The Miami Dolphins have had an interesting offseason.
The team mostly made depth additions in free agency, and lost valuable starting safety Jevon Holland. Also this offseason, rumors have been flying about potential trades of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, the team didn’t trade either veteran, though, and ended up selecting eight players.
In the first round, the team added elite defensive lineman Kenneth Grant. Grant fills one of the team’s biggest needs and should be a reliable body next to Zach Sieler.
In the secon, the team added at another area of need, selecting offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea. Savaiinaea has experience at tackle and guard, but should be an immediate starter on the interior in Miami.
The team made several other picks including Oklahoma State star running back Ollie Gordon II and Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Now, let’s identify the best and worst pick the team made over the weekend.
Best: Round 2, Pick 37- Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Savaiinaea has to be the best pick the team made.
Head coach Mike McDaniel stressed the need to get tougher in the trenches, and the Arizona product will help accomplish that goal. Savaiinaea played both tackle spots in college, but will likely start at guard in Miami and be a mauler.
Before this pick, the Dolphins were slated to start Liam Eichenberg at guard. That’s not an ideal situation to be in, and now the team can keep the veteran in a reserve role.
Savaiinaea has a massive frame and held up well in pass protection and as a run blocker in college. Protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is the team’s top priority, and Savaiinaea can help there.
Worst: Round 5, Pick 143- Jordan Phillips, DL, Maryland
The Dolphins didn’t have a pick in the second, third, or fourth rounds, so it was a while between the Savaiinaea pick and the pick of Jordan Phillips.
Kenneth Grant, the team’s first-round pick, is a massive, run-stuffing defensive tackle. Phillips is also a massive, run-stuffing defensive tackle, so it was a bit strange to see the team double-dip with so many other needs.
Phillips is a good player and the Dolphins do need more than one defensive lineman. However, with so few picks in the middle of the draft, the team should’ve used this pick on an offensive lineman, linebacker, or cornerback.
For example, when the team took Phillips, offensive tackle Marcus Mbow was still available, as was linebacker Shemar James.
Either of those players would’ve likely played bigger roles for the Dolphins in 2025 and would’ve filled bigger needs than Phillips.
Read the full article here
