The Miami Dolphins have several areas of need this NFL Draft and own 10 picks currently

The Miami Dolphins have several needs this off-season and it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the NFL Draft. Although in early January, the draft season will pick up momentum when collegiate scouting events begin and go through to the NFL combine.

In the weeks and months leading up to these evaluations, mock draft simulations are in full swing for fanbases of teams that missed out on the postseason. While still a bit too early to place prospects in their proper rounds for the most part, simulation rankings will surely fluctuate following the Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl, college campus pro days, and of course, the combine.

The best prospecting at this juncture is simply a positional outlook without attaching names. When looking at the Dolphins’ needs, before jumping into the prospect pages, one must look at who Miami could be losing, and what areas are needed to begin with.

The Dolphins will have 32 free agents hit the market in March with 26 being unrestricted. Making matters a bit tougher, there are several position groups with numerous free agents in rooms that already could use improvement.

Most notably, the Dolphins have a slew of offensive and defensive line free agents, so both trenches surely need to be addressed during April’s annual selection meeting. Looking closely at the defensive line, veteran Calais Campbell could retire, but there is a glimmer of hope that he could return. Da’Shawn Hand and Benito Jones are also free agents, so the middle of the defensive line will need new blood, most likely.

On the offensive side, the Dolphins and Chris Grier have already admitted it’s time to invest in the line. From a top view of the room, the Dolphins do have tackles Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson as well as center Aaron Brewer pretty much locked in as three of the five starters for 2025. Veteran Terron Armstead is not a shoo-in to return for Miami either, so tackle depth is an area of concern, especially adding in Kendall Lamm had said 2024 would be his last ride.

Guards Isaiah Wynn, Robert Jones, and Liam Eichenberg are all at the end of their Miami contracts and could each find work elsewhere. Wynn, although a very good performer when on the field, has had availability issues with injuries his whole career.

Another area of need is safety. This position for the Dolphins holds the dubious combination of a trio of free agents and horrible 2024 play. Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer combined for zero interceptions, one sack, and were graded as two of the worst safeties in the league this season. Both free agents, as well as safety/special teamer Elijah Campbell, Miami must focus on this group one way, shape, or form this off-season.

Additionally, the Dolphins can stand to add pass-rushing, as they finished 27^th in the NFL in sacks in 2024. Last year’s top pick, Chop Robinson, was second on the team in sacks with six, and Zach Sieler led the Dolphins with 10. Emmanuel Ogbah had a fine year, and another free agent, so if Miami chooses to bring him back, there could still be a need for a young edge to develop. Should Miami move on from Ogbah, the importance will spike. Linebacker Quinton Bell, who showed some sparks this season, is also a free agent.

On a skill position front, Miami will have Jaylen Waddle return to the wide receiver corp. in 2025 as well as 2024 sixth-round pick, Malik Washington. With the rumors and drama surrounding Tyreek Hill and his future, as well as four unrestricted wide receiver free agents for Miami, wide-out is a need on the pro market in March, as well as in April’s Draft.

Should Miami deal Hill, wide receiver need could move to as high as the top two rounds for Grier and the Dolphins. This year’s free agent receiver group is slim for a young and true game-changing type of player, after Tee Higgins, the top of the bunch this cycle.

Lastly, Miami must find a backup quarterback in the draft to develop, learn the Mike McDaniel offense, and be able to win a game or two in a pinch should injury concerns continue for Tua Tagovailoa. Competition isn't the worst idea either.

In a draft that sees Miami having 10 picks at the moment, Grier and the Dolphins are already on the clock in terms of preparation, for what is truly a make-or-break selection process for this regime.