{"id":6422,"date":"2025-04-28T07:45:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T07:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/6422\/"},"modified":"2025-04-28T07:45:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T07:45:11","slug":"nfl-draft-grades-2025-reactions-to-miami-dolphins-draft-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/6422\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Draft grades 2025: Reactions to Miami Dolphins\u2019 draft picks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier today, we took a closer look at the Miami Dolphins<\/a>\u2019 2025 draft grade from ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper, Jr<\/a>. Now, we scan the web for the other NFL Draft grades<\/a> 2025 options that are out there. What is being said about the Dolphins\u2019 performance throughout the three-day draft? What do the analysts think of Miami\u2019s eight picks? <\/p>\n

Below you will find the site, author, and link to each grade, along with any analysis the site provides. You can check out each of the sites for the rest of their grades for all 31 other teams.<\/p>\n

Average Grade: C+ (calculated 2.4 GPA)<\/p>\n

Associated Press – Rob Maaddi<\/a>
\nGrade: B+<\/p>\n

DT Kenneth Grant (13) fills an immediate need. So does G Jonah Savaiinaea (37). DT Jordan Phillips (143), CB Jason Marshall Jr. and S Dante Trader Jr. (155) stock up the defensive side. QB Quinn Ewers (231) is strong value in the seventh round.<\/p>\n

Bleacher Report – Kristopher Knox<\/a>
\nGrade: C<\/p>\n

The Miami Dolphins kicked off their 2025 draft class with a bit of a reach. While Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant possesses enough upside to justify going in Round 1\u2014he was the 26th-ranked prospect on the final B\/R board\u2014he\u2019s highly unlikely to be an every-down contributor.<\/p>\n

At 6\u20194\u201d and 331 pounds, Grant projects as more of a space-eating nose tackle than a versatile three-down defender. Miami has needed defensive line help since losing Christian Wilkins in 2024 free agency, but there was better value to be found at No. 13.<\/p>\n

Defensive lineman Walter Nolen, tight end Tyler Warren and edge-rusher Shemar Stewart were all rated higher than Grant by the Bleacher Report Scouting Department and drafted after him on opening night.<\/p>\n

Miami continued to be aggressive in addressing needs on Day 2. Following a trade with the Raiders, the Dolphins grabbed themselves a guard in Arizona\u2019s Jonah Savaiinaea.<\/p>\n

Savaiinaea can provide depth at tackle but will likely make a more immediate impact if the Dolphins play him inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cSavaiinaea is best suited inside at guard in the NFL, where his starter-level size, square power, and initial quicks can earn him a starting role early in his rookie contract,\u201d Brandon Thorn of the B\/R Scouting Department wrote.<\/p>\n

Trading up for Savaiinaea was smart and may provide a bigger impact this season than the drafting of Grant. However, it\u2019s hard to envision Miami getting early contributions from Day 3 selections like Jordan Phillips and Jason Marshall Jr.<\/p>\n

Taking a flier on Quinn Ewers was smart, given Tua Tagovailoa\u2019s lengthy injury history. Ewers may never develop into a high-level starter, but he can become a long-term backup for the Dolphins\u2014and they could definitely use one.<\/p>\n

Overall, though, it\u2019s hard to think Miami will make a big 2025 jump because of its draft class.<\/p>\n

CBS Sports – Chris Trapasso<\/a>
\nGrade: B<\/p>\n

If nothing else, give a round of applause to general manager Chris Grier for flipping the draft philosophy and finally building through the trenches. Grant was picked too early for the nose tackle position, yet I wouldn\u2019t be stunned if he\u2019s one of the best players at that niche spot in three or four years. <\/p>\n

Savaiinaea is a dancing bear with positional versatility \u2014 which was needed \u2014 and Phillips is a dynamic one-gap penetrator at defensive tackle. I didn\u2019t love the two defensive back selections, although Marshall brings plus man-coverage skills to the field. Gordon can be a hammer at running back, he\u2019ll compliment Achane well. <\/p>\n

Fox Sports – Rob Rang<\/a>
\nGrade: D+<\/p>\n

I can appreciate the rationale behind GM Chris Grier\u2019s decision to select massive nose guard Kenneth Grant at No. 13 overall. When the Dolphins\u2019 offense is healthy and humming, opponents have little choice but to try to run the ball to slow them down \u2014 and Grant is perfectly suited to clog up those lanes. That said, I believe the Dolphins paid an awful lot in draft capital for a player who simply hasn\u2019t dominated consistently \u2014 and the Dolphins spent two more picks on Day 3 on the position (on Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers), as well. <\/p>\n

My favorite picks for Miami in this draft were the burly blocker Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round and the late selections of running back Ollie Gordon (179th) and quarterback Quinn Ewers (231st), each of whom are intriguing fits in Mike McDaniel\u2019s offense. <\/p>\n

