The Miami Dolphins head into the 2025 offseason with a lot of questions and roster needs. In ESPN’s latest mock draft, they fill two needs in the first two rounds.
The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine came to an end over the weekend, bringing us one step closer to the 2025 NFL Draft. While we still have free agency for teams to address needs and nearly two months of speculation, rumors, and pro days before the Draft kicks off, we are smack in the middle of mock draft season. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jordan Reid released a two-round NFL mock draft, projecting the first 64 picks for April’s Draft.
He started the projection with a bang, predicting the New York Giants to jump up to the first overall pick in a trade with the Tennessee Titans. To move up, Reid has the Giants sending the Titans the third pick, the 34th pick, and a 2026 third-round selection, then using the top pick to select University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
Miami Dolphins first-round pick (13th overall)
Jumping to the Miami Dolphins with the 13th overall pick, Reid thinks they will use their first selection to address the offensive line. He has the team adding LSU guard/tackle Will Campbell. He explains the pick, writing:
The Dolphins have issues throughout their offensive line, with center being the only set spot. Starting guards Liam Eichenberg and Robert Jones are free agents, and Miami coach Mike McDaniel said that the team is operating under the notion that oft-injured tackle Terron Armstead will not return in 2025. The Dolphins need help up front, and Campbell would address a major need. He’s a polished technician with plenty of physicality. While he’d be a good tackle, he has the potential to be an A-level interior starter.
Even with he assumption that Armstead will not be back in 2025, the Dolphins are likely set at tackle, where Austin Jackson will start on the right side and Patrick Paul, heading into his second season, will take over for Armstead on the left side. That would leave Campbell sliding inside, filling a guard role. Would the Dolphins use their top pick to add an interior offensive lineman? It seems like a steep price, but there is no denying the team has to do something to fix the line this offseason. Campbell could be an important part of that repair.
Miami Dolphins second-round pick (48th overall)
In the second round, Reid has Miami looking to the back end of their defense, addressing safety with the 48th pick. Explaining the Dolphins’ selection of Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts, Reid writes:
Free agent Jevon Holland is set to become one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties, which will likely leave Miami with a void. Watts is one of the best ballhawks in this class, with 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. He has also shown that he can be consistent in run support.
The Dolphins have had a rotation of safeties over the last several years, using draft picks to select a player, but not signing him to another contract or trading him before his rookie deal is up. Minkah Fitzpatrick, a 2018 first round pick, was traded to the Pirrsvburgh Steelers where he has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times and his a three-time First-Team All-Pro. DeShon Elliott was signed as a free agent on a one-year contract in 2023, then hoined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 where he teamed up with Fitzpatrick to form one of the top safety tandems in the league; Elliott recorded 108 tackles, six passes defensed, one interception, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 2024. Brandon Jones, a 2020 third-round pick, signed with the Denver Broncos in 2024, where he took over as the starter and racked up 115 tackles, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery last year.
Holland did not have his best season in 2023, but is set to be the top safety on the market if Miami does not re-sign him in the next few days. If Holland does leave, safety is once again a need for the team and, as Reid suggests, Watts could be an option to fill the vacancy.
What do you think of the Dolphins two picks in this mock draft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
