Dolphins might not have as many options as it seems: Kiper explains. Zach Wilson weighs in
Some Dolphins-flavored notes from Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN Zoom session with reporters on Tuesday:
▪ Kiper projects Miami to select LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell at No. 13, noting it will give the team a replacement if Terron Armstead retires, which is a strong possibility.
Kiper says “Miami should be focused on finding Armstead’s heir apparent.”
So should the Dolphins feel comfortable projecting Patrick Paul to be their starting left tackle after drafting him in the second round?
“Possibly,” Kiper said in less than a ringing endorsement. But.. .“You’ve got to protect Tua [Tagovailoa], and they’ve got to have guys provide that fortress for him.”
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has not been available to discuss whether Miami will hand Paul the left tackle job if Armstead retires. Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who’s plugged in, continues to mention left tackle as Miami’s top one or two needs during his weekly TV appearances on WSVN 7. Paul graded out very poorly in a limited sample size last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Kiper said Campbell can play tackle or guard but arm length is the concern. His arms measured 32⅝ inches at the NFL Combine, “which isn’t ideal for an NFL offensive tackle,” Kiper said. “Campbell’s [below-average] arm length is the reason he’s there at 13. We talked him going four to New England. He couldn’t get to 33 [inches] with arm length. Most prefer 34 or higher.
“Is that an issue? Some guys have arm length and don’t use it. Some utilize it properly. Some offensive line coaches will say it’s not as big a deal as it is. Some will say it’s a huge deal. There are varying opinions on arm length but most of the top left tackles have arm length 34 plus. He would have to be an outlier... But plenty of tackles start their careers at guard, and Campbell’s great footwork points to a successful career despite the length limitations.”
Kiper downplayed the possibility of Miami picking three other offensive linemen who have been linked to the Dolphins in mock drafts.
In the case of Missouri tackle/guard Armand Membou, he “will be gone [by 13]. He’s red hot. Would be very surprising if he’s there at 13. He’s a plug-and-play guy.”
In the case, of Texas guard/tackle Kelvin Banks, he “did not have the year I expected him to have, had the injury late. I have late first round. He’s one of those borderline guys. Has got talent. I thought he could be a top-10 pick in August, now we’re talking about late first round.”
And in the case of Alabama guard Tyler Booker, “he didn’t run well at the Combine. You are getting that telephone booth guard. He will blow you off the ball and be a guy who can be a force to be reckoned with at guard for the right scheme. I thought he could be a mid-first. I pushed him out of the first. He could be in play early second round. That 40 time hurt him a little bit.”
▪ Though NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah slots Georgia safety Malaki Starks to Miami at 13, Kiper has him slipping to 27th because “he did not test great, missed some tackles last season, had the one interception. Didn’t have his best performance this year.”
▪ What about defensive end Shemar Stewart, the Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace standout who is projected for Miami’s range?
“Stewart is one of most intriguing players — he’s LPG, looks the part guys — to run the way he did; 10-11 broad jump,” he said. But…
“He had one forced fumble in three years, no sacks last seven games each of the last three years, 1.5 sacks each of the last three years. You expect a lot more from someone of that talent. Production doesn’t match the talent yet.”
▪ Incidentally, Kiper said UM’s Cam Ward was “nonchalant” in the pocket at times “things will have to be a little quicker. He does put the ball at harm’s way at times. He showed he could be reckless with the football but he improved on that. There’s a lot to like about Cam Ward,” noting his rocket arm and mobility.
Though Kiper has Ward the sixth-best player in the class, he’s expected to go first overall (either to the Titans or a trade), per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Zach Wilson weighs in
New Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson, in an interview with the Dolphins’ Travis Wingfield, said choosing Miami made sense because “it was a great fit, with coach [Mike] McDaniel, coach Bev [Darrell Bevell].
“It’s going to be a great fit, with what I’m looking for, the type of offense, what I’m going to be able to learn from these guys. It couldn’t be a better match.”
He said the Dolphins are getting “someone willing to work… be my best self and let it fly.”
Looking back on his three disappointing seasons in New York, Wilson said: “There are things I wish I could have done so much better and maybe approached differently.”
Wilson, who is getting married in June in New York City, said Hard Rock Stadium is “always one of my favorite stadiums, if not my favorite stadium.. The weather is awesome here.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 2:35 PM.
