Miami Dolphins Rookie Forecast 2025

Dolphins Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Jonah Savaiinaea, OG, Arizona – Round 2

The Dolphins’ offensive line has been a mess in recent years, and part of that has been due to injuries taking starters out of the lineup. After beefing up their defensive line in the first round, Miami hit the trenches on the other side of the ball with Savaiinaea in round two. He has been a durable and effective blocker for Arizona the past two seasons and could be a quick contributor for the Dolphins.

As a run blocker, Savaiinaea (6-5, 320) has good size and fights hard at the point of attack. While Savaiinaea does not have overwhelming power to knock defenders off the ball, he has some punch to hit defenders and tie them up. Savaiinaea plays physical and blocks through the whistle. He shows quickness to fire to the second level and the perimeter to hit blocks in space. While Savaiinaea will punch and hit, he is not an overpowering bull that knocks defenders to the ground. Savaiinaea would fit better in a zone-blocking system as a run defender.

Savaiinaea needs work for the NFL in pass protection, and Miami is making a wise move by kicking him inside to guard. He does not have the feet or bend to be a tackle as a pro. At times, Savaiinaea will bend at the waist and reach after defenders. He also gets in trouble when he stands up too high, letting defenders get under his pads. Savaiinaea would be better equipped to take on defensive tackles with less space for them to attack him with speed around the corner or employ speed to power rushes. On the inside, Savaiinaea should continue to get stronger to improve his anchor and ability to stop bull rushes from power nose tackles.

The Dolphins have some veteran guards in James Daniels, Liam Eichenberg, and Jackson Carmen for Savaiinaea to beat out. After he develops and earns a starting spot, I think Savaiinaea will emerge as a quality player at right guard for Miami. While he may not become a dominant force, I think Savaiinaea will become a solid starter and have a good career with the Dolphins.

2024: Patrick Paul, OT
2023: Cam Smith, CB
2022: Channing Tindall, LB
2021: Jevon Holland, S
2020: Noah Igbinoghene, CB
2019: Michael Deiter, G
2018: Jerome Baker, LB
2017: Raekwon McMillan, LB
2016: Xavien Howard, CB
2015: DeVante Parker, WR
2014: JaWuan James, OT
2013: Dallas Thomas, G

Most Likely To Bust

Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida – Round 5

Saying a fifth-round pick is a potential bust is not a bold prediction. The vast majority of fifth-round picks don’t stick in the NFL. I think Marshall could end up being a wasted pick. While he showed a nice skill set at times with Florida, he really struggled in man coverage as receivers ran by him a lot, and he also had technique flaws with eye discipline issues. I think he is going to struggle to run with pro receivers, and I don’t think he will turn into a star on special teams. I would be surprised if Marshall worked out as a pro.

2024: None
2023: None
2022: None
2021: Hunter Long, TE
2020: Brandon Jones, S
2019: Andrew Van Ginkel, LB
2018: Mike Gesicki, TE
2017: Cordrea Tankersley, CB
2016: Leonte Carroo, WR
2015: Bobby McCain, CB
2014: Billy Turner, G
2013: Jelani Jenkins, LB

Potential Boom Pick

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan – Round 1

In 2024, the Dolphins were unable to re-sign Christian Wilkins as the standout tackle landed a massive contract from the Raiders. The interior of the Miami defensive line was a huge weakness as a result last season. In 2025, that should change with the addition of Grant. The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder has an excellent skill set with a ton of upside.

For the NFL, Grant is a special talent as he is an impact player at the point of attack. In the pass rush, Grant shows an excellent skill set of power, quickness, athleticism, and natural size at the point of attack. Grant has serious strength where he can manhandle blockers at the point of attack. He has natural leverage to go with his strong build to get into the chest of blockers and roll them back into the pocket. With active hands and a variety of moves, Grant sheds blocks and has the quickness to close on the quarterback. Grant has a lot of upside, so his pass rush ability should improve as he gains experience.

In run defense, Grant is a strong load at the point of attack. He can push through blockers and stuff running lanes at the point of attack. He has no problems anchoring to hold his gap and keep offenses from getting a push. Grant uses his quickness and athleticism to pursue down the line, as he is not just a plugger at the point of attack. With a strong lateral anchor, Grant can absorb double teams and bump blocks without getting pushed out of his gap. Grant should be an asset as a run defender quickly in his pro career.

Grant could be a plug-and-play starter for the Dolphins that will help them immediately as a run defender. Once he develops and gets accustomed to the NFL, I think Grant could explode and be a dynamic interior defensive lineman. He has a ton of upside and untapped potential, so I see real boom pick potential for Grant in Miami.

2024: Chop Robinson, DE
2023: None
2022: None
2021: Jaelan Phillips, DE
2020: Austin Jackson, OT
2019: Christian Wilkins, DT
2018: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
2017: Charles Harris, DE
2016: Laremy Tunsil, OT
2015: Jordan Phillips, DT
2014: Jarvis Landry, WR
2013: Dion Jordan, LB

Future Depth Player

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas – Round 7

The Miami Dolphins ended Ewers’ slide in the seventh round, and that was a fantastic landing spot. Ewers can compete immediately with Zach Wilson for the backup spot. Wilson was a huge bust for the Jets with the second-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and four years into his career, he is already a journeyman. Wilson will probably be the backup to start the 2025 season, but Ewers is capable of passing him on the depth chart. On top of the backup spot being up for grabs, starter Tua Tagovailoa has been injury-prone, and one more concussion or head injury could end his career. Ewers also landed in a good offense that suits him well, with a strong offensive mind in Mike McDaniel there to develop him. Ewers should have returned to college football, and probably is disappointed in sliding to the seventh round, but he landed in an excellent spot to establish a pro career. I think Ewers could be a solid backup for the Dolphins and has an opportunity to prove he is more than that in Miami.

2024: Mohamed Kamara, OLB
2023: Devon Achane, RB
2022: Rik Ezukanma, WR
2021: Liam Eichenberg, OT
2020: Jason Strowbridge, DE
2019: Isaiah Prince, OT
2018: Kalen Ballade, RB
2017: Davon Godchaux, DT
2016: Kenyon Drake, RB
2015: Jay Ajayi, RB
2014: Arthur Lynch, TE
2013: Mike Gillislee, RB