NBC Sports – Eric Froton<\/a>
\nGrade: C+<\/p>\n

Kenneth Grant and Savaiinaea shore up deficiencies on each side of the line with quality, instant-contributors. The Phins had to wait another 105 selections before taking a stock and trade run stuffer who didn\u2019t record a sack over his three year career. Marshall Jr. and Trader Jr. are rotational depth pieces, while RB Gordon could have short-yardage value behind speedsters Achane and Jalen Wright. Quinn Ewers should have collected another $3 million in NIL money to transfer to Notre Dame<\/a> instead of being a 7th round fringe clipboard holder who might end up on the practice squad. Miami had a two-player draft with a series of replacement level late picks.<\/p>\n

New York Post – Ryan Dunleavy<\/a>
\nGrade: C-<\/p>\n

Out of college teammate Mason Graham\u2019s shadow, Grant is the run-stopper sorely missing from this defense \u2014 hence his over-drafting (No. 13). Going about 100 picks \u2014 no third- or fourth-rounder \u2014 without selecting was too risky in a make-or-break year. Savaiinaea adds a much-needed physical presence to a finesse offense. <\/p>\n

NFL.com – Chad Reuter<\/a>
\nGrade: B+ (Day 1: B-, Day 2: A-, Day 3: A+)<\/p>\n

Grant\u2019s a potential force on the defensive line, but Derrick Harmon (picked by the Steelers<\/a> at No. 21 overall) and Walter Nolen (taken by the Cardinals at No. 16) could prove to be better values. Miami went with another big body in Savaiinaea to replace Robert Jones at guard, though they gave up two mid-round picks and received one in return to move up and select Savaiinaea. <\/p>\n

Miami wisely stockpiled a 2026 third-round pick instead of choosing someone in the fourth this year. Phillips and Biggers showed the team\u2019s commitment to stopping the run. Marshall lasted longer in the draft than I figured, given his coverage skills. Trader is going to punish ball-carriers at the next level. I projected the bulky Gordon to Miami on Day 3 to bring a physical presence. Ewers enters a QB room in Miami where Tua Tagovailoa\ufeff\u2019s backups historically have tended to see their fair share of action.<\/p>\n

Pro Football Focus – <\/a>PFF.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/p>\n

Grant \u2014 The Dolphins could have gone in many directions, but they opted to fill a void on the interior with a nose tackle who possesses a rare combination of size and quickness. Grant posted an 87.5 PFF run-defense grade (90th percentile) in 2024 and is an upgrade over Benito Jones. This pick further boosts a defense that ranked sixth in PFF run-defense grade last season.<\/p>\n

Savaiinaea \u2014 After adding some size to the interior defensive line in Round 1, Miami turns around and moves up to improve the offensive line. Savaiinea has starting experience at both tackle and guard across three seasons at Arizona, and makes sense as a fit in the Dolphins\u2019 zone rushing scheme. He graded out in the 88th percentile among qualifiers in PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets over the past three seasons.<\/p>\n

Phillips \u2014 The Dolphins get excellent value here, as Phillips ranks No. 94 on the PFF Big Board. He recorded an 11.0% pass-rush win rate and a 7.6% run-stop rate in 2024.<\/p>\n

Trader \u2014 Miami addresses the secondary again with consecutive picks in the fifth round. Trader has some versatility to play in the box, slot and deep. He improved his tackling woes, reducing his missed tackle rate from 18.3% in 2023 to 4.8% in 2024.<\/p>\n

Gordon \u2014 Gordon\u2019s best season at Oklahoma State was in 2023, when he ran for 1,732 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per attempt. In 2024, he earned a 75.8 PFF rushing grade on gap runs.<\/p>\n

Ewers \u2014 Ewers was the 165th-ranked prospect on the PFF Big Board, so the Dolphins got good value with this pick. He can eventually serve as a backup to Tua Tagovailoa. Although Ewers\u2019 grades dipped in 2024 (72.5), he earned a very good 86.8 PFF overall grade in 2023.<\/p>\n

Biggers \u2014 Biggers has prototypical size and length for the nose tackle position, but his grading profile is underwhelming, given those traits. Biggers earned PFF grades of 65.0 or lower in each of the past two seasons for the Yellow Jackets.<\/p>\n

Pro Football and Sports Network – PFSN Stats and Insights<\/a><\/p>\n

Grade: C+<\/p>\n

To the Dolphins\u2019 credit, they did what many people wanted them to do: Focus on the trenches. They spent their first two picks, and half of their overall selections, on trench players, and their second-round pick \u2013 Jonah Savaiinaea \u2013 was one of the best confluences of need and \u201cbest player available\u201d in the entire draft.<\/p>\n

Savaiinaea should be an impact starter at guard, and even though the Kenneth Grant selection was too rich, Grant does have high upside in a niche where that kind of two-phase, three-down potential is relatively difficult to find. The problem is, the Dolphins didn\u2019t build off of the Grant selection as well as they could have.<\/p>\n

They essentially drafted three variations of nose tackles. Jordan Phillips is a young block absorber who offers little disruptive ability at this point in time. Zeek Biggers is an explosive space-eater who\u2019s also limited beyond his primary function at the moment.<\/p>\n

Next to Grant and Zach Sieler, the Dolphins still have a deficiency on the defensive line, and that could impact Grant\u2019s development. But beyond that, Miami\u2019s other picks were solid enough.<\/p>\n

