The Miami Dolphins are in a tough spot that no NFL team wants to be in.
The team isn’t good enough to contend for a Super Bowl, but also isn’t bad enough to land a top pick. Additionally, the team could soon be forced to move on from a couple of elite players in wide receiver Tyreek Hill and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Justin Casterline/Getty Images
In free agency, the team did make a few savvy moves on both sides of the ball. With the draft a week away, though, there are still some obvious holes that need to be filled ahead of the 2025 season.
While most people in the NFL community focus on who the Dolphins SHOULD draft, we’re going to identify some players the team should stay away from in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Jahdae Barron is a talented prospect who started flying up draft boards after the College Football Playoff.
In college at Texas, Barron played on the boundary as a slot corner. However, due to Barron’s short arms and slim frame, most scouts expect the defensive back to play in the slot full-time in the NFL.
Barron is a solid player, but the Dolphins need a true boundary corner, especially if Ramsey is traded. In the slot, the Dolphins already have Kader Kohou, who showed promise in 2024.
Even with Ramsey, the Dolphins need help on the outside. That need becomes crucial if Ramsey leaves, and Barron wouldn’t fill that need.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Don’t take this as a knock on Tetairoa McMillan, because that’s not what it is.
McMillan could very well be the best wide receiver in this class. However, the big-bodied receiver doesn’t seem like the best fit for Mike McDaniel’s high-powered, fast-paced offense.
With Hill’s situation, the Dolphins could be tempted to select a receiver early. However, McMillan wouldn’t be a replacement for Hill, as McMillan isn’t a burner like Hill. This wide receiver class has several options in the middle rounds who would be better fits for this offense.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Malaki Starks is another super talented prospect who will likely intrigue the Dolphins.
The team lost Jevon Holland in free agency, so it makes sense that a safety would be in consideration. However, the Dolphins did bring in Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis in free agency, and those veterans could handle the load for at least 2025.
The Dolphins just have too many needs to take a safety in the first round. Melifonwu and Davis are better starting options than what the team has at outside corner or offensive line, for example.
Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State
Josh Simmons could easily end up being the best left tackle in this class once the dust is settled.
The only problem is that Simmons is coming off a major injury in 2024. Offensive line is a huge need for the Dolphins, which was emphasized even more when Terron Armstead retired. The Dolphins need a tackle who can step in and play immediately, and Simmons might not be able to do that.
Unfortunately, the Dolphins aren’t in a postion to sit and wait for an offensive lineman to develop. The team would be better off taking a player like Kelvin Banks Jr. or Tyler Booker who could be plug-and-play starters on day one.
