The Miami Dolphins trade up, select offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea
The Miami Dolphins moved up in the second round to select offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea following a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Miami gave up the 48th, 98th and 135th pick in order to snag the University of Arizona product. The Dolphins received the 37th and 143rd pick.
“It didn’t weigh at all,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said of the decision to trade up, praising “his size” and “his power.” “For us, this is a player that we had targeted, we spent a lot of time. We had him in on a top-30 visit. Spent time with him at the all-star games. Butch [Barry] went out and spent a day with him and a had private workout with him.”
Even Savaiinaea himself was a bit surprised that the Dolphins traded up to grab him though he was excited to block for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the two attended Saint Louis School in Honolulu.
“I didn’t expect them to do that,” Savaiinaea said. The 21-year-old later added that he’s only blocked for Polynesian quarterbacks, quipping that “God wants me to only block for my people.”
The Dolphins were in dire need of help along the offensive interior and hoped that Savaiinaea will help be their guard of the future. Miami also tends to prioritize versatility, something that Savaiinaea did with ease as he has played right guard as well as right and left tackle during his career.
“It’s important,” Grier said of Savaiinaea’s versatility, later explaining that “the ability for guys to go out and play tackle or guard in this league” is “paramount.”
Added Grier: “Someone as big as him as athletic as he is, being able to play all four spots for us is key. He’s excited for the opportunity to come here and play guard and compete for the starting job.”
Guard just so happens to be the position he feels more comfortable at, according to the newest Dolphin.
“I’m big-bodied and good with my hands,” Savaiinaea said. “That’s home for me.”
A three-year starter with the Wildcats, Savaiinaea racked up two All-Pac-12 honorable mentions (2022 and 2023) as well as a All-Big-12 honorable mention (2024) during his career. He also made the Freshman All-American team in 2022.
With the selection of Savaiinaea, the Dolphins have seemingly shored up the interior of the offensive line. Still, Miami has an extremely large need at cornerback, something they will look to address with their remaining seven picks.
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 7:36 PM.
