What mock drafts predict for the Dolphins on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL draft

[ASFN Admin]

The Miami Dolphins addressed one of their biggest holes on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL draft by taking defensive lineman Kenneth Grant, but there are still huge needs that need to be addressed.

After most mock drafts thought the Dolphins would take Michigan cornerback Will Johnson or Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron in Round 1, a surprising number of experts are projecting Miami will ignore the cornerback market again Friday.

With the second and third rounds of the draft on the way Friday, here's who experts think the Dolphins will take with the No. 48 overall selection in Round 2:

Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State (Dolphins Wire)​

The FSU alum isn't the most athletic defensive back in the class, but he has great length at 6'2 and has shown he knows how to use it. At the Senior Bowl, he faced the tall task of keeping up with speedy receivers like Jaylin Noel and Tez Johnson and more than held his own. During his final season with the Seminoles, Thomas was credited by PFF with allowing only 141 receiving yards in 354 coverage snaps.

Thomas wouldn't be a guaranteed starter for the Dolphins, but he'd certainly be in the mix for one of those roles.

Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State (USA Today)​

Miami's defense needs more help even after selecting nose tackle Kenneth Grant in Round 1. In Thomas, they get a long cornerback with traits and great tape in press coverage.

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame (ESPN)​

Miami's top needs were at cornerback and safety heading into the draft. It went defensive tackle in Round 1 instead, which means it should fill a hole here. Watts is a ball hawking safety who had 13 interceptions over the past two seasons.

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (The Athletic)​

This would be a total steal — Emmanwori is one of the best athletes in this draft. No one rolled the dice on him in Round 1, and safety is a tough position to peg, but it’s certainly possible Emmanwori falls this far Friday. He also could be a trade-up target for a number of teams.

Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota (PFF)​

Ersery brings alluring size and length to the tackle position for the NFL. He has good hands, an explosive first step forward and quick footwork to be an impactful zone run blocker, but his naturally high-waisted build impacts his leverage and may inhibit him from keeping NFL rushers in front of him.

Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M (Sports Illustrated)​

Athletic, fiery, rangy and scheme versatile, Turner is a quality run defender who needs to refine his pass-rush arsenal and plan. Miami needs help on its interior, and Turner has the talent to provide it—eventually.

Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia (CBS Sports)​

More trench reinforcement for the Dolphins, this time on the offensive side with the tall but athletic blocker from Georgia.

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame (Fox Sports)​

The value for offensive linemen at this point isn't there, which is why it was so surprising seeing Miami pass on one in the first round. Here, the Dolphins try to make up for the loss of Jevon Holland.

Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia (Bleacher Report)​

No explanation was provided for this pick, but it doesn't need much justification. The Dolphins' guard play was atrocious in 2024 and Ratledge could potentially step in as an immediate starter ahead of Liam Eichenberg.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College (DraftWire)​

There was also no explanation for this selection, and it probably could've used one. Miami has a trio of intriguing edge rushers with Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and Chop Robinson, and the team is hopeful that 2024 fifth-rounder Mohamed Kamara can make a sophomore leap.

While there's an argument to be made that the team needs depth due to the injury history of Chubb and Phillips, picking an edge rusher and ignoring the team's issues elsewhere would be a head-scratcher.

A few of the mock drafts also projected the Dolphins' selection at No. 98 overall in Round 3:

• Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary (DraftWire)
• Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia (USA Today)
• Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State (The Athletic)
• Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State (PFF)
• Andrew Mukuba, DB, Texas (Bleacher Report)
• Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia (Sports Illustrated)
• Jordan Hancock, S, Ohio State (CBS Sports)

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2025 NFL draft: What mock drafts predict for the Dolphins on Day 2

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