A shaky start for a highly-anticipated Miami Dolphins team has left fans questioning the organization's abilities to effectively construct a championship roster. Having just four top-100 picks in the last three drafts, the Dolphins have been missing crucial, young depth pieces that are littered on every true contending team.
Having 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and potentially up to six top-150 picks, this draft could be the one to finally separate the Dolphins as a true Super Bowl-contending roster.
Round 1 (No. 12 overall): Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue
After years of neglecting the offensive line position, the Dolphins add one of the most polarizing linemen in this year’s draft, Marcus Mbow. Undoubtedly the best four-position offensive lineman in the class, Mbow finally patches the leak that has plagued the Dolphins’ offensive line for years.
No matter where he’s asked to play, Mbow is the missing piece to the front five of this offense. Adding Mbow’s athleticism, creativity, and physicality to Mike McDaniel’s running scheme is the perfect way to promote their explosive backfield.
Round 2 (No. 46 overall): Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
McDaniel once noted that if you want to see the versatility of an offense, look no further than the versatility of a tight end room. McDaniel has made an offense contingent on hard-nosed, skilled, versatile players—what he calls “Fs”—to be the wheels that make the offense go.
Harold Fannin Jr. embodies this skill set. He was a two-way player in high school, a college linebacker convert, and now, one of the most prolific tight ends in college football history. Oh, and the guy can block. McDaniel pairs him with Jonnu Smith to quietly form one of the best one-two punches in the league.
Round 3 (No. 98 overall): Aeneas Peebles, IDL, Virginia Tech
After losing Christian Wilkins to free agency before the 2024 season, the Dolphins did a fantastic job of putting together a committee of skilled interior defensive linemen. Continuing this trend, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver gets his all-downs war-daddy defensive tackle in Aeneas Peebles.
Peebles, albeit undersized, is one of the most disruptive linemen in this draft. He’s twitched up but wins with leverage and physicality. Even at his size, he’s a capable two-gapper but thrives when asked to penetrate. He’s an all-in-one defender who elevates this defense from day one.
Round 3 (No. 99 overall): Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
To get one thing straight, Tua Tagovailoa is the Dolphins’ franchise QB. Nonetheless, it’s no secret that Tagovailoa has struggled with concussions and other injuries that have kept him out at crucial points in crucial seasons. What McDaniel asks Tagovailoa to do is something very few in the NFL can replicate—and even fewer in the college game. But then there’s Dillon Gabriel.
The southpaw, Hawai’i native possesses eerily similar execution habits, ball-handling, and the quick-draw accuracy that this offense feasts on. Having Gabriel as a safe haven for inevitable missed time or simply as someone else in the world capable of running this offense, in the same way, could end up being the difference between a championship or missing the playoffs.
Round 4 (No. 113 overall): Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
Despite having Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins have been missing a long, rangy wideout to truly elevate their receiving corps. Ja’Corey Brooks has the long speed and RAC ability to thrive in this offense, but he also possesses the ball skills and suddenness to capitalize on the one-on-one looks he’d inevitably see.
With defenses forced to double-cover Hill and Waddle, Brooks would find himself in isolated matchups, where his size, catch radius, and ability to win at the point of attack could punish opposing secondaries. His presence not only adds another dimension to the passing game but also makes it nearly impossible for defenses to focus on just one area of the field. Brooks transforms this offense from dangerous to nearly uncontainable.
Round 5 (No. 152 overall): Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State
Anthony Weaver’s Cover-3-based defense and multiple defensive personnel units demand versatility and instincts out of defensive backs. Ohio State’s Jordan Hancock fits the ideal profile of a deep cover corner with his abilities to pass off routes and read eyes. His ability to snap out of his backpedal and crash on routes will offer an opportunity for Hancock to impress coaches early.
Round 7 (No. 227 overall): Jack Bech, WR, TCU
One area that this Dolphins offense can improve is adding more toughness. In a draft that’s seven rounds deep with high-level receivers, adding a guy like Jack Bech gives the Dolphins a valuable depth piece with legitimate day-one production value.
Bech’s physicality and grit bleed off the film. He’s great in close quarters and consistently sheds tackles. There’s tons of upside with him as a blocking threat on first and second downs, something the Dolphins don’t currently have. For a team that runs crack toss and inserts receivers as blockers as much as the Dolphins do, Bech could carve out a valuable role.
Round 7 (No. 229 overall): Xavier Nwankpa, SAF, Iowa
With Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer facing free agency, the Dolphins will need to retain and draft a safety to fill the void. Xavier Nwankpa plays the game similarly to Poyer, particularly in their demeanor at the point of attack. As a downhill run-fitter, he thrives at eliminating ball-carriers. He embodies the physical nature of the defense, but his versatility also contributes to the identity of this team. Nwankpa projects as a backup safety and immediate special teams contributor.
Round 7 (No. 250 overall): Teddye Buchanan, LB, California
With their last pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dolphins add a versatile, high-ceiling middle linebacker in Teddye Buchanan. His abilities at the line of scrimmage, paired with an extremely high football IQ, could give him a chance to see the field early. Utilizing his natural skills as a coverage defender will be crucial for Buchanan to earn a spot on the gameday roster.
