A look at the players projected for Dolphins’ draft range. Who’s being mocked to Miami
To get a sense of what players are projected for the Dolphins’ draft range at No. 13 overall, here’s a look at what eight mock drafts have projected for Miami:
▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Dolphins taking Georgia’s Malaki Starks, who’s considered the best safety in the draft, with this comment:
“No college defense has ever had three players go this early in the same year, per ESPN Research, but Starks could join the early run on Bulldogs. He closes well and makes plays on the ball. With 67 tackles this season, he works well in space. And he’s versatile, lining up as a traditional safety and over the slot. Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer — the Dolphins’ starting safeties — are both free agents this offseason, so Miami could certainly address the back end here. An offensive or defensive line upgrade could also be the move, though.”
If the Dolphins sign only one veteran starting safety in free agency, that would signal that Starks will be a consideration.
For perspective, Kiper has these three players taken in the three slots before Miami’s pick: LSU guard/tackle Will Campbell, Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks and Missouri receiver Luther Burden III.
Kiper’s first three picks after Miami selects at No. 13: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, Texas A&M edge player (and former Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace standout) Shemar Stewart and Alabama guard Tyler Booker.
▪ The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has the Dolphins taking LSU offensive tackle/guard Campbell, noting that “Campbell earned the starting left tackle job in Baton Rouge shortly after he arrived as an 18-year-old freshman, then allowed only two sacks in his 38 career starts. Some scouts see him at tackle, while others believe he is a guard. But with potential shuffling to come on Miami’s offensive line this offseason, Campbell could help in multiple spots.”
Brugler has Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons, Missouri guard/tackle Armand Membou and Missouri receiver Burden III going in the three picks before Miami’s. Brugler then has Penn State tight end Warren, Stewart and Oregon defensive tackle Derek Harmon going as the three picks after Miami selects 13th.
▪ Pro Football Focus, like Brugler, also has the Dolphins taking Campbell, noting “concerns about arm length might lead to Campbell being moved inside to guard at the next level, but I’d prefer to try him at tackle first before making that decision. Campbell has posted a career-high 83.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2024, allowing just 13 total pressures across 518 pass-blocking snaps.”
▪ CBS projects the Dolphins to take Alabama guard Booker, with this comment: “Center Aaron Brewer did a good job in place of Connor Williams this season, but there is room for improvement out of the guard spots. Tyler Booker can provide stability for that unit.”
Per PFF, Booker allowed no sacks and just nine pressures in 353 pass-blocking snaps last season. Purely as a run blocker last season, PFF rated Booker 142nd of 637 FBS guards.
▪ USA Today has the Dolphins selecting Banks, noting that “general manager Chris Grier defended the performance of Miami’s offensive line but noted it was time to invest in the front and get younger. Whether as a tackle or guard, Banks would afford the Dolphins flexibility and help raise the floor of the unit by shoring up one of its greatest weaknesses.”
▪ Sports Illustrated has Miami taking Starks, with Warren, Stewart and Tennessee edge player James Pearce going immediately after.
SI’s take: “The Dolphins have needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball, but with standout safety Jevon Holland entering free agency, Starks feels like a seamless replacement. Starks is a reliable tackler on the back end, capable of covering pass catchers outside and in the slot and he’s proficient working downhill against the run. Miami’s pass defense was a strength in 2024 — Starks will ensure it stays that way moving forward.”
▪ The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs has Missouri offensive lineman Membou as Miami’s pick at 13, with this comment:
“Miami’s offensive line unit has, rightfully, drawn a lot of ire after their performance last season. The team appears to have some promising pieces of the puzzle between RT Austin Jackson, C Aaron Brewer and second-year LT Patrick Paul — and it isn’t a guarantee the team doesn’t have veteran Terron Armstead back, too.
“But Miami needs depth, they need starters at guard, and they need more competition to bring this unit back from the brink — and Missouri’s Armand Membou achieves that. He’s a popular projection to guard after playing right tackle at Missouri. And he could feasibly enter the lineup as a starter at either right guard or right tackle, which would hypothetically push Jackson inside.”
He yielded no sacks and nine hurries in 410 pass blocking snaps last season. Purely as a run blocker, PFF rated him the fifth-best guard in the country.
▪ NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Miami taking Texas offensive lineman Banks: “Nothing is more important for the Dolphins than protecting Tua Tagovailoa. Banks could do that at tackle or guard.”
This story was originally published January 24, 2025 at 11:21 AM.
