Chris Perkins: A glance at Miami Dolphins’ 2025 draft class and how they fit
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins had eight selections in this year’s NFL draft and they used five of them on defense, and three of those on nose tackles beginning with Michigan nose tackle/defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.
There’s reason to question why the Dolphins didn’t draft a cornerback in the first three rounds but they did get defensive help early.
Here’s a look at the Dolphins’ 2025 draft class:
DT/NT Kenneth Grant, Michigan, first round (No. 13)
Grant (6 foot 4, 331 pounds) is a physical run-stopper who fills a need and will be expected to be a Day One starter.
He’ll line up on the front of the Dolphins’ 3-4 defense alongside fellow tackle Zach Sieler and nose tackle Benito Jones in an attempt to improve on what was the league’s No. 9 defense against the run last season.
Grant isn’t much of a pass rusher right now but it’s thought that he can improve on that skill.
Guard Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona, second round (No. 37)
Savaiinaea (6-4, 324) has position versatility between guard and tackle but the Dolphins said Savaiinaea will be expected to be a Day One starter.
It’s not known whether he’ll play RG or LG, meaning line up next to young LT Patrick Paul or veteran RT Austin Jackson.
Savaiinaea is a physical player who has played RG, RT and LT in the past two years.
DT/NT Jordan Phillips, Maryland, fifth round (No. 143)
Phillips (6-2, 312) is a run-stuffing nose tackle who can shed blocks and make tackles with skill.
He’ll be expected to compete for a roster spot and be a rotational player although there are low/reasonable expectations for fifth rounders.
Phillips takes on double teams well and shows good strength and quickness, traits that should serve him well.
CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida, fifth round (150)
Marshall (6-0, 194), a long-armed player, will most likely get his best shot at the 53-man regular-season roster via special teams even though the Dolphins are deficient at cornerback.
Marshall played the first seven games of last season before sustaining a shoulder injury. He still amassed 20 tackles, four PBUs and a forced fumble. Marshall is a disruptive player who is regarded as smart and a zone coverage specialist.
Safety Dante Trader Jr., Maryland, fifth round (155)
Trader (5-11, 196) also played lacrosse player and is a skilled athlete as well as a versatile safety who can play slot, one-high, two-high or almost anything else.
Beyond that, he’s a core special teams player with experience at punt, punt return, kickoff and kickoff return, skills that should help him earn a spot on the 53-man roster as a rookie.
RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State, sixth round (179)
Gordon (6-1, 226), who joins a crowded backfield among De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright and short-yardage specialist Alexander Mattison, was the Doak Walker winner as the nation’s best RB as a sophomore after rushing for 1,732 yards.
As a junior he rushed for 880 yards. Gordon is a big back who prefers to run through defenders than run around them. Gordon is also strong in pass protection.
QB Quinn Ewers, Texas, seventh round (231)
Ewers (6-2, 214) will be the third-teamer behind starter Tua Tagovailoa and backup Zach Wilson. Ewers has good arm strength but he’s inconsistent and not very agile.
Still, he had 31 TDs and 12 INTs. Ewers will likely get lots of training camp snaps because Tagovailoa won’t get much work outside of joint practices.
DT/NT Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech, seventh round (253)
Biggers (6-6, 321) is a nose tackle who has 35-inch arms that he uses to keep blockers away from his body, but as a seventh-rounder he’s a longshot to make the 53-man roster.
Biggers totaled 23 tackles, 1.0 sack, 3.5 TFL and two blocked kicks last season. Special teams play could help Biggers get attention from coaches.
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