The Miami Dolphins looked for depth in the 2023 and 2024 drafts, adding players who wouldn't be forced to start right away as rookies. They won't be able to do the same in the 2025 NFL draft.
"We’re going to need NFL-ready players," Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters last week. "There’s no like, ‘Hey, let’s hope this guy is ready.’ These guys are going to be forced into play, and that’s a good thing."
So what holes need filling? Here's the five spots on the Dolphins' roster that need the most work.
5. Inside linebacker
One team's trash was the Dolphins' treasure in 2024. After claiming former Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson off waivers in November, he's now penciled in as the team's starter in 2025 alongside fellow former Seattle linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
While that duo could be the solution for the Dolphins, limited sample size makes it hard to be too confident in Dodson as a long-term answer.
Dodson made just three starts for Miami in 2024 and was cut loose by Seattle after only a few months. And although the Dolphins got strong play from Dodson, it wasn't exactly elite either. The linebacker earned a 87.3 grade from PFF in one of his starts in Miami and a grade below 50 in the other two.
4. Safety
Grier said last week that he believes the team already has its pair of starters on the roster after signing free agents Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis to compete with special teamer Elijah Campbell and 2024 sixth-round pick Patrick McMorris.
None are high-priced solutions to the vacancies left by Jevón Holland and Jordan Poyer, but if Grier's to be believed, the safety position may be set. Still, it wouldn't be a shock if the Dolphins tossed another talented player into the competition to ensure the back-end of the secondary holds up.
3. Offensive line
Terron Armstead retired, Kendall Lamm and Robert Jones both exited in free agency, and Isaiah Wynn is still on the market. One way or another, the Dolphins offensive line is going to look much different in 2025.
Yet much of the starting lineup is already in place. Miami's 2024 second-round pick Patrick Paul is set to take over at left tackle opposite Austin Jackson at right tackle, and Aaron Brewer has a firm grip on the reins at center.
One of the starting guard spots will be filled by free agent addition James Daniels, but for now, it's Liam Eichenberg or Larry Borom in the other vacancy.
Grier said getting younger up front is a must and finding a player of competing for a starting role at guard would be a boon for the Dolphins offense.
2. Cornerback
The Dolphins cut ties with one of their starting corners earlier this year when they released Kendall Fuller to save cap space. Now they're set to part with the other, Jalen Ramsey, after announcing he's on the trading block.
Left on the roster are Storm Duck, a 2024 undrafted addition who started three games as a rookie, veteran slot corner Kader Kohou, 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, and free agent acquisition Artie Burns.
It looks like Miami needs at least one, possibly two starters at the position.
1. Defensive line
The departures of Calais Campbell and Da'Shawn Hand leave the Dolphins with a hole next to returning starters Zach Sieler and Benito Jones. But unlike other spots on the roster, there isn't another player with starting experience on the roster capable of competing to fill the void.
The only other defensive linemen under contract with the Dolphins are Matt Dickerson and Neil Farrell, a pair of players who spent much of the 2024 season on Miami's practice squad.
There aren't any street free agents left on the market who could fill the void either. It seems the Dolphins have no choice but to find a starting defensive linemen in the draft.
