A lot of people think you can’t grade a draft for years because these players haven’t even seen the field yet – and they are wrong. What we’re doing here is grading things like team fit, talent level, and draft/positional value. In a few years, we can revisit this draft and grade the players based on performance.
Last, but (probably) not least, the Miami Dolphins. Miami went into the off-season with a plethora of question marks after a disappointing campaign in 2024. Along with the perennial need at OL, they have holes at every level of the defense and their offense still features a disgruntled Tyreek Hill as the primary weapon.
1.13 – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
First off, big fan of Grant as a player. There are some justified questions about his ability to produce without his running mate, Mason Graham, lined up next to him, but Zach Seiler is a perfectly serviceable 3T to work with Grant. I was all in for Buffalo to trade up to like 20-22 for him, and while I think Miami overpaid for the position he plays, you can’t deny he’s got the talent to anchor their DL for years to come.
2.5 – Jonah Savaiinaea, OG, Arizona
I can’t say I put a lot of time into OG research as the position was not a need for the Bills. The Dolphins traded up for Jonah, and he wasn’t given more than a 3rd round grade by most, but there was a run on OL in the late 1st which made the move more understandable (but still very expensive). Upon reviewing a little tape, Jonah is a big boy with plus athleticism who should slot right in at guard at the NFL level. Personally, given Tua’s injury proclivities, I would have flopped my picks to prioritize OL in the first and DL in the second, but this was probably the best they could do after passing on OL in the first.
5.5 – Jordan Phillips
The first of three fifth round picks, double-dipping at DT after a two round absence from the draft was a bit of an odd choice. Not only did they miss out on drafting quality players in the 3rd and 4th rounds thanks to the previous trade up, they took a depth guy. Phillips has okay traits and while he’s a little on the short side for a DT, his low center of gravity helps him achieve a lot of power in his push. You would want to see a little more pass rushing prowess in his game, especially given that he projects to be a 3T in the NFL.
5.13 – Jason Marshall Jr, CB, Florida
Marshall is a press cover corner with good size and a lot of starting experience in the SEC. He’s lacking in length, somewhat surprisingly given that he is 6′ tall, but his instincts are pretty good. I’m sure Dolphins fans are thrilled with the prospect of a rookie 5th round CB taking meaningful snaps in 2025, thanks to Ramsey’s issues. This was probably a pick made with depth in mind before then.
5.19 – Dante Trader Jr, S, Maryland
The Dolphins made a sincere effort to address their safety needs in free agency, but the position is still uncertain. Trader has the instincts to play free safety in the NFL, but he is a little small for SS and Ashtyn Davis likely has the inside track to start at FS. Picks at this stage in the draft are usually depth players unless a team is truly bereft of talent, so I would expect to see Trader primarily on the field for ST snaps unless he really shows out in camp.
6.3 – Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
This is a potential steal of a pick. I had Gordon on my radar for potentially the fourth round for the Bills, especially if James Cook was being difficult. Gordon is a bruiser of a back and the perfect complement to Devon Achane’s speedy running style. Gordon was wildly productive in 2023, but he took a step back in his last year at OSU. In my opinion, that was due more to a lack of talent around him than his own failings. I won’t be surprised at all if Gordon gets meaningful snaps this year, especially in Smeagol’s offense.
7.15 – Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Some argued for this pick to be made in the second round. I can understand the desire to bolster the backup QB position because of Tua’s aforementioned proclivities, but Ewers was passed on for 6+ rounds for a reason and that reason is that he’s not very good at quarterbacking. He had some world class talent to throw to at Texas (Xavier Worth, 1st round pick, Adonai Mitchell, 2nd round pick, Matthew Golden, 1st round pick, and Isaiah Bond would have been a second if he wasn’t an idiot off the field), yet he was only okay. Poor decision making and an inability to read and dissect defenses are serious handicaps.
7.37 – Zeek Biggers, DT, Georgia Tech
Well, the first thing you can say is that Zeek lives up to his name. He is a BIG boy and if he can stick on the roster for a while, he could develop into a solid 1T. Since Phillips projects more to be a backup to Seiler, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Biggers get some snaps in the rotation at 1T this year, rare for a 7th rounder. Still, while I am not as in tune with Miami’s needs, I think three DTs in one draft is a bit much.
Grade: C
Basically, what brings this grade down the most is the first two picks. 1T DT at 13 overall is just straight up overdrafting for the position. Miami could have taken a top tier guard at 13 like Gray Zabel, then draft a monster 1T like Alfred Collins early in the second. Instead, they traded two good picks for a middling OG prospect. Now, if Grant is a monster, game-changing player at the 1T, then this will look like a way better move, but we’ll just have to see. As for most of the rest, they are depth-quality players and were drafted as such. I really do think Gordon could be a major steal, though.
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