With their first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr., sees the Miami Dolphins selecting…
The 2025 NFL Draft is just over two weeks away. Mock Draft season is in full tilt as people predict the picks for all 32 NFL teams. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr., updated his projection for this year, expanding his mock draft into a two-round mock. Who does he think the Miami Dolphins might pick? We take a look at his selections and analysis.
He starts the draft with the Tennessee Titans selecting University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick, the first of five quarterbacks he has in the first 64 selections. His second passer does not come off the board until the ninth pick, with the New Orleans Saints adding Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. There has been some thought that if Sanders were to fall to the 13th pick, where Miami could select him, they might have to pull the trigger on that move – but Kiper removes that debate just a few selections before Miami.
First Round, 13th overall pick
When it comes to Miami’s first pick, Kiper has them addressing a big need on the defensive side of the ball. While many people are looking at defensive tackle when it comes to the Dolphins, especially after Calais Campbell signed with the Arizona Cardinals, Kiper looked to the secondary.
With the 13th pick, Kiper gave the Dolphins Texas cornerback Jahde Barron.
Of the selection, he wrote:
Terron Armstead’s retirement makes this interesting. The Dolphins ranked 28th in pass block win rate last season (55.7%), and protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is paramount. Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. could fit. But Miami also drafted Patrick Paul late in the second round last April, and he has spent a year learning behind Armstead. The Dolphins could start Paul and use this pick to clean up the CB2 spot opposite Jalen Ramsey, where either Storm Duck, Cam Smith or Ethan Bonner is currently slated to start.
Barron would jump to the front of the line. His ball skills (five INTs in 2024), speed and versatility would boost the unit.
I understand Kiper’s statement about Armstead’s retirement, but I do not think that factors into Miami’s consideration at all. Like he said, they have Paul to be his replacement. If they Dolphins are looking offensive line, they are probably looking guard over tackle, even with Armstead’s retirement.
Adding a cornerback in the first round to give them a starter opposite Ramsey, and eventually Ramsey’s replacement at the top of the position group, is a sensible move here.
Second Round, 48th overall
Kiper stays defensive for Miami’s second pick, turning to the line of scrimmage. With Campbell’s departure, the Dolphins will be looking to add players who can make up for the snaps Campbell played, along with finding a way to eat up blocks so defensive lineman Zach Sieler and the edge rushers can disrupt plays.
With the 48h pick, Kiper selected Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander for Miami.
Miami still needs pass protection, and Tyler Booker would have been a perfect fit had he fallen one more spot . Rather than reach, the Dolphins could take care of another big need. Alexander can play pretty much anywhere on the defensive line, bringing quickness and physicality. He had 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 27 run stops, 50 pressures and 7.5 sacks over the past two seasons. That production would be welcomed in the middle of the Miami defensive front.
(Guard Tyler Booker from Alabama, mentioned by Kiper, was selected 47th by the Arizona Cardinals in this mock.)
Kiper is not wrong in his assessment that the Dolphins have a big need at defensive tackle and having someone who can play anywhere along the line would be “welcomed” for the Dolphins. This seems like a solid option for the pick, giving the Dolphins two strong selections with their first two picks.
After this, Miami needs to address the offensive line and safety positions.
What do you think of Kiper’s picks for Miami? Let us know in the comments below.
