The Miami Dolphins 2025 NFL Draft class is packed with raw talent, upside and grit, setting the stage for a competitive offseason and potentially franchise-shaping developments.
With the official schedule release set for Wednesday at 8 p.m., Dolphins fans are eager not only to see when their team lines up against powerhouses like the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but also which rookies will step up and earn a role on Sundays.
Dolphins 2025 Draft class highlights include:
-Round 1 (No. 13): DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
-Round 2 (No. 37): OG Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
-Round 5 (No. 143): DT Jordan Phillips, Maryland
-Round 5 (No. 150): CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
-Round 5 (No. 155): S Dante Trader Jr., Maryland
-Round 6 (No. 179): RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
-Round 7 (No. 231): QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
-Round 7 (No. 253): DT Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech
Jason Marshall Jr. (33) warming up for the first day of Rookie Minicamp at the Miami Dolphins Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, FL.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
While early-round picks like Grant and Savaiinaea will grab immediate headlines, the Dolphins’ fifth-round pick, Marshall, might just be one of the draft’s hidden gems.
Jason Marshall Jr. Returns to 305
Marshall’s journey to the NFL isn’t just a football story; it’s a story of South Florida resilience. The Miami native paid his dues on the Optimist fields of Richmond Park Giants and Kendall Raiders, becoming a local legend when he suited up for the Palmetto Panthers.
Marshall was a consensus five-star high school recruit. He eventually committed to the University of Florida, where he started all four years at cornerback, facing top SEC competition week in and week out.
Now, the 6-foot-1-inch cornerback is back home, grinding through rookie minicamp at the Miami Dolphins Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, a place that was once a dream, and now his work office.
“It’s the same thing. First, coming into college, you are the underdog, and you are back to square one, working my way back to the top,” said Marshall when asked about his transition to the league.
Welcome to the League
While Marshall says the game hasn’t changed much in terms of what’s expected physically, there is one big difference that he recognizes.
Jason Marshall Jr. (33) was a five-star recruit at Palmetto Senior High.
(X@Bama_247)
“The biggest thing is just the speed of the game. Everything happens quicker, but it’s still football. You just need to stay sharp and be ready,” he noted.
With veteran Dolphins defenders still to report, Marshall has yet to line up next to or against players he once idolized. Instead, he’s laser-focused on digesting the playbook and building trust with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
“Great guy,” Marshall said of Weaver. “I feel like he will coach me to the best of my ability.”
Jason Marshall Jr. may be asked to fill a potential void at defensive back early on in his NFL career.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
That mindset — embracing coaching, competition and preparation — is precisely what could earn Marshall an early role in Miami’s defensive backfield rotation. With questions still surrounding depth at cornerback, his ability to press in man coverage, play with physicality and bring a hard-nosed edge to the secondary makes him an intriguing candidate to emerge as a potential starter as early as Week 1.
Marshall’s Mission
Fans may have noticed Marshall donning No. 33, a change from the No. 3 jersey he wore in high school and at the University of Florida.
“Three means a lot to me, it’s what I’ve always worn. But 33 was available and felt like the right next chapter,” said Marshall.
Now part of a Dolphins rookie class full of potential, Marshall wants to inspire the next generation of South Florida stars. His advice for young athletes grinding their way up the ladder?
“Keep grinding and working hard. Stay in the moment, not worry about the future, and focus on the present,” said Marshall.
Marshall recently took that mentorship a step further by hosting Ben Hanks III, the standout Booker T. Washington defensive back and 2025 Nat Moore Trophy finalist, now a freshman at the University of Florida. The connection shows Marshall’s leadership, even as a rookie.
Jason Marshall Jr. (33) performing defensive back drills during the first day of Rookie Minicamp for the Miami Dolphins.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
What’s Next
Home games for the season, including one in Madrid, Spain, will see the Dolphins go head-to-head with the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders.
Away games will include competitions with the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts.