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Wake up! It’s Friday! And with another Friday comes another mock draft from yours truly! Last week, the National Football League gifted the Miami Dolphins an additional 7th round pick thanks to the complicated mechanisms contained within the compensatory formula. Well actually, that was a short lived joy as the NFL quickly removed Miami’s 11th pick due to a clerical error committed by a nerd sitting at a desk in the NFL’s offices. This brings Miami’s total number of draft picks in the upcoming draft back down to 10 selections — but that’s still a lot to work with!
As a reminder, once a week, every week until the 2025 NFL Draft, I’ll be doing a full 7-round mock, and then giving you a chance to grade my results. Each draft will look slightly different, because, let’s be honest, the Dolphins have a ton of needs and can go in a million different directions come late April when the actual NFL Draft kicks off.
This exercise will allow us to examine different pathways to success for our beloved South Florida franchise, while hopefully having some fun in the process!
So, without further adieu, let’s unwrap my latest mock draft!
ROUND 1 – Pick #13
Malaki Starks — SAF — Georgia
What the experts are saying:
Three-year starter with reams of high-leverage games on his résumé. Starks is a versatile safety with the size and athleticism to eliminate contested catches and the speed and ball skills to shine when the action travels deep. Connection to the route is inconsistent in man and he’s baited out of position by misdirection, but better discipline and anticipation should clean that up. He’s not a true force player near the line and his pursuit angles can be raggedy but he gets guys down when he’s in position. Starks has feast-or-famine moments on tape and disappointed with his short-area testing at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran well in Indianapolis, though, and was impressive in interviews with teams. He is a future starter as a movable back-end piece whose consistency will determine his floor/ceiling. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
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ROUND 2 – Pick #48
Wyatt Milum — OG — West Virginia
What the experts are saying:
West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Wyatt Milum is a well-built presence along the offensive line who offers scheme versatility at the next level. Milum plays with good cadence, effective mobility, and power at the point of attack, as well as plenty of experience, which should suit him well as he transitions to the NFL.
Milum’s best NFL outlook is likely on the interior because of some of his physical limitations with agility and length. These issues can create challenges in space or on the edge, but I can foresee him developing into a sufficient level starter on the interior, where those limitations are more masked. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 3 – Pick #98
Omarr Norman-Lott — DT — Tennessee
What the experts are saying:
Tennessee Volunteers defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott projects as an interior pass rusher at the NFL level. There’s developmental upside present to tap into as a potential long-term starter, but Norman-Lott’s first step quickness, immediate power, and heavy hands all combine for a challenging profile to stay in front of in protection.
He’s a player with significant growth potential despite his status as a 23-year-old rookie. He logged less than 1,000 defensive snaps across five seasons of college play between Arizona State and Tennessee. His anchor and point-of-attack skills aren’t where you’d prefer them as a run defender, but he has the physical tools at his disposal to make positive strides if he lands in an environment that can nurture his potential. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 4 – Pick #116
Terrance Ferguson — TE — Oregon
What the experts are saying:
Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson looks and plays like a flex tight end. His performance in the Oregon passing game features a good look at how he’d be optimized at the NFL level, too. He’s effective running hitches and shallow crosses underneath while offering a big-bodied presence up the seam with good concentration and body control.
However, his room for growth lies in his contributions beyond being a big receiver. He may be the victim of a culture shock when he’s required to offer more sturdy contributions in the run game moving forward, which creates a challenging developmental curve. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 4 – Pick #135
Demetrius Knight Jr. — LB — South Carolina
What the experts are saying:
Passionate linebacker with great size, good instincts and a feel for how to play the position. Knight is a fluid athlete with average pursuit speed and short-area burst. He uses his eyes and instincts to diagnose quickly and he maneuvers around bodies like a running back. He’s adept at slipping blocks and rarely allows blockers to stick and sustain on the second level. He’s aware and productive in zone but could struggle to stay connected in man coverage. He’s not a twitchy mover but knows how to play the game and has a chance to play on all three downs. Knight’s field demeanor and football character should seal the deal as a future starter at inside ‘backer. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
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ROUND 5 – Pick #150
Jordan Phillips — DT — Maryland
What the experts are saying:
Maryland Terrapins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips projects as an athletic starting nose tackle at the NFL level. This is a young talent who, as a redshirt sophomore, posted impressive tape as a point-of-attack defender with lateral range and the anchor ability to hold the point and protect his linebackers.
There’s enough athletic upside with Phillips to warrant consideration for a long-term role that is more diverse and impactful on passing downs, too. He has a good first step and heavy hands that can create momentum for power rushes back into the lap of the quarterback. Phillips is built squatty and low to the ground, which affords him ample natural leverage to anchor double teams. He also shows good technique in dropping a knee and eating combo blocks to clog the interior. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 5 – Pick #155
Charles Grant — OT — William & Mary
What the experts are saying:
Highly consistent performer with elite length and better technique than many prospects coming from a higher level of competition. Grant played with both urgency and positioning in William & Mary’s zone-heavy approach, but he needs to add bulk and improve his pad level to play with the drive and anchor needed as a pro. The former high school wrestler utilizes a bag of tricks with his protection approach and possesses adequate core strength to absorb a speed-to-power pass rush. He could develop into a solid pro as either a guard or tackle if he cleans up issues with hand usage. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
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ROUND 7 – Pick #224
Jalen Travis — OT — Iowa State
What the experts are saying:
Iowa State Cyclones offensive tackle Jalen Travis projects as a developmental tackle to the NFL level. Travis played one year at Iowa State after securing his undergraduate degree while playing at Princeton and showcased NFL-caliber strength and length on the edge.
His technical development, particularly with his hand usage, will be key in unlocking his potential. He has starter traits, although he is a bit less dynamic and forceful in the run game than you’d expect when you see his profile up close and in person. Travis would greatly benefit from finding more engagement in his lower half to sustain push and momentum to create displacement at the point of attack. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 7 – Pick #231
Ja’Corey Brooks — WR — Louisville
What the experts are saying:
Brooks posted a career year at Louisville in 2024 after three seasons at Alabama. He has good size and average speed. He’s a decent athlete with the length and ball skills to have success downfield. He’s not going to outrun many NFL corners on a sprint and he’s too tight-hipped to uncover with his route-running, which is one reason for so many contested catches. The touchdown production and yards per catch are favorable, but Brooks might have to fight for a back-end spot on a roster. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
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ROUND 7 – Pick #253
Brady Cook — QB — Missouri
What the experts are saying:
Tantalizing prospect thanks to his athleticism and arm talent but the more I studied, the more doubt creeped in. Cook played with a better command of the offense in 2023, which led to better in-game rhythm and results. He can make every NFL throw but struggles to make them with consistent timing and accuracy. Cook needs to improve his eye discipline to keep windows open and safeties out of his business. He’s an average decision-maker and field-reader who defaults to unsound passing platforms when he feels pressure. He has the size and mobility to make plays as a scrambler and with designed runs. Cook’s physical traits and athletic ability are worth a discussion as a developmental prospect. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