Jason Marshall Jr. has some potential as a nickel defender, and Dante Trader Jr. is a natural mover at safety. Quinn Ewers was acceptable value in Round 7, and if Ollie Gordon II can recapture his 2023 magic, he\u2019ll be a steal. Miami did enough to stay afloat, but can they deliver on their bolder picks? That remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

The Score – Dan Wilkins<\/a><\/p>\n

Grade: B-<\/p>\n

Run defense will no longer be an issue in Miami. Grant is a massive defensive tackle who dominates in that area, and he\u2019s got more pass-rush upside than you\u2019d expect for a player his size. Phillips is also a dominant run defender who provides great value in the fifth round. While Savaiinaea fills a need on the offensive line, and while his athleticism will certainly make him a fit in Mike McDaniel\u2019s zone run game, it\u2019s tough to get on board with giving up a third-round pick to move up 11 spots in the second round to get him. This roster could have used the extra Day 2 draft capital.<\/p>\n

Sports Illustrated – Gilberto Manzano, Matt Verderame<\/a>
\nGrade: C+<\/p>\n

The Dolphins did well with their selections, but it\u2019s tough to get a top grade when you make only two picks through the first four rounds. Miami added a much-needed guard to its offensive line in Savaiinaea, who could start as a rookie. Grant, their first-round pick, is a 331-pound run-stuffer who also provides some juice as a pass rusher. He\u2019ll fit nicely on a front four which includes Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. \u2014MV<\/p>\n

USA Today – Nate Davis<\/a>
\nGrade: C- (lowest grade given)<\/p>\n

They absolutely needed to get tougher in the trenches \u2013 on both sides of the ball. So from that standpoint, spending their only picks ahead of the fifth round on DT Kenneth Grant (Round 1) and G Jonah Savaiinaea (Round 2) made sense. Conversely, were they both slight reaches relative to their draft position or even the best available options at their respective positions? The team\u2019s spotty track record, especially on the O-line, makes one wonder.<\/p>\n

Walter Football – Walt<\/a>
\nGrade: B+<\/p>\n

Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft<\/a>: Miami\u2019s roster is in shambles. The offensive line is quite possibly the worst blocking unit in the NFL. The secondary looks to be atrocious. And the team can\u2019t possibly have any faith in Tua Tagovailoa staying healthy, so some insurance is needed at quarterback.<\/p>\n

2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Dolphins made it a point to address the trenches. Four of their picks were spent on linemen, including the first three. Kenneth Grant began the run, as the huge Michigan nose tackle will help clamp down on the run and rush the passer. Miami\u2019s next selection was used to help improve the blocking.<\/p>\n

The Dolphins had a strong draft overall, though they made a couple of mistakes. First, while Ollie Gordon provided tremendous value in the sixth round, Miami should have continued to address the many holes on the roster. Running back was considered the lowest priority. Second, Dante Trader was a reach in the fifth round.<\/p>\n

Despite these two gaffes, the Dolphins did well in this draft. Excluding the Trader selection, all but one of Miami\u2019s picks scored a B+ or higher, and the lone exception earned a \u201cB.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yahoo! Sports – Nate Tice, Charles McDonald<\/a>
\nGrade: B-<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why: The Dolphins add to the trenches with their first two selections. Kenneth Grant isn\u2019t someone I had linked to Miami, but it\u2019s a selection that I\u2019ve liked the more I\u2019ve marinated on it. Grant is big, athletic, sturdy against the run, and has upside as a disruptor against the run and pass. His best ball is in front of him and he joins a Dolphins front that has some serious teeth to it. Jonah Savaiinaea is a big guard, but moves well (which matched his testing at the NFL scouting combine), making him a good fit for the Dolphins. They moved up to get Savaiinaea, and I would have liked them to add even more numbers to their line, but he fits a need and went in the proper range of where he was predicted to go. Dante Trader Jr. is a fifth-round selection who gives the Dolphins more bodies at safety.<\/p>\n

Most interesting pick: Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State<\/p>\n

Gordon is a different type of flavor at running back that the speed-addicted Dolphins have taken in the past. He\u2019s a big, bruiser who can build up speed in space. He was wildly productive in 2023, but some wear and tear slowed him down in 2024. De\u2019Von Achane and Jaylen Wright already provide plenty of speed, so now the Dolphins have a player with some bulk to take tough carries like on short yardage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Earlier today, we took a closer look at the Miami Dolphins\u2019 2025 draft grade from ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6423,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2049],"tags":[217,19,7,29,89,216,251,2734,2087,6,15,1094,2732,22,1144,24,528],"class_list":{"0":"post-6422","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-miami-dolphins","8":"tag-dolphins","9":"tag-draft","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-front-page","12":"tag-grades","13":"tag-miami","14":"tag-miami-dolphins","15":"tag-miami-dolphins-draft","16":"tag-miamidolphins","17":"tag-nfl","18":"tag-nfl-draft","19":"tag-nfl-draft-grades","20":"tag-phinsider","21":"tag-picks","22":"tag-reactions","23":"tag-the","24":"tag-to"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114414480589475856","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6422"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6422\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}