tight end
Tight end isn't really a glaring need, especially since Jonnu Smith put together a career best season and set Dolphins franchise records with 88 receptions, 884 yards, and eight touchdowns. However, behind Smith on the depth chart is Julian Hill, whose 37.2 PFF grade was the lowest on the Dolphins offense last year.
Having a solid backup plan for the 29-year-old Jonnu Smith is certainly not a bad idea for the Dolphins. It would help the quarterback protection and running game if another blocker and/or playmaker can enter the offense and make a significant impact.
4. Defensive line
The Dolphins could still use some depth on their defensive line behind Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, and first-round selection Kenneth Grant. There isn't much quality depth behind those three starters, and Grant is yet to suit up for his first game.
This could be viewed as a similar situation to the Dolphins selecting Mohammad Kamara in Round 5 of last year after taking Chop Robinson in the first. When a position is lacking for depth, it is never a bad idea to add another young presence to develop into a potential impact player.
There is always the option to look for a few last-minute free agent signings to build up depth, but a younger talent in the draft is probably more desirable for the Dolphins.
3. Offensive line
The Dolphins addressed their interior offensive line with the selection of Savaiinaea in Round 2, but there is still work to be done. Both the tackle and guard positions are lacking for depth behind their starters. An injury to any of their starting linemen would be disastrous. Avoiding offensive line drama in 2025 could be paramount for Chris Grier's job security, so he's likely not done addressing this need.
Since Grier already addressed the interior, it would now make sense to beef up the tackle depth. The Dolphins currently have Austin Jackson and second year tackle Patrick Paul as the projected starters. Miami signed former Bears lineman Larry Borom early in free agency, who has the ability to play every position in case of an injury. But he wouldn't be viewed as a great short- or long-term option.
After Terron Armstead's retirement, and Kendall Lamm's departure to Philadelphia, the Dolphins need to find some suitable talent behind their starters. Jackson is coming off a season-ending knee injury, and Paul left much to be desired with his play during his rookie year. Whether it is guard, tackle, or both, any Dolphins addition up front could have a chance to compete for a role early in their career.
2. Cornerback
The Dolphins' need at corner exploded with the recent news of Jalen Ramsey landing on the trading block. The reports of Ramsey's relationship with Mike McDaniel being irreparable, make severed ties appear inevitable. The Dolphins also cut their other starting cornerback Kendall Fuller early in the offseason to free up some cap space. This leaves the Dolphins with Kader Kohou in the nickel, along with Storm Duck and Cam Smith out wide if Ramsey is indeed traded.
Numerous mock drafts projected Michigan cornerback Will Johnson or Texas corner Jahdae Barron to Miami at No. 13 overall. However, the Dolphins passed on both players in the first round and Johnson again in the second. Considering the safety group is already in question, having difficulty at the cornerback position would make for a difficult season defending opposing passing attacks.
It's quite possible that the Dolphins are going into 2025 with an expectation that their current young talent will take a step up in their development. Kohou is entering his fourth year, Smith his third, and Duck his second. However, it is probably in the Dolphins best interest to give themselves one or two more options at such an important position.
1. Safety
The Dolphins will have two new faces at the safety positions in 2025 after Jevón Holland left to join the New York Giants and Jordan Poyer hit free agency, where he remains unsigned. The Dolphins safety group recorded zero interceptions a season ago, yet the current group may be even worse off in 2025.
Miami brought in Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis in free agency to compete with special teamer Elijah Campbell and 2024 sixth-round pick Patrick McMorris. Since the Dolphins haven't addressed the safety group early in the draft, they could be content with the signings they've made in free agency.
However, none of the safeties currently on the roster has been a consistent starter during their career. It would do the Dolphins well to further increase their options by selecting a young safety on Day 3.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Dolphins top 5 remaining needs for Day 3
Continue reading...